WO2019058316A2

WO2019058316A2 - Loading ramp and the vehicle thereof comprising said ramp

Info

Publication number: WO2019058316A2
Application number: PCT/IB2018/057293
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorenzo Lorusso
Original assignee: Takler S.R.L.
Priority date: 2017-09-21
Filing date: 2018-09-21
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Also published as: WO2019058316A3; IT201700105459A1

Abstract

A loading ramp (4) comprising a platform (12) having a main body which extends along a main longitudinal direction (X-X), from a coupling end (16), suitable to be coupled to a relevant coupler (20) of a loading floor (8) to a support end (24), suitable to be laid on the ground. The ramp (4), on the side of the coupling end comprises a carriage (28) having a support portion (32), suitable to interface with a chassis (36) of the loading floor (8), and an actuation portion (40). The actuation portion (40) is mechanically connected to the coupling end (16) of the platform (12) by means of at least one lever (44), hinged in a first hinge (48) to the coupling end (16) and in a second hinge (52) to the actuation portion (40), so as to allow at least the rotation of the coupling end (16) to facilitate its juxtaposition to the support portion (32) and its coupling to said coupler (20).

Description

DESCRIPTION

"LOADING RAMP AND THE VEHICLE THEREOF COMPRISING SAID

RAMP"

SCOPE

[0001] The present invention concerns a loading ramp, in particular for industrial vehicles, such as trucks and vans .

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As is well known, loading ramps are usually used on trucks and vans to allow the unloading of goods contained in the respective bodies.

[0003] Usually, the body comprises a rather high loading/unloading threshold, which may even exceed one meter in height. To facilitate the unloading as well as the loading of goods, transport carriages are equipped with wheels that are made to rise/descend on respective ramps .

[0004] In order to ensure that the inclination is not excessive, the ramps must have a significant length that may even exceed three meters. In addition, they must guarantee the necessary mechanical strength to support the weight of an operator, the wheeled carriage and the packages carried thereon.

[0005] For this reason, the ramps may weigh up to several tens of kilograms. When not in use, the ramps are placed almost horizontally under or above the loading platform of the van and, if necessary, are extracted so as to be coupled at an upper end to the chassis of the van, near the loading/unloading threshold with the opposite end placed on the ground. The total length of the telescopic ramp will be modified according to the height of the loading floor and at the request of the operator. After use, the ramp will be closed and again returned to the horizontal position.

[0006] The continuous use of the ramp therefore requires considerable effort on the part of the operators, who must from time to time handle, move and couple a very heavy device.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To resolve the cited problems, to date some solutions have been adopted in the art that consist in making the ramp as light as possible.

[0008] Such solution, however, entails an increase in costs, inasmuch as valuable materials suitable for ensuring the right compromise between lightness and strength are used. In other cases, an attempt is made to reduce the weight by limiting the overall length of the ramp. Such solution, however, involves an increase in its inclination at the same height of the loading/unloading threshold and therefore is not always feasible. [0009] In most cases, to limit the manual effort of the operator, the ramp is moved by two people whenever possible. This solution, however, is not always feasible.

[0010] In effect, very often the driver of the truck or van is alone and cannot ask others for help in handling the ramp, which requires considerable physical effort, especially if repeated several times a day.

[0011] Whenever possible, there are two drivers and they may therefore move the ramp together: this, however, is not always possible because, due to organizational problems and/or costs, there is often no provision for two drivers in the same vehicle.

[0012] In other cases, the lone driver of the vehicle must ask the customer for a hand in moving the ramp: even this solution is not always feasible because the customer is not always willing to perform this type of task, which requires considerable physical effort, even when carried out by two operators .

[0013] There are also other technical problems related to the solutions of the prior art.

[0014] For example, the ramps must be easy to store when not in use: this aspect is complicated by the fact that they do not usually have parts that may be disassembled but rather comprise frames with components welded together. [0015] There is also a need to reduce the overall cost of these ramps. The construction of ramps with numerous welds inevitably increases the cost of production.

[0016] In addition, it is important to ensure that the height of the ramp may be adapted to the different heights of the loading floor of the truck or trailer body on which the ramp is to be fixed/coupled . This operation should be as easy and achievable as possible by a lone operator, without the help of a second user.

[0017] Moreover, it is also necessary to be able to adapt the inclination of the ramp with respect to a main longitudinal axis or direction of the same ramp, i.e. the roll angle of the ramp, according to the possible situations of use.

