GB2376677A

GB2376677A - Van and skip ramp

Info

Publication number: GB2376677A
Application number: GB0115045A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Buddha
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-19
Filing date: 2001-06-19
Publication date: 2002-12-24
Also published as: GB0115045D0

Abstract

A portable van or skip ramp comprises two main sections 1 connected together by: a) bolted inserts 7, or b) bolted side by side or c) used separate each main section 1 is identical and comprising two longitudinal members 8 with cross-rungs 3 fastened between them. An angled part 9 at one end overlies the top a wall of the skip or floor of the vehicle, and has a protruding piece 5 preventing the ramp from slipping off. Plates 4 are pivotally attached to the angled end, and fixed at the other end, to guide wheels onto the ramp. An attachment 6 can be bolted to the angled end to act as a stop for the wheel of a wheelbarrow to aid tipping thereof, the pivotal plate 4 rests against the stop to support the wheel whilst the pivotal plate 4 at the other end (the other main section being attached reverse side up) is free to rest on the ground. Both pivotal plates 4 can rest on the floor of the vehicle to guide wheels on or off the ramp. 'Back to back v' shaped rungs 3 ensure maximum footwear grip in both modes (i.e. which ever way up a main section is) by preventing the build up of spillage material. The ramp can be extended by use of a similarly constructed extension section (12, Fig 3) and extra insert connectors.

Description

VAN AND SKIP RAMP This invention relates to a ramp for use in assisting in the emptying of the contents of a wheelbarrow into a rubbish skip and/or the loading or unloading of goods/machinery from a vehicle.

According to the present invention, there is provided a ramp for use in assisting in the emptying of the contents of a wheelbarrow into a rubbish skip, comprising first and second elongated structural members 8 defining the edges of the ramp, and a structure of cross rungs 3 extending between the first and second elongated members and forming a walkway along which the: a) wheelbarrow can be pushed, b) sack truck/machinery can be pushed/driven.

The ramp, in use, can be placed: a) so that one end 9 is on the ground and the other (reversed) end 9 is on the wall of the skip, whereby the cross rung structure 3 forms a walkway along which the wheelbarrow can be pushed.

The ramp is constructed in two main sections 1 that are connected to each other via two inserts 7 bolted through the parallel side supports 8, for ease of transport and storage, and to allow the ramp to be detached and used as a vehicle loader.

The ramp consists of two main sections 1 that are connected to each other approximately at the centre of the ramp, and the ramp is of sufficient stiffness to prevent bouncing when under load..

Preferably, the ramp has an attachment 6 to be connected at one end to act as a stop for the wheel of a wheelbarrow for assisting in tipping the contents of the wheelbarrow into the skip.

At the end of the ramp in contact with the ground, the ramp preferably has: a) a pivotal plate 4, b) a plate 2, that lies close to or on the ground and assists in the wheeling of the wheelbarrow/sack truck/machinery onto the ramp.

The pivotal plat 4 has it's hinge positioned centrally between the parallel supports so as to assist the wheel on to the cross rungs whether used in mode (a) or mode (b), i. e. making no difference which way up the pivotal plate is facing.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the drawings, showing a preferred ramp of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1: is a side elevation view of the ramp;

F i-P+tl ttialu 1+ Figure 2 : is an expanded view of the pivoting mechanism of the wheel plaie 4 of the ramp, whereby, during construction, the'hinge'11 of the plate 4 is inserted into the retaining holes 10 and allows the plate 4 to rotate around it's hinge 11.

Figure 3: is a side view of an extension section.

In the drawings, the numerals have the following meanings: 1 : Ramp Main Sections 2: Fixed Wheel Plate 3 :"Back to Back'V'Shaped"Cross Rungs 4: Pivotal Wheel Plate 5: Solid Protruding'stay' 6: Wheelbarrow stop attachment 7: Connecting Insert 8: Parallel Side Support 9: Angled Horizontal Portion 10: Hinge Retaining Holes 11: Hinge Portion of Pivotal Wheel Plate 4 12 : Extension Section The ramp is used as a safe way of loading skips and vehicles. Replacing planks which are often used which tend to be unsafe, hard pushing, slippery, can tend to break

causing injury.

The Van & Skip Ramp is aimed at a safe way of : a) loading skips with a wheelbarrow, b) loading/unloading goods/machinery from a vehicle, the walkway cross rungs enable mud from the persons feet, boots to fall through the floor of the ramp, therefore not allowing deposits of mud to build up.

At the top end of the ramp is a stop for the wheel of the wheelbarrow to aid easy tipping of the wheelbarrow.

The ramp can be dismantled for easier storage and transportability.

The ramp can also be used for purposes in house renovations as ramps out of windows and other applications where wheeled appliances, load carrying or not, need to be moved up or down a ramp.

The length of the ramp can be extended with the use of a similarly constructed centre piece and extra connecting inserts.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp comprising of two main sections which can be used: a) separately or bolted side by side as a vehicle loader/unloader ramp, and/or b) connected together length-ways as a skip loader ramp.
2. A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as claimed in Claim 1 with parallel side supports defining the edges of the ramp and a cross runged"back to back V shaped"structure extending between them forming a walkway, with substantial grip, along which a wheelbarrow/sack truck/machinery can be pushed/driven.
3. A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein when in use the ramp can be placed so that one end is on the ground and the other end is on the wall of the skip/floor of the vehicle, whereby the cross runged structure extending between them forms a walkway along which a wheelbarrow/sack truck machinery can be pushed/driven
4. A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the end of the ramp is in contact with the ground, the ramp has a pivoting plate that lies in contact with or near the ground and assists in the wheeling of the wheelbarrow onto the ramp
5. A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the ramp is constructed in two or more sections that are connected to each other for ease of transport and storage.
6. A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the ramp consists of two sections that are connected to each other approximately at the centre of the ramp.
7. A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the ramp has a means for stopping the wheel of the wheelbarrow, for assisting in tipping the contents of the wheelbarrow into the skip.
8. A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, comprising a pair of protruding stays to stop the ramp sliding of the skip 9 A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as claimed m any one of the preceding Claims, wherein wheel plates are pivotally hinged on the runway section so as to assist wheels onto the ramp no matter which way up the runway might be.

10 A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp as clauned in any one of the preceding Claims, which can be extended with the use of similarly constructed extension sections.

11 A Skip and/or Vehicle Ramp substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings