GB2241687A

GB2241687A - A bridging piece for a ramp rail

Info

Publication number: GB2241687A
Application number: GB9104622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Peter Luker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-03-07
Filing date: 1991-03-05
Publication date: 1991-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-05
Also published as: GB9005097D0; GB2241687B; GB9104622D0

Abstract

A bridging piece for a ramp rail comprising a front section in the form of a flat plate (1) for resting on an elevated surface and a rear section inclined thereto in the form of a top plate (2) having depending side limbs (3) L-shaped in cross-section to permit the rear section to be slidably engaged over the end of a scaffolding plank, for example. In this way the plank can be used as a ramp for transferring loads from one level to another in scaffolding support for example, there being a smooth transition between the levels by virtue of the bridging piece thus avoiding the dangerous cantilevering of the ramp which occurs at present when the load reaches the point of transfer from the ramp to the elevated surface. Ears 4 for lateral stability may be provided on the plate 1. <IMAGE>

Description

A Bridging Piece for a Ramp Rail FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bridging piece for bridging the end of a ramp rail and an elevated surface particularly a ramp rail which is used to transfer loads between ground level and an elevated surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common practice to use a wooden plank (or planks), such as a scaffolding plank, as a ramp to transfer loads between ground level and an elevated surface such as the floor of a motor vehicle to be loaded.

One major problem with this procedure lies in the instability which exists between the end of the ramp rail or plank which is rested on the tail end of the loading surface of tlie motor vehicle in that there is not a smooth transition between the ramp rail surface and the loading surface for wheeled loading vehicles and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a bridging piece for bridging the end of a ramp rail or plank and an elevated surface comprising a plate member having a front section for resting on the elevated surface, and a rear section attached to the front section at an inclined angle thereto and corresponding to the angle of the ramp rail determined by the height of the elevated surface, said rear section having depending opposed side limbs shaped to receive the ramp rail in sliding fit engagement therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Fig 1 shows in perspective view, a bridging piece for attachment to the end of a ramp rail according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig 2 is a perspective view of a bridging piece for attachment to the end of a ramp rail according to another embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The bridging piece shown in the drawings comprises a front plate section 1 to which is attached a rear plate section 2 having substantially L-shaped depending legs 3 running along each longitudinal side of the rear plate section 2.

In the embodiment shown the plate sections 1 and 2 are integral with one another, and are inclined relative to one another by an angle & , as shown in the drawings.

In use a ramp rail (not shown) of appropriate dimension, is inserted in the direction of arrow A through the end of the plate section 2 to be secured between the body of the plate section 2 and the opposed depending legs 3. The tail section 1 is then rested on an elevated surface such that a smooth and uninterrupted passage, for wheeled loading vehicles for example, is provided as between ground level and the elevated surface by means of the ramp rail and the bridging piece shown in the drawings.

It will be appreciated that the angle i may be varied according to the height as between the elevated surface and ground level in order to achieve the correct attitude of the ramp rail.

The embodiment shown in the drawing is constructed from sheet metal material of sufficient strength at least across the join between the front and rear sections 1 and 2 to withstand normal imposed loads. To cater for varying heights of loading surface a number of bridging pieces having differing angles of inclination o( may be produced according to the most general loading surface heights met in practice.

It is possible to provide a more sophisticated means for varying the angle of inclination by hinging the front and rear plate sections 1 and 2 together and incorporating a locking pin to fix the hinge at various angle of inclination.

The bridging piece as above described is particularly useful in loading a truck. Whereas as before, the end of the ramp rail resting against the tail end of the truck lay above the surface of the floor of the vehicle to be loaded and consequently a see-saw motion was unavoidable as objects were being wheeled into the vehicle up the ramp, and conversely that end would present a barrier to movement of the wheeled loading vehicle when reversing down the ramp, such need not now be the case by the simple expedient of fitting the bridging piece to the ramp rail, as above disclosed.

Since the ramp rail is gripped between the side limbs 3 any undue transverse play of the ramp rail is brought under control, and any tendency for longitudinal movement is limited.

However, if necessary holes (not shown) for receiving securing pins to secure the bridge piece to the ramp rail may be provided along the L-shaped limbs.

In the embodiment shown in Fig 2, the end plate 1 is provided with depending locating ears 4 for engagement with the sides of a scaffolding plank, for example, forming the elevated surface.

The locating ears 4 may be slightly angled outwardly with respect to the vertical.

Provision of the locating ears 4 prevents sideways movement of the plate member I on the elevated surface which is of great importance where the elevated surface is narrow.

Claims

1. A bridging piece for bridging the end of a ramp rail or plank and an elevated surface comprising a plate member having a front section for resting on the elevated surface, and a rear section attached to the front section at an inclined angle thereto, corresponding to the angle of the ramp rail determined by the height of the elevated surface, said rear section having depending opposed side limbs shaped to received the ramp rail in sliding fit engagement therebetween.

2. A briding piece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rear section is in the form of a flat upper plate, said side limbs extending longitudinally of the sides of said flat plate and being L-shaped in cross section.

3. bridging piece as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said front section is in the form of a flat plate having depending locating members for engaging the sides of a plank or assembly of planks forming the elevated surface, thereby to prevent sideways movement thereon.

4. A bridging piece as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said front and rear sections are adjustably hinged to one another whereby to vary said angle of inclination.

5. A bridging piece for bridging the end of a ramp ail and an elevated surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.