Lightweight portable wheelchair ramp

• US 20100011520A1
• Filed: 05/12/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kenan Wollborg
• Original Assignee: Kenan Wollborg
• Inventors: Wollborg, Kenan
• Application Number:
  US12/454,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20100011520A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 14/69.500
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/061 using ramps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/472 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4722 Fixing strips to surfaces other than edge faces fixing strips to edge faces B29C63/0026
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/721 Fibre-reinforced materials B29C66/729 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7212 characterised by the composition of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/72141 Fibres of continuous length
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7352 Thickness, e.g. very thin
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73921 characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2101/12 Thermoplastic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/06 containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0845 Woven fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2309/08 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/30 Non-permanently installed loading ramps, e.g. transportable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina

Abstract

A set of generally rectangular fiber reinforced thermoplastic panels are combined by convolving selected ones thereof to form a generally longitudinal apex ridge that is then bonded to the underside of the other panel by application of heat. Preferably the convolved panels are of a planform that is smaller than the other panel, thus exposing an edge portion of the underside thereof on which an adhesive strip is deposited and covered by a removable cover. In use the adhesive strip is exposed and then adhered to the surface of a door sill or a step surface with the joined panels then providing a bridging surface allowing a wheelchair to cross the height differential.

Claims

1. A portable ramp structure useful in bridging across stepped elevation changes in order to accommodate the translation of a wheeled structure thereacross, comprising:

a first substantially rectangular panel formed of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic material and dimensioned to extend beyond the wheel separation span of said wheeled structure;

a second substantially rectangular panel of a planform generally smaller than said first panel and formed of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic material structure, said second panel being convolved longitudinally to form a longitudinal apex thermoplastically bonded to one side of said first panel;

an adhesive strip formed longitudinally on said one side of said first panel proximate one edge thereof; and

a releasable covering strip positioned on the exterior of said adhesive strip.

2. A ramp structure according to claim 1, wherein:

said elevation changes include a door sill; and

the separation between longitudinal apex and a longitudinal edge of said second panel is greater than the elevation of said door sill.

3. A ramp structure according to claim 2, wherein:

said first panel is of a thickness of 0.020 to 0.080 inches.

4. A ramp structure according to claim 3, wherein:

said first panel includes a glass fiber mat of a weave density of 1.3 to 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

5. A flexible ramp structure useful for bridging across surface discontinuities and elevation changes in a floor surface to accommodate the translation of a wheelchair thereover, comprising:

a first substantially rectangular fiber reinforced thermoplastic material panel of a longitudinal dimension greater than the wheel separation span of said wheelchair;

a plurality of second substantially rectangular fiber reinforced thermoplastic material structure panels each of a planform smaller than said first panel, each said second panel being convolved to form a longitudinal apex thermoplastically bonded to one side of said first panel; and

an adhesive strip formed on said one side of said first panel adjacent one longitudinal edge thereof.

6. A flexible ramp structure according to claim 5, further comprising:

a releasable covering positioned on the exterior of said adhesive strip.

7. A flexible ramp structure according to claim 6, wherein:

said elevation changes include a door sill; and

the separation between longitudinal apex and a longitudinal edge of said second panel is greater than the elevation of said door sill.

8. A ramp structure according to claim 7, wherein:

said first panel is of a thickness of 0.05 to 0.2 centimeters.

9. A ramp structure according to claim 8, wherein:

said first panel includes a glass fiber mat of a weave density of 1.3 to 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

10. A method of fabricating a lightweight flexible ramp structure for selective bridging across floor surface elevation discontinuities in the rolling path of a wheelchair, comprising the steps of:

forming a generally rectangular first and second panel from a thermoplastic polymeric material reinforced by a glass fiber mat;

convolving said second panel to form a longitudinal apex ridge extending laterally thereacross; and

adhering by application of heat said apex ridge of said second panel to one surface of said first panel.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of:

depositing an adhesive strip on said one surface of said first panel in an alignment adjacent a longitudinal edge thereof.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein:

said first panel is of a planform larger than the planform of said second panel.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein:

said elevation discontinuities include a door sill; and

the separation between said longitudinal apex ridge and a longitudinal edge of said second panel is greater than the elevation of said door sill.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein:

said first and second panel each include a glass fiber mat of a weave density of 1.3 to 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein:

said first and second panels are each of a thickness of 0.05 to 0.2 centimeters.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:

covering with a releasable strip the exterior of said adhesive strip.