GB2496989A

GB2496989A - Telescopic ramp for loading and unloading vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2496989A
Application number: GB201221145A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antony James
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-23
Filing date: 2012-11-23
Publication date: 2013-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-23
Also published as: GB201221145D0; GB2496989B; GB201120229D0

Abstract

A telescopic ramp 1 for loading and unloading goods on to and from a vehicle. The ramp 1 comprising: a carrier 2 attachable to a bed of the vehicle; a first ramp section 9 slidably connected to said carrier 2 and having a first ground engaging portion 13 . A second ramp section 16 moveably connected to the first ramp section and having a second ground engaging portion 20. Where said telescopic ramp 1 is moveable between a first stowed position (Figure 4a) and a second extended position. In the second extended position the first ramp section 9 extends from said carrier 2 so that said first ground engaging portion 13 may engage the ground, and said second ramp portion 16 extends from said first ramp portion 9 so that said second ground engaging portion 20 may engage the ground. The second extending section 16 may be slidably or pivotally attached to the first section 9.

Description

Telescopic Ramp (00013 This invention relates to ramps for loading and unloading goods from vehicles.

BACKGROUND

(0002] Goods are often transported on a flatbed carrier vehicle. Commonly transported goods may include cars, heavy machinery, etc. Loading and unloading of these goods can be performed in a number of ways.

(0003] Ramps for loading and unloading cargo to and from a vehicle are well known in the art. They can be attached between the end of the bed on which the cargo is transported and the ground where the cargo is loaded from or unloaded to. Commonly observed ramps include those that pivot at the tail of the bed such that when the goods are being toaded or unloaded a connection is formed between the bed of the vehicle and the ground where the goods are loaded from or to. In transit of the goods, such ramps are commonly stowed in a substantially vertical plane. The problem with this type of ramp is that, in transit, the ramps produce large areas of wind resistance thereby having a profound effect on fuel consumption. Furthermore, goods which may be required to overhang the tail of the vehicle cannot be carried because the ramps cannot be otherwise stowed during transport.

(00043 To overcome this problem, ramps may be stowed in the bed of the vehicle and either be manually attached to tail of the vehicle for loading and unloading or extend therefrom via manual or automated means.

(00053 The prior art shows ramps which may be stowed in the bed of the vehicle and extend therefrom telescopically. However, the storage limitations in the bed of the vehicle often mean that only short and lightweight ramps may be stowed. Once extended, the length of the ramp becomes crucial to the loading angle. Specifically, the angle formed between the ground and the ramp can be large and therefore the incline can be steep. In turn, the angle between the plane of the bed of the vehicle and that of the ramp can be large. This means that only goods or vehicles with sufficient ground clearance can be loaded or unloaded by these means. The lightweight structure of prior art telescopic ramps further limits the goods that may be loaded. Therefore, heavy goods or vehicles, weighing up to 18 tons (or more) which commonly have a low ground clearance cannot be loaded via existing ramps that are extendable from the tail of the vehicle.

(00063 It is an object of the present invention to provide a ramp that overcomes at least some of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[00073 In accordance with the present invention there is provided a telescopic ramp for loading and unloading goods on to and from a vehicle, comprising: a carrier attachable to a bed of the vehicle; a first ramp section slidably connected to said carrier and having a first ground engaging portion; and a second ramp section moveably connected to said first ramp section and having a second ground engaging portion; wherein said telescopic ramp is moveable between a first stowed position and a second extended position, where in said second extended position said first ramp section extends from said carrier so that said first ground engaging portion may engage the ground, and said second ramp portion extends from said first ramp portion so that said second ground engaging portion may engage the ground.

[00083 In a preferred embodiment, said first ramp section is pivotally moveable relative to the carrier when in said second extended position. This has the advantage that the ramp can be lowered onto the ground such that variance in the distance between the ground and the bed of the vehicle may be accommodated. Preferably, the telescopic ramp further comprises a carriage, wherein the first ramp section is pivotally mounted to the carriage and the carriage is slidably moveable in the carrier.

(0009] In a further preferred embodiment, said telescopic ramp further comprises a first driving means for moving said first ramp section relative to said carrier. Wherein said first driving means may comprise a first motor and said first motor may be electric or hydraulic.

