A folding ramp for low ground clearance wheeled equipment loading and unloading

Abstract

This invention discloses a folding ramp for loading and unloading low-access wheeled equipment. The folding ramp consists of outrigger assemblies and panel assemblies, forming a ramp. The outrigger assembly includes a support base, longitudinal support beams, a base plate, connecting ribs, and reinforcing ribs. The panel assembly includes a fixed panel, a movable panel, and a pivot. The outrigger assemblies are divided into low-profile outrigger assemblies, medium-profile outrigger assemblies, and high-profile outrigger assemblies from low to high. Fixed panels are installed between the low-profile, medium-profile, and high-profile outrigger assemblies, and the movable panels at both ends are connected to the fixed panels. The total length of the ramp is 5500mm, and the slope is ≤11.2°, which can meet the needs of low-access wheeled equipment. The outrigger assembly is reasonably designed, and its assembly with the panel is simple, meeting the requirements of railway, highway, and air transportation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of auxiliary technology for roll-on / roll-off loading and unloading of wheeled equipment, and specifically relates to a folding approach bridge for loading and unloading low-passability wheeled equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In modern transportation systems, transport aircraft are responsible for the air transport of heavy wheeled equipment (such as armored vehicles and engineering vehicles). Because the cargo hold entrance of transport aircraft is usually located at the tail, and there is a significant height difference between the cargo door and the ground, coupled with the fact that some wheeled equipment has a low ground clearance (i.e., "low passability"), traditional loading and unloading methods face significant challenges.

[0003] Currently, wheeled equipment is loaded into transport aircraft cargo holds via roll-on / roll-off primarily using two methods: 1. Fixed ramps / loading platforms: Pre-laid fixed ramps connect the ground to the transport aircraft door. While structurally stable, this method has significant limitations: it requires advance deployment, occupies a large area, has poor mobility, and is difficult to adapt to rapid deployment and field environments; it also cannot adapt to differences in aircraft types and ground conditions. 2. Mobile hydraulic lifting platforms: Some equipment is equipped with hydraulic lifting devices, allowing for height adjustment between the door and the ground. However, such equipment is typically bulky and heavy, requiring specific transport aircraft landing sites, and is difficult to use stably in complex terrain or without flat ground, especially in non-standard airport environments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to design a folding ramp for loading and unloading low-access wheeled equipment, solving the problems of poor mobility, slow deployment, weak adaptability, and insufficient support for low-access equipment in the roll-on / roll-off operations of transport aircraft cargo holds. It enables rapid deployment, stable docking, safe load-bearing, and efficient loading and unloading, thereby improving the response speed and operational safety of heavy equipment aerial delivery.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A folding ramp for loading and unloading low-access wheeled equipment. The folding ramp consists of outrigger assemblies and panel assemblies to form a ramp. The outrigger assembly includes a support base, longitudinal support beam, base plate, connecting ribs, and reinforcing ribs. The panel assembly includes a fixed panel, a movable panel, and a pivot. The outrigger assemblies are divided into low outrigger assemblies, medium outrigger assemblies, and high outrigger assemblies from low to high. Fixed panels are installed between the low outrigger assemblies, medium outrigger assemblies, and high outrigger assemblies. The movable panels at both ends are connected to the fixed panels.

[0006] Furthermore, each outrigger assembly has at least three longitudinal support beams, with a support base on the top of each longitudinal support beam. The support base has two pivot grooves on its top, and two pin holes on the side of each longitudinal support beam.

[0007] Furthermore, the fixed panel has a rotating shaft at both ends, with the rotating shaft protruding from both sides of the fixed panel surface. A quick-release pin is installed in the pin hole of the longitudinal support beam, and the quick-release pin is connected to the rotating shaft through a connecting plate.

[0008] Furthermore, the fixed panel and the movable panel are hinged together by a connector, allowing the movable panel to flip and fold over the fixed panel.

[0009] Furthermore, handles are provided on both sides of the fixed panel and the movable panel, and the panel surface is provided with an anti-slip texture.

[0010] Furthermore, the folding approach bridge is made of high-strength aluminum alloy.

[0011] The above technical solution can achieve the following beneficial effects: This invention comprises a leg assembly and a panel assembly, simplifying the structural design and making assembly simple and convenient. It reduces the use of bolts by employing quick-release pins, significantly reducing the user's physical exertion and time consumption, thus improving efficiency. Using the same connection method, it reduces the use of bolts, avoiding quality fluctuations caused by differences in feel during traditional manual tightening. The optimized connection design improves connection quality, prevents loosening, and ensures high safety and reliability.

[0012] The entire ramp is 5500mm long with a slope of ≤11.2°, which can meet the needs of low-passability wheeled equipment. The outrigger assembly is reasonably designed and easy to assemble with the panel, meeting the requirements of railway, highway and air transportation. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a folding approach bridge.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed panel.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the activity panel.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the support leg assembly.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the fixed panel and the support leg assembly.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a folded state diagram.

[0019] Figure 7 This is an expanded usage status diagram.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Leg assembly; 2. Panel assembly; 3. Connecting plate; 4. Quick-release pin; 11. Support base; 12. Longitudinal support beam; 13. Base plate; 14. Connecting rib; 15. Reinforcing rib; 21. Fixed panel; 22. Movable panel; 23. Rotating shaft; 24. Handle. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: like Figure 1-7 As shown, a folding ramp for loading and unloading low-access wheeled equipment is provided. The folding ramp consists of a leg assembly 1 and a panel assembly 2, forming a ramp. The leg assembly includes a support base 11, a longitudinal support beam 12, a base plate 13, connecting ribs 14, and reinforcing ribs 15. Each leg assembly has at least three longitudinal support beams. The top of the longitudinal support beam is provided with a support base. The top of the support base is designed with two pivot grooves. The side of the longitudinal support beam is provided with two pin holes. The side of the longitudinal support beam is reinforced with ribs. Adjacent longitudinal support beams are connected by connecting ribs. The longitudinal support beams rest on the ground through the base plate. The panel assembly includes a fixed panel 21, a movable panel 22, and a pivot 23. The leg assemblies are divided into low leg assemblies, medium leg assemblies, and high leg assemblies from low to high. Fixed panels are installed between the low leg assemblies, medium leg assemblies, and high leg assemblies. The movable panels at both ends are connected to the fixed panels. The fixed panel has a pivot at both ends, with the pivot protruding from both sides of the fixed panel. A quick-release pin is installed in the pin hole of the longitudinal support beam. The quick-release pin is connected to the pivot through a connecting plate. The fixed panel and the movable panel are hinged through a connector, so that the movable panel can be flipped and folded over the fixed panel. The fixed panel and the movable panel have handles 24 on both sides. The panel surface has an anti-slip texture. The entire folding bridge is made of high-strength aluminum alloy.

[0022] The low-access wheeled equipment auxiliary loading and unloading equipment adopts a folding ramp design, consisting of a fixed panel, a movable panel, and outrigger assemblies. The main body of the equipment is welded from high-strength aluminum alloy (6063 or 7075) plates and profiles. Its basic functions include: establishing a loading and unloading channel in conjunction with the transport vehicle's ramp, ensuring the roll-on / roll-off loading and unloading of low-access wheeled equipment. The total ramp length is 5500mm, the slope is ≤11.2°, the axle load capacity is 13000kg, and the equipment's own weight is ≤780kg. During use, the fixed panel and outriggers remain stationary after assembly.

[0023] Specifically, the lowering angle of the transport aircraft's cargo bridge is 11.2°. Considering the connection between this equipment and the transport aircraft's cargo bridge, the maximum slope of the load-bearing surface is determined to be less than 11.2°. Taking into account material requirements, manual erection, and random air transport requirements, the load capacity is determined to be below 800kg, with a total load-bearing surface length of ≤5500mm and a single bridge width of ≥800mm. Through research, the tire width of wheeled equipment systems requiring air transport is around 600mm. Considering loading safety and allowing for a certain margin, the single bridge width is determined to be above 800mm.

[0024] The outrigger assembly is a crucial component of the equipment, responsible not only for providing primary support but also for ensuring the safe and normal operation of the equipment. The outrigger assembly mainly consists of the following parts: support base, longitudinal support beams, base plate, connecting ribs, and reinforcing ribs. It is categorized into low-profile, medium-profile, and high-profile outrigger assemblies. Each outrigger assembly has at least three longitudinal support beams. Each longitudinal support beam has a support base at its top, with two pivot grooves on the top of the support base. The sides of the longitudinal support beams have two pin holes, and reinforcing ribs are added to the sides of the longitudinal support beams. Adjacent longitudinal support beams are connected by connecting ribs, and the longitudinal support beams rest on the ground via the base plate.

[0025] The panel assembly is a crucial component of this equipment, primarily providing a safe and reliable load-bearing surface. It consists of a fixed panel and a movable panel. The panel can be folded for storage and flipped for installation. The panel assembly mainly comprises the following parts: fixed panel, movable panel, and connecting hinge.

[0026] The outrigger assembly is secured to the panel via a connecting plate 3 and a quick-release pin 4. After the panel is installed, the outrigger is fixed to the panel using a fixing plate. The outrigger is then attached to the aircraft cargo hold pivot using a mounting fixture. After attachment, the limiting plate is rotated to complete the attachment.

[0027] The entire folding approach bridge is made of 7075 high-strength aluminum alloy, which is lightweight and high-strength, enabling rapid handling. At the same time, the high strength of the aluminum alloy allows for weight reduction while meeting load-bearing requirements. Assembly is efficient and convenient, employing quick-connect pins for rapid assembly and disassembly. The movable and fixed panels are connected by a hinge, facilitating quick and easy folding of the panels.

[0028] The above descriptions are all preferred embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, any modifications to the present invention in various equivalent forms without departing from the principle of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A folding ramp for loading and unloading low-access wheeled equipment, characterized in that: The folding approach bridge consists of outrigger assemblies and panel assemblies, forming a ramp. The outrigger assembly includes a support base, longitudinal support beams, a base plate, connecting ribs, and reinforcing ribs. The panel assembly includes a fixed panel, a movable panel, and a pivot. The outrigger assemblies are divided into low outrigger assemblies, medium outrigger assemblies, and high outrigger assemblies from low to high. Fixed panels are installed between the low outrigger assemblies, medium outrigger assemblies, and high outrigger assemblies, and the movable panels at both ends are connected to the fixed panels.

2. A folding ramp for loading and unloading low-passability wheeled equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each outrigger assembly has at least three longitudinal support beams, with a support base on the top of each longitudinal support beam. The support base has two pivot grooves on its top, and two pin holes on the side of each longitudinal support beam.

3. A folding ramp for loading and unloading low-passability wheeled equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The fixed panel has a pivot at both ends, with the pivot protruding from both sides of the fixed panel. A quick-release pin is installed in the pin hole of the longitudinal support beam, and the quick-release pin is connected to the pivot through a connecting plate.

4. A folding ramp for loading and unloading low-passability wheeled equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed panel and the movable panel are hinged together by a connector, allowing the movable panel to flip and fold over the fixed panel.

5. A folding ramp for loading and unloading low-passability wheeled equipment according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: Handles are provided on both sides of the fixed panel and the movable panel, and the panel surface has an anti-slip texture.

6. A folding ramp for loading and unloading low-passability wheeled equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The folding approach bridge is made of high-strength aluminum alloy.

Images