Pre-cast curbside access ramp and methods of making and installing the same

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to curbside access ramps of the type used to interconnect walkways and roadways and relates more particularly to a novel curbside access ramp and to methods of making and installing the same.

Curbside access ramps used to interconnect walkways (i.e., sidewalks) and roadways in a manner that is wheelchair-accessible are becoming increasingly more prevalent throughout the U.S. and abroad. In fact, over the last several years, the availability of curbside access ramps at specific locations, such as at certain roadway intersections, has been mandated by various federal, state and local rules and regulations. Typically, such rules and regulations specify that the curbside access ramp must have a longitudinal slope from the roadway to the walkway that does not exceed a predetermined maximum value (typically 1:12). In addition, such rules and regulations typically specify that the ramp must include a pair of flared sides each having a transverse slope that does not exceed a predetermined maximum value (typically 1:10). Compliance with the aforementioned slope requirements is often difficult to achieve, however, since the ramp is typically constructed after the roadway and the walkway have already been constructed, with the distance between the roadway and the walkway and the respective heights of the roadway and the walkway already having been set.

In addition to the aforementioned problem of compliance with governmental rules and regulations, curbside access ramps are currently formed in a manner that is both time and labor intensive, not to mention lacking uniformity in construction techniques. Nevertheless, the installation of a conventional curbside access ramp often involves the following types of steps: cutting into three sections that portion of the curb located where the ramp is to be built; removing the curb sections; digging a hole from the roadway to the walkway where the ramp is to be built and spreading a layer of gravel in the thus-created ramp hole; laying the middle section of the cut curb flush with the roadway so as to bound a portion of the ramp hole; sloping the side sections of the cut curb to transition from the middle section of the cut to the remainder of the curb; laying the side sections of the cut curb in the ground on opposite ends of the middle section so as to bound additional portions of the ramp hole; positioning a form within the ramp hole and, if desired, grading the ramp hole with gravel or the like; pouring concrete into the form; and shaping, screeding, edging, grooving, and troweling the poured concrete to its finished form.

Once the above-described concrete ramp has been formed, the ramp then must be allowed to harden over a period of several days. In general, the ramp will harden to about 95% strength in about 7 days and will harden to about 100% strength in about 28 days. As can readily be appreciated, one of the challenges encountered in making such ramps is to keep pedestrians, motorists and the like off of the ramp until the ramp has sufficiently hardened. This often requires the hiring of a person to guard the ramp against trespassers, thereby further adding to the cost of making the ramp.

In addition, as can readily be appreciated, the occurrence of adverse weather conditions may complicate or preclude the construction of the above-described ramp and may elongate the period of time required for the ramp to harden.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel curbside access ramp.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a curbside access ramp as described above that overcomes at least some of the problems described herein that are associated with existing curbside access ramps.

In furtherance of the above objects, as well as other objects hereinafter to be described, the present invention is directed, in one aspect, to a pre-cast curbside access ramp. Said pre-cast curbside access ramp is amenable to being manufactured, for example, in a factory setting or the like and then, once constructed, to being transported to a ramp site for installation. As a result, one advantage of said pre-cast curbside access ramp is that it may be mass-produced under uniform manufacturing conditions, including being allowed to completely harden before it is delivered to an installation site. Other advantages are described or are apparent from the discussion below.

One feature of the aforementioned pre-cast curbside access ramp is the provision therein of an integrally formed curb portion. Another feature of the aforementioned pre-cast curbside access ramp is the use of steel-reinforced concrete in its construction. Still another feature of the aforementioned pre-cast curbside access ramp is the provision of a recessed area in its bottom that reduces the weight of the pre-cast ramp by approximately 500 lbs.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pre-cast curbside access ramp is a quasi-trapezoidal member having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, a front left side, a rear left side, a front right side and a rear right side. An integrally formed curb portion extends from said front left side to said front right side of the ramp. Said integrally formed curb portion includes a central region adapted to lie flush with a roadway and side regions disposed on opposite ends of said central region adapted to slope gradually upwardly from said central region. Said ramp is further shaped to include a central region and a pair of side regions, said central region and said side regions being disposed behind said integrally formed curb portion, said side regions being disposed on opposite sides of said central region and transitioning seamlessly therefrom, said central region sloping from said integrally formed curb portion to said rear with a maximum slope of no greater than 1:12, said side regions sloping from said central region to said rear left side and said rear right side, respectively, with a maximum slope of no greater than 1:10.

