GB2360269A

GB2360269A - Extendible ramp

Info

Publication number: GB2360269A
Application number: GB0000017A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Harvey Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-14
Filing date: 2000-03-14
Publication date: 2001-09-19
Also published as: GB0000017D0

Abstract

An extendible ramp e.g. for a skip has two rigid sections pivotally or slidably linked togther and preferably lockable in the extended position. Preferably the two sections are of ladder like construction covered by rigid boards with a non-slip covering laminated thereto. The ramp can be of fibreglass, wood or aluminium and preferably has a pivoted hook to connect to a skip edge. The ramp is preferably at least 450 mm wide.

Description

2360269 An Extendible Ramp

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a ramp and in particular to a ramp suitable for use on a building site.

Background to the invention

On building sites, skips are frequently used to remove refuse such as broken bricks and glass from a building being dismantled. Wheelbarrows are typically then used to transport the refuse from the building to the skip. To empty the wheelbarrows into the skip, it is necessary to use a ramp arranged against a side of the skip, up which the wheelbarrow is wheeled and at the top of which the contents of the wheelbarrow can be discarded.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided an extendible ramp having a first rigid section and a second rigid section connected to each other, said rigid sections being moveable relative to each other between a contracted position and an extended. position.

The present invention provides an extendible ramp which can be used either in the contracted position or in the extended position. Conventionally, scaffold boards are used as ramps on building sites, which are difficult to transport due to their length. In the present invention, the ramp can be maintained in its smaller closed position, thereby increasing the convenience and manoeuvrability of the ramp in transport.

2 Preferably, at least one of said rigid sections comprises a ladder framework and a rigid board fitted to said ladder framework.

Preferably, the ramp further comprises coupling means mounted on the distal end of at least one of the first and second rigid sections.

Preferably, the ramp is at leat 450mm wide. Since the ramp is at least 450mm wide, it is safer to use on a building site as the chance of a wheelbarrow or a builder failing off it is reduced.

Brief description of the drawings

Examples of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of the ramp according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows another example of the ramp according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows an example of a securing hook used on the ramp according to the present invention; and Figure 4 shows a further example of a ramp according to the present invention.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows an example of the ramp according to the present invention. The ramp 1 has first and second sections 2 and 4 coupled together at a junction 6. The junction 6 has locking means (not shown) so that the ramp can be locked in an extended or contracted position, dependent on a user's requirements. Each of the rigid sections 2 and 3 4 has a ladder framework 8 and a non-slip board 10 fitted to the framework. Recessed supports 5 are provided to support the board 10. The non-slip board 10 may be made out of any conventional material such as aluminium or any other material which is sufficiently light and strong. Alternatively, a conventional lightweight board may be used laminated with a non-slip coating to act as the non-slip surface.

Due to the ladder framework the ramp is therefore strong and the non-slip surface of the board enables the ramp to be used with increased safety compared to conventional ramps used for this application.

Figure 2 shows a second example of a ramp according to the present invention. In this case, the ramp 1 is shown in use, lying against a skip 12. Supporting means 14 is included to provide additional support to the ramp 1. The supporting means 14 may be a folding support permanently coupled to the ramp arranged to be collapsible with the structure of the ramp.

In use, a user extends the ramp from the contracted position and locks it into the extended position at the junction 6 before arranging it against the side of the skip. A coupling means 16 is optionally provided at one end of the ramp (see Figure 3) for coupling the ramp to a side of the skip. In this example, the coupling means is a hook rotatable about a pivot 18. The hook is rotatable to engage with an upper edge of a side of the skip. This ensures that the ramp does not move relative to the skip whilst in use and is therefore safer.

4 The ramp is wider than conventional ramps used for this application such as scaffold boards, a typical width being, say, greater than 45Omm. In addition, the ramp is substantially lighter than scaffold boards and, due to the fact that it can be folded away, is easier to transport.

Figure 4 shows a second example of a ramp according to the present invention. In this example, the ramp includes two rigid sections 2 and 4 slidably coupled to each other and locking means 7 arranged on either of sections 2 and 4. To extend the ramp between the contracted and extended position, the locking means 7 are disengaged, to enable the sections 2 and 4 to be moved relative to each other. In this example, the ramp can be used when contracted, partially extended or fully extended.

Claims

1. An extendible ramp having a first rigid section and a second rigid section connected to each other, said rigid sections being moveable relative to each other between a contracted position and an extended position.

2. An extendible ramp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said rigid sections comprises a ladder framework and a rigid board fitted to said ladder framework.

3. An extendible ramp according to claim 2, wherein a first end of the first rigid section is connected to a first end of the second rigid section by a pivot, said first and second rigid sections being rotatable relative to each other between the contracted position and the extended position about said pivot. 15

4. An extendible ramp according to claim 3, wherein said pivot includes locking means so that said ramp is lockable to maintain the ramp in the extended or contracted position.

5. An extendible ramp according to claim 1, wherein said first rigid section and said 20 second rigid section are slidably movable relative to each other between the contracted position and extended position. 6. An extendible ramp according to claim 5, further comprising locking means associated with either the first or second rigid section to lock the ramp in the extended 25 or contracted position.

6

7. An extendible ramp according to any preceding claim, wherein the rigid board is made of fibreglass.

8. An extendible ramp according to any preceding claim, wherein the rigid board is made of aluminium.

9. An extendible ramp according to any preceding claim, wherein said rigid board is made of wood.

10. An extendible ramp according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the rigid board is laminated with a non-slip surface.

11. An extendible ramp according to any preceding claim, further comprising coupling means mounted on the distal end of at least one of the first and second rigid sections. 15

12. An extendible ramp according to claim 11, in which said coupling means comprises a hook, said hook being pivotably mounted to the ramp.

13. An extendible ramp according to any preceding claim, in which the ramp is at 20 least 450min wide.

14. An extendible ramp substantially as shown in andlor described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.