GB2447384A - Cassette Mounted Access Ramp - Google Patents

Abstract

An access ramp housed within a cassette that can be fitted to a raised floor surface (e.g. the floor of a vehicle, or other areas where there is a height differential) with a ramp (or ramps) that slide out from beneath a sub-floor. The sub-floor is designed to take a loading (e.g. wheelchair in vehicle, pedestrians, parcels etc). The ramp unit may have one or more ramps, which may each extend using two or more telescopic sections. The unit may have a load restraint system fitted.

Description

Patent Specification -Cassette mounted access ramp

Description

This invention relates to the use of access ramps to transfer loads from surfaces of varying heights. Most commonly this method is used for the loading of vehicles.

In particular, at present the loading of vehicles using ramps or lifts involves the storage of that piece of equipment, using the following means, and their resulting disadvantages: 1) Mounted under vehicle: resulting in loss of clearance and collision with traffic calming devices 2) Mounted in vehicle: In a vertical position preventing effective access to the rear of vehicle, and using up load space.

3) Mounted on raised platform: In a vertical position preventing effective access to the platform, and using up operating space.

4) In vehicle: loose ramps which need to be secured while travelling, and requiring manual handling to set up in position for use.

Methods 1) and 2) both involve expensive permanent conversion of a vehicle.

To overcome these problems, the Cassette Mounted Access Ramp is retrofitted to the existing upper surface (e.g. Vehicle Floor) involving no substantial conversion to the structure, and houses telescopic ramp(s) beneath a subfloor, which is used as part of the load area. To use the ramp(s) the user simply pulls it out and lowers the outer end to the lower surface, using a hinge attached to the Cassette to avoid the manual lifting of the device. When used for transporting wheeled loads (e.g. people in wheelchairs) an appropriate load restraint can be housed beneath the subfloor of the Cassette.

A typical application for the use of loading and transporting occupied wheelchairs uses two parallel ramps, each around 250mm in width, mounted 250mm apart. This caters for most wheelchair and scooter applications. The gap in between the ramps gives free area in the centre of the subfloor for the fitting of restraint systems, which are concealed beneath the subfloor surface.

See Drawings 1 -4 attached.

Claims (5)

1. Patent Specification -Cassette mounted access ramp Claims 1) An access

   ramp housed within a structure that creates a subfloor that can accept a loading, with telescopic ramp sections hinged at the cassette housing to enable it to function at varying heights.
2. 2) An access ramp as claim 1) with an extending ramp with two or more sections to create a longer slope for ease of loading.
3. 3) An access ramp as claim 2) with two or more ramps set at appropriate spacing to suit common wheeled loads.
4. 4) An access ramp as claim 3) with a wheelchair restraint system attached to the subfloor.
5. 5) An access ramp as claim 2) with two or more ramps with customised ramp sizes and spacing to suit particular applications.