GB2362630A

GB2362630A - Modular ramp

Info

Publication number: GB2362630A
Application number: GB0012537A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodney Philpin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-23
Filing date: 2000-05-23
Publication date: 2001-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-23
Also published as: GB2362630B; GB0012537D0

Abstract

A modular ramp, in particular for use as a loading ramp or walkway, comprises a plurality of ramp modules 1, each ramp module comprising a ramp frame having a pair of opposing frame end members and a pair of opposing frame side members 2 interconnecting said opposing end members. Each ramp module further comprises a first support leg 3 mountable on a first side member of the ramp frame and towards one end thereof and a second support leg 3 mountable on a second side member of the ramp frame and towards the same end thereof. The support legs are secured to the ramp frame by an adjustable mount 4, the adjustable mount being positioned at a desired elevation along the length of the respective leg. Each ramp frame has means for connection to an adjacent ramp frame. The adjustable mount allows the ramp frame to be selectively mounted on each of the support legs at one of a plurality of inclinations. The adjustable mount can comprise a bracket A1 with holes for a nut and bolt A4, A5 and locking pins A2, A3 that can be adjustably positioned in a side frame central and surrounding circle of holes, respectively. Variations on this theme are also described (Fig 6-10). Preferably, a sleeve L2 & pin L5 allow height adjustment. A hand rail HR2, HR3 can be provided. Double width ramps (Fig 11) or ramps without reinforcing (Fig 12) are also described.

Description

1 A modular ramp 2362630 The invention relates to a modular ramp, in

particular for use as a loading ramp or walkway.

Health and safety is now a major consideration in the workplace, in particular on building sites where the potential for injury is particularly high. When a ramp is required on a building site it is common practice to use scaffolding boards, joists, doors or any pieces of wood that come to hand. However this is not a safe practice as they are unlikely to be of the right length or width for the particular circumstances and are unlikely to be securely fastened. In addition they could become very slippery in wet or muddy conditions.

It is known in the prior art to have modular ramps for wheelchair access to buildings. US 4,807,317 discloses a ramp having a plurality of PVC leg assemblies and a plurality of ramp sections each extending between and mounted on a pair of adjacent leg assemblies. Each leg assembly includes a pair of legs and an interconnecting crossbar which is slidably received on the legs and adjustable in height. The ramp sections are hooked to the cross bars. Handrails are also slidably mounted on the legs.

This arrangement is suitable for wheelchair access, but is lacking in the rigidity and strength required to carry the heavy weights associated with building materials.

The present invention seeks to provide a versatile modular ramp that is strong enough to be used for carrying heavy loads and yet is of simple construction and capable of ready assembly and disassembly on site.

According to the present invention there is provided a modular ramp comprising a plurality of ramp modules, each ramp module comprising a ramp frame having a pair of opposing frame end members and a pair of opposing frame side members interconnecting said opposing end members, the ramp frame having a ramp cover, each ramp module flirther comprising a first support leg mountable on a first side member of the ramp frame and towards one end thereof and a second support leg mountable on a second side 2 member of the ramp frame and towards the same end thereof, the support legs being secured to the ramp frame by an adjustable mount, the adjustable mount being positioned at a desired elevation along the length of the respective leg, wherein each ramp frame has means for connection to an adjacent ramp frame and the adjustable mount allows the ramp frame to be selectively mounted on each of the support legs at one of a plurality of positions.

This arrangement has the advantage that all parts are rigidly connected to each other, thus providing a very stable and strong ramp. Each module comprises a minimal number of parts which is important in the building industry for achieving acceptance.

In a preferred embodiment the adjustable mount comprises a plate which in use lies parallel with and abuts the frame side member. This provides a large load bearing surface.

In a preferred embodiment each frame side member has a first frame hole and a plurality of second frame holes arranged remote from the first hole, and each plate has a first plate hole through which a securing member passes and at least one second plate hole through which a safety pin passes, the further plate hole having substantially the same diametrical spacing about the central plate hole as the plurality of second frame holes have about the central frame hole, the adjustable mount being mounted on the frame side member by passing the securing member through the central frame hole and the safety pin into a selected one of the second frame holes.

The plate preferably comprises at least two flirther plate holes each provided with a safety pin. This provides additional torsional strength between the adjusting mount and the ramp.

