AU2006100339A4 - Stock Loading/Unloading Ramp Assembly - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 12647871 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant(s): Australia Address for Service: Askfind Pty Ltd 180 Ashford Road, Inverell, New South Wales, 2360, DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys 255 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 "Stock Loading/Unloading Ramp Assembly" Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- P:\WPDOCS\ARS\LETTERS\APR 2006\24 APR 12647871_PO_INNOVATION FILING.DOC 24/4/06 P:\WPDOCSARSSPECI E\ 12647871.doc-26/04/6 -1- STOCK LOADING/UNLOADING RAMP ASSEMBLY The invention relates generally to ramps suitable for use in the loading and unloading of stock, such as for example cattle from a transporter vehicle.

Ramps for loading and unloading stock from vehicles or other sites are known. Generally such ramps comprise a frame structure which is either fixed or made portable so as to be capable of assembly and disassembly for use at different sites. Currently known ramps often suffer from the disadvantage that the upper end is at a fixed height which limits the versatility. Other ramps may be adjustable in height but are difficult to use and not acceptable to the stock. The stock often baulk when moving from the transporter vehicle to the ramp and this behaviour can cause dangerous situations for the stock handlers.

Generally stock transport vehicles include two stock carrying decks. Most fixed loading ramps are built to suit the lower deck of the stock transporter and therefore it is necessary to use the ramp built into the stock transporter to get the stock on or off the upper deck. As these ramps are very steep they cause the stock to baulk and try to turn around in preference to walking up the steep ramp. This makes loading difficult, time consuming and can cause accidents to both the stock and stock handlers. When unloading using the ramp in the stock transporter it can be very slippery as well as steep. This again causes the stock to baulk, regularly loosing their footing and falling over and being trampled by the following animals.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ramp assembly which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ramp assembly for use in loading or unloading stock from a vehicle, the ramp assembly including a first substantially level ramp section which can be raised or lowered while maintaining its substantially level orientation and a second ramp section pivotally connected to the first ramp section. The arrangement is such that when the first ramp section is raised the second ramp section can pivot relative thereto to adopt an inclined orientation.

P:\WPDOCSARS\S PECI 12647871.doc-26104/06 -2- SIn one form the first ramp section may include a stock access zone at one end thereof with the second ramp section being pivotally mounted to the first ramp section at the other end thereof.

_The ramp assembly of the present invention may further include a support frame which Iincludes at least one upright column and a carriage mounted for movement along the column, the first ramp section being operatively connected to the carriage. In one form the support frame includes two substantially upright spaced apart columns, the carriage being mounted to and extending between the columns and movable therealong.

The support frame structure may simply rest on a surface or be operatively connected to the surface. For example in one embodiment lower sections of the uprights may be fixed within a concrete slab or the like below the ground surface.

The carriage may be in the form of a rectangular frame having guides on its parallel upright sides which can be slidably fitted to the columns of the support frame. The guides may be formed of or lined with friction reducing material such as nylon or the like.

A drive mechanism may be provided to move the carriage along the columns. The drive mechanism may be any suitable form. For example the lift mechanism may include an electric, hydraulic or other motor operatively connected to the carriage by means of a lifting cable or other suitable coupling. In another arrangement the drive mechanism may be in the form of an electric hoist or hydraulic ram or the like.

The carriage may include locking dogs or like elements operatively mounted thereon which are adapted to cooperate with stops which are arranged in spaced apart relation along the columns. The locking dogs may be operatively attached to a spring loaded shaft so as to be freely movable in one direction only. When the carriage is raised the locking dogs can rotate so as to allow them to slide over the stops. When lowering the carriage the shaft is caused to rotate by a drive mechanism such as linear actuator for example a P:\WPDOCS\ARS\SPECIE\12647871.do-2604/06 -3hydraulic cylinder which is adapted to hold the locking dogs clear of the stops. Preferably the carriage is supported by the locking dogs and stops when loading or unloading stock.

The lifting mechanism only bears a load when the carriage is being raised or lowered.

The ramp assembly may further include an extendable platform section which can extend and retract from the first ramp section so that it can be brought into close proximity with the transporter vehicle. The extension and retraction of the platform section may be manually effected or powered by means such as for example, an hydraulic ram. In one form the extendable platform section includes a mounting plate operatively connected to the hydraulic ram and a platform plate which is pivotally connected to the mounting plate.

This arrangement permits the platform plate to swivel if the transporter vehicle is not properly aligned with the ramp assembly. If the stock transporter is not properly aligned, without the pivotable platform plate there could be a considerable gap between one edge of the platform section and the vehicle transporter.

The second ramp section may be connected at one end thereof to the first ramp section by means of a hinge. The other end of the second ramp section may be provided with ground engaging wheels which assist during its limited movement as the first ramp section is raised and lowered.

