GB2473031A

GB2473031A - Access ramp

Info

Publication number: GB2473031A
Application number: GB0915005A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Greenwood
Original assignee: LATERAL DESIGN CONCEPTS Ltd
Current assignee: LATERAL DESIGN CONCEPTS Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-28
Filing date: 2009-08-28
Publication date: 2011-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-28
Also published as: GB2473031B; GB0915005D0

Abstract

A vehicle adapted for disabled access is provided. A ramp 120 is pivotally connected to the vehicle 110 and moveable between a deployed position, a first stowed position, and a second stowed position. The ramp includes a first section 130 and a second section 140. The first section is pivotally connected to the vehicle at one end by a pivot 132. At the other end, the first section is pivotally connected to the second section by a second pivot 142. A locking means 150 is provided. The locking means selectively locks the first section relative to the second section. Accordingly the first and second sections are lockable together when the ramp is moveable between the deployed position and the first stowed position. The ramp is moveable between the first stowed position and the second stowed position by releasing the locking means to enable the second section to pivot relative to the first section.

Description

Access Apparatus The present invention relates to a vehicle access apparatus and a method of enabling disabled access to a passenger vehicle and, in particular although not exclusively, to a vehicle access apparatus for wheelchair access.

Vehicles are often adapted for disabled access, for example wheelchair access, by providing a vehicle access apparatus, such as a ramp at the rear of the vehicle. One end of the ramp is pivotally mounted at the rear of the vehicle so that it pivots between a ramp position and a stowed position. In the ramp position, the ramp extends downwardly and rearwardly from a floor of the vehicle and into contact with the ground. Accordingly, a wheelchair may be transferred between the ground and the floor of the vehicle via the ramp. In the stowed position the ramp is stowed in an upright position such that the vehicles' entrance (e.g. the boot) may close.

EU rules govern the maximum steepness/angle at which the ramp may be inclined.

Consequently, for a certain height of floor, the minimum length of the ramp is defined by the maximum angle. Furthermore, the current high levels of congestion create an increased demand for parking. Cars are therefore leaving reduced distances between adjacent cars particularly when parking one behind another. Thus there is often insufficient space to deploy a ramp.

W02008/081201 discloses an access ramp for a vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 is adapted for disabled access by providing a vehicle access apparatus comprises a ramp 20 that is pivotally connected to the vehicle 10 below the level of a floor 12 of the vehicle 10. The ramp 20 comprises a first part 22 and a second part 24 that are pivotally connected to each other. The ramp is moveable between a ramp position and a stowed position by lifting the pivoted connection between the first and second parts. Consequently, the first part pivots towards an upwardly extending position relative to the vehicle's floor 12 and the second part pivots relative to the first to lie in a downwardly extending position. The floor 12 includes a cavity 14, which extends forwardly from a rear of the vehicle 10. A floor insert 16 is pivotally connected at a front end of the cavity 14 and at an upper portion of the cavity. A free end of the floor insert 16 includes a cam follower that co-operates with a cam attached to the ramp 20. Consequently, when the ramp is moved between the ramp position (Figure 2), the floor insert 16 is automatically moved between a position in which it forms a continuation of the ramp and a position in which it forms a continuation of the floor. Although the stowed position of the ramp is suitable for use when transporting a wheelchair or the like, it does not allow for easy access to the rear of the vehicle when used to transport other goods. In order to use the rear of the vehicle for transport of other goods, the ramp will generally need to be deployed regardless of the nature of those goods. Furthermore, when in the stowed position the ramp often obscures the view through the rear window of the vehicle, which may hinder reversing and other manoeuvres.

It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle including vehicle access apparatus and a method of operating a vehicle access apparatus as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent

claims, and the description which follows.

According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a vehicle including vehicle access apparatus. Suitably the vehicle access apparatus is a ramp. The ramp is pivotally connected to the vehicle and movable between a ramp position and a first stowed position. In the ramp position access is provided for disabled access. For example, access to the vehicle for a wheelchair. Thus, a free end of the ramp is supported by the ground and the ramp arranged to extend upwardly to a connection with the vehicle. Consequently, a wheelchair may be moved up the ramp onto the vehicle. The ramp is then moveable to a first stowed position wherein the ramp extends generally upwardly so that space is left in the vehicle for the wheelchair.

When a wheelchair is not being transported, the ramp is moveable from the first stowed position to a second stowed position. In the second stowed position the ramp is arranged to lie substantially parallel to the floor. Advantageously, when in the second stowed position, the ramp does not obscure vision through the rear windscreen. Moreover, the space in the vehicle for the wheelchair can be accessed more readily.