In another preferred embodiment the plate is fixable to the frame side member and has a tubular elongate member projecting therefrom and having a plurality of holes arranged around a circumference, a T-shaped leg holder having a tubular elongate member with a hole adapted to receive a pin, the tubular elongate member is mountable on the tubular elongate member of the mounting bracket and is locked thereto by a 3 securing pin passing through a selected one of said holes in the elongate member of the mounting bracket and the hole of the elongate member of the leg holder. This is a particularly simple arrangement to assemble as the locking arrangement on the adjusting mount is particularly accessible.

In another preferred embodiment each frame side member has a first fi-ame hole and a further frame hole in which further frame hole a safety pin is mounted, each plate has a hole through which a securing member passes, a securing disc being fixed to each plate, the securing disc having a hole through which the securing member passes and a plurality of notches along at least a section of the disc periphery, the adjustable mount being mounted on the frame side member by passing the securing member through the first frame hole and aligning the safety pin to engage with a selected one of the notches. Preferably each frame side member has at least two further frame holes in each of which a safety pin is mounted, each safety pin engaging a notch in the disc periphery.

A stabilising arm may be attached to the support leg to provide extra rigidity of the ramp if required. The adjustable mount may also comprise a holder for a hand rail.

The invention is not intended to be used solely on building sites for moving building materials around but could also be used for other purposes such as moving machinery, cars, vans, cattle.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a modular ramp, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a support frame of one module of the ramp of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the support frame of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the support means and hand rail of the modular ramp of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of an adjustable mount, Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the adjustable mount, Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of the adjustable mount, 4 Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the modular ramp with no cross member, Fig. 9 shows two modular ramps side by side to form a larger ramp surface.

The modular ramp illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a plurality of ramp modules 1 each including a ramp frame 2, a pair of legs 3 and an adjustable mount 4. Each ramp frame is provided with a top cover which has not been shown for reasons of clarity. The cover can be made of metal in the form of, in particular, a grid, expanding mesh, perforated plate or slotted plate. The covers are designed to give good grip even if when wet or muddy.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the ramp frame 2 comprises two opposing frame side members RI, R2 and two opposing frame end members R4, R5 and a transverse cross member R3 extending between the side members RI intermediate the end members R4, R5. Each of the members RI-R5 is of Ushaped cross-section. Frame side members RI, R2 are angled at their ends so that if necessary they can rest on the ground and also to allow the abutment of adjacent ramp as will be described in more detail below. The support frame can be cast in one piece or formed from several pressed pieces and welded together. A first female bracket R6 is welded to one end of the frame side member R4 and a second female bracket R7 is fixed at one end of frame side member R5, both being fixed at the same end of the frame. A male bracket R8 is fixed at the other end of frame side member R4 and a male bracket R9 is fixed at the other end of the frame side member R-5. The male brackets R8 and R9 are planar and the female brackets R6 and R7 are offset outwardly such that the male brackets of one module overlap the female brackets of the adjacent module in a juxtaposed manner. The male and female brackets R6-R9 each have a hole towards the end remote from the support frame. In use each male bracket R8, R9 of one ramp module is pivotally connected to a female bracket R6, R7 of the adjacent ramp module by means of a pin RI 0, RI 1. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 each pin RIO, RI I is spring loaded, allowing the pin to be permanently attached to the female bracket R6, R7.

Towards one end of each frame side member RI, R2 is a locating means for receiving an adjustable mount for a support leg. The locating means includes a central hole Hl and a number of smaller holes H2 arranged substantially in a circle and concentric with the hole HL Figs. 4 and 5 show the leg and handrail mounting arrangements in more detail. In a preferred embodiment each leg is formed from hollow cylindrical tubing and has pairs of holes L1 located on a diameter of the tubing, each pair being spaced from the next along the length of the leg. A foot L7 may be attached to the bottom of the leg to spread the load.

Figs. 4 and 5 show an adjustable mount having a U-shaped mounting bracket Al comprising a base portion and two side limbs. The base portion has a central hole HIA and two holes H2A, one each side of the central hole HIA. A securing boh A4 is passed through the hole H I A and safety pins A2, A3 are passed through the holes H2A, the safety pins being welded to the mounting bracket Al. Attached to the rear of the mounting bracket Al is a leg holder L2, into which the leg 3 is inserted. The leg is held in place by a pin L5 passing through holes LIO in the leg holder L2 and selected holes LI in the leg 3 according to the desired length of the legs.