Preferably, said first motor is disposed on said first section or carrier and is arranged to engage with the other of said first ramp section or carrier via first engagement means to move the first ramp section relative to the carrier. Wherein said first engagement means may comprise a rack and pinion set. Alternatively, said first driving means may comprise a hydraulic ram. The first driving means provide the advantage of being able to use heavy materials for the construction of the ramp. These materials are able to support much larger weights than the lightweight materials that would be required if the ramp is operated manually.

(00101 Preferably, said telescopic ramp further comprises a second driving means for moving said second ramp section relative to said first ramp section. Wherein said second driving means may comprise a second motor. Preferably, said second motor is disposed on said second ramp section or said first ramp section and is arranged to engage with the other of said first ramp section or second ramp section via second engagement means to move the second ramp section relative to the first ramp section. Wherein said second engagement means may comprise a rack and pinion set. Preferably said said second motor is electric or hydraulic. Alternatively, said second driving means may comprise a hydraulic ram. The second driving means provide the advantage of being able to use heavy materials for the construction of the ramp. These materials are able to support much larger weights than the lightweight materials that would be required if the ramp is operated manually.

[00111 In another embodiment said second ramp section may be pivotably moveable relative to said first ramp section when in said second extended position. This has the advantage that the second section may fold out from the first section to meet the ground such that variance in the ground may be accommodated. Pivoting the second section may make use of hydraulic rams to rotate the second section about the pivot point to its extended configuration.

(00123 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when in said second extended position, said first ramp section and said second ramp section extend at least 2.5rn in length in combination. Preferably in said second extended position, the first ramp section forms an angle of less than 12C with the ground. The length of the extension has a direct effect on the angle created between the loading surface and the ramp. A smaller angle and longer length lowers the ground clearance requirements for goods that are loaded onto the vehicle.

[0013] Throughout the aforementioned embodiments, the second ground engaging portion of said second ramp section is preferably tapered. A tapered end allows the second ramp section rest against the ground such that at a distal end of the second section there is a small step onto the ramp from the ground.

(00141 In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided a vehicle comprising a telescopic ramp as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(0015] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, En which: Figure 1 is a part sectional view of a telescopic ramp extended from a vehicle; Figure 2 is a part sectional view of a telescopic ramp extended from a vehicle; Figure 3 is a part sectional view of a telescopic ramp extended from a vehicle showing goods being loaded onto the vehicle; Figure 4a is a part sectional view of a vehicle having a telescopic ramp stowed under the bed of the vehicle; Figure 4b is a part sectional view of a vehicle having a t&escopic ramp extending therefrom; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an extended ramp; Figure Ga is a part sectional view of a telescopic ramp in a stowed configuration; Figure 6b is a part sectional view of a telescopic ramp in an extended configuration; Figure 7 is a part sectional view of a vehicle having a telescopic ramp and a

pivotable section;

Figure Ba is a part sectional view of a a telescopic ramp in a stowed configuration; Figure 8b is a part sectional view of a telescopic ramp in an extended configuration; Figure 8c is a zoomed view of figure 8b; Figure 9aa is a side view of a first section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention; Figure 9ab is a top view of a first section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention; Figure Qac is a perspective view of a first section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention; Figure 9ba is a side view of a second section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention; Figure 9ba is a top view of a second section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention; Figure 9bc is a cross-sectional view of a second section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention; Figure 9bd is an end view of a second section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention; and Figure 9be is a perspective view of an underside of a second section of a telescopic ramp according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00163 Figure 1 shows a telescopic ramp 1 according to a first embodiment of the current invention. The ramp 1 has a carrier 2, a first section 9 and a second section 16. The ramp is fixed to the underside of a bed 3 of a vehicle 4. The fixing being provided between a chassis 5 of the vehicle and an end 6 of the bed 3. A carryng surface 8 is provided on the vehicle for carrying goods. The ramp 1 is used for loading and unloading the goods. The bed 3 is sloped 7 from the carrying surface 8 to the end 6 to provide a longer ascent to the upper surface 8. The ramp 1 is movable between a stowed position and an extended position as shown. The ascent created by the slope 7 at the end of the bed 3 and the ramp 1 permits the loading and unloading of goods with a low ground clearance, as discussed further below.

