Kerb Ramp

Abstract

A kerb ramp is described comprising a ramp body (12), a stop member (28) depending downwardly from the ramp body (12), an upper lip (20) secured to an upper edge part (16) of the ramp body (12) that, in use, is supported upon the kerb or footpath surface, and a lower lip (22) secured to a lower edge part (18) of the ramp body (12) that, in use, is supported upon the road surface, wherein the upper and lower lips (20, 22) are of a rubber or rubber-like plastics material and extend beneath the ramp body (12) to engage, respectively, the kerb or footpath surface and the road surface, and wherein the stop member (28) is engageable, in use, with an upright wall of the kerb.

Description

This invention relates to a ramp to assist pedestrians and others in moving up or down a step between a road-side footpath or pavement and a road surface. In particular, the invention relates to a kerb ramp intended to be installed on a temporary basis, for example when it is required to divert a footpath in the event that works are being carried out on the footpath or within a manhole or the like provided in the footpath, or if the footpath is blocked for another reason.

It is sometimes necessary to close or divert a footpath or pavement that runs alongside a road surface. As such footpaths are commonly raised above the road surface, when such a diversion is put in place, there is a need for pedestrians to step up or down between the level of the road surface and the level of the footpath surface, stepping over the kerb that is typically provided between the road and the footpath. Whilst for some pedestrians, this is not particularly inconvenient, for those with impaired mobility or for those using, for example, wheelchairs or pushing pushchairs, the need to move between the level of the footpath and the level of the road surface, and subsequently to step back up to the level of the footpath surface represents a significant difficulty.

Ramps for use in such circumstances are known. However, as movement of the ramp relative to the underlying ground surface may result in the ramp becoming unstable and hence unsafe for use, there is a need for such ramps to be firmly secured in position. One technique by which this may be achieved is to drive pins through openings provided in the ramp and into the underlying ground surface. However, this securing technique has the disadvantage that it causes damage to the underlying ground surface which may require remedial repair once the ramp is removed. Furthermore, it carries the risk that the operator may fail to secure the ramp in position correctly, in which case movement of the ramp may occur which, as mentioned above may lead to the ramp becoming unstable which, in turn could result in injury to a user if the ramp were to give way whilst in use, or may cause a nuisance to users if the ramp were to become incorrectly positioned and no longer aid users in passing between the road surface and footpath surface.

It is an object of the invention to provide a kerb ramp in which at least some of the disadvantage associated with known kerb ramps are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a kerb ramp comprising a ramp body, a stop member depending downwardly from the ramp body, an upper lip secured to an upper edge part of the ramp body that, in use, is supported upon the kerb or footpath surface, and a lower lip secured to a lower edge part of the ramp body that, in use, is supported upon the road surface, wherein the upper and lower lips are of a rubber or rubber-like plastics material and extend beneath the ramp body to engage, respectively, the kerb or footpath surface and the road surface, and wherein the stop member is engageable, in use, with an upright wall of the kerb.

In such an arrangement, the presence of the stop member limits movement of the kerb ramp towards the footpath by engaging against the wall of the kerb. The upper and lower lips that are of a rubber or rubber-like plastics material bear against the road and footpath surfaces, resisting sliding movement of the kerb ramp. As a consequence, installation of the kerb ramp is simple, not requiring the use of pins or the like to secure the ramp against movement. Rather, it just needs to be positioned in the desired location. The provision of the stop member aids installation by ensuring that the ramp is correctly positioned relative to the kerb, thus ensuring that the ramp is stably supported with sufficient contact maintained between the upper lip and the kerb or footpath surface.

The upper and lower lips are conveniently of a relatively dense plastics material, for example including a quantity of recycled material. The use of a dense material results in the ramp being relatively heavy and so further reduces the risk of movement thereof.

The upper and lower lips are conveniently secured to the ramp body by a snap fit coupling. Alternatively, they may be secured in position by being bolted or adhered to the ramp body, or may include features that are an interference fit with features of the ramp body.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a kerb ramp in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation showing the kerb ramp installed in position; and

FIGS. 3 to 9 illustrate various arrangements by which the upper and lower lips of the kerb ramp may be secured to the ramp body.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a kerb ramp 10 is illustrated that comprises a ramp body 12 of moulded plastics material form. As illustrated, the ramp body 12 includes a pair of side walls 14 which serve to clearly demarcate the sides of the ramp to users, reducing the risk of users falling from the ramp, in use, and also reduce flexing of the ramp body 12 when a load is applied thereto. The upper surface of the ramp body 12 is provided with an anti-slip surface texture.

If desired, the underside of the ramp body 12 may be formed with one or more reinforcing ribs (not shown) to ensure that the load bearing capacity of the kerb ramp 10 is sufficiently high to bear the weight of users, in use.

As illustrated, the ramp body 12 includes an upper edge part 16 and a lower edge part 18, the upper surfaces of edge parts 16, 18 being angled relative to the upper surface of the remainder of the ramp body 12, the angling of the edge parts 16, 18 being such that when used in conjunction with a typical height of kerb, the upper edge part 16 and the lower edge part 18 will lie substantially parallel to the kerb or footpath surface and the road surface, respectively, in use.