The adjustable mount 4 is mounted on the frame side R1 by passing the securing bolt A4 through the hole H1 and passing the safety pins A2 and A3 through selected holes H2. The holes H2 are selected according to the desired angle of the ramp section with respect to the legs 3. The safety pins A2, A3 stop the adjustable mount 4 from rotating once a wing nut A5 has been tightened on the securing bolt A4 to fasten the adjustable mount 4 to the ramp frame 2. The base portion of the mounting bracket is a flat plate which is held in contact with the surface of the frame side member and serves to spread the load over a wide area as well as providing a rigid connection between the leg and the ramp frame. The disassembled ramp modules 1 may be stored with the adjustable mounts 4 attached to either the ramp frame 2 or the support legs 3.

Also attached to the support leg 3 is a stabiliser arm 5 which can be fixed at various positions around the circumference of the support leg 3 and adjusted up or down. The stabiliser arm 5 has a cylindrical holder L4 for receiving a support leg 3, the cylindrical holder L4 being provided with a plurality of holes L3 spaced around a 6 circumference. When the holder L4 is inserted on the support leg 3 it is free to slide up and down the support leg 3 and also rotate around it. The stabiliser arm 5 is held in position on the leg 5 by means of a securing pin L6 passing through the holes L3 and L I corresponding to the desired relative position of the stabiliser arm 5 and the support leg 3. The stabiliser arm may also be provided with a load spreading foot L8.

On one side of the adjustable mount 4 a handrail holder HRI may optionally be provided for mounting a hand rail 6. L shaped brackets HR4 and HR5 are welded in place on the top on either side of handrail post HR2. Handrail HR3 is secured by means of a hinge pin HR6 passing through holes H3A,B,c and a hinge pin HR7 passing through holes H4A,B.

A method of assembly of the present invention will now be described with reference to the embodiment of figures 2-5. A ramp frame 2 having an adjustable mount 4 already attached is laid on the ground. The end of the ramp frame 2 having locating means for adjustable mounts 4 is lifted to the required height and a leg 3 is inserted in each leg holder L2 and attached by inserting a pin L5 through holes LIO and the desired holes L I. The wing nut A5 is slackened off until the safety pins A2, A3 can be withdrawn clear of the holes H2. Each adjustable mount 4 can then be rotated with respect to the ramp frame 2, thus enabling the support leg 3 to be rotated into a substantially vertical position. The safety pins A2, A3 are then inserted back into the appropriate holes H2 and the wing nut A5 is tightened. As many modules 1 as required can be added using the linking brackets R6-R9 at either end of the ramp frames 2.

A stabilising arm 5, if required, can be attached to the leg 3 before or after it is inserted into leg holder L2. If a handrail is required, this can be added after completion of the construction of the ramp.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of an adjustable mount 4 for attaching a support leg 3 to the frame side member RI. A mounting bracket AI' comprises a flat plate member A7 welded to a hollow cylindrical member A8 projecting substantially perpendicularly from the plate member A7. The flat plate member A7 is welded to the frame side member R1 with the cylindrical member A8 projecting away from the frame 7 side member Rl. A plurality of pairs of holes A9 are arranged around a circumference of the cylindrical member A8, each pair of holes A9 being located on a diameter of the tubing. Leg holder L2' comprises hollow cylindrical tubing arranged in a T-shape. The top of the T receives the support leg 3 and is locked thereon by a securing pin L5 passing through holes L10' of the leg holder L2 and a selected pair of holes Ll of the support leg 3. The remaining branch of the T is a cylindrical elongate member sized to fit either inside or over the mounting bracket Al' without play. The elongate member has two holes Ll I located on a diameter and is locked in position on the mounting bracket Al' by passing a securing pin L9 through holes Ll I and a selected pair of holes A9 according to the desired angle of the ramp.

Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of an adjustable mount 4 for attaching a leg 3 to the frame side member RI. The frame side member RI is provided with a hole HI for receiving a securing bolt A4 and a hole H2" for receiving a safety pin A2". A U-shaped mounting bracket AP is provided with a central hole H6 in its base portion through which the securing bolt A4 passes. A flat plate securing disc A6 is welded to the mounting bracket and is provided with a central hole H5 through which the securing bolt A4 passes and a plurality of notches H7 along a section of its periphery. According to the desired angle of the ramp the safety pin A2" is engaged with an appropriate one of the notches when the securing bolt A4 and wing nut A5 are loosened.