[00173 In the extended configuration (as shown in figure 1, for example), the first section 9 extends from the carrier 2 so that a proximal end 10 of an upper surface 11 of the first section substantially aligns with the slope 7 of the bed. It is appreciated that there may be some difference in angle between the plane of the slope 7 and the plane of the upper surface 11 of the first section 9 due to variations in the terrain on which the vehicle is being loaded and therefore distance Dl between the carrier 2 and the ground, or loading surface, 12. A distal end 13 of a lower surface 14 of the first section contacts the ground 12. The specific embodiment shown in figure 1 features a taper 15 at the distal end 13 of the lower surface 14 of the first section 9. In alternative embodiments, the first section 9 may be substantially rectangular in cross-section and not include a taper. An angle Al is formed between the ground 12 and a lower surface 14 of the first section 9. This has an effect on the ground clearance of the goods that are loaded and is discussed in reference to figure 3 below.

[0018] Figure 1 further shows the second section 16 extended from the first section 9.

The second section 16 is shown to extend from the first section 9 by an amount that is less than the overall length of the second section 16, therefore meaning that a proximal end 17 of the second section 16 is in the vicinity of the distal end 13 of the first section but not adjacent thereto. However, the required extension is dependent on undulations in the ground 12 and the extension of the second section 16 can be user defined to accommodate this. Consequently the distance between the proximal end 17 of the second section 16 and the distal end 13 of the first section 9 may vary according to the terrain.

10019) The second section 16 is tapered from a point 18 on the lower surface 19 of the second section 16 to a distal end 20 of the second section 16. This permits the second section 16 to contact the ground 12 such that the distal end 20 of an upper surface 21 of the second section is close to the ground, thereby preventing a large step onto the ramp 1 from the loading surface 12.

[00203 In some embodiments, the first section 9 has a carriage 22 pivotably connected at the proximal end 10 ot the first section 9 so that the first section 9 can pivot thereabouts.

The carriage 22 remains channeled in the carrier 2 and may move along the carrier 2 in a direction X, as indicated in figure 1. A pivot 23 positioned at the proximal end of the first section 9 attaches the carriage 22 to the first section 9. The movement of the carriage 22 within the carrier 2 extends and retracts the first section 9 of the ramp 1. Movement in the X plane will cause the first section 9 to move. Extension of the first section 9 beyond the carrier 2 allows gravity to take effect and the first section rotates about the pivot 23, in a direction Y, as indicated in figure 1. A bearing 24 is placed at the end 21 of the carrier 2 to allow the lower surface 14 of the first section 9 to bear against the end 27 of the carrier 2.

The bearing can be, for example, just the end 27 of the carrier 2 or a roller bearing or a curved slide element or any other suitable alternative. When the ramp 1 is retracted, the carriage 22 moves towards the proximal end 26 of the carrier 2 and the first section 9 is lifted in the Y direction.

[0021] The action of extending the first section 9 beyond the carrier 2 using the carriage 22 and lowering the first section 9 at or near the maximum extension of the first section 9 from the carrier 2 has the advantage of accommodating undulations in the terrain 12 where goods are loaded. It is however, within the scope of the present invention that limited pivoting is required when the carrier 2 is fixed in a different position as shown in figure 2.

Indeed, in the embodiment of figure 2, the carriage element may be fixed to the first section and not be pivotable thereto. Alternatively, the carriage element may not be essential.

[0022) The embodiment of Figure 1 also has a motor 28 attached to the carriage 22.

The motor can be used to move the carriage 22 in the carrier 2 and therefore raise or lower the first section 9 of the ramp 1. It is within the scope of the present invention that the motor 28 may be connected between the carriage 22 and the carrier 2 via a rack and pinion set wherein the pinion is attached to the motor 28 and the rack is attached to the carrier 2. The skilled reader will appreciate that other suitable driving means 28 may be used within the scope of the present invention in place of the motor 28. For example, the motor could be replaced by a hydraulic ram that is attached between the carrier 2, or the chassis 5, and the carriage 22, as discussed further below.

[0023) In other embodiments (discussed later), the connection between the drive/motor and the first section 9 may be direct and a carriage 22 may not be used. Furthermore, in other embodiments (not shown) there is no drive. In such configurations, the extension of the ramp 1 is performed through manual means or such as performed with assistance from driving means such as a gas strut or other suitable assisting means.