In the exemplary embodiments, the ramp has a first section and a second section.

The first section is pivotally connected to the vehicle at one point and pivotally connected to the second section by a second pivot that is spaced to the first.

Suitably, the first and second pivots are substantially parallel. Here the first section and the second section extend substantially vertically in the same plane when the ramp is in the first stowed position. Moreover, the first section extends substantially vertically and the second section extends adjacent and substantially parallel to the floor of the vehicle when the ramp is in the second stowed position. The ramp is further provided with a locking means. The locking means releasably locks the first section relative to the second section. Accordingly the first and second sections are lockable together when the ramp is moveable between the ramp position and the first stowed position. The ramp is moveable between the first stowed position and the second stowed position by releasing the locking means to enable the second section to pivot relative to the first section.

In the exemplary embodiments, the locking means comprises at least one movable latch located on one of the first or second sections and a corresponding catch located on the other. Cooperation of the latch and catch locks the first and second sections together. A corresponding latch and catch may be provided on each side of the pivoted connection between the first and second sections. Suitably the latch is located on the first section. However, preferably the latch is located on the second section as this can allow the size of the first section to be reduced. Reducing the size of the first section is advantageous as it allows the ramp to be stowed in the second stowed position spaced closer to the floor.

In one exemplary embodiment the ramp includes a third section that is pivotally connected to the second section at a third pivot that is spaced from the second pivot.

Here the third section is located generally side by side with the second section when in a said stowed position.

In the exemplary embodiment the vehicle includes a floor. The floor may include a cavity. Here a floor insert is pivotally mounted within the cavity. The floor insert being movable between an inclined position, in which the upper surface of the floor insert is generally co-extensive with the ramp when deployed, to a raised position in which the upper surface of the floor insert is generally co-extensive with adjacent surfaces of the floor of the vehicle. Consequently, the ramp is pivotally connected to the vehicle below the level of the floor. When the first section is mounted below the level of the floor, in order to stow the ramp in the second position closely to the floor, the first section can be longer than when the ramp is connected at the floor level. Preferably, the floor insert is pivotally mounted on the vehicle whereby the floor insert can be pivotally moved to and from the raised position. Here, suitably the floor insert is connected to the ramp such that it is pivotally moved to the inclined position when the ramp is moved to the ramp position and is moved to the raised position when the ramp is moved to the first stowed position. Advantageously, the first section of the ramp may be restrained from movement in the forward direction of the vehicle by abutment with the floor insert.

An exemplary method of operating a vehicle access apparatus, comprises the steps of: moving a ramp between a ramp position and a first stowed position and moving the ramp between the first stowed position and a second stowed position; wherein the ramp includes a first section and a second section, the first section being pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one pivot and pivotally connected to the second section by a second pivot that is spaced to the first; the method step of moving the ramp between the ramp position and the first stowed position comprises causing a locking means to lock the first section relative to the second section and rotating the first section about the first pivot; and the method step of moving the ramp between the first stowed position and the second stowed position comprises releasing the locking means and rotating the second section relative to the first section about the second pivot.

Suitably the locking means comprises at least one catch and latch. Here the method comprises moving the latch relative to the catch in order to cause the latch to engage and disengage the catch to lock and unlock the first and second sections.

Preferably, the method comprises causing a floor insert to move between an inclined position and a raised position, wherein the floor insert is generally level with the floor when the ramp is in the said first and second stowed positions and extends at an inclination to the floor, abutting and coplanar with the ramp, in the inclined position.

Preferably causing the ramp to move also causes the floor insert to move. Suitably when the ramp has been moved from a said first or second stowed position to the deployed position, and the floor insert has been moved from the raised position to the inclined position, the method includes the step of wheeling a wheelchair up the ramp into the vehicle, moving the ramp to the first stowed position and raising at least a part of the wheelchair supported by the floor insert.

The vehicle and access apparatus may be substantially as herein described.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art access apparatus in a ramp position and Figure 2 is a perspective view from inside a vehicle showing the prior art access apparatus on a stowed position.

Figures 3 to 5 are schematic cross-sectional side views of a vehicle adapted for disabled access showing an access apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Figure 3 shows the access apparatus in a ramp position. Figure 4 shows the access apparatus in a first stowed position and Figure 5 shows the access apparatus in a second stowed position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a rear of a vehicle in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention wherein a ramp of an access apparatus is shown in a second stowed position.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the locking means of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rear of a vehicle in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention wherein a ramp of an access apparatus is shown in a ramp position.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the rear of the vehicle of Figure 8 wherein the ramp is shown in a partially stowed position.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rear of the vehicle of Figure 8 wherein the ramp is shown in a first stowed position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the rear of the vehicle of Figure 8 wherein the ramp is shown in a second stowed position.

Figure 12 is a further perspective view of the rear of the vehicle of Figure 8 wherein the ramp is shown in the second stowed position.

Figures 3-5 show a rear end of a vehicle 110 adapted for disabled access. A ramp is pivotally connected to the vehicle and moveable between a deployed position (Figure 3), a first stowed position (Figure 4), and a second stowed position (Figure 5).

The ramp 120 includes a first section 130 and a second section 140. The first section is pivotally connected to the vehicle 110 at one end by pivot 132. At the other end, the first section 130 is pivotally connected to the second section by pivot 142. A locking means 150 is provided. The locking means 150 selectively locks the first section 130 relative to the second section 140.

As shown in Figure 3, when in the deployed position, the locking means 150 is operated so as to lock the first section 110 to the second section 140. Suitably, the first section and second section are locked so as to provide a continuous ramp 120.

In the deployed position, a free end of the ramp contacts the ground thereby providing access to the vehicle, for instance, a wheelchair can be pushed up the ramp on to a floor 112 of the vehicle.

In order to move the ramp from the deployed position to the first stowed position, the ramp 120 is pivoted about the first pivot 132 until it extends upwardly from the floor 120. During this movement, the locking means 150 remains deployed, locking the first and second sections. In the first stowed position space is retained for a disabled passenger.

The ramp 120 is moved from the first stowed position to the second stowed position by releasing the locking means 150 so that the first and second sections are free to rotate relative to each other. Consequently, the second section can be rotated to be stowed substantially parallel to the floor 112 of the vehicle 110. Luggage or other items may then be placed on top of the ramp or the vehicle used in a usual way.

Importantly, a rear window 114 of the vehicle 10 is not obscured by the ramp, when the ramp is in the second stowed position.

Although providing the ramp 120 for disabled access to a vehicle with a lockable pivot to connect two sections is suitable for use with any type of ramp and vehicle, the ramp is particularly suited, as herein described, for use with a ramp that is pivotally connected to the vehicle below the level of the floor.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a vehicle 210 adapted for disabled access includes a ramp 220 that is pivotally connected to the vehicle 210 below the level of a floor 212 of the vehicle 210. The floor 212 includes a cavity 214, which extends forwardly from a rear of the vehicle 210. A floor insert 216 is pivotally connected at a front end of the cavity 214 and at an upper portion of the cavity 214. A free end of the floor insert 216, opposite the end that is pivotally connected to the cavity 214 is provided with cam follower means to cooperate with camming means provided on the ramp 220 to enable the floor insert 216 to pivot between a first raised position, wherein the floor insert 216 is level with the floor 212, and an inclined position, wherein the floor insert 216 is inclined downwardly and outwardly to form a continuation of the ramp 220. The floor insert 216 is substantially the same size as the cavity 214 such that, when the floor insert 216 is in the stowed position, it substantially fills the upper portion of the cavity 214, thereby creating a continuous useable floor area across the cavity 214.

Accordingly, movement of the ramp 220 between a first stowed position and a ramp position, simultaneously causes the floor insert 216 to move from the stowed position to the deployed position due to the camming means and cam follower means. For a more detailed description of the cam and cam follower, reference is made to W02008/081201. A disabled access to the vehicle 10 is thereby provided comprising a continuous inclined surface allowing, for example, wheelchairs to be moved between the ground and the floor of the vehicle.

The ramp 220 is pivotally connected to the vehicle 210 at pivot points 232. The axis of the pivot points 232 is positioned parallel to, but below the level of the vehicle's floor 212. The pivot 232 is located within the cavity 214 such that the ramp 220 extends substantially across the width of the cavity.

As shown in Figure 6, the ramp 220 comprises a first section 230 pivotally connected to a second section 240 at a pivot 242. Here, the pivot 242 comprises a first pivot 244 and a second pivot 246 located on either edge of the first and second sections. The first section 230 is located such that it can be pivoted to lie substantially perpendicular to the floor insert 216 when the floor insert 216 is in the stowed position. The pivot 242 is located such that the second section can either extend in the plane of the first section 230 or can be pivoted to lie adjacent and parallel to the floor insert 216 when the floor insert 216 is in the stowed position.