Preferably, a pair of brightly-colored, textured markers are mounted on opposite ends of said By central region of said integrally formed curb portion for the purpose of indicating the location of said central region of said integrally formed curb portion. In addition, a textured, recessed plate is preferably secured to the top of said pre-cast curbside access ramp and centrally located within the central region of said pre-cast curbside access ramp proximate to said rear for the purpose of indicating the location of the central portion of the integrally formed curb portion. Said textured, recessed plate may be, for example, an aluminum diamond plate or may be a bronze medallion embossed with advertising.

The aforementioned markers and recessed plate may also be retrofitted to existing curbside access ramps for use in identifying the points of entry therefor.

The present invention is also directed to a method of making a pre-cast curbside access ramp, said method comprising the steps of (a) positioning a forming apparatus on a horizontal surface, said forming apparatus comprising an inner form and an outer form, said outer form being shaped to define generally the outer dimensions of a desired pre-cast curbside access ramp, said inner form being positioned within said outer form and being more shallow than said outer form; (b) sealing the top of said inner form to prevent concrete from being poured thereinto; (c) then, filling said outer form with concrete; (d) then, finishing the concrete within said outer form; (e) then, allowing the finished concrete to harden within the finished form; (f) then, removing the hardened concrete from the forming apparatus.

Preferably, said sealing step comprises filling said inner form with gravel, and said finishing step comprises forming an appropriately placed groove in the concrete to delineate an integrally formed curb portion. In addition, said removing step preferably comprises lifting the hardened concrete away from the gravel and separating the hardened concrete from the inner and outer forms. Furthermore, said method further comprises, after said sealing step and before said filling step, the step of positioning a reinforcing steel grid within said outer form and over said inner form.

The present invention is also directed to a method of bridging a walkway and a roadway, said walkway and said roadway being situated at different elevations, said method comprising the steps of (a) forming a pre-cast curbside access ramp; (b) forming a ramp hole sized to receive the pre-cast curbside access ramp, said ramp hole extending from the rear of the roadway to the front of the walkway and also including a portion of the adjacent walkway at least as long as the pre-cast curbside access ramp; (c) installing the pre-cast curbside access ramp in the ramp hole; and (d) then, constructing a platform in the remainder of the ramp hole extending from the installed pre-cast curbside access ramp to the remainder of the walkway.

Preferably, the aforementioned platform is made of asphalt or, more preferably, concrete.

Additional objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments for practicing the invention. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a first area through which a walkway and a roadway pass in the same generally direction at different elevations, said first area lacking a ramp for interconnecting said walkway and said roadway;

FIGS.

2

(

a

) through

2

(

c

) are perspective, top and front views, respectively, of the area of

FIG. 1

following the installation of a first conventional curbside access ramp thereinto;

FIG. 3

is a perspective view of a second area through which a walkway and a roadway pass in the same general direction at different elevations, said second area lacking a ramp for interconnecting said walkway and said roadway;

FIG. 4

is a perspective view of the area of

FIG. 3

following the installation of a second conventional curbside access ramp thereinto;

FIGS.

5

(

a

) through

5

(

g

) are perspective, top, bottom, front, back, left side and right side views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 6

is a top view of a forming apparatus adapted for use in forming the pre-cast curbside access ramp shown in FIGS.

5

(

a

) through

5

(

g

);

FIG. 7

is a top view of the forming apparatus of

FIG. 6

, with the inner form thereof shown filled with gravel;

FIG. 8

is a top view of the forming apparatus of

FIG. 7

, with the inner form thereof shown further covered with a tarp and with a steel grid positioned over the tarp and within the outer form;

FIGS.