[00243 An angle A2 of the slope 7 of the bed 3 relative to the horizontal is determined by an overhang 29 of the carrier 2 and the distance 30 between the carrying surface B of the bed 3 and the carrier 2. The maximum angle A2 is limited by the ground clearance of the goods to be loaded, as shown in figure 3 and described below. The maximum permissible overhang 29 is limited because of the swing created as the vehicle turns. The overhang of the load may relate closely to the overhang 29 of the bed and while it is preferred to have an overhang that is less than these requirements, it is not beyond the scope of the present invention to provide a ramp for a vehicle with a larger overhang. The ground clearance Dl of the vehicle has a minimum height to cope with obstructions in the terrain 12. The angle Al is made between the ramp and the ground. Angle Al is similar to the angle A2. The length of the ramp 1 required to meet the limitation on the angles Al, A2, and the ground clearance is achieved by the telescopic extension.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a ramp I according to the present invention wherein a carrier 40 of a ramp 1' is fixed at an angle similar, or equal, to the slope 7 of the bed so that extension of the first section 9 s Th a plane X' that is similar to the slope 7 of the bed. The angle of the carrier 40 relative to the chassis is not limited within the scope of the current invention. The carrier 40 being fixed in this plane does not necessitate pivoting between the first section and the carriage in the same way as previously described in respect of the embodiment of figure 1. In the embodiment of figure 2, a different articulation of the ramp l'is provided. For example, the ground at the point of contact 42 of the ramp 1 could be higher than that at a supporting portion 43 of the vehicle 4. In such a case, the ramp 1' could be extended only to a point where contact is made with the ground or alternatively, the ramp 1' could feature a roller at the lower surface 14 of the distal end 13 of the first section 9. In the latter, a pivot between a carriage (not shown) and the first section 9 would permit movement of the first section 9 in theY' direction. Alternatively, where the first section is driven by hydraulic means from and to the carrier, there may be a pivot between the hydraulic means and the first section to allow for the ramp to encounter variation in the ground. It should be appreciated that the roller described in respect of figure 2 may be applicable to all embodiments within the scope of the present invention. An angle of the carrier 40 with respect to the horizontal less than the angle shown in figure 2, i.e. closer to horizontal, requires articulation for the first section to contact 42 the ground.

(0026] Figure 3 demonstrates the requirements on the angle made between the first section and the loading surface Al and the angle made between the slope of the bed and the plane of the carrying surface A2' due to the ground clearance D2 of the goods 50 that

B

are loaded or unloaded from the vehic'e 4. Typically, goods that are of interest to the current invention will be heavy machinery (for example, of the order of 18 tons or more).

Often, such goods have a small ground clearance D2. Therefore the angles Al' and A2' should be small. In practice it has been found that these angles must not exceed 12° when loading heavy goods. However, the ground clearance can vary and it is within the scope of the current invention to provide steeper angles that can be used for loading other goods. The overhang 51 and the extension 52 provided by the ramp and the bed slope are shown in figure 3. As described above, the angle Al' of the ramp is determined by the overall length of the extended ramp and the distance between the carrier and the ground. #OK#

[0027) Figures 4a and 4b show the ramp 1, as stowable in a substantially horizontal carrier, in the raised, or stowed, position and the lowered, or extended, position respectively. The vehicle 4 is configured to have the telescopic ramp fixed under the end section of the bed 3 which is sloped as described in reference to the other figures. It is however within the scope of the current invention to provide a ramp I for fixing to a bedS that does not feature a slope at the end.

(00283 Figure 5 shows the rear of a vehicle equipped with a ramp 101 that is in the extended position. In this embodiment, a plurality of ramps 101 is shown to be fixed adjacent to each other across the width of the vehicle 4. This has the advantage that each ramp weighs less than the overall structure that is created and the driving means that are used to extend and retract each ramp can be lighter duty than what may be required to one ramp that covers the width of the vehicle. The plurality of ramps 101 can provide a full width ramp across the bed of the vehicle.

[0029) Figure Ga shows a ramp 601 n a stowed position as described in relation to the previous figures where the ramp is stowed in substantially the same plane as the slope/tail of the vehicle. It should be understood that the tail of the vehicle is not necessarily fixed.