Upper and lower lip members 20, 22 and secured, respectively, to the upper and lower edge parts 16, 18. The lip members 20, 22 serve several functions. Firstly, they extend beneath the edge parts 16, 18, and so are the parts of the kerb ramp that bear, in use, upon the kerb or footpath surface and the road surface. They are of a flexible plastics material such as a soft PVC material, having rubber or rubber-like qualities in the sense that they are able to flex and grip the underlying surfaces, in use, resisting sliding movement of the kerb ramp 10. The material of the lip members 20, 22 is preferably relatively dense, adding to the weight of the kerb ramp. They may, if desired, incorporate a quantity of a recycled plastics material.

In addition to extending beneath the edge parts 16, 18, the lip members 20, 22 are of ramped form, reducing the formation of a trip hazard presented to users approaching the kerb ramp 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a stop member in the form of a wall 28 depends downwardly from the underside of the ramp body 12, the wall 28 being located relatively close to the upper edge part 16 and being arranged such that, in use, when the kerb ramp 10 is correctly installed, the wall 28 bears against a face of the kerb, preventing movement of the kerb ramp 10 further towards the footpath.

In use, installation of the kerb ramp simply requires the kerb ramp 10 to be positioned in the desired location with the upper lip member 20 sat upon the kerb or footpath surface and the lower lip member 22 sat upon the road surface, and with the wall 24 positioned adjacent or abutting the wall of the kerb. Once so positioned, the kerb ramp 10 will be stable, and so is safe for users to walk or ride over to move between the level of the footpath and the level of the road surface. The nature of the material of the lip members 20, 22, and the fact that it is the lip members 20, 22 rather than the material of the ramp body 12 that bears against the underlying surfaces resists lateral sliding or slipping of the kerb ramp 10, and the provision of the wall 28 prevents movement of the kerb ramp 10 closer to the footpath. The density of the lip members 20, 22 adds weight to the ramp 10 which further reduces the risk of undesired movement of the ramp 10.

As the installation operation is very simple, it is thought that the risk of incorrect installation is minimised, and thereby that the risk of accidents arising from users using an incorrectly installed ramp is reduced.

The lip members 20, 22 may be secured to the edge parts 16, 18 using a range of techniques. By way of example, FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate an arrangement in which the edge parts 16, 18 are provided with downwardly depending projections 30, the projections 30 including cut-outs 32 to receive flexible teeth 34 provided on the lip members 20, 22 in a snap fit manner. To ensure correct location of the lip members 20, 22, recesses 36 are conveniently provided in the projections 30 to receive bridge parts 38 provided in the lip members 20, 22.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrates a similar arrangement but in which the teeth 34 are provided on the projections 30.

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate an arrangement in which a snap fit coupling 40 is used to secure the lip members 20, 22 to the edge parts 16, 18, extending through openings formed therein.

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate an arrangement in which a flange or lip 42 provided on each of the edge parts 16, 18 is received within a slot or recess 44 provided in the associated lip member 20, 22. The flange or lip 42 may be an interference fit within the slot or recess 44. Alternatively, it may be retained therein using adhesive, or bolts or other fittings may be used to secure the flange or lip 42 in position. FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate an arrangement in which the flange or lip 42 is provided upon the lip member 20, 22, and FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate the case where the flange or lip 42 is profiled to be received within a re-entrant slot or recess 44.

FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate an arrangement in which the edge parts 20, 22 are of two piece form and are secured to one another in such a manner as to clamp therebetween, in use, a tongue 46 provided on the associated lip member 20, 22.

It will be appreciated that the various techniques by which the lip members 20, 22 may be secured to the edge parts 16, 18 described hereinbefore merely constitute examples of techniques that may be used, and that a number of other techniques may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Similarly, whilst FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one example embodiment of the invention, a number of modifications and alterations may be made thereto in accordance with the invention.

Claims

1. A kerb ramp comprising a ramp body, a stop member depending downwardly from the ramp body, an upper lip secured to an upper edge part of the ramp body that, in use, is supported upon the kerb or footpath surface, and a lower lip secured to a lower edge part of the ramp body that, in use, is supported upon the road surface, wherein the upper and lower lips are of a rubber or rubber-like plastics material and extend beneath the ramp body to engage, respectively, the kerb or footpath surface and the road surface, and wherein the stop member is engageable, in use, with an upright wall of the kerb.

2. A kerb ramp according to claim 1, wherein the stop member comprises a downwardly depending wall.

3. A kerb ramp according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower lips are of a relatively dense plastics material.

4. A kerb ramp according to claim 3, wherein the relatively dense plastics material includes a quantity of recycled material.

5. A kerb ramp according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower lips are secured to the ramp body by a snap fit coupling.

6. A kerb ramp according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower lips are secured to the ramp body by being bolted or adhered to the ramp body, or by including features that are an interference fit with features of the ramp body.