The ramp 220 is further provided with locking means 250. Here the locking means 250 comprise a pair of locks 251, 252. Each lock 251, 252 comprises a locking lever 253 on the first section 230 and a locking bar 256 on the second section 240. Each locking lever 253 includes a latch 254 and is located adjacent a respective pivot 244, 246 and towards a respective side of the first section 230. Each locking bar 256 is located adjacent the respective pivot 244, 246 and towards a respective side of the second section 240. Operation of each locking lever 253 is arranged to cause the latch 254 to engage with a said corresponding locking bar 256. When the locks 251, 252 are in a locked condition, the latches 254 are engaged with the locking bars 256, and the first section 230 is secured in the same plane as the second section 240.

When the locks 251, 252 are in an unlocked condition, the latches 254 are disengaged from the locking bars 256, and the second section 240 is free to pivot with respect to the first section 230.

When the ramp 220 is in the deployed position, the locks 251, 252 are deployed in a locked condition. When the ramp 220 is stowed in the vehicle 210 the locks 251, 252 can either be left in the locked condition such that the first section 230 and second section 240 extend substantially vertically in the same plane, which provides a first stowed position, or the locks 251, 252 can be moved to the unlocked condition enabling the second section 240 to be pivoted to lie adjacent to and parallel to the floor insert 216, which provides a second stowed position. The first stowed position may be used when a wheelchair or other object is required to be positioned in the rear of the vehicle 210 using the ramp 220. The second stowed position may be used when use of the ramp 220 is not required.

When the ramp 220 is in the deployed position, the free end of the ramp 220 is in contact with the ground and the ramp 220 provides a constant slope to its interconnection with the vehicle 210.

The first section 230 of the ramp 220 may be held in the stowed position by locks (not shown) connecting the first section to the cavity 16.

Additionally and/or alternatively to the manual movement of the ramp 220 between the deployed and stowed positions, the ramp 220 may include an actuator (not shown) to aid the rotation of the ramp 220.

In the stowed position, the first section 230 of the ramp 220 is restricted in its rotation by abutment of the rear end of the floor insert 216 with a surface of the ramp 220.

The abutment occurs at a location forward of the ramp's pivot 252. This causes the ramp 220 to be urged towards abutment when a downward weight is applied to the floor insert 216. The stowed position of the ramp 220 is such that a rear door 218 of the vehicle 210 may close.

In use, disabled access is provided to the vehicle 210 by opening the rear door 218 and moving the ramp 220 to the ramp position. This is done by releasing the locks (not shown) and subsequently lowering the ramp 220. When the ramp 220 is fully lowered, with the distal end of the second section 240 in contact with the ground, the floor insert 216 is also fully lowered, and the ramp 220 and the floor insert 216 together provide a continuous inclined surface from the ground to the floor 212 of the vehicle. A wheelchair may be manoeuvred up the ramp 220 to take a position on the vehicle's floor. The ramp 220 may then be moved to the first stowed position as herein described. As a result of the camming means urging the floor insert 216 upwardly with the favourable mechanical advantage, the wheelchair or part thereof may rest on the floor insert 216 and be raised with the floor insert 216. In the raised position, the floor insert 216 in combination with the floor 212, provides a continuous floor area. This allows the ramp 220 to extend at a lesser extent from the rear of the vehicle 210 without compromising the available floor space. The wheelchair may be removed from the vehicle 10 as a reverse of the above.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. Here the vehicle access apparatus is substantially as described in the second embodiment. However, the ramp is extended by providing a third ramp section. (In Figure 9, the third section is manually held to show the second section in more detail).

Consequently, a ramp 320 is provided with a third section 360 pivotally connected to a second section 340 at pivots 362. In this case, the ramp 320 is provided with downwardly extending struts 364 to provide support to the ramp 320 at the connection of the second and third sections.

The ramp 320 is provided with locking means 350 between the first section 330 and the second section 340. The locking means 350 comprises locking levers 353 provided on the second section 340 together with corresponding locking plates 356 provided on the first section 330. When the first section 330 and the second section 340 lie in the same plane, holes in the locking plate 356 are located to receive projections 354 that are mechanically connected to the locking levers 353. Movement of the locking lever 353 in a first direction or a second direction about a pivot causes the locking projections 354 at both sides of second section 340 to engage, or disengage, the holes at both sides of the locking plate 356.