A vehicle with such a slope can be said to have a beavertail arrangement. Beavertails can be fixed or variable such that when the ramp is in the stowed configuration, the tail would be raised to be parallel to the bed of the vehicle. Before or during the procedure of extending the ramp, the tail would then be dropped.

(00303 In the embodiment of figure 6, the ramp 601 is held under a slope 607 of a bed 603 of a vehicle 604. The ramp 601 has a carrier 602 which is attached to a chassis 605, or otherwise, of the vehicle 604. The angle of the ramp 601 with respect to its fixing and/or a carrying surface 608 of the vehicle 604 is similar to the slope 607 of the end of the bed 603. A ground clearance GD is provided by the stowed ramp 601 such that the vehicle 604 may accommodate bumps in the ground 612 on which t is travelling. The end 627 of the carrier 602 does not extend far beyond the end 606 of the bed 603.

[00313 Figure 6b shows an extended ramp according to the embodiment of figure Ga. A first section 609 of the ramp 601 is shown to extend from the carrier 602 to engage the ground 612. The first section 609 is extendable from the carrier 602 by means discussed in relation to prevous embodiments. However, this embocfiment does not exclusively require a carriage element as described for the embodiment of figure 1. Rather, the ramp 601 has a driving means 628 (see figure 6b) disposed between the first section 609 and the chassis 605 or other connection 605'. The driving means 628 can be a hydraulic ram with the cylinder disposed inside the first section 609 and the shalt 628 extending to meet the connection 605'. Alternatively, the driving means 628 could be a rack and pinion set wherein the driving means 628 has a rack, and a pinion and a driving motor is disposed in the first section 609. A further alternative could be that there is no driving means and the element 628 exists only to support manual extension of the first section 609 from the carrier 602.

[0032] The first section 609 has a profile at its proximal end 610 that serves to align the upper surface 611 of the first section 609 with the slope 607 of the bed 603. An equivalent profile is provided at the dEstal end 627 of the carrier 602. The result of these two profiles is such that as the first section 609 shdes out of the carrier 602, the first section 609 is aligned with the slope 607 of the bed 603 as the extension of the first section 609 reaches close to the maximum. The profiles shown are merely for illustration and alternative profiles will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0033) An end 613 of the first section 609 can be tapered to engage the ground 612 and may also feature a roller 650 such that if the first section 609 engages the ground during extension before the maximum extension is reached, the first section 609 may slide along the ground 612. After extension of the first section 609 from the carrier 602 such that it engages the ground 612, a second section 616 is extendable from the first section 609.

Referring briefly to figure 6a, the second section 616 is stowed within the length of the first section 609. In this arrangement, the second section 616 is shown to be stowed partially above the upper surface 611 of the first section 609. This, however, is not essential to the invention and the skilled reader will appreciate that the second section 616 may be stowed within the first section 609.

[0034) Looking back at figure Sb, the second section 616 is shown extended from the first section 609. In this position, an end 620 of the second section 616 engages the ground. A taper 618 may also be provided to better engage the ground. The second section 616 is extendable from the first section 609 by means similar to those described for extending the first section 609 from the carrier 602. Alternatively, the second section 616 may pivot about a point at the end 613 of the first section 609 such that it is foldable away from the first section 609 to its extended position as shown.

10035) In the embodiment shown in figure Sb, a profile 651 is illustrated. The profile is that which is followed by the extension of the second section 616 from the first section 609, and allows for an upper surface 621 of the second section 616 to substantially align with the upper surface 611 of the first section 609 when the second section 616 is near to full extension from the first section 609.

(0036] As mentioned above, the embodiments may feature a second section which pivots away from the first section. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the present invention where the ramp 701 has a pivot 770 at the end of the first section 709, which pivotally connects the first section 109 to the second section 716. This approach allows for the second section 716 to be rotated 771 about the pivot 770 to move the second section 716 between a stowed and extended position. Although this embodiment is shown in relation to the embodiment of figure 1, it is appreciated that this technique may be used in relation with other embodiments, such as the embodiment of figure Ba and Bb.