In the embodiment of Figs. 8-10 an arrangement is shown for side by side mounting of modular ramps. Only one support leg 3 is necessary between each pair of ramps. This is achieved by constructing one of the ramps as described in the various embodiments above. A second ramp is provided with an adjustable adapter mount 7 in place of the adapter mount 4. The adjustable adapter mount 7 consists of a U-shaped mounting bracket which is mounted to the ramp frame in the same way as the mounting bracket Al of Fig.5. Adjustable adapter mount 7 has a hole on each side limb of the Ushaped mounting bracket, which holes align with holes Ll in the support leg 3. A single securing pin L5 is passed through the holes in the adjustable adapter mount 7, through the holes LIO in the leg holder L2 and through selected holes Ll in the support leg 3.

8 Fig. 11 illustrates a number of modular ramps used side by side to provide a broader ramp surface. In this embodiment the adjusting mounts are arranged such that the leg holders can receive scaffolding tubes arranged parallel with the frame side members.

Fig. 12 shows a modular ramp where the ramp frame does not have the reinforcing cross members. This makes the ramp frame easier and cheaper to manufacture.

All component parts are preferably formed from steel. All the tubular parts are preferably hollow. Although it is preferable for them to be cylindrical they can take any geometrical form.

9

Claims

1. A modular ramp comprising a plurality of ramp modules, each ramp module comprising a ramp frame having a pair of opposing frame end members and a pair of opposing frame side members interconnecting said opposing end members, the ramp frame having a ramp cover, each ramp module further comprising a first support leg mountable on a first side member of the ramp fi-ame and towards one end thereof and a second support leg mountable on a second side member of the ramp frame and towards the same end thereof, the support legs being secured to the ramp frame by an adjustable mount, the adjustable mount being positioned at a desired elevation along the length of the respective leg, wherein each ramp frame has means for connection to an adjacent ramp frame and the adjustable mount allows the ramp frame to be selectively mounted on each of the support legs at one of a plurality of inclinations.

2. A modular ramp according to Claim 1, wherein the adjustable mount comprises a plate which in use lies parallel with and abuts the frame side member.

A modular ramp according to Claim 1, wherein the ramp frame is provided with a plurality of recesses and the adjustable mount is provided with at least one projection.

4. A modular ramp according to Claim 1, wherein the adjustable mount is provided with a plurality of recesses and the ramp frame is provided with at least one projection.

A modular ramp according to Claim 2, wherein each frame side member has a first frame hole and a plurality of second frame holes arranged remote from the first hole, and each plate has a first plate hole through which a securing member passes and at least one second plate hole through which a safety pin passes, the flirther plate hole having substantially the same diametrical spacing about the central plate hole as the plurality of second frame holes have about the central frame hole, the adjustable mount being mounted on the frame side member by passing the securing member through the central frame hole and the safety pin into a selected one of the second frame holes.

6. A modular ramp according to Claim 5, wherein the plate comprises at least two second plate holes each provided with a safety pin for engagement with selected second frame holes.

7. A modular ramp according to Claim 2, wherein the plate is fixable to the frame side member and has a tubular elongate member projecting therefrom and having a plurality of holes arranged around a circumference, a T-shaped leg holder having a tubular elongate member with a hole adapted to receive a pin, the tub ular elongate member is mountable on the tubular elongate member of the mounting bracket and is locked thereto by a securing pin passing through a selected one of said holes in the elongate member of the mounting bracket and the hole of the elongate member of the leg holder.

8. A modular ramp according to Claim 2, wherein each frame side member has a first frame hole and a further frame hole in which further frame hole a safety pin is mounted, each plate has a hole through which a securing member passes, a securing disc being fixed to each plate, the securing disc having a hole through which the securing member passes and a plurality of notches along at least a section of the disc periphery, the adjustable mount being mounted on the frame side member by passing the securing member through the first frame hole and aligning the safety pin to engage with a selected one of the notches.

9. A modular ramp according to Claim 8, wherein each frame side member has at least two flirther frame holes in each of which a safety pin is mounted, each safety pin engaging a notch in the disc periphery.

10. A modular ramp according to Claim 1, wherein the support leg is a scaffolding pole which passes through at least two leg holders of adjusting mounts of adjacent ramp modules.

11. A modular ramp according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustable mount further comprises a holder for a hand rail.

11

12. A modular ramp according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a stabilising arm is attached to the support leg.

13. A ramp comprising a plurality of modular ramps according to any of the preceding claims, wherein on adjacent sides of adjacent modular ramps, one of the first and second support legs of a first modular ramp also functions as the other of the first or second support legs of the adjacent modular ramp.

14. A modular ramp, substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

15. A ramp, substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.