Platform with ramp

• US 20040107520A1
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thyssen Dereus BV
• Original Assignee: Thyssen Dereus BV
• Inventors: van der Heiden, Arnoldus Theodorus
• Application Number:
  US10/343,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20040107520A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 14/71.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/061 using ramps
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/4457 Means for immobilising the load or preventing it from rolling off during lifting; Man-rails

Abstract

A platform with ramp, which ramp, in a first position, can function as a riding surface for moving objects on and off the platform and, in a second position, can function as a protection against riding off or otherwise moving off of objects from the platform, which ramp comprises a first profile substantially comprising the riding surface, which first profile (10) is pivotally connected to a second profile (12) which is connected to the platform, while a third profile (14) is provided which is connected near a first side to the first profile and, at a distance therefrom, is connected with an operating device for the ramp, while with the aid of the operating device the third profile can be brought in a first, blocking position in which at least pivotal movement of the first profile from the second position to the first position is prevented and in a second, pivoting position in which the first profile with the aid of the operating device can be moved between the first and second position.

Claims

1. A platform with ramp, which ramp in a first position can function as a riding surface for moving objects on and off the platform, and in a second position can function as a protection against riding off or otherwise moving off of objects from the platform, which ramp comprises a first profile substantially comprising the riding surface, which first profile is pivotally connected to a second profile which is connected to the platform, while a third profile is provided which is connected near a first side to the first profile and at a distance therefrom is connected with an operating device for the ramp, while with the aid of the operating device the third profile can be brought in a first, blocking position in which at least pivotal movement of the first profile from the second position to the first position is prevented and in a second, pivoting position in which the first profile with the aid of the operating device can be moved between the first and second position.

2. A platform according to claim 1, wherein the third profile in the pivoting position is disposed virtually parallel to, and is preferably received at least partly in, the riding surface, at least an upper surface of the first profile, and in the blocking position is pivoted relative to the first profile, such that the third profile is pivoted away out of the riding surface and is moved under a flange part of the second profile or the platform, such that the third profile is locked between the first profile and said flange and upon slight pivotal movement of the first profile is pressed down against said flange part.

3. A platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third profile in the pivoting position has the first and the second end located substantially on a circle whose center is defined by a pivoting pin which pivotally connects the first and second profile and which virtually abuts against a free longitudinal edge of a flange extending from the platform and/or a wall located near the platform, wherein the second end of the third profile in the blocking position is moved away from said circle under said flange and/or against said wall.

4. A platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third profile is provided near the second end with a first coupling means which can be received in a recess in the first profile when the first profile is in the lowered first position, an arm of the operating device being coupled therewith and having a direction of pull which then intersects a wall part of the recess facing the operating device, while in a raised, second position of the first profile the first coupling means can be pulled out of the recess with the aid of the operating device and can be moved into the blocking position.

5. A platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device is provided with control means with which the position of the ramp, in particular of the first profile relative to the platform, can be determined, which control means are connected with platform control means and driving means, the arrangement being such that when the ramp is in the first position, at least not in the blocked second position, movement of the platform is prevented.

6. A platform according to claim 5, wherein the operating means comprise light sensitive means, in particular at least an optocoupler for determining the position of the first profile.

7. A platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the third profile extends over at least substantially the full length of the first profile and/or the respective side of the platform.

8. A platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device comprises a linear motor.

10. A platform according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the profiles are extruded sections.

11. A ramp for use in a platform for forming a platform according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A platform, comprising a ramp and a blocking profile, wherein the blocking profile can be brought in a position of use in which it is virtually incorporated in an upper surface of the ramp, at least links up therewith, while it can be pivoted to a blocking position, wherein the ramp extends approximately at right angles to the upper surface of the platform and a pivotal movement of the ramp is blocked by the blocking profile, while the blocking profile extends over virtually the full width of the ramp and can block it.