US3628209A - Device for connecting various floors of a construction located at different levels - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device for connecting several superposed levels of a structure with an access surface. The device comprises at least two ramps articulated at their opposed outer extremities and positionable in one position in which they are aligned and another position in which the extremities opposite the articulated extremities are separated from one another by means of arms associated with and disposed laterally with respect to each ramp. The arms pivot in a frame at one extremity thereof under the action of a driving force; and the other extremity of each arm is provided with a roller for supporting the ramp. The pivoting movement of the arms associated with each ramp are arranged to counterbalance the movement of the other ramp.

Description

ilnited States Patent [72] Inventor Leon G. Parent Liege, Belgium [21] Appl. No. 831,670 [22] Filed June 9, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 21, 1971 [73] Assignee CIREB S.A. [32] Priorities June 12, 1969 [33] Belgium [31] 41789;

May 6, 1969, Belgium, No. 42245 [54] DEVICE FOR CONNECTING VARIOUS FLOORS OF A CONSTRUCTION LOCATED AT DIFFERENT LEVELS 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C1 114/711, 105/368, 214/1618 [51] Int. Cl B653 11/00 [50] Field of Search 14/71; 105/368; 214/1618; 114/70 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,406,236 8/1946 McDougall 114/70 Primary Examiner-Jacob L. Nackenoff AllomeysRobert E. Burns and Emmanuel .1. Lobato ABSTRACT: Disclosed herein is a device for connecting several superposed levels of a structure with an access surface, The device comprises at least two ramps articulated at their opposed outer extremities and positionable in one position in which they are aligned and another position in which the extremities opposite the articulated extremities are separated from one another by means of arms associated with and disposed laterally with respect to each ramp. The arms pivot in a frame at one extremity thereof under the action of a driving force; and the other extremity of each arm is provided with a roller for supporting the ramp. The pivoting movement of the arms associated with each ramp .are arranged to counterbalance the movement of the other ramp.

WENTEU 0522? [an Y 3132 309 SHEET 2 1f 3 DEVICE FOR CONNECTING VARIOUS FLOORS OF A CONSTRUCTION LOCATED AT DIFFERENT LEVELS The invention relates to a device for connecting a selected one of several superposed surfaces of a structure with an access surface, the device comprising a plurality of ramps each articulated about an axis at one end, and being pivotable between; a first position in which they are in alignment, and a second position in which the extremities opposed to the articulated extremities are spaced apart.

Various devices comprising two ramps articulated at their opposed extremities and being displaceable between a first position in which the ramps are aligned and a second position in which from one another with a view to connecting a single access surface to two different levels of a structure, have been described in various patents prior to this application.

US. Pat. No. 2406236 (McDougal) describes a system of ramps enabling an access way tobe put into communication with two superposed bridges in a ship. The two ramps balance by means of a system of pulleys and the control is ensured by a hydraulic jack. This device necessitates a super structure in which the pulleys are lodged and which supports the ramps.

Another system is also composed of two mobile ramps and is described in French Pat. No. 368712 (Vestner). A system of chains ensures the equilibrium of one ramp with the other by means of arms; to each ramp is associated an arm which is articulated at an extremity of the ramp and which is fixed at its other extremity to a link of the chain. Such a system calls for a large consumption of energy.

In Belgian Pat. No. 532242, there is also described a system constituted from two ramps, the equilibrium being ensured in this case by means of two racks engaging on a pinion. This device calls for a construction for lodging the racks and these racks are submitted to a large buckling force.

All of these devices have the disadvantage of using a bulky and complicated controlling balance system, necessitate a locking system to enable the passage on vehicles on the track constituted by the ramps, and do not include devices enabling, upon movement of the ramps, 2. slow starting, then an accelerated movement followed by a decelerated movement and an arrival at the final position at reduced speed.

All of these systems thus necessitate a large force to overcome the inertia of the system upon starting, a braking device and shock absorbers at the end of end of path. Additionally, in the devices which have been described, numerous elements are submitted to mechanical efforts which render their adjustment difficult.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a device including; control system enabling static and dynamic equilibrium of one ramp by another, this system being such that, upon starting, the movement of the ramp firstly takes place at reduced speed, then the speed increases in a constant manner until it attains the maximum and then decreases in the same manner to be practically zero when the elements of the ramp reach the second position.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an easily constructed, compact device which enables access from a single access surface to a selected one of a plurality of superposed surfaces.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device which can be; constructed in a manner such that an exterior locking is not necessary when a vehicle engages on the path constituted by the ramps.

The device of the invention permits a modification in which three different levels can be connected to a single access surface.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for connecting a selected one of a plurality of superposed surfaces of a structure with an access surface. The device includes first and second pivotable ramps, each ramp being hinged at an edge and pivotable between a first position in which the ramps are in alignment and connect one surface of the structure to the access surface and a second position in which the ramps are spaced apart, the first ramp in the second position permitting passage between the access surface and a different surface of the structure. A rotatable cranked arm is arranged to one side of each ramp for selective constant speed rotation to support the ramp in its first position and to pivot the ramp between its first and second positions.

The invention can be better understood by referring to the accompanying schematic figures of the drawings in which:

FIG. 11 illustrates a longitudinal vertical section of a device with two mobile ramps according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation taken from the [left side of FIG. 1 with certain parts shown schematically.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modification.

FIGS. '4, 5 and 6 are schematic views of a device with three mobile ramps enabling the connection of three different levels.

In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a vehicle which access track I which is spaced from two levels 2 and 3 intended to be put into connection with the track I. This is carried out by means of a device consisting of two mobile ramps. The first ramp 4 is articulated at 4a and a second ramp 5 is articulated at 5a. Laterally with respect to these ramps are disposed the elements of an equilibrium and control system. These comprise fixed pinions l2 and 13 over which passes a chain 8. Arms 6 and 7 are rigidly fixed to the pivots P of pinions l2 and 13 which pivots P are journaled for rotation in the fixed structure. Ramps 4 and 5 rest on arms 7 and 6 respectively through the intermediary of rollers 18, I7. There is thus constituted a mechanical liaison between the two ramps 4 and 5. A reducing motor 9 with transmission screw 10, drives the chain 8 by means of a transmission chain 11, which enables; displacement of the arms 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, elements 6', 7', 8'11, 12' and 13 are symmetrically disposed to the elements 6, 7, 8, I1, 12 and 13 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device. A shaft 14 ensures the transmission of the movement of motor 9 to the chains transmission II and II. Cross "beam 15 connects the free extremities of arms 6 and 6' and the cross beam 16 connects the free extremities of the arms 7 and 7' to provide rigidity; the ramps 4, 5 rest on the free extremities of their respective anns 7, 6.

If the direction of rotation of the motor 9 is such that the chain 8 turns in the direction of arrow X (FIG. 1), the arms 6 and 7 are displaced from the position shown in full lines to that represented in dashed lines, that is to say from the position enabling connection of the access surface 1 with the surface 2 to that enabling the connection of the surface 1 with the surface 3 by passing on the fixed part 3a. Considering the movement effected by the arms 6 under the action of motor 9, it is noted that the pivoting movement at 1:2 is accompanied by a displacement according to a circular arc of the cross beam 15 and a longitudinal displacement of the point of support of the ramp 5 on the cross beam I5. Conventional means for facilitating this movement can be used; the use of rollers 17 and 17' located under the ramp proves particularly advantageous. Similarly, the ends of the arm can carry rollers 18 and 18' supporting the ramp 4.

It is noted that in the two extreme positions of the two ramps, the arms are perpendicular to the ramps which is associated therewith (FIG. 1).

