Wheel chair abstract
Portable wheel chair ramps consist of a platform and ramp sections.
The platform and ramp sections are sandblasted. Ramp sections have
an extended adjustable legs, (U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,995.). Ramp sections
have an extruded locking mechanism underneath that connect one section
to others using a specifically designed tube and a configurated
J hook. Rails are then connected to extended adjustable legs of
ramp sections and secured to each other with an end post and an
angle piece of aluminum, then bolted together, insuring the rigidity
of the railing system to comply with codes. Bolting the rails together
with an inner handrail gives a continuous railing system for the
purpose of individuals using a wheel chair to traverse the ramp.
Inner rails are secured to the railing system and the leg posts
with a bolt, this rail runs the entire length of the ramp on both
sides.
Wheel chair claims
1. A system devised to allow ramp sections to be connected by a
mechanism consisting of an extruded tubular shaped receiver shown
in FIG. 4 and a hooked shaped support brace. The locking system
meshes with a lower supporting bracket then lifts into an angle
and slips into a receiving pocket and drops into a locked parallel
position, this then locks it into place utilizing a lower tab lock.
This system will allow it to support a great deal of weight in excess
to code requirements. The lower locking mechanism secure the ramp
section perfectly and also controls the alignment to insure continuity
of All sections, thus increasing safety. This also makes it simple
to install without the need For fasteners.
2. Is a swivel metal support rod consisting of a schedule 40 pipe
running the width of the bottom ramp section. See FIG. 5 This is
inserted into a round cut out and covered By a totally enclosed
web. Once this pipe is inserted into the bottom of the ramp, it
is Then welded to a vertical inner post. At the top of the inner
post there is a hole where a Nut is welded. This nut receives the
bolt that's attached to the continuous rail bracket Shown in FIG.
2 handrail "Detail D." When the ramp is being shipped,
this rail is folded Down and rest on the holding brackets. After
the ramp is installed this rail rotates 90 Degrees at that point
the handrail posts can be installed. The bolt from the continuous
rail Bracket is now inserted through the hole of the handrail post
and into the nut that's Welded on the inner post then it can be
tightened securing all the components together. The reasons for
this is that at this point of the ramp it wedges down and the side
walls Have no vertical support or integrity to support a pocket.
3. We have designed a handrail system that simplifies the installation
that adds to the integrity of the system. This system supports all
aspects of the handrail, using one permanent fastener, please refer
to FIG. 3. "Detail C-3" focus your attention to the enhanced
view. By this time you should be familiar with these components,
so I will keep this brief. You first start with the inner post which
extends through the pocket of the ramp section. This post also supports
the adjustable base plate (or leg). This tube is constructed out
of steel for its greater strength. The handrail slides over this
inner post. The next rail has an angle bracket which matches up
with the handrail post. The continuous rail bracket and its attached
bolt goes through the angle bracket and the handrail post into the
inner post that has the welded nut. This supports all four of these
components in one assembly. The purpose for this is to simplify
the installation of the rail system and Increase its strength giving
it a continuous rail appearance. Each component is interchangeable
and each rail system has a square tube on one end connected by the
upper and lower rails to an angle bracket on the other end which
encompasses the square tube on the previous rail. See FIG. 3 C-3
4. Please consider this claim because we have designed a ramp section
formed out of a single piece of lightweight material. This material
is formed at a 90 degree angle, giving it a side wall surface of
the appropriate size to carry the load, and then formed Once again
at 90 degrees giving it the underneath support required for the
webbing to be attached. The webbing is attached to the underneath
along with the J extrusion on one end and the I extrusion at the
other end. This makes a complete ramp section. You can see This
in FIG. 4 1. This is better than using multiple smaller sections
welded together like Those that are used currently. This system
makes it lighter and stronger eliminating the manufacturing process
of welding multiple components together, thus eliminating the weaknesses
caused by the weld. See FIG. 5
Wheel chair description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention is in the field of portable wheelchair ramps.
It is specifically designed for mobile construction trailers and
modular or pre-fab building structures such as are commonly utilized
on construction projects. It is also used in portable buildings
for schools and other portables and sometimes on permanent projects.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A wheelchair ramp is an inclined plane that is a continuous
and unobstructed way of travel to and from an elevated space in
a wheelchair. Portable wheelchair ramps have long been used in all
types of construction. Most are used with various types of platforms
and/or entry systems. Some are made out of aluminum, steel, but
the most common are wood. The American Disability Act is now requiring
that wheelchair ramps be placed in all public entry ways, thus insuring
entrance to all. The standards for these entry systems have become
more stringent, and in the modular field, more in demand, which
is the reason for my design for this new portable wheelchair ramp.
OBJECTIVE AND ADVANTAGES
[0003] The objective of my invention is to provide a design that
will be easy and less time-consuming to install. It will be lighter
and easier to assemble than all of the other ramps on the market,
thus saving time and cost to the modular industry.
[0004] Another objective of my invention is to have a higher safety
factor. Due to its design, my ramp will be more flexible, allowing
it to be used in the modular industry and on permanent structures.
The ramp sections are formed out of a solid piece of lightweight
material. This eliminates weaknesses due to excessive welding, greatly
increasing its strength.
[0005] FIG. 1 shows two views of the completed wheelchair ramp
fully assembled. "Elevation View" is a side view showing
rails connecting to the decking systems and the individual adjustable
legs. "Plan View" shows a top view of the decking system
with the attached platform. This is a fully-assembled view which
does not show the locking mechanism. This is shown in FIG. 4 "Detail
E." The locking mechanism is hidden underneath the ramp section,
this not only hides the locking mechanism but creates a more finished
and appealing look.
[0006] FIG. 2 Shows the handrail outer post "Detail. D."
Also shown in this detail is the continuous inner rail and its bracket
securely fastened. It also shows the inner post in "Detail
C" with a partial view of the ramp section deck assembly attached.
"Detail C" shows the adjustable legs with the inner post,
which extends inside of the handrail shown in handrail "Detail
D." Also shown in FIG. 2 is a side view of "Detail C,"
this helps you understand how the inner post is connected to the
ramp pocket. It uses a channel which is machined part of way up
the pocket allowing the bolt from the inner post to slide into this
channel, then the leg can be properly adjusted. When this bolt is
tightened it holds the inner post and the leg firmly in place. Also
showing, in FIG. 2 "Detail D" of the continuous inner
rail and it's bracket and bolting system.
[0007] FIG. 3 Is a top view of FIG. 2 Allowing you to understand
how it is assembled. As you are looking down on the handrail system
of the enhanced view of "Detail C-3" this show the inner
3 and outer handrail tubes 4. It also shows how the angle bracket
31 that encompasses the handrail post 4 and the continuous rail
and its bracket and fastening system. The view of C-3 show two separate
rails sections adjoined together, showing how they are attached.
Also shown are the inner rail, its bracket and fastening system.
[0008] FIG. 4 Shows four different enhanced views of my locking
system. View D is a ramp section showing extrusions I on one end
and J on the other end. View A, and B shows how these two extrusions
come together. Also with an open view, View C shows the locking
system locked in place giving you a clear cut away view of how the
system looks when it is in the lock position.
[0009] FIG. 5. Shows the underside of the end section. This section
makes the transition from the ground onto the ramp. "View A"
shows the support webbing, the end plate, and the inner handrail
support welded to the swivel support tube. This is a heavy steel
wall round tube welded to both inner rails. This inner tube is housed
in an aluminum channel. The uni-flip rail is shown in the lower
position in "View A" and in the upper position in "View
B" The lower position is used for shipping. The swivel rod
is noticed by the broken lines and this runs the full length of
the end of the ramp section. It is then welded to the square tube
that creates the rail connector. B is the side view showing how
the uni-flip rail pivots up and down to create that stability needed
to support the handrail of the wheel chair ramp. Since there is
limited height this was necessary to meet the strength requirements.
Also shown is how each ramp section is formed out of a single sheet
of lightweight material, view A also shows the underside of each
ramp section and its supporting webbing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] In order for the reader to obtain a better appreciation
of the invention and to see the features. I have included this detailed
description. In FIG. 1 is a reduced version of my wheelchair ramp
showing all parts fully assembled. FIG. 1A is showing the ramp fully
assembled B is a top view of how the ramp looks when connected together.
FIG. 2 Shows a better view of the handrail detail. Handrail post
4 in "Detail D" slides over inner post 3 in "Detail
C" and the continuous rail 28 and flat bar 34 handrail bracket
shown in better detail in FIG. 3 enhanced view. It has a bolt 33
which has a washer 39 that slides over the bolt and then a C clip
38 clips over the bolt 33 allowing it to spin freely. This washer
39 is then welded to the handrail bracket 34, the hole 37 in the
bracket 34 is larger than the C clip 38, but smaller than the washer
39. This allows the bolt to stay permanently attached to the bracket.
In FIG. 3 this bolt 33 then runs through a hole 31 in the angle
bracket 34, then passes through the outer aluminum handrail post
4 into and through the inner steel post 3 and threads into the nut
24 that is welded to the inner steel post 3, this secures all three
of these components with a single bolt 33. This is shown in an enhanced
version below FIG. 2 "Detail C" We also need to bring
to your attention the pocket 6 that is shown in "Detail C."
This version is a side view of pocket 6 in FIG. 2 and the inner
post 3 and its supporting mechanism. Pocket 6 has a machined channel
36 it extends from the bottom of the pocket 6 approximately 1/3
up the side of this pocket allowing bolt 30 to slide into this groove.
There is a stop 40 that supports the weight of the post of the bottom
of the pocket 6. This bolt 30 extends through the inner post 3 into
a square nut 43 that is nested inside of a channel extrusion 41
which is welded to the base plate 27. When this bolt 30 is tightened
it not only hold the inner tube shown in FIG. 2 into position, it
also holds the inner channel 41. This system is explained in more
detail in our previous U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,995
[0011] Attention is then directed to FIG. 4 extrusion J this makes
up the new locking mechanism, this extrusion consists of a channel
shape 18, a supporting hook 10, a locking prong 11. This fits into
the extrusion I, which consists of an S shape extrusion 20 with
a locking seat 19 for the prong 11 and a receiving circular seat
7 that receives the hook 10. To assemble, the mechanism the hook
10 shown in view A enters through the opening 13 at a 15 degree
angle shown in FIG. 4 "Detail B" Then the hook 10 rests
on the circular seat 7 and then lifting parallel to one another
seating prong 11 underneath locking seat 19, this keeps the two
components from either lifting in elevation or collapsing from one
another. This keeps the ramp section firmly attached without the
need for any fasteners. FIG. 5 shows the bottom platform and the
swivel rail support system. This is a tubular swivel metal support
consisting of a heavy wall round steel tube 22. This tube is inserted
through an opening 44 that is machined into the side wall of the
ramp section 1. From the underneath view Detail A" this tube
22 is then enclosed in an extruded aluminum channel 27. It runs
the width of the bottom ramp section. That inner tube 22 is then
welded to two inner posts 21 that then can swivel horizontal or
vertically in position. The handrail post 4 shown in FIG. 2 "Detail
D" then slides over the vertical portion of the inner post
21 and then is tightened down with a bolt 33 shown in FIG. 2 using
the nut 24. This allows the rail to be secured in its appropriate
position. This system allows the inner post 21 to swivel 90 degrees
from a flat position resting against a support bracket 26 which
consist of a small piece of angle welded to the side of the ramp
section 1 .This allows that ramp section to be shipped in the lower
position. Then the rail can be lifted to an upright position so
that the outer handrail post 4 shown FIG. 2 "Detail D"
slides over it. This allows the force that is required by ADA to
be carried through the ramp via the swivel support tube 22. This
makes the system far stronger than simply bolting the rail to the
outside of the ramp section 1, in a position where there is no vertical
support to do so. Also show in FIG. 5 is the supporting webs 25
which are welded underneath each ramp section to give it additional
strength, but if you notice web 27 is actually a channel shaped
extrusion that supports the swivel support tube 22 holding it into
the correct position and adding additional strength. You will also
notice at the end of the ramp section where it comes in contact
with the ground there is a flat plate 23, which finishes off the
edge of the ramp keeping it flush to the ground. |