9

(

a

) and

9

(

b

) are perspective and top views, respectively, of the forming apparatus of

FIG. 8

, with concrete having been poured over the inner form and into the outer form and being allowed to harden;

FIGS.

10

(

a

) through

10

(

c

) are top views illustrating the installation of the pre-cast curbside access ramp of FIGS.

5

(

a

) through

5

(

g

) in the area of

FIG. 3

;

FIG. 11

is a top view of an embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; and

FIGS.

12

(

a

) through

12

(

c

) are top, right side and rear views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to

FIG. 1

, there is shown a perspective view of an area through which a walkway W

1

and a roadway R

1

extend in the same general direction at different elevations, said area being represented generally by reference numeral

11

. Walkway W

1

and roadway R

1

are separated from one another within area

11

by a grassy strip S

1

and a granite curb C

1

. Walkway W

1

has a width x

1

of approximately 4 feet, strip S

1

has a width y

1

of approximately 6 feet, and curb C

1

has a height h

1

of approximately 6 inches. As can readily be seen, area

11

does not include a wheelchair-accessible ramp for interconnecting walkway W

1

and roadway R

1

.

Referring now to FIGS.

2

(

a

) through

2

(

c

), there are shown perspective, top and front views, respectively, of the area of

FIG. 1

following the installation of a first conventional curbside access ramp thereinto, said first conventional curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral

21

, the thus-modified area including ramp

21

being represented generally by reference numeral

11

′.

Ramp

21

, which extends from the front edge of walkway W

1

to the rear edge of roadway R

1

, comprises a generally rectangular, middle section

23

and a pair of generally triangular, mirror-image (i.e., flared), side sections

25

-

1

and

25

-

2

. The slope of middle section

23

, as measured in the direction indicated by arrow A

1

from roadway R

1

to walkway W

1

, is approximately 1:12, given that the height of curb C

1

is approximately 6 inches and that the distance between roadway R

1

and walkway W

1

is approximately 6 feet. The slope of each of side sections

25

-

1

and

25

-

2

, as measured transversely relative to the aforementioned slope of middle section

23

and as indicated by arrows A

2

and A

3

, respectively, is approximately 1:10.

Ramp

21

further comprises a plurality of curb sections

27

-

1

through

27

-

3

, which are positioned between roadway R

1

and sections

25

-

1

,

23

and

25

-

2

, respectively. Curb section

27

-

2

is set in the ground so as to lie flush with the rear edge of roadway R

1

and the front edge of middle section

23

. Curb sections

27

-

1

and

27

-

3

are set in the ground on opposite ends of section

27

-

2

and in front of sections

25

-

1

and

25

-

2

, respectively, and are sloped to smoothly transition the top surface of curb section

27

-

2

to the top surface of the remainder of curb C

1

.

Ramp

21

is typically made in the conventional manner described above. More specifically, ramp

21

is typically made by transversely cutting curb C

1

into the three sections that are to become sections

27

-

1

through

27

-

3

; removing said three curb sections; digging a hole in strip S

1

where sections

25

-

1

through

25

-

3

are to be formed; spreading a layer of gravel in the thus-created ramp hole; cutting down the thickness of the middle cut curb section to form curb section

27

-

2

and setting curb section

27

-

2

in the ground so that it lies flush with the rear edge of roadway R

1

and bounds a portion of the front edge of the ramp hole; setting the remaining two sections of the cut curb in the ground on opposite ends of section

27

-

2

to bound the remainder of the front edge of the ramp hole and sloping said two sections (to yield sections

27

-

1

and

27

-

3

) so that a smooth transition is formed between the top surface of section

27

-

2

and the top surface of the remainder of curb C

1

; positioning a form within the ramp hole to bound the rear and side edges of the yet-to-be-formed ramp; grading the ramp hole with gravel or the like; pouring concrete into the form; shaping, screeding, edging, grooving, and troweling the poured concrete to define sections

25

-

1

through

25

-

3

; and allowing sections

25

-

1

through

25

-

3

to harden.