If it is considered that the pivoting movement of the arms is produced at a constant angular speed at I2 and 13 and that the movement of the ramp takes place from the positions shown in full lines towards the position shown in dashed lines, it is noted that firstly, that is to say up on starting, the rolling movement of the rollers under the ramp is large but the angular speed of pivotting at 4a and 5a of the ramps is small. In other words, the ramps begin to raise with a slow start; consequently, the couple which must be developed by the motor to overcome the inertia and the friction upon starting is low. When the arm, in this movement, is midway between its starting position shown in full lines and its final position shown in dashed lines, the speed of rotation at 12 and 13 remaining constant, the speed with which the ramps pivot at 4a and 5a is maximum, whilst the rolling of the rollers under their ramp is zero. Additionally, the distance between the point of support of the ramp on the rollers and the point of pivoting of the ramp which was at its maximum in the starting position, is thus minimum, hence making the arm of the lever shorter which also contributes to a maximum speed at minimum power.

Finally, the movement of rolling of the rollers with respects to their ramp takes place in the opposite direction, and, as the arms approach the final position represented in dashed lines, the speed of displacement of the ramps is reduced.

It is thus noted that it is not necessary to provide a braking system which was necessary with the devices of the prior art.

The interest of this final movement with reduced speed is particularly important when the starting position of the ramps is that shown in dashed lines, and when the ramp 5 must be lowered and the ramp 4 mounted to cause the extremities of the ramps to prolong one another. Such an adjustment, which is particularly difficult even with a system of braking in the known devices, is easily accomplished with the system of the invention.

At 19 and 20 are shown path ends ensuring the stopping of the motor. It will be noted that it is not necessary, with the device of the invention, to have an exactly precise path end, taking into account the small vertical displacement which means that the stopping of the arms need not be rigorously exact.

With the system of mobile ramps of the invention, it is noted that an exterior locking system is not necessary in the extreme positions shown in full lines and dashed lines of FIG. 1. Because the arms are perpendicular in these positions to the track, they prevent any movement of the ramps even when a vehicle on the ramps unbalances the system. The simple inertia of the system will suffice to lock the device, even in the case where the arms are not perfectly perpendicular to the ramp.

The use of a motor of lower power, which is made possible by means of the device of the invention, has for consequence that the accidental introduction of a object or a person between the two free extremities of each ramp when these approach one another cannot have undesirable consequences since no large shearing force is developed.

Similarly, if the system is unbalanced by the passage over the ramp of a vehicle or a person, the motor can longer cause a driving movement which constitutes a supplementary safety factor.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a particular embodiment of the invention in which the crossbeam 16 consists of a hollow tube which can turn on rollers 23 and 23' carried at the ends of arms 7 and 7'. In this embodiment, the ramp consists of two longitudinal girders 21 and 22. The separation of the girders is such that vehicles of normal lateral wheel base can make use of the ramp by rolling over the girders, the raised edges of the girders guiding the wheels of the vehicle.

Between and outside of the girders there can be provided, if desired, planking of lower strength, not shown, enabling the passage of pedestrians.

The girders 21, 22 are mounted on the tube by several nylon rings 24 and the movement of the arms 7 and 7' causes a rolling of the tube relative to the rings 24.

The arms 6 and 6' have only been shown partially and the ramp associated therewith has been emitted for clarity of these drawings.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 there is represented in three different positions, a system of ramps enabling connection, by three mobile ramps, of an access surface with three superposed surfaces.

The access surface 31 is in communication with level 32 in FIG. 4, with level 33 in FIG. 5, and with level 34 in FIG. 6.

The control and equilibrium device is composed of pairs of arms 35, 36, and 37 disposed laterally with respect to the ramps, as indicated for the device with two mobile ramps of FIGS. 1 to 3, and supporting the ramps by the intermediary of an arrangement (rollers or tubes), such as that described in FIGS. I and 2 or 3. The arm 35 additionally comprises a sector or wing 38 of which the function will be hereinafter indicated. The arms are rigidly fixed to pinions driven by the intermediary of chains (not shown) by a motor (not shown).

Starting from the position shown in FIG. 4, the rotation of the pinions results in a descent of the ramp 39 whilst the ramp 40 is raised as has previously been indicated for the system with two mobile ramps.

The driving chain also causes pivoting of the arm 37 which, at this moment, is not associated with any ramp.

Starting from the position of FIG. 4 where the arms 35 and 36 are perpendicular to the ramps 39 and 40, the position of FIG. 5 where the arms are once more perpendicular to the ramps is reached; the movement takes place firstly at a slow speed, the speed then increasing and arrival in the position of FIG. 5 takes place at reduced speed as has previously been indicated. It is remarked that the ramp 39 is balanced by the ramp 40, whilst the ramp 41 rests on a fixed support 42 solid to the frame.

Upon arriving in the position of FIG. 5, the arms 36 and 37 cross, it being understood that they are transversally displaced.

Starting from FIG. 5 where the arm 37 supports the ramp 39 and where the arm 36 now supports the ramp 41, the movement of the driving chain causes actuation of the ramps 39 and 41 to reach the position of FIG. 6 the movement taking place in the same conditions of speed as described above for the ramps 39 and 40.

The movement of the chain also causes a rotation of the arm 35 but the ramp 40 is maintained in the horizontal position by the sector 38 which rolls, without causing movement of the ramp, on a roller fixed on the ramp 40.

It is thus seen that the device of the invention is applicable to a ramp enabling access to three levels whilst conserving the characteristics of the system of the invention which are the perpendicularity of the arms with respect to the ramps which are located prolonging one another for the passage of a vehicle, thus rendering superfluous an exterior locking device, the slow starting movement of the ramps enabling the use of a motor having a weak couple upon starting and an arrival in position at reduced speed rendering superfluous a braking system and enabling an easy positioning of the ramps to prolong one another.

A sector of the type of sector 38 which has been described referring to FIG. 4 can also be mounted on all of the ramps (whether they are for two of three levels) to enable a starting without stress of the motor, this thus serving upon starting solely to turn the arms and having solely to overcome the forces of friction without having to overcome the inertia of the ramps. When the motor is started, the rollers carried at the extremity of the arms enter into contact with the ramp and cause the movement thereof. It is possible, in this manner, to ensure the starting of the motor in two phases and, if further desired, reduction of its power. 7

It will also be remarked that the device according to the invention comprises only rigid or pivoting members and not supple or articulated members such as cables, chains etc.

The device is such that the breakage of a driving chain for the arms on one of the sides of the device does not have a serious effect on the safety of the device since it can easily be un derstood that it does not cause a fall of the ramps, but solely a greater mechanical stress at the points where the ramp pivots with respect to the fixed construction (4a and 5a in FIG. I) caused by torsion of the ramp. The device is such that thanks to a rigidity to torsion (transversal moment of inertia) a control of simply one side is sufficient to ensure operation.

Whilst preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it must be understood that these have been given only by way of example without intention of limiting the invention. Thus it is possible, because of the balancing of the ramps and the low work to be provided to actuate the ramps, to substitute, for the driving motor of the ramps, a crank enabling hand operation of the ramps, that the assembly constituted by the ramps, the control system and their framework, can be mobile to be displaceable for example on a site, or that several devices can be disposed in succession for example in a multistory car park and in the floors of stores. 7

It is also possible to replace the chains by transmission controls between the ramps constituted by mechanisms such as racks, hydraulic devices and otherwise.

The invention is based on a rotational movement whatever be the form of the control member, combined with a displacement of the point of support of the ramp on an extremity of this member.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for connecting a selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced superposed surfaces of a structure with a horizontally spaced access surface, including first and second ramps hinged respectively to said access surface and one of said superposed surfaces, said ramps being pivotally movable between a first position in which the ramps are in alignment and connect said access surface to said one superposed surface, and a second position in which the ramps are spaced apart, wherein the first ramp in the second position permits passage between the access surface and another said superposed surface of the structure, the improvement which comprises rotatable crank arms mounted on said structure and arranged in vertical spaced relation, means mounted on each said crank arm for movement therewith and for engaging its respective ramp spaced from the hinge thereof for movement along said ramps to support said ramps and to cause pivotal movement of said ramps from one to another of said positions as said crank arms are rotated, and means for rotating said crank arms in coordinated relation to move said ramps in opposite directions whereby said first ramp is moved up and said second ramp is moved down to position said ramps in said first position and said first ramp is moved down and said second ramp is moved up to position said ramps in said second position.

2. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which said crank arms are disposed perpendicular to their respective ramps when said ramps are disposed in said first and second positions.

3. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 11, in which one of said arms is provided on each side of each said ramp.

4. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim I, in which said means for rotating said arms in coordlinated relations comprises a plurality of pinions, one said pinion fixed to each said crank arm, chain means linking said pinions, and drive means for driving said chain means.

5. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim l, in which said means mounted on each said arm for movement therewith comprises a roller rotatably mounted on each said crank arm and engaging and rolling on the underside of the respective ramp.

6. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a third ramp hinged to a third said superposed surface, said third surface being uppermost of said superposed surfaces, a third crank arm mounted to said structure to one side of said third ramp, means for rotating said third crank arm with said other crank arms, means mounted on said third crank arm for movement therewith and engaging the underside of said third ramp to cause pivotal movement of said third ramp as said crank arms are rotated, and means for pivoting said first ramp to a third position in alignment with said third ramp.

7. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which a first one of said crank arms engages said first ramp to pivot it between said first and second positions, a second one of said crank arms rotates in one direction to engage said second ramp and pivot it between said first and second positions and rotates in the opposite direction to engage said first ramp and pivot it between said first and third positions, and said third crank arm engages said third ramp and pivots it between said third position and a position out of alignment with said first ramp, and further comprising a support member fixed to said structure for supporting said second ramp when said second crank arm rotates in said opposite direction.

8. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a circular sector element means fixed to said third crank arm for rotation therewith and for lifting said third ramp to an elevated position when said first and second ramps are disposed in said second position.

Claims (8)

1. In apparatus for connecting a selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced superposed surfaces of a structure with a horizontally spaced access surface, including first and second ramps hinged respectively to said access surface and one of said superposed surfaces, said ramps being pivotally movable between a first position in which the ramps are in alignment and connect said access surface to said one superposed surface, and a second position in which the ramps are spaced apart, wherein the first ramp in the second position permits passage between the access surface and another said superposed surface of the structure, the improvement which comprises rotatable crank arms mounted on said structure and arranged in vertical spaced relation, means mounted on each said crank arm for movement therewith and for engaging its respective ramp spaced from the hinge thereof for movement along said ramps to support said ramps and to cause pivotal movement of said ramps from one to another of said positions as said crank arms are rotated, and means for rotating said crank arms in coordinated relation to move said ramps in opposite directions whereby said first ramp is moved up and said second ramp is moved down to position said ramps in said first position And said first ramp is moved down and said second ramp is moved up to position said ramps in said second position.

2. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said crank arms are disposed perpendicular to their respective ramps when said ramps are disposed in said first and second positions.

3. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which one of said arms is provided on each side of each said ramp.

4. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for rotating said arms in coordinated relations comprises a plurality of pinions, one said pinion fixed to each said crank arm, chain means linking said pinions, and drive means for driving said chain means.

5. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said means mounted on each said arm for movement therewith comprises a roller rotatably mounted on each said crank arm and engaging and rolling on the underside of the respective ramp.

6. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a third ramp hinged to a third said superposed surface, said third surface being uppermost of said superposed surfaces, a third crank arm mounted to said structure to one side of said third ramp, means for rotating said third crank arm with said other crank arms, means mounted on said third crank arm for movement therewith and engaging the underside of said third ramp to cause pivotal movement of said third ramp as said crank arms are rotated, and means for pivoting said first ramp to a third position in alignment with said third ramp.

7. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which a first one of said crank arms engages said first ramp to pivot it between said first and second positions, a second one of said crank arms rotates in one direction to engage said second ramp and pivot it between said first and second positions and rotates in the opposite direction to engage said first ramp and pivot it between said first and third positions, and said third crank arm engages said third ramp and pivots it between said third position and a position out of alignment with said first ramp, and further comprising a support member fixed to said structure for supporting said second ramp when said second crank arm rotates in said opposite direction.

8. Improved apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a circular sector element means fixed to said third crank arm for rotation therewith and for lifting said third ramp to an elevated position when said first and second ramps are disposed in said second position.

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