[0018] In effect, the ground is not always perfectly flat, so the body of the truck or trailer, as well as the ramp itself may not be correctly aligned with each other or may be aligned with each other but excessively inclined with respect to the ground. These situations are potentially dangerous because the load to be moved on the ramp could tip over and fall, with the risk of injuring the operator and/or damaging the load itself.

[0019] The need is therefore perceived to resolve all the drawbacks and limitations cited with reference to the prior art. [0020] Such requirement is satisfied by a ramp according to claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred and non-limiting examples of embodiment thereof, wherein:

[0022] figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a ramp according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] figure 2 shows a side view of the ramp of figure 1 mounted on a loading platform of a vehicle;

[0024] figure 3 represents a perspective view of a ramp housed under the loading platform of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] figure 4 represents a perspective view of the ramp of figure 3, in a configuration of partial extraction from the housing thereof, under the loading platform of the vehicle;

[0026] figures 5-6 show side views in sequence of the steps of extracting the ramp from its seat and lifting it to couple the ramp to the coupler on the loading platform of the vehicle;

[0027] figure 7 shows a partial perspective view of a carriage of a ramp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0028] figures 8-9 represent perspective views, from different angles, of some details of a ramp according to the present invention;

[0029] figures 10-13 show perspective views, from different angles, of a ramp to be mounted according to another possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described hereinafter will be indicated at the same numerical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] With reference to the aforesaid figures, an overall schematic view of a loading ramp in accordance with the present invention, suitable for use for loading/unloading operations from a loading platform or floor 8 of a vehicle 10, such as a van, truck, or the like, is collectively indicated at 4.

[0032] For the purposes of the present invention, it should be noted that the dimensions of the ramp as well as the type of vehicle and loading floor are purely indicative and do not in any way limit the possible applications of the present invention.

[0033] A ramp (4) comprises a platform 12 having a main body which extends along a main longitudinal direction X- X, from a coupling end 16, suitable to be coupled to a relevant coupler 20 of a loading floor 8, to a support end 24, suitable to be placed on the ground.

[0034] Obviously, the platform 12 is preferably made of metal or light alloy; the platform 12 may be equipped with rubber coating, wood or plastic inserts and so on, in a known way.

[0035] Advantageously, on the side of the coupling end 16, the ramp 4 comprises a carriage 28 which, as better described hereinafter, allows/ facilitates both the movement and the mechanical connection thereof to the loading floor 8.

[0036] The carriage 28 has a support portion 32, suitable to interface with a chassis 36 of the loading floor 8, and an actuation portion 40.

[0037] The chassis 36 is part of the vehicle 10 and is typically located below the loading floor 8.

[0038] The actuation portion 40 is mechanically connected to the coupling end 16 of the platform 12 by means of at least one lever 44, hinged at a first hinge 48 to the coupling end 16 and at a second hinge 52 to the actuation portion 40, so as to allow at least the rotation of the coupling end 16 to facilitate its uxtaposition to the support portion 32 and its coupling to said coupler 20.

[0039] The lever 44 comprises at least one push handle 56, which is arranged projecting beyond the second hinge 52, on the opposite side of the first hinge 48. [0040] The push handle 56 in particular is arranged at a distance or arm 60 from the second hinge 52 greater than the pitch 62 or distance between the first and the second hinge 48,52.

[0041] This foresight serves to reduce as much as possible the effort that the operator must make to lift and couple the ramp to the coupler 20.

[0042] The arm 60 is considered to be the distance between a centerline M of the push handle 56 and the second hinge 52.

[0043] The push handle 56 may be fixed or also adjustable, for example at least partially sliding or removable, in order to be able to increase, if necessary, the lever arm, i.e. the arm 60.

[0044] Preferably, the lever 44 comprises two push handles 56, arranged on opposite parts or sides of the platform 12 with respect to a transverse direction Y-Y, perpendicular to said main longitudinal direction X-X. In this way, the operator may conveniently actuate the lever regardless of the side from which the ramp is approached. In addition, there is also the possibility, if required, for two people to be able to actuate the lever, each operator using the push handle 56 placed on his/her side.

[0045] Preferably, the arm 60 is greater than the pitch 62 by at least 15%. [0046] Preferably, the carriage 28 is equipped with sliding means 64 to allow the movement of the carriage 28 and the platform 12 in a main longitudinal direction X-X, so as to achieve a roto-translational movement of the coupling end 16.