10037) Figure 8a shows another embodiment according to the present invention. A carrier is positioned substantially parallel to a bed 807 of a vehicle. A first section 809 and a second section 816 of the ramp 801 are stowable inside the carrier. Figure Ba shows the ramp in a stowed configuration. The ramp further comprrses a carriage element 822 fixed via bolts or other fixing to the first section 809. The carriage element 822 has a lug 880 that runs in a channel 882 of the carrier 802. The lug is preferably a replaceable nylon wear pad. The channel 882 of the carrier 802 has a profile 884 at one end of the channel.

As the ramp extends, the underside 814 of the first section bears against the top surface of a bearing or slide element 824. Gravitational forces acting on the extended ramp means that the first section pivots about the slide element and pushes the lug 880 against the profiled edge 884. This allows at least the first section to almost fully extend before it is lowered to the floor. A roller element 842 is positioned at the distal end of the first section, relative to the carrier and is the part of the first section that engages with the ground.

(00381 Figure 8b shows the ramp of figure 8a in an extended configuration. This figure shows that the lug 880 has foflowed the profile 884. Therefore, the first section 809 engages the ground through the roller 842. The extended part of the second section 816 is shown to be of similar length 886 to the length 886 of the first section 809. Preferably the lengths 886 and 886' are between 800mm and 1200mm. A hydraulic ram 828 drives the carriage element 822 along the carrier 802. The ram 828 is pivotally connected to the carriage and is pivotally connected to the vehicle at 805'.

[0039) Figure 8c shows a zoomed in section of figure Sb. This figure shows the arrangement used to extend the second section from the first section. A first belt or chain 888 is fixed at a first end to the end 827 of the carrier 802 and fixed at a second end at or near to the end of the second section at a point 816'. The first belt or chain 888 runs around a pulley wheel or pinion 890 positioned on the carriage 822. A second belt or chain 892 is fixed at or near to the first fixing point of the first belt or chain, i.e. at the end 827 of the carrier 802. The second belt or chain then runs around a pulley wheel or pinion 892 and fixes to the point 816' or near thereto.

(00403 During extension of the first section from the carrier, the pulley wheel or pinion 890 is moved closer to the first fixing and the first belt or chain 888 moves over the pulley wheel or pinion so that the second section 816 can extend. At the same time, the pulley wheel or pinion 892 is moved away from the end 327 so that the second belt or chain moves over the pulley wheel or pinion such that the point 816' is pulled toward the pulley wheel or pinion 892. Therefore, as the first section extends from the carrier, the second section extends from the first.

[0041] Returning to figure 8a, the second section 816 is shown stowed on top of the first section 809. On sliding extension of the second section from the first, the second section drops so that the upper surface of the second section substantially aligns with the upper surface of the first section. This is explained further with reference to figures 9a and 9b.

(00421 Figures Gee, s9ab and Gac show the first section 809 of the ramp according to the above description in relation to figures 8a to 8c. Referring to figure 9ac, the first section is connected to the carriage element 822. It should be noted that the first section and the carrier may be one integral piece. The first section has two side rails 902 and a top piece 904. The top piece overlaps the side rails and forms a flange 906 at each side.

(00433 Figures 9ba, 9bb, 9bc, Bbd and 9be show the second section according to the above description in relation to figures Ba to Sc. Referring to figure 9be, the second section 816 is shown upside down to its normal operation. The second section comprises two side rails 910 each having flanges 912 and a slide element 914. The second section also comprises a top piece 916 (figure 9be shows the underside thereof) and an end piece 918 positioned at an angle to engage with the ground, as previously discussed. A section engaging element 920 is positioned at the opposite end of the slide elements to the end piece and provides an interface with the first section at full extension. Under stowed conditions, the slide elements 914 abut the flanges 906 of the first section and the second section is therefore stored on top of the first section. The flanges 912 of the second section 816 are positioned on the underside of the flanges 906 of the first section 809.

This prevents the second section 816 from lifting off the first section 809.

[0044] As the second section extends from the first section, the slide element 914 slides along the flange andlor top piece of the first section. At the end of the slide elements, the profile of the section engaging element allows the second section to drop so that the upper surface of the top piece of the second section alJgns with that of the first. Indeed, 922 of the first section (see figure 9aa) may be chamfered to aid the drop of the second section at its full extension. The profile of the end piece, slide elements and the section engaging element is shown in figure 9bc which is a cross section taken through figure 9bd at the position marked A-A.