As can readily be appreciated, the manufacture of ramp

21

according to the above method is time and labor intensive. Nevertheless, ramp

21

is sized and shaped to comply with existing federal and Massachusetts regulations.

Referring now to

FIG. 3

, there is shown a perspective view of an area through which a walkway W

2

and a roadway R

2

extend in the same general direction at different elevations, said area being represented generally by reference numeral

51

. Walkway W

2

and roadway R

2

are separated from one another within area

51

by a grassy strip S

2

and a granite curb C

2

. Walkway W

2

has a width x

2

of approximately 3.5 feet, strip S

2

has a width Y

2

of approximately 4 feet, and curb C

2

has a height h

2

of approximately 8 inches. As can readily be seen, area

51

does not include a wheelchair-accessible ramp for interconnecting walkway W

2

and roadway R

2

.

Referring now to

FIG. 4

, there is shown a perspective view of the area of

FIG. 3

following the installation of a second conventional curbside access ramp thereinto, said second conventional curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral

61

, the thus-modified area including ramp

61

being represented generally by reference numeral

51

′.

Ramp

61

is similar in many respects to ramp

21

, ramp

61

comprising a middle curb section

63

-

1

and a pair of side curb sections

63

-

2

and

63

-

3

. Middle curb section

63

-

1

is set in the ground so as to be flush with roadway R

2

. Side curb sections

63

-

2

and

63

-

3

are set in the ground on opposite ends of curb section

63

-

1

and are sloped to transition from middle curb section

63

-

1

to the remainder of curb C

2

.

Ramp

61

also comprises a generally rectangular, middle concrete section

65

-

1

and a pair of flared, side concrete sections

65

-

2

and

65

-

3

. Middle concrete section

65

-

1

extends from middle curb section

63

-

1

to walkway W

2

, and side concrete sections

65

-

2

and

65

-

3

extend from side curb sections

63

-

2

and

63

-

3

, respectively, to walkway W

2

.

Ramp

61

is made in a manner substantially identical to that used to make ramp

21

. However, because curb C

2

has a height h

2

of approximately 8 inches (as compared to a height h

1

of approximately 6 inches for curb C

1

) and strip S

2

has a width of approximately 4 feet (as compared to a height of approximately 6 feet for strip S

1

), middle section

65

-

1

has a slope in the direction indicated by arrow A

4

of 1:6. Such a slope is too steep for compliance with federal and Massachusetts state regulations.

Consequently, as can be seen from the above, the existing method for producing curbside access ramps cannot be used to make fully compliant ramps unless the pre-existing spacing between the walkway and the roadway and the pre-existing curb height are such that, among other things, a maximum slope of 1:12 can be achieved. As a result, existing curbside access ramps lack uniformity in size and shape, with many such ramps failing to meet established standards. Moreover, as can readily be appreciated, even if the desired slopes can be achieved in the ramp, the existing method for producing the ramp is cumbersome.

Referring now to FIGS.

5

(

a

) through

5

(

g

), there are shown various views of a first embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, said pre-cast curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral

101

.

Ramp

101

, which is made in the manner to be described below, comprises a quasi-trapezoidal, reinforced concrete member shaped to include a top

103

, a bottom

105

, a front

107

, a rear

109

, a front left side

111

, a rear left side

113

, a front right side

115

and a rear right side

117

.

Top

103

, which is curved in the manner to be described below, is provided with a joint or groove

118

extending from the rear of front left side

111

to the rear of front right side

115

, groove

118

defining an integrally formed curb portion

120

. Curb portion

120

may be colored (e.g., its outer surface painted or its entirety pigmented) and/or textured differently than the remainder of ramp

101

to facilitate its identification by sight-impaired individuals, seeing-eye dogs and the like. As can readily be appreciated, one advantage to having ramp

101

include integrally-formed curb portion

120

is that there is no need to cut and slope the three curb sections in the manner that is required to be done conventionally.

Bottom

105

is provided with a recessed portion or cavity

119

, cavity

119

being similar in overall shape to ramp

101

and being concentrically-disposed within bottom

105

. As will hereinafter be described, cavity

119

serves to reduce the overall weight of ramp

101

so that it can be transported more easily from its place of manufacture to its place of use. Bottom

105

is also provided with a first pair of parallel slots

121

-

1

and

121

-

2

that extend from cavity

119

to rear

109

and a second pair of parallel slots

123

-

1

and

123

-

2

that extend from cavity

119

to front

107

, slots

121

-

1

and

123

-

1

being collinear and slots

121

-

2

and

123

-

2

being collinear. Slots

121

-

1

,

121

-

2

,

123

-

1

and

123

-

2

are dimensioned to receive a pair of straps that may be looped around ramp

101

so that ramp

101

may be lifted and/or transported by said straps using the boom of a backhoe or the like.

Front

107

, which has a level bottom edge, is shaped to include a central region

125

and a pair of side regions

127

-

1

and

127

-

2

, side regions

127

-

1

and

127

-

2

transitioning seamlessly from central region

125

. Central region

125

is generally rectangular in shape and has a constant height h

3

. Side regions

127

-

1

and

127

-

2

are generally wedge-shaped and gradually increase in height in a direction away from central region

125

. A recessed slot or key-way

129

is provided along most of the length of front

107

so that, when ramp

101

is installed in the ground in the manner to be described below, asphalt, concrete or the like can be received in key-way

129

and allowed to harden therein, thereby more securely locking ramp

101

in place.

Rear

109

is generally rectangular in shape and has a constant height h

4

, height h

4

being greater than height h

3

of front

107

. A key-way

131

is provided along most of the length of rear

109

, key-way

131

serving the same purpose as key-way

129

.

Front left side

111

and rear left side

113

, each of which has a level bottom edge and a sloped top edge, continuously taper in height from front

107

to rear

109

. A key-way

133

, which serves the same purpose as key-way

129

, extends for most of the length of rear left side

113

.

Front right side

115

and rear right side

117

, which are mirror images of front left side

111

and rear left side

113

, respectively, similarly taper in height from front

107

to rear

109

. A key-way

135

, which serves the same purpose as key-way

129

, extends for most of the length of rear right side

117

.

In view of the above, ramp

101

can be seen to include, in addition to curb portion

120

, a central ramp region

141

and a pair of side ramp regions

143

-

1

and

143

-

2

, side ramp regions

143

-

1

and

143

-

2

transitioning seamlessly from opposite sides of central ramp region

141

. Central ramp region

141

, whose top surface is generally trapezoidal in shape and extends from curb portion

120

to rear

109

, slopes gradually upwardly from curb portion

120

to rear

109

. Side ramp regions

143

-

1

and

143

-

2

, whose top surfaces are generally triangular in shape and are positioned on opposite sides of central region

141

behind curb portion

120

, slope gradually upwardly from central region

141

to sides

113

and

117

, respectively.

The following exemplary dimensions for ramp

101

are illustrative only: front

107

has a length

1

1

of 11 feet 3 inches, with central region

125

having a length

1

2

of 3 feet and each of side regions

127

-

1

and

127

-

2

having a length

1

3

of 4 feet 1.5 inches; rear

109

has a length

1

4

of 6 feet; each of front left side

111

and front right side

115

has a length

1

5

of 6 inches; each of rear left side

113

and rear right side

117

has a length

1

6

of 4 feet 4.5 inches; central region

125

has a height h

3

of 6 inches; each of side regions

127

-

1

and

127

-

2

has a maximum height h

4

(located at its point of intersection with front left side

111

and front right side

115

, respectively) of 10.75 inches; each of rear left side

113

and rear right side

117

has a minimum height h

5

(located at its point of intersection with rear

109

) of 9 inches; and each of slots

121

-

1

,

121

-

2

,

123

-

1

and

123

-

2

has a width z

1

of 3.5 inches and a depth d

1

of 1.5 inches.

With the above dimensions, ramp

101

has longitudinal and transverse slopes that comply with existing governmental standards.

Referring now to

FIG. 6

, there is shown a top view of a forming apparatus adapted for use in forming ramp

101

, said forming apparatus being represented generally by reference numeral

201

.

Apparatus

201

comprises an outer form

203

and an inner form

205

, inner form

205

being concentrically-disposed within outer form

203

. Outer form

203

, which has inside dimensions that correspond to the outside dimensions of ramp

101

, comprises a plurality of wooden boards

207

-

1

through

207

-

6

that are appropriately arranged and detachably joined together by nails or other suitable means. (Alternatively, two or more of boards

207

-

1

through

207

-

6

may be hingedly interconnected to facilitate the removal of ramp

101

from form

203

.) Form

203

also comprises a plurality of knockout boards

209

-

1

through

209

-

4

that are secured to boards

207

-

1

,

207

-

3

,

207

-

4

and

207

-

5

and that are used to form key-ways

129

,

133

,

131

and

135

, respectively.

Inner form

205

, which has outer dimensions that correspond to the dimensions of cavity

119

, comprises a plurality of wooden boards

211

-

1

through

211

-

6

that are joined together by nails or other suitable means to have a shape similar to that of outer form

203

, the principal difference between the two forms being that inner form

205

is more shallow and has a smaller overall size than outer form

203

.

Apparatus

201

further includes a pair of wooden knockout boards

213

-

1

and

213

-

2

, knockout boards

213

-

1

and

213

-

2

extending in a parallel fashion between boards

207

-

1

and

207

-

4

and being used to create slots

121

-

1

,

121

-

2

,

123

-

1

and

123

-

2

in ramp

101

. Recesses (not shown) are provided on the bottom of board

211

-

1

and corresponding recesses (not shown) are provided on the bottom of board

211

-

4

to permit knockout boards

213

-

1

and

213

-

2

, respectively, to pass thereunder.

Although apparatus

201

has been described above as being made primarily of wood, it can readily be appreciated that apparatus

201

could be formed from metal (e.g., steel) or other suitable materials.

To use apparatus

201

to form ramp

101

, one first lays apparatus

201

horizontally on a level non-stick surface. (Although not required, the inside surfaces of form

203

and/or the outside surfaces of form

205

may be treated with a curing oil to prevent concrete from sticking thereto.) Next, as shown in

FIG. 7

, inner form

205

is filled with gravel G or the like. As will be seen, the gravel G disposed within form

205

does not make its way into ramp

101

, but rather, is merely used to occupy space within form

205

so that concrete cannot be poured into form

205

. The space in form

205

occupied by gravel G ultimately becomes cavity

119

and, in the present embodiment, results in an approximately 500 lbs. reduction in weight of ramp

101

from what would otherwise be about 3700-3900 lbs. to about 3200-3400 lbs. Such a weight reduction is highly advantageous since it permits ramp

101

to be moved by standard construction equipment, like backhoes, that have a maximum weight capacity of about 3500 lbs. As can readily be appreciated, another benefit of creating cavity

119

with gravel G is that one can realize an appreciable savings in the amount of concrete needed to make ramp

101

(said savings being about one-quarter yard of concrete in the present embodiment).

Next, as shown in

FIG. 8

, gravel G is covered with a tarp T, and a steel grid

221

is positioned within form

203

over tarp T. (One or more bricks B may be used to elevate grid

221

relative to tarp T.) Concrete is then poured into form

203

, with grid

221

being enveloped within the poured concrete. The use of steel grid

221

in the present invention is advantageous because it serves to reinforce the concrete used to make ramp

101

. Such reinforcement is desirable because, whereas concrete is strong in compression, it is weak in tension. Steel, on the other hand, is weak in compression but is strong in tension. Steel-reinforced concrete is not found in the conventional curbside access ramps described above. Moreover, because the pre-cast ramp of the present invention is intended to be transported, the reinforcement provided to the ramp by steel grid

221

helps to preserve the integrity of ramp

101

during transport.

The concrete poured into form

203

is preferably that typically used to make curbside access ramps, namely, 4000 pound peastone mix concrete. It should be understood, however, that additives to such concrete could be added, such additives including salt resistant chemicals to guard against corrosion caused by salts (particularly ice-melting salts used in colder climates), strength-enhancing materials like fiber-mesh (particularly if grid

221

were to be omitted), and chemicals like high-early to hasten hardening of the concrete.

Next, the concrete within form

203

is shaped, screeded, edged, grooved, and troweled until it has been transformed into its finished state as ramp

101

, as seen in FIGS.

9

(

a

) and

9

(

b

). (Ramp

101

may be textured with a broom finish, a brick-pattern finish or the like; alternatively, regions

141

,

143

-

1

and

143

-

2

of ramp

101

may be decorated with brickface. Curb portion

120

is preferably colored and/or textured differently than regions

141

,

143

-

1

and

143

-

2

to facilitate its detection by sight-impaired individuals and seeing-eye dogs.) Ramp

101

is then allowed to harden within form

203

for several days. Once ramp

101

has sufficiently hardened, ramp

101

and apparatus

201

are lifted off the ground, leaving gravel G to remain on the ground and revealing cavity

119

. Inner form

205

and knockout boards

213

-

1

and

213

-

2

are then removed from ramp

101

. Ramp

101

is then removed from outer form

203

and is ready to be transported to its ultimate destination.

As is apparent from the description above, the pre-cast curbside access ramp of the present invention is distinguishable from conventional curbside access ramps in that the pre-cast ramp is not formed in the hole in which it is to be used, but rather, is formed at a separate location and is then transported from its place of manufacture to its place of use. Consequently, the pre-cast ramp of the present invention is particularly well-suited for being manufactured in a factory setting. This permits uniformity in the size and shape of the ramps, as well as in the technique used to manufacture said ramps. It also permits certain processing equipment that would not be available at a construction site (such as a concrete vibrator) to be on-hand. It further permits the ramps to completely harden before they are delivered to an installation site.

Referring now to FIGS.

10

(

a

) through

10

(

c

), there is shown the installation of ramp

101

in area

51

, it being understood that area

51

has been selected for illustrative purposes only and that ramp

101

is also amenable for installation in area

21

and in many other areas in which it is desired to bridge a walkway and a roadway.

As seen in FIG.

10

(

a

), area

51

is first prepped to receive ramp

101

by having a length of curb C

2

removed, said length corresponding to length

1

1

of front

107

of ramp

101

. In addition, portions of strip S

2

and walkway W

2

(the lengths of said portions being determined in the manner to be described below) are also removed from area

51

to yield a hole H. Hole H is sufficiently deep for front region

125

of ramp

101

to lie flush with the rear edge of roadway R

2

.

Next, as seen in FIG.

10

(

b

), a layer of stone dust SD is applied to hole H, and ramp

101

is set in hole H. Typically, ramp

101

is lowered into hole H by feeding a pair of looped straps around ramp

101

and through slots

121

-

1

,

121

-

2

,

123

-

1

and

123

-

2

and then using the boom of a backhoe or the like to hold ramp

101

via said looped straps. Once ramp

101

is set in place, the straps are then un-looped and removed through slots

121

-

1

,

121

-

2

,

123

-

1

and

123

-

2

.

Lastly, as seen in FIG.