[0047] For example, the sliding means 64 comprise at least one roller or skid.

[0048] Preferably, the sliding means 64 are configured to guide the sliding of the platform 12 also in a transverse direction Y-Y, perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction X-X.

[0049] The ramp 4 comprises a sub-chassis 68 suitable to be fixed to the chassis 36 or to the loading floor 8 of the vehicle 10.

[0050] For example, the sub-chassis 68 comprises a pair of struts 72, directed along the main longitudinal direction X-X, and defining a containment volume adapted to accommodate the carriage 28 and the platform 12 when not in use.

[0051] Preferably, the sub-chassis 68 is equipped with crampons 76 for the removable attachment of the ramp 4 to the loading platform 8 or to a chassis 36 of the vehicle 10.

[0052] Preferably, the sliding means 64 are placed between the carriage 28 and/or the platform 12 and the sub- chassis 68, in order to guide the extraction and retraction movements of the platform 12 with respect to the containment volume.

[0053] The ramp 4 may also be equipped with at least one stop 84 to prevent the removal of the platform 12 from the loading floor 8.

[0054] In order to facilitate the extraction of the platform 12 along a direction parallel to the main longitudinal direction X-X and/or the lifting of the support end 16, the platform 12 comprises at least one extraction handle 80.

[0055] According to a possible embodiment (figures 10-13), the carriage 28 comprises means of adjusting the height 88 of the coupling end 16, with respect to a vertical direction Z-Z, arranged between the chassis 36 and the carriage 28.

[0056] For example, said height adjustment means 88 of the coupling end 16 comprise a plurality of holes 92 and at least one pin 96 suitable to fit into said holes 92 to lock the adjustment of said height. This type of adjustment is of a discrete type, since the precision of the adjustment is linked to the expected pitch between said holes.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, said height adjustment means 88 of the coupling end 16 comprise a slot 100 and at least one pin 96 suitable for fitting into said slot 100 to lock the adjustment of said height. This type of adjustment is continuous and therefore extremely precise, since the variation of the distance is continuous.

[0058] According to a possible embodiment (figures 10-13), the ramp 4 comprises roll angle adjustment means 104 of the ramp 4 with respect to the main longitudinal direction X-X.

[0059] For example, said roll angle adjustment means 104 of the ramp 4 comprise at least one post 108 adjustable in height between the chassis 36 and a lower face 112 of the coupling end 16.

[0060] Preferably, the means of adjusting the roll angle 104 of the ramp 4 comprise a pair of height-adjustable posts 108 arranged between the chassis 36 and the lower face 112 of the coupling end 16. Preferably, said posts 108 are offset from each other with respect to the transverse direction Y-Y perpendicular to said main longitudinal direction X-X.

[0061] Preferably, said at least one post 108 comprises a threaded body 116 and a dampened head 118 that interfaces with the lower face of the coupling end 16. The dampened head 118 is for example covered with rubber.

[0062] The operation and thus the use of a ramp in accordance with the present invention will now be described .

[0063] In particular, when not in use, the ramp is advantageously returned to a substantially horizontal position inside the sub-chassis, below the loading floor 8.

[0064] If necessary, one proceeds with the extraction of the ramp from its seat below the loading platform 8 using the convenient extraction handles 80 located at the ground support end 24 of the ramp.

[0065] The extraction may be done by releasing the stop 84 which allows the movement of the platform and the carriage 28.

[0066] In particular (figure 5) in the first part of the extraction, the platform 12 comes out in a substantially horizontal position due to the guiding action of the struts 72 of the sub-chassis 68.

[0067] After reaching the maximum extraction (preferably with the aid of a limit switch) , the support end 24 may be placed on the ground, so as to incline the platform 12.

[0068] Then one moves on to the step of coupling the coupling end 16 of the platform 12 to the coupler 20. For this purpose, the push handle 56 is rotated so that the coupling end 16 is rotated upwards until it is secured to the coupler 20 (figures 4,6) .

[0069] This operation may be performed comfortably by a lone operator, without requiring the help of an additional person, be it another driver of the vehicle and/or a customer consignee/owner of the goods to be unloaded/loaded via the ramp 4.

