Foldable ramp, especially for two-wheelers

Abstract

Folding ramp (1) with a first, stationary rail system (2) and with a second rail system (3) which is extendable relative to the first and can be tilted at least when extended, wherein both rail systems (2;3) are foldable about a common pivot axis (4) lying transversely to the extension of the rail systems (2;3), wherein hinge devices (5;6) are assigned to each rail system (2;3) to form the pivot axis (4), characterized in that at least one of these hinge devices (5;6) has a first, upright retaining part (7) which is held laterally on the rail system (2;3), and a second, horizontal retaining part (8) which is held on the upper side of the rail system (2;3).

Description

The invention relates to a foldable ramp with a rail system that is fixed in position relative to a surface, for example a loading area of ​​a van or pickup truck, and a further rail system that is extendable relative to this and can be tilted, at least in the extended state, wherein both rail systems are foldable about a common pivot axis lying transversely to the extension of the rail systems, according to the preamble of claim 1. Such ramps can be used, for example, for transporting motorcycles or small boats. It is advantageous to design these ramps to be foldable, so that when no cargo is being transported, the ramp can be shortened sufficiently to allow, for example, the closing of a rear hatch of the loading platform or cargo area, and the full length of the ramp is only available when transporting such cargo. It is known that for the formation of the pivot axis, each rail system is assigned a hinge device, but these have so far only comprised upright plates that are held laterally to the outside of the respective rails and therefore exhibit a lack of stability. In particular, especially heavy motorcycles cannot be transported on such ramps. The invention is based on the problem of achieving an improvement in this area. The invention solves this problem by means of a ramp with the features of claim 1. Regarding advantageous features and further developments of the invention, reference is made to further claims 2 to 11. The invention ensures that, in a folding ramp with a first and a second rail system that is extendable relative to the first and tiltable at least when extended, both rail systems can be folded around a common pivot axis lying transversely to the extent of the rail systems. On the one hand, the foldability of the ramp is guaranteed, so that a shortening of the ramp when unloaded is possible, and thus a rear tailgate or doors behind the shortened ramp can be closed. On the other hand, despite the folding capability, an extremely high load-bearing capacity of the ramp is ensured by the fact that hinge devices are assigned to each rail system to form the common pivot axis. At least one of these hinge devices has a first, upright retaining element that is held laterally on one of the rail systems, and a second, horizontal retaining element that is held on the top side of the rail system.Unlike a pure plate body, this achieves a high level of stability against tipping and deformation, even against forces acting perpendicular to the rail and against downward forces acting in the swivel area when pushing the transported goods up or down. A stationary rail system does not necessarily mean a fixed installation, for example on the loading platform of a transport vehicle, but the rail system itself can form part of the load and thus be held in place without fixed installations, for example only by straps. For high stability, both retaining parts of the respective hinge assembly are designed as a single unit and form an inverted L-shape in cross-section. This L-shape rests against a rail on two sides and is ideally also secured there. The two retaining parts can, in particular, be formed as a single piece. These two sides form a top and a cross side of the respective rail. Since the second, movable rail system can, for example, lie slightly above and within the transverse extent of the first rail system, the usable space for the rail systems and the transport space is not restricted – unlike if the hinge system were also to run on the inside of a respective rail and thus have a horizontal C-shape in cross-section. The actual rails can advantageously be made of a lightweight aluminum material. The upper retaining element advantageously supports a bearing block, which in one case has two enclosing mounting eyes for an axle body, in particular a bolt, that encompasses the pivot axis, and in the other case has an inner mounting eye for the axle body that engages transversely between the two mounting eyes. The axle body can, for example, be made of steel and have a diameter of approximately 8 to 12 millimeters. For maximum stability, each bearing block can be positioned almost centrally on the upper support bracket. It is also possible to provide transverse stiffeners for lateral support of the bearing blocks, extending laterally upwards from the upper support bracket. The bearing blocks can be welded onto the upper support parts, for example. The bearing blocks can be made inexpensively from steel sheets 5 to 7 millimeters thick. To optimize stability without causing excessive weight, each bearing block can have an approximately triangular shape with a wide base for fixing to the upper holding part and taper upwards, with the upper tip forming the receiving eyes. Kinematically advantageous is that the receiving eyes project at least partially beyond the longitudinal extent of the respective hinge body, in particular by exactly half the diameter. Then the pivot axis