10

(

c

), the remainder of hole H is filled with concrete (or asphalt) and is finished to form a platform

140

that bridges ramp

101

and walkway W

2

. As can readily be appreciated, one can ensure a gentle slope from ramp

101

to walkway W

2

by dimensioning and grading platform

140

as needed. In addition, if the differential in elevation between the rear of ramp

101

and walkway W

2

is sufficiently large, one can remove additional lengths of walkway W

2

and extend the slope of platform

140

gradually until walkway W

2

is reached. Good control points for grading platform

140

to walkway W

2

are provided by rear

109

, rear left side

113

and rear right side

117

of ramp

101

.

As can be seen, the present invention represents a departure in the manner in which ramps are constructed in that, according to the present invention, the ramp is set first and the walkway is then graded to the ramp whereas, in the past, the walkway is set first and the ramp is then graded to the walkway.

Referring now to

FIG. 11

, there is shown a top view of a pre-cast curbside access ramp assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, said pre-cast curbside access ramp assembly being represented generally by reference numeral

351

.

Ramp assembly

351

is similar in most respects to ramp

101

, a principal difference between ramp assembly

351

and ramp

101

being that ramp assembly

351

additionally comprises a pair of brightly-colored and textured markers

353

-

1

and

353

-

2

affixed by a heat-melt adhesive to curb in portion

120

on opposite ends of central portion

125

. Markers

353

-

1

and

353

-

2

serve to indicate to pedestrians, particularly those who are sight-impaired, the location of central region

141

of ramp

101

.

Another difference between ramp assembly

351

and ramp

101

is that ramp assembly

351

in further comprises a recessed plate

355

secured to top

103

and located within central region

141

proximate to rear

109

. Plate

355

is preferably received within a recess formed in ramp

101

by a knockout during the setting of ramp

101

. Plate

355

may be an aluminum diamond plate or may be a bronze medallion embossed with advertising or the name of a sponsor. In either event, plate

355

further serves to indicate to pedestrians, both by appearance and texture (the embossments of plate

355

extending above the surface of top

103

), the location of central region

141

of ramp

101

.

As can readily be appreciated from the above description, markers

353

-

1

and

353

-

2

and plate

355

are arranged on ramp

101

in a triangular pattern. This triangular pattern, together with the textured surfaces of markers

353

-

1

and

353

-

2

and of plate

355

, is intended to help the sight-impaired situate themselves on ramp

101

.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to pre-cast curbside access ramps of any particular size and/or shape. For example, another embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is shown in FIGS.

12

(

a

) through

12

(

c

), said pre-cast curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral

401

.

Ramp

401

, which is particularly well-suited use at the apices of an intersection where it is desirable to bridge the roadway with a pair of perpendicular walkways, is a quasi-triangular member shaped to include a top

403

, a bottom

405

, a straight side

407

, and an arcuate side

409

, one end of arcuate side

409

being joined to one end of straight side

407

, the other end of arcuate side

409

being joined to the opposite end of straight side

407

.

Top

403

is shaped to include a triangularly shaped post

413

located along the midpoint of arcuate side

409

. Top

403

is also shaped to include a flat area

415

surrounding post and a sloped area

417

extending from flat area

415

to straight side

407

. A groove

416

is formed in top

403

to delineate an integrally formed curb portion

418

.

The following exemplary dimensions for ramp

401

are illustrative only: straight side

407

has a length l

7

of 11 feet 6 inches and a height h

6

of 9.5 inches; post

413

has a height h

7

of 3.5 inches and side lengths s

1

and s

2

of 18 inches; arcuate side

409

has a height h

8

of 6 inches; and sloped area has a length l

8

of 2 feet 5 inches.

The embodiments of the present invention recited herein are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
753286	Morrison	Mar 1904	A
1529329	Turnbo	Mar 1925	A
3842562	Daigle	Oct 1974	A
4445802	Loov	May 1984	A
4532747	Koetje	Aug 1985	A
5101755	Barrett	Apr 1992	A
5271690	Fennessy, Sr.	Dec 1993	A
5302047	Ivey	Apr 1994	A
5553421	Stratford	Sep 1996	A

Pre-cast curbside access ramp and methods of making and installing the same

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

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CPC

US Classifications

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US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

US Referenced Citations (9)