[0070] In particular, the effort exerted by the operator changes during the rotation of the push handle 56: initially it is at a maximum, then it is reduced to exploit the weight of the platform to facilitate rotation. The presence of the sliding means 64 actually allows a roto-translational movement of the coupling end 16 to be obtained until the latter engages with the coupler 20.

[0071] Obviously it is possible to make various adjustments to the loading ramp.

[0072] For example, it is possible to use the height adjustment means 88 by unscrewing the pins 96 and adjusting the relative distance between the coupling end 16 and the chassis 36. After adjusting the correct distance, the pins may be repositioned and tightened to keep the adjustment fixed. This type of adjustment is usually carried out only once, to calibrate the loading ramp 4 to the specific height of the loading floor of the box. However, this does not mean that such adjustment cannot be changed at will in any situation and in an easy way .

[0073] After attaching the coupling end 16 to the chassis 36, it is also possible to make adjustments to the roll angle of the ramp 4. Obviously, this operation is done at the end, for the roll depends on the specific conditions of the ground support both of the truck/box and of the ramp itself. Such adjustment may be done by quickly adjusting the posts 108.

[0074] After firmly anchoring the platform 12 to the loading floor 8 and having adjusted the roll thereof, if necessary, the platform may be used to load/unload objects from the vehicle 10, for example through the aid of carriages that may slide along the platform 12.

[0075] At the end of operations, the ramp is retracted into its seat; for this purpose, one starts by uncoupling the coupling end 16 from the coupler 20, rotating the lever 44 in the opposite direction to that of the coupling step, so as to raise and release the coupling end 16. The platform 12 is then returned to a horizontal position and retracted into the seat of the sub-chassis 68 parallel to the main longitudinal direction X-X. Then the platform 12 is locked by activating the relevant stop 84.

[0076] As may be appreciated from the description, the loading ramp according to the invention allows the drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome.

[0077] In particular, the ramp is extremely easy to extract, position and attach to the structure of the van, and store when not in use.

[0078] In effect, the extraction is facilitated by the presence of special handles, and, above all, its lifting and coupling to the structure/chassis of the van is made extremely simple by the presence of the lever.

[0079] In effect, after having placed the support end of the ramp on the ground, the operator may comfortably operate the lever, rotating it downwards, in order to roto-translate the coupling end of the platform that is raised and, at the same time, rotated until it reaches the coupling structure of the van on which it easily engages.

[0080] This operation may be carried out quickly by a lone operator with a significantly reduced physical effort compared to the solutions of the prior art.

[0081] It should be noted that the effort of the operator is at a maximum when beginning to move the lever and then, as the operator completes the rotation of the lever, it decreases until the direction of the load is reversed, which greatly facilitates the final step of coupling to the structure of the van, which represents the most delicate step. Obviously, the same applies to the release that starts with a reduced effort and increases after the release has taken place.

[0082] Thus, the ramp of the present invention may be handled comfortably by a lone operator, typically the driver of the vehicle, without requiring the presence of another driver or the help of the customer.

[0083] The ability to handle the ramp independently is a significant advantage over the solutions of the prior art both in terms of physical effort and in economic terms because it does not require the presence of two operators simultaneously in the same van.

[0084] Moreover, due to the facilitated lifting system of the ramp, it is possible to make even heavier and stronger ramps, even in more base materials because they are of higher density but, at the same time, less expensive. In other words, it is possible to accept an increase in the weight of the ramp, with respect to the current known solutions, since the carriage with the relevant lifting system is able to absorb such increase without thereby requiring a considerable effort from the operator. The operator may then continue to operate the ramp alone, without requiring the help of a colleague or customer .

[0085] The ramp of the present invention also has components that are not welded but rather bolted together: this reduces the overall cost of building the ramp .

[0086] In addition, disassembly of the same ramp is facilitated .

[0087] Overall, the present invention provides users with a ramp that is easy to extract and return to its seat under the loading platform of the vehicle. After extraction, it is also possible to lift and couple the ramp to the chassis of the vehicle through the use of a convenient lever that significantly reduces the effort of the operator .

[0088] Moreover, due to this invention, it is possible to easily adjust the height of the ramp according to the different heights of the loading floor of the vehicle body.

[0089] Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the inclination or roll in relation to the ground so as to always ensure safe handling of the load on the same ramp. In this way, the operations of extraction and insertion of the ramp with respect to the corresponding sub-chassis are also facilitated.

[0090] A person skilled in the art, in the object of satisfying contingent and specific requirements, may make numerous modifications and variations to the ramp described above, all of which are within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Loading ramp (4) comprising

- a platform (12) having a main body which extends along a main longitudinal direction (X-X) , from a coupling end (16), suitable to be coupled to a relevant coupler (20) of a loading floor (8) at a support end (24), suitable to be laid on the ground,

characterized in that

on the side of the coupling end (16), the ramp (4) comprises a carriage (28) having a support portion (32), suitable to interface with a chassis (36) of the loading floor (8), and an actuation portion (40),

wherein the actuation portion (40) is mechanically connected to the coupling end (16) of the platform (12) by means of at least one lever (44), hinged at a first hinge (48) to the coupling end (16) and at a second hinge (52) to the actuation portion (40), so as to allow at least the rotation of the coupling end (16) to facilitate its uxtaposition to the support portion (32) and its coupling to said coupler (20) .

2. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 1, wherein the lever (44) comprises at least one push handle (56), placed at a distance or arm (60) from the second hinge (52) greater than the pitch (62) or distance between the first and second hinge (48,52) .

3. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carriage (28) is equipped with sliding means (64) to allow the movement in a main longitudinal direction (X-X) of the carriage (28) and the platform (12), so as to achieve a roto-translational movement of the coupling end (16) .

4. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 3, wherein said sliding means (64) comprise at least a wheel or skid.

5. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said sliding means (64) are configured to guide the sliding of the platform (12) also in a transverse direction (Y-Y) , perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction (X-X) .

6. Loading ramp (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ramp (4) comprises a sub-chassis (68) suitable to be attached to a chassis (36) or to the loading floor (8) of the vehicle (10), wherein the sub- chassis comprises a pair of struts (72), directed in the main longitudinal direction (X-X) , and defining a containment volume suitable to house the carriage (28) and the platform (12) when not in use.

7. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 6, wherein the sub-chassis (68) is equipped with crampons (76) for the removable attachment of the ramp (4) to the loading platform (8) or to a chassis of the vehicle (10) .

8. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sliding means (64) are placed between the carriage (28) and/or the platform (12) and the sub-chassis (68), so as to guide the movements of insertion and extraction of the platform (12) .

9. Loading ramp (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the platform (12) comprises at least one extraction handle (80) to facilitate the extraction thereof in a direction parallel to the main longitudinal direction (X-X) and/or the raising of the support end (24) .

10. Loading ramp (4) according to any of the above claims, wherein the carriage (28) comprises means of adjusting the height (88) of the coupling end (16), with respect to a vertical direction (Z-Z), placed between the chassis (36) and the carriage (28) .

11. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 10, wherein said means of height adjustment (88) of the coupling end (16) comprise a plurality of holes (92) and at least one pin (96) suitable for fitting into said holes (92) to lock the adjustment of said height.

12. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 10, wherein said means of height adjustment (88) of the coupling end (16) comprise a slot (100) and at least one pin (96) suitable for fitting into said slot (100) to lock the adjustment of said height.

13. Loading ramp (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ramp (4) comprises means for adjusting the roll angle (104) of the ramp (4) with respect to the main longitudinal direction (X-X) .

14. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 13, wherein said means of adjusting the roll angle (104) of the ramp (4) comprise at least one post (108) adjustable in height between the chassis (36) and a lower face (112) of the coupling end (16) .

15. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said means of adjustment of the roll angle (104) of the ramp (4) comprise a pair of posts (108) adjustable in height placed between the chassis (36) and a lower face (112) of the coupling end (16), said posts (108) being staggered therebetween with respect to a transverse direction (Y-Y) perpendicular to said main longitudinal direction (X-X) .

16. Loading ramp (4) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said at least one post (108) comprises a threaded body (116) and a dampened head (118) that interfaces with the lower face (112) of the coupling end (16) .

17. Vehicle (10) comprising:

a chassis (36),

a loading platform (8) supported by said chassis (36) and equipped with at least one coupler (20),

a ramp (4) according to any of the preceding claims, having a coupling end (16) suitable to couple to said coupler (20) .

18. Vehicle (10) according to claim 17, wherein the ramp (4) is equipped with a sub-chassis (68) suitable to house the platform (12) and the carriage (28) when not in use, wherein said sub-chassis (68) is fixed to the chassis (36) of the vehicle (10) by detachable connection means, such as crampons (76) .