(00453 At full extension of the second section from the first, arms 924 of the side rails 910 remain engaged with the first section so that the flanges 912 on the arms are positioned underneath the flanges 906.

(00463 Returning to figures Ba to Sc, it will be appreciated that in normal operation, the ramp preferably fully extends before the lug 880 follows the profile 884 to lower the first section so that it engages the ground. However, the first section may engage the ground prior to full extension. Under such circumstances, the roller 842 permits the first section to continue to slide out of the carrier by reducing the friction of the end of the first section with the ground. Preferably, the second section does not engage the ground prior to its full extension. However, in some embodiments, the second section may also have a roller positioned at its ground engaging end.

(00471 The term vehicle' used in the foregoing may include but not be limited to a vehicle having its own driving means or any other vehicle such as a trailer that may be driven by another driven vehicle. In embodiments where a telescopic ramp is fitted to a trailer, the trailer may have its own means for driving the telescopic ramp according to the above-mentioned embodiments (e.g. a hydraulic pump for driving a hydraulic ram as part of the telescopic ramp) or the telescopic ramp may be powered by power take-off means on a driven vehicle to which the trailer is attached.

[00483 Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of thrs specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

(00493 Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at east some of such features and/or steps are mutually excIusve. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments.

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

(00503 The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are fRed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A telescopic ramp for loading and unloading goods on to and from a vehicle, comprising: a carrier attachable to a bed of the vehicle; a first ramp section slidably connected to said carrier and having a first ground engaging portion; and a second ramp section moveably connected to said first ramp section and having a second ground engaging portion; wherein said telescopic ramp is moveable between a first stowed position and a second extended position, where in said second extended position said first ramp section extends from said carrier so that said first ground engaging portion may engage the ground, and said second ramp portion extends from said first ramp portion so that said second ground engaging portion may engage the ground.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second section is slidably connected to said first section.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second section is pivotally connected to said first section.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A telescopic ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first ramp section is pivotally moveable relative to the carrier when in said second extended position.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a carriage, wherein the first ramp section is pivotally mounted to the carriage and the carriage is slidably moveable in the carrier.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A telescopic ramp as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first driving means for moving said first ramp section relative to said carrier.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first driving means comprises a first motor.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first motor is electric or hydraulic.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein said first motor is disposed on said first section or carrier and is arranged to engage with the other of said first ramp section or carrier via first engagement means to move the first ramp section relative to the carrier.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first engagement means comprises a rack and pinion set.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first driving means comprises a hydraulic ram.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A telescopic ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second driving means for moving said second ramp section relative to said first ramp section.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second driving means comprises a second motor.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second motor is disposed on said second ramp section or said first ramp section and is arranged to engage with the other of said first ramp section or second ramp section via second engagement means to move the second ramp section relative to the first ramp section.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 14 wherein said second engagement means comprises a rack and pinion set.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein said second motor is electric or hydraulic.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 12 wherein said second driving means comprises a hydraulic ram.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second driving moans comprises an extension means driven by the extension of said first section from said carrier.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A telescopic ramp as claimed in claim 18, wherein said extension means comprises at least one belt or chain connected between said carrier and said second section and running about at least one pulley wheel or pinion positioned on said first section.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A telescopic ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second ramp section is pivotably moveable relative to said first ramp section when in said second extended position.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A telescopic ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in said second extended position, said first ramp section and said second ramp section extend at least
2.5m in length in combination.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A telescopic ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in said second extended position, the first ramp section forms an angle of less than 120 with the ground.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A telescopic ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second ground engaging portion of said second ramp section is tapered.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A vehicle comprising a telescopic ramp as claimed in any preceding claim.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A vehicle as claimed in claim 24, wherein the carrier is pivotally attached to the vehicle.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A vehicle as claimed in claim 24, wherein the carrier is fixable to the underside of a tail of a bed of the vehicle.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A vehicle as claimed in claim 26, wherein said tail of the vehicle is pivotable.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. A trailer comprising a telescopic ramp as claimed in any of claims Ito 24.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A trailer as claimed in claim 28, wherein the carrier is pivotally attached to the trailer.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A trailer as claimed in claim 28, wherein the carrier is fixable to the underside of a tail of a bed of the trai!er.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. A trailer as claimed in claim 30, wherein said tail of the trailer is pivotable.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. A telescopic ramp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>