lies precisely above the joint between two hinge bodies that can unfold against each other. Ideally, for high stability, both the fixed rail system and the extendable rail system are each equipped with two such hinge assemblies on their outer and upper sides. This means that each rail system has two such highly stable hinge assemblies opposite each other, resulting in a particularly high load-bearing capacity for such a ramp, for example, for motorcycles weighing over 900 kg. From a structural engineering perspective, the hinge mechanisms of the fixed rail system and the extendable rail system are identical in design. The extendable rail system can be equipped with various supports for the transported goods, for example, a front wheel holder for a motorcycle. To prevent the short rail section from unintentionally "falling" during the folding process, the receiving eyes can be fitted with friction-enhancing retaining washers on their inner sides, for example made of steel or plastic. This slows down and secures the pivoting movement of the short rail sections. To achieve the smallest possible packed size for the ramp, short sections of the rail system can be folded approximately 180° using the hinge mechanism and placed overhead on top of longer sections of the rail system. The short section is, for example, 40 to 90 centimeters long, so that folding it significantly shortens the ramp. In particular, the hinge mechanism of the extendable rail system is equipped with a locking lever which engages a support to secure the aligned position of the rail parts and thus enables maximum stability in the closing direction even when this hinge mechanism is traversed. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention illustrated in the drawing and described below. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 an exemplary schematic side view of an unloaded ramp with a fixed lower rail system and an extendable upper rail system, where both rail systems are fully unfolded and pushed against each other so that they lie parallel to one another; Fig. 2 a similar view to Fig. 1, but after the extendable rail system has been extended; Fig. 3 a similar view to Fig. 1, but after the extendable rail system has been tilted relative to the fixed rail system; Fig. 4 a similar view to Fig. 3, but after a front wheel carrier has been moved downwards so that loading and unloading is possible in this position; Fig. 5 a similar view to Fig. 1, but where the short parts of the respective rail systems are folded against each other so that a maximally shortened position of the ramp is achieved; Fig. 6 a detailed view of approximately detail VI in Fig. 5.Fig. 7 A detailed view of the hinge assembly associated with the extendable rail system in a view folded around the pivot axis, Fig. 8 A side view approximately of the area according to Fig. 6 with the hinge assemblies of both rail systems folded in, Fig. 9 The hinge assembly associated with the extendable rail system in an unfolded side view, Fig. 10 A hinge assembly in a top view, Fig. 11 Two opposing hinge assemblies of the extendable rail system in a front view, Fig. 12 The hinge assembly associated with the fixed rail system in an unfolded perspective view, Fig. 13 A top view of the folding area in the unfolded position according to Fig. 1, Fig. 14 A side view of this area in the position according to Fig. 1, Fig. 15 A perspective view from an oblique angle above of the unfolded folding area in the position according to Fig. 1. The ramp shown in the drawing is designated with the reference numeral 1. It can be permanently mounted on a land, air, or water vehicle, or, in particular, it can be entirely mobile. In the latter case, it can be secured, for example, by lashing straps or similar temporary securing devices, so that a stationary rail system 2 of the ramp 1 remains immobile in this secured position, except when being folded or unfolded. One example of how ramp 1 can be used is to hold it on the loading platform of a van or pickup truck and use it there to transport, for example, motorcycles, quads, or similar vehicles. Here, a ramp 1 for transporting a motorcycle is shown, equipped with a front wheel holder 15. Two ramps 1 can be held side by side for two motorcycles. The folding ramp 1 shown in the figures is equipped with a first, stationary rail system 2 – located here at the bottom and on the outside – and with a second rail system 3, which can be extended relative to the first in the direction of arrow A (Fig. 2) and, at least when extended, can be tilted in the direction of arrow B (Fig. 3). In the tilted position, the extendable rail system 3 can reach the ground, thus facilitating easy loading and unloading. Each rail system 2 or 3 can comprise two rails spaced a few tens of centimeters apart, perpendicular to the direction of travel. Alternatively, a mono-rail configuration is also possible. Each of these rail systems 2, 3 comprises a longer part 2a, 3a and a shorter part 2b, 3b which can be folded inwards about a pivot axis 4 and which can be pivoted variably between an aligned transport position extending the rail system according to Fig. 1 and a position shortening the rail system 2, 3 according to Fig. 5. Both rail systems 2, 3 can be folded synchronously around the aforementioned common pivot axis 4, which lies transversely to the extension of the rail systems 2, 3. In the retracted position of the extendable frame (Fig. 1), this pivot axis 4 extends in alignment transversely across both rail systems 2, 3, so that simultaneous folding and unfolding is possible without jamming. To enable this, hinge devices 5, 6 are assigned to each rail system 2, 3 to form the pivot axis 4. Two hinge devices 5 are assigned to the first rail system 2, and two further hinge devices 6 are assigned to the second rail system 3. At least one of these hinge assemblies 5, 6 (according to the drawing, all hinge assemblies 5, 6) has a first, upright retaining part 7, which is held laterally on the rail system 2, 3, and a second, horizontal retaining part 8, which is held on the top side of the rail system 2, 3. In the simplest case, both retaining parts 7, 8 can be formed over a full surface. Here, according to some of the drawing figures, recesses in the form of a brand name are provided in the upright retaining parts 7. Both retaining elements 7, 8 are formed as a single unit according to the drawing and form an inverted L-shape in cross-section. This L-shape rests against each rail 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b on two sides, like an angled sheet metal piece. These two sides are perpendicular to each other, namely on the outside and top. The clear width in the transverse direction between the inner sides of the rails is not reduced as a result. In the illustrated version, the lateral retaining part 7 is fixed in a groove of the rail system 2 or 3 by means of horizontal screws, whereas the horizontal retaining part 8 resting on top is fixed to the respective rail by means of screws that engage vertically downwards into a groove. The upper retaining part 8 carries a projecting bearing block 9 or 10 in the hinge assembly 5 and a projecting bearing block 11 or 12 in the hinge assembly 6. In order for the pivot axis 4 of both the hinge assembly 5 and the hinge assembly 6 to be at the same height, the bearing blocks 9, 10 of the hinge assembly 5 are slightly higher than the bearing blocks 11, 12 of the slightly higher hinge assembly 6. In both cases, a bearing block 9 or 11 carries two receiving eyes 13 for an axle body 14 encompassing the pivot axis 4, in particular a bolt. The adjacent bearing block 10 or 12 carries an inner receiving eye 15 for the axle body 14, which engages between the two receiving eyes 13. To ensure high stability even against transverse forces, each bearing block 9, 10, 11, 12, which can essentially form a vertical sheet a few millimeters thick, is arranged at least almost transversely in the center of the upper retaining part 8. Each of the aforementioned bearing blocks 9, 10, 11, 12 has an approximately triangular shape in cross-section with a wide base, which is welded, for example, to the essentially horizontal support element 8. The upper apex of the triangle forms the receiving eyes 13, 15. These receiving eyes 13, 15 can be formed on axle holders 20 attached laterally to the bearing blocks 9 and 11, respectively, and screwed on in this case. In particular, the relatively tall bearing blocks 9, 10 of the stationary rail system 2 can also be reinforced with lateral cross braces 21 to ultimately ensure that the ramp 1 can be used with approximately 900 to 1000 kg of transported goods. The receiving eyes 13, 15 can project at least partially, in particular by half their respective diameter, beyond the longitudinal extent of the respective hinge body, so that the pivot axis 4 can be located exactly centrally above a dividing joint 16 between two hinge bodies adjacent with respect to the longitudinal extent of the rails. As described above, the stationary rail system 2 is engaged on its outer and upper sides by such hinge devices 5, and the extendable rail system 3 is likewise engaged on its outer and upper sides by two such hinge devices 6. These two hinge devices 5 and 6 are opposite each other with respect to the transverse direction Q, as can be clearly seen, for example, in the schematic representation of a hinge device 6 according to Fig. 11. The hinge devices 5 of the fixed rail system 2 and the hinge devices 6 of the extendable rail system 3 are fundamentally identical in design, in particular with regard to the lateral and upper overlap of the rail system 2 or 3 as well as the bearing blocks 9, 10, 11, 12 projecting upwards from the top 8, which lead to a common pivot axis 4 lying in the transverse direction Q. To prevent the short rail section 2b, 3b from unintentionally "falling" during the folding process between the unfolded position according to Fig. 1 and the folded position according to Fig. 5, the receiving eyes 13, 15 can be provided axially on their inner sides with friction-enhancing retaining washers, for example made of steel or plastic. This slows down and secures the pivoting movement of the short rail sections 2b, 3b. To achieve the smallest possible packed size of the ramp 1, short sections 2b, 3b of the rail systems 2, 3 can be folded inwards by approximately 180° via the hinge devices 5, 6 and thus placed upside down on long sections 2a, 3a of the rail systems 2, 3 as shown in Fig. 5, or held freely in an inverted position. The short section 2b, 3b, for example, has a length of 40 to 90 centimeters, so that folding it in significantly shortens the ramp 1. During loading or unloading in the tilted position via the extendable rail system 3, a significant force F acts particularly on the hinge mechanism 6. This force tends to open the dividing joint 16 when, for example, a motorcycle passes over it, thus buckling the hinge mechanism 6. To counteract this, at least the hinge mechanism 6 is equipped with a locking lever 17, which engages a support 18 to secure the aligned position of the rail sections 3a, 3b. This locking lever 17 is designed here as a toggle lever, but can also be designed differently, for example as a sliding bolt. Manual or automated operation is optional. To move