The ramp 320 is movable from the deployed position to a first or second stowed position by lifting a handle 370 of the ramp 320 upwardly. In the first stowed position, the locking means 350 are engaged and the second section of the ramp extends upwardly, whilst the third section 360 is free to hang downwardly from its connection at pivots 362 to the second section 340, as shown in Figure 10. In the second stowed position, the locking means 350 are not engaged and the second section 340 and the third section 360 of the ramp 320 extend substantially horizontally, the third section 360 lying above the second section 340, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

An advantage of the ramp of the present invention is that it provides the convenience of a lowered ramp for disabled access, whilst still allowing easy access to the rear of a vehicle when in use for purposes not requiring a ramp.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle including vehicle access apparatus, wherein the vehicle access apparatus comprises: a ramp having a first section and a second section, the first section being pivotally connected to the vehicle at one point and pivotally connected to the second section by a second pivot that is spaced to the first; and a locking means that releasably locks the first section relative to the second section so that the ramp is moveable between a ramp position and a first stowed position when the first and second sections are locked together and moveable between a first stowed position and a second stowed position by releasing the locking means to enable the second section to pivot relative to the first section.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a least one movable latch located on one of the first or second sections and a corresponding catch located on the other, wherein cooperation of the latch and catch lock the first and second sections together.
3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the latch is located on the first section.
4. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the latch is located on the second section.
5. The vehicle of any preceding claim wherein the ramp includes a third section that is pivotally connected to the second section at a third pivot that is spaced from the second pivot.
6. The vehicle of any preceding claim wherein the vehicle includes a floor and the vehicle access apparatus includes a floor insert that is pivotally connected to the vehicle and the ramp is pivotally connected to the vehicle below the level of the floor.
7. A method of operating a vehicle access apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: moving a ramp between a ramp position and a first stowed position and moving the ramp between the first stowed position and a second stowed position; wherein the ramp includes a first section and a second section, the first section being pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one pivot and pivotally connected to the second section by a second pivot that is spaced to the first; the method step of moving the ramp between the ramp position and the first stowed position comprises causing a locking means to lock the first section relative to the second section and rotating the first section about the first pivot; and the method step of moving the ramp between the first stowed position and the second stowed position comprises releasing the locking means and rotating the second section relative to the first section about the second pivot.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the locking means comprises at least one catch and latch and the method comprises moving the latch relative to the catch in order to cause the latch to engage and disengage the catch to lock and unlock the first and second sections.
9. The method of claims 7 or 8 comprising using the vehicle of any of claims 1 to 6.
10. A vehicle or method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 3 to 12.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A vehicle including vehicle access apparatus, wherein the vehicle access apparatus comprises: a ramp having a first section and a second section, the first section being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a first pivot and pivotally connected to the second section by a second pivot that is spaced to the first pivot; and a locking means that releasably locks the first section relative to the second section so that the ramp is moveable between a ramp position and a first stowed position when the first and second sections are locked together and moveable between a first stowed position and a second stowed position by releasing the locking means to enable the second section to pivot relative to the first section.2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a least one movable latch located on one of the first or second sections and a corresponding catch located on the other, wherein cooperation of the latch and catch lock the first and second sections together.3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the latch is located on the first section.4. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the latch is located on the second section.5. The vehicle of any preceding claim wherein the ramp includes a third section that is pivotally connected to the second section at a third pivot that is spaced from the second pivot.6. The vehicle of any preceding claim wherein the vehicle includes a floor and the vehicle access apparatus includes a floor insert that is pivotally connected to the vehicle and the ramp is pivotally connected to the vehicle below the level of the floor.7. A method of operating a vehicle access apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: moving a ramp between a ramp position and a first stowed position and moving the ramp between the first stowed position and a second stowed position; wherein the ramp includes a first section and a second section, the first section being pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one pivot and pivotally connected to the second section by a second pivot that is spaced to the first; the method step of moving the ramp between the ramp position and the first stowed position comprises causing a locking means to lock the first section relative to the second section and rotating the first section about the first pivot; and the method step of moving the ramp between the first stowed position and the second stowed position comprises releasing the locking means and rotating the second section relative to the first section about the second pivot.8. The method of claim 7 wherein the locking means comprises at least one catch and latch and the method comprises moving the latch relative to the catch in order to cause the latch to engage and disengage the catch to lock and unlock the first and second sections.9. The method of claims 7 or 8 comprising using the vehicle of any of claims 1 to 6.10. A vehicle or method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 3 to 12.