Preferred embodiments of the invention drawings will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a ramp assembly according to the present invention in a first position; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the ramp assembly in a second position; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the ramp assembly in the first position; Figure 4 is an end view of the ramp assembly in the first position; P:\WPDOCS\ARS\SPECI fl\ 1264787 I.do.26/04JO6 -4- Figure 5 is an isometric view of a column and carriage assembly which forms part of the ramp assembly; Figure 6 is an isometric view of a bumper device which can be used with the ramp assembly; Figure 7 is a plan view of the ramp assembly shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 8 is a side elevation of a platform component of the ramp assembly; Figure 9 is a plan view of the platform component shown in Figure 8; and Figure 10 is an isometric view of the platform component shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a ramp assembly generally indicated at 10 which is suitable for use in loading or unloading stock from a vehicle. The ramp assembly includes a first substantially level ramp section 12 which can be raised or lowered while maintaining its substantially level orientation and a second ramp section 14 pivotally connected to the first ramp section. In the embodiment shown a third ramp section 15 is provided at the end of the second ramp section 14 remote from the first ramp section 12.

Each ramp section includes a frame assembly having a base and sides. Sheeting of suitable material may be disposed on the base of the frame sections and if necessary on the sides.

Frame sections 14 and 15 include legs 17 which can be embedded in the ground below the ground surface 80 as best seen in Figures 2 and 3.

The first ramp section 12 includes a stock access 20 at one end thereof with the second ramp section 14 being pivotally mounted to the first ramp section at the other end thereof.

P:\WPDOCSARS\SPECI 1264771.d A-264/06 The ramp assembly 10 may further include a support frame 24. The support frame includes two substantially upright spaced apart columns 26, 27 and a carriage 30 which is mounted to and extending between the columns and movable therealong.

The support frame structure may simply rest on a surface or be operatively connected to the surface. For example as shown in Figures 2 and 3 the lower sections 28 and 29 of the columns may be fixed within a concrete slab or the like below the ground surface The carriage 30 is in the form of a rectangular frame having guides 38 on its parallel upright sides 31, 32 guides 33 and 34 which can be slidably fitted to the columns of the support frame. The guides 33 and 34 are lined with nylon to reduce friction.

As shown, a drive mechanism is provided to move the carriage 30 along the columns 26 and 27. The drive mechanism includes an hydraulic ram or hoist 35 operatively connected to the carriage. The carriage 30 has associated therewith locking dogs or like elements (not shown) which are operatively mounted thereon and which are adapted to cooperate with stops 35 arranged in spaced apart relation along the columns 26 and 27. The locking dogs are operatively attached to a spring loaded shaft so as to be freely movable in one direction only. When the carriage 30 is raised the locking dogs can rotate so as to allow them to slide over the stops 35 in a similar fashion to a ratchet and pawl. When the carriage is in the selected raised position the locking dogs will engage a stop 35 under the influence of the spring to hold the carriage in position. When lowering the carriage the shaft is caused to rotate by a drive mechanism such as for example a linear actuator which is adapted to hold the locking dogs clear of the stops. Preferably the carriage is supported by the locking dogs and stops 35 when loading or unloading stock. The lifting mechanism only bears a load when the carriage is being raised or lowered.

The first ramp section 12 is mounted to the carriage 30 and extends therefrom in cantilevered fashion. A gate frame 18 for a slidable gate is provided at the access 20 on the first ramp section 12. In another arrangement the gate may be vertically displaceable P:\WPDOCSARS\S PECI1264787 1.do-26104/06 -6between open and closed positions. The gate may be movable by an actuator such as an hydraulic cylinder which may be remotely operated.

The ramp assembly 10 may further include an extendable platform section 40 which can extend and retract from the first ramp section so that it can be brought into close proximity with the transporter vehicle. The extension and retraction of the ramp section may be manually effected or powered by means such as for example, an hydraulic ram. As best seen in Figures 8 to 10, the extendable platform section 40 includes a mounting plate 41 operatively connected to an hydraulic ram (not shown) and a platform plate 43 which is pivotally connected to the mounting plate 41 about swivel mount 45. This arrangement permits the platform plate 43 to swivel relative to the mounting plate 41 if the transporter vehicle is not properly aligned with the ramp assembly. If the stock transporter is not properly aligned, without the pivotable platform plate there could be a considerable gap between one edge of the platform section and the vehicle transporter.

The second ramp section 14 is connected at one end thereof to the first ramp section 12 by means of a hinge 42. The other end of the second ramp section may be provided with engaging wheels 44 which assist during its limited movement as the first ramp section is raised and lowered.

A vehicle buffer 50 is provided in a position below the first ramp section. The buffer includes spring loaded buffer element 52 for absorbing any vehicle impact. Legs 53 and 54 can be embedded in concrete below the ground surface Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. A ramp assembly for use in loading or unloading stock from a vehicle, the ramp assembly including a first substantially level ramp section which can be raised or lowered while maintaining its substantially level orientation and a second ramp section pivotally connected to the first ramp section.

2. A ramp assembly according to claim 1 including a stock access at one end of the first ramp section the second ramp section being pivotally mounted to the first ramp section at the other end thereof.

3. A ramp assembly according to claim 2 including a support frame which includes two generally upright columns and a carriage mounted for movement along said columns the first ramp section being operatively connected to the carriage.

4. A ramp assembly according to claim 3 including a drive device for raising and lowering the first ramp section. A ramp assembly according to claim 4 including an extendable portion which can be extended and retracted beyond the stock access. Dated this 26h day of April, 2006 ASKFIND PTY LTD By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE