GB2431416A

GB2431416A - Raised passenger platform kit

Info

Publication number: GB2431416A
Application number: GB0521559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Julian John Carr; Roger Waring Robson Marsh; Peter Hoban
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-22
Filing date: 2005-10-22
Publication date: 2007-04-25
Also published as: GB0521559D0

Abstract

A raised platform kit for installation on an existing surface comprising edge sections 6, 8, corner sections 5 and middle sections 7 which can be arranged to provide a platform 1 of the desired size. When assembled the kit may provide a platform having edges sloping towards the ground. The sections may be bolted to the ground making them quick and easy to install or remove as required. The sections may be fixed to a pre-existing pavement 2 by bolting or bonding. The platform 1 may be provided at bus or tram stops to reduce the step for a passenger getting into or out of a bus or tram. One edge of the platform may not be sloped and may be flush with a pavement or kerb 4 edge. Edges of one section may be held down by being overlapped by edges of adjacent sections so that not all of the sections used to create a platform need to be bolted or bonded to the underlying surface 2.

Description

I

Vehicle Access Platform

Background

This invention is a platform assembly to improve access to vehicles, which offers the installers quick and easy installation and removal once finished with.

To improve pedestrian, wheelchair and buggy access to a vehicle, a bus or a tram for example, a platform is sometimes laid down to raise the height of the pavement, reducing the gap between the kerb and vehicles floor. It is usual practice for the platform to be constructed using the same method as a pavement - excavated, built up with an aggregate, bespoke raised retaining kerbs laid down and then an asphalt or concrete top layer to finish off the installation and make ready for use. The process can be time consuming and expensive.

Statement of invention

This invention enables the installation of a platform to be less invasive and far quicker to install by being fixed down directly to the existing pavement surface. It is also faster to remove and re-instate elsewhere, if for example the bus route should change.

Advantages The proposed platform will be made up of a series of sections which can be prepared off site prior to installation, speeding up the installation process when on site.

The sections allow for different dimensions and proportions of platform to be assembled.

One possible method of fixation would be to bolt the sections down to the pavement surface, thereby allowing installation of the platform to be a quicker and easier task in comparison to laying a conventional platform, which in turn also allows them to be easily removed or replaced without notice.

Once removed only minimal work is required to repair the pavement back to its original state.

Drawings Examples of the platform will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the road and pavement surface with a completed platform installed and ready to use.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the individual sections which could go together to make an example of a complete platform.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the road and pavement with individual sections which go together to make a complete platform. Here design of the sections allows certain parts to be held in place without direct fixings such a bolts or an adhesive.

Vehicle Access Platform

Description

The assembled Platform I maybe fixed directly on to the pavement surface 2. A typical location maybe adjacent to the roadside kerbing 4 where the intended bus or tram stop is located on the road or line 3.

The Platform I could be made up of a set of individual sections 5,6,7 and 8 to enable easy manoeuvring into position when being assembled and laid down during installation. The individual sections can be mixed and matched to allow platforms of different sizes and proportions to be assembled according to each individual situation.

The design of the sections could feature a ramp profile 8 and 6 to allow wheel chairs or prams to smoothly roll on and off the platform. The corner sections 5 could feature a ramp on two edges to allow access from either or both sides as well as a diagonal approach. The middle sections 7 are simple rectilinear profiles.

Different widths of sections could be produced to allow mixture of sizes to make many different permutations of platform size.

Each section 7 of the Platform could be fixed to the pavement 2, for example by bonding or bolting down. As an alternative a dovetail arrangement 9 (see cross- section Figure 3) could be employed where the edges of one section are held down by being secured underneath the edges of surrounding sections. This method will further speed up the fixing down or removal process, and reduce the amount of damage caused to the pavement 2 during installation.

Claims

Claims I A pre fabricated passenger platform, which can be easily and

swiftly installed, and or removed by being constructed from a series of smaller sections.
2 A platform according to claim I which is constructed from a series of sections which enable a variety of different sized and proportioned platforms to be assembled.
3 A platform according to claim I which can be mounted directly on to an existing pavement surface, or recessed into the pavement surface if required.