GB2238289A - A ramp - Google Patents

Abstract

A ramp 10 comprises a runway section 11 and a platform section 12. The runway section 11 carries pivotal feet 17 and has a hinged ramp element 18 at its lower end. An adjustable bracket 21 is provided for engaging a skip and the platform section 12, which overhangs the skip, is provided with a wheel stop 24 and a wheel bumper stop 25 to assist tipping. The platform section 12 is rotationally adjustable with respect to the runway section 11 so that it can be maintained horizontal whatever the inclination of the runway section 12. <IMAGE>

Description

A PSMP This invention relates to ramps and in particular, but not exclusively to ramps for use with skips and the like.

There are many situations in which it is necessary to raise a load from the ground level to a position some height from the ground and one typical example occurs when builders or Do-it-Yourself enthusiasts are loading skips using wheelbarrows. Commonly they push the wheelbarrow up inadequate ramps and a large number of accidents occur every year, due to these 'RMlPS' collapsing due to poor construction and unsuitable materials; the whole ramp itself sliding off the skip edge;or the surface of the ramp becoming slippery as to be unable to provide a proper footing for the operative.

From one aspect the invention consists in a ramp comprising a main runway section positionable to extend between the ground and an elevated position, and a platform section for providing a tipping or load transfer location at the elevated position.

For the purposes of this specification references to the "ground" are intended to cover any base surface from which the user starts.

In a preferred embodiment the runway section has upstanding side portions extending at least substantially along its length. The side portions may be substantially box section, for example they may be in the form of inverted U's. The runway section may be formed from a single sheet of material, for example by pressing, and is preferably made of metal. Conveniently it has an anti-slip surface and/or footholds and the surface may be created by an anti-slip coating or profiling of the surface of the runway section or a combination of hoth.

The runway section may have one or more ground engaging feet at one end, and they may be pivotably mounted for movement between a storage position and an operative position. The ramp may further comprise a set of shoes for the feet being configured for respective surfaces. For example, spiked shoes may be provided for soft ground whilst rubber shoes may be used on low friction surfaces.

The ramp may include a hinged ramp element at one end of the runway section.

Preferably the platform is releasably connectable to the runway section in which case the means for connecting the platform section to the runway section may allow relative rotational adjustment so that the platform section can be locked into different orientations with respect to the runway section. The platform section may be formed with a wheel stop and/or a wheel bumper stop in its upper surface and it may have substantially the sane cross-section as the runway section.

The ramp may further include stop means for engaging a skip or the like adjacent the other end of the runway section and it may further include runway extension sect ions.

The sections may carry co-operative formations such that they can be stacked with formations engaged to releasably retain then one on top of the other. Carrying handles may be provided, preferably on the runway section.

From another aspect the invention consists in a ramp including a runway section having adjustable stop means for engaging a skip to locate the runway in an inclined position relative to the skip.

From a further aspect the invention consists in a ramp arranged to be inclined to provide a loading runway and having a wheel stop and/or a wheel bumper stop adjacent the end which is uppermost in use.

Although the invention has been defined above it is to be understood that it includes many inventive combinations of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a specific embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ramp, Figure 2 is a perspective view of an extension for use with the ramp of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an enlarged exploded view of A in Figure 1.

A ramp 10 comprises a runway section 11 and a platform section 12. Each of the sections 11 and 12 are formed by pressing out a single sheet of metal so that they have central portions 13 defining a runway and raised side portions 14,15. The latter are generally of box section to provide strength and the runway is chequered to provide a non-slip surface. Treads 16 or other non-slip formations may be formed on the runway section 11 and the sections 11,12 may be cross-braced on the rear to increase rigidity.

The runway section 11 carries pivotal feet 17 which can be locked either in the operative position shown in Figures 1 or 3, or in a storage position in which they lie in line with the side portions 14,15. Extending between the feet 17 is a hinged ramp element 18 which in its in-use position provides the beginning of the runway from the ground. T.hen not in use the ramp element 18 is hinged inwardly to lie within the confines of the runway section 11.

At its upper end 20, the runway section 11 is provided with a rotatable bracket 21, which can be locked in a succession of rotatable positions by a spring-loaded pin (not shown) located in an arc of apertures 22 on side portion 14. By selecting an appropriate position the bracket 21 can be hooked over the side of a skip or the like to locate securely the ramp 10. Preferably there are brackets 21 on each side portion. It will be seen that the can be locked into an in-line storage position shown in solid line.

The platform 12 is releasably mounted on the runway by means of fishplates 23. Again a spring-loaded spring (not shown) is used to lock the platform to the fishplates 23 by locating in a range of apertures (not shown). Each aperture defines a particular orientation of the platform section 12 to the runway section 11 so that a generally horizontal position for the platform section 12 can be achieved for a range of inclinations of the runway section 11.

A pair of stops 24,25 are provided in the upper surface of the platform section 12. The first, 24, is provided to engage a wheel of the wheelbarrow to enable it to be tipped to deposit its contents into the skip.

The second, 25, is positioned to engage the wheel bumper of the wheelbarrow because it is not unknown for this bumper to skid during the tipping process causing the user to be tipped off the ramp into the skip.

Figure 2 shows a runway extension section 26, which in general is constructed identically to the runway section 11 and is arranged to be bolted between the runway section 11 and the platform section 12 when a greater height has to be reached. Clearly a series of such extensions could be used.

Although the construction proposed by the applicants for the sections is particular rigid, it may be desirable to provide intermediate support when extensions are being used and for this purpose telescopic legs 27 can be provided on the extension 26.

It will be seen that these are pivotally mounted so that the legs can be stored within the side portions 14,15 and the telescopic arrangement allows for height adjustment.

Two of the sections have male stacking lugs 28 dependent from the side portions 14,15 and the runway and runway extension sections 11,26 have corresponding female stacking lugs 29. These co-operating lugs enable the sections to be stored one upon the other in a secure position.

Thus it will be appreciated that the applicants' ramp provides a secure and safe -runway and tipping platform for use with skips. In addition, it can be readily stored and transported. The nature of the construction of the ramp is such that it is particularly strong whilst economic to manufacture and may have many other applications, for example for loading wheelchairs into vehicles and indeed anywhere else that a temporary ramp is required. The platform may not always be necessary and the locking bracket 21 may be replaced by other suitable configurations dependent on the proposed use.

Handles 30 are provided on the runway section 11 and extension 25.

The feet 17 may provide with releasable shoes 31. As shown in Figure 3 they are rubber pads 32, an alternative set may be spiked for soft ground.

Claims (21)

Claims

1. A ramp comprising a main runway section positionable to extend between the ground and an elevated position and a platform section for providing a tipping or load transfer location at the elevated position..

2. A ramp as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the runway section has upstanding side portions extending at least substantially along its length.

3. A ramp as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the side portions are substantial of box section.

4. A ramp as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the runway section is formed from a single sheet of material.

5. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the runway section is metal.

6. A ramp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein runway defined by the runway section has an anti-slip surface and/or footholds.

7. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the runway section has one or more ground engaging feet at one end.

8. A ramp as claimed in Claim 7, further comprising a set of shoes for the feet, the shoes in the set being configured for respective surfaces.

9. A ramp as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the feet are pivotably mounted on the runway section for movement between a storage position and an operative position.

10. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, further including a hinged ramp element at the one end of the runway section.

11. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the platform is releasably connectable to the runway section.

12. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, including means for connecting the platform section to the runway section for allowing relative rotational adjustment between the platform section and the runway section.

13. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, having a wheel stop and/or a wheel bumper stop formed in upper surface of the platform section.

14. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the platform section and runway section are substantially the same cross-section.

15. A ramp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, including stop means for engaging a skip or the like adjacent the upper end of the runway section.

16. A ramp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, further including runway extension sections.

17. A ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the sections carry cooperating formations such that they can be stacked with the formations engaged to releasably retain them one on top of the other.

18. A ramp as claimed, wherein the runway section has handles.

19. A ramp including a runway section having adjustable stop means for engaging a skip to locate the runway in an inclined position relative to the skip.

20. A ramp arranged to be inclined to provide a loading runway and having a wheel stop and/or a wheel bumper stop adjacent the end which is uppermost in use.

21. A ramp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.