The present invention relates generally to wheelchair ramps and more particularly to a wheelchair ramp with heated floor for use in cold climates.
Wheelchair ramps are well known in the art and often are manufactured of tubular steel or aluminum. Tubular steel is often expensive and difficult to manufacture in view of the varying types so structures the ramp is often used. Moreover, an additional problem associated with these ramps occurs in cold climates when snow and ice buildup on the ramp's surfaces. Difficult cold climate conditions can prevent safe ingress and egress from the building. Thus, new ramp solutions are required to overcome these drawbacks.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a heated wheelchair ramp. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
As used herein, SIPs are often used for exterior walls, roof panels, and sub-floors and are typically not manufactured as a “stand-alone” product for use outdoors. Those skilled in the art will recognize that moisture, mold, and rot can occur with a SIP if the product does not have a water and/or vapor barrier. Typically, the water barrier used for a SIP might be either siding or roofing. For this reason, SIPs have not been used for a wheelchair ramp application, since any SIP without a barrier cannot withstand the outside elements or having the durability needed the withstand the wear that would be present from a from a motorized wheelchair.
In order to provide a barrier to the elements, the present invention uses a water or vapor coating in the ramp system 100. By way of example and not limitation, a polyaspartic coating may be used on the top structural facing 103 and bottom structural facing 105. An outdoor or exterior coating such as polyaspartic is a protective steel coating, offering corrosion prevention for bridges and other harsh environment applications. Polyaspartic resins offer many benefits over traditional resins such as higher abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, faster installation, and higher overall performance. The 100% solids version has no odor, solvent, or VOCs. As polyaspartic technology has evolved, polyaspartic floor coating systems have been found beneficial as a structural element of the present invention. Thus, although SIPs are not typically used in an outdoor application, the invention transforms a typically interior product to an exterior product though the use of polyaspartic resin.
In order to prevent snow and ice from accumulating on the ramp, the ramp also includes a heating cable configured into the SIPS panel.
Spanning between the side rails is at least one SIP panel 705 that is used to form the flooring surface suspending above the ground. As described herein, the SIP panel includes a top substrate 707 and bottom substrate 709 where an EPS foam center core 711 is configured between the top and bottom substrates to provide support yet forming a strong supporting surface. The top substrate 707 and bottom substrate 709 are typically manufacture of wolmanized plywood or fiberglass reinforced panels (FRP) board. A first support 713 and second support 715 may be 2-inch×4-inch boards that wedge the center core 711 laterally between a respective one of the first plurality of side rails 701 and second plurality of side rails 703. Spacers 721, 723 are configured adjacent to the first support 713 and second support 715 respectively to adjust spacing of the SIP panel 705 between a first side rail 701 and second side rail 703. Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the first support 713 and second support 715 may also be manufactured of wolmanized wood or the like for enduring moist weather conditions without wood rot or deterioration. A first plurality of support brackets 717 and second plurality of support brackets 719 work to further support the SIP panel 705 by attaching the underside of each SIP panel 705 to the side of respective support.
Finally, a plurality of rail brackets 725 are used hold a continuous hand rail 727 to the side of the first plurality of side rails 701 and second plurality of side rails 703. Thus, in the wheelchair ramp system as described in
Thus, the wheelchair ramp system as described herein, is unique in its use of SIPS panels for the infrastructure for a wheelchair ramp. The SIPS panels are used with a unique coating, with heated floor and rail. The wheelchair ramp system as described herein, has the ability of being completely free standing, as it has a load capability of approximately 60 pounds per square foot (lbs/sq-ft). Since the SIPS panels are manufactured in 4 ft×24 ft long sections, this enables the ramp construction to span 24 feet without any added support. The present invention can withstand the harshest weather conditions, because of the characteristics of the polyaspartic coating. Moreover, SIPS are used with a railing system, enabling the wheelchair ramp to be custom designed to any application.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.
Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20210025172 A1 | Jan 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62790282 | Jan 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16738700 | Jan 2020 | US |
Child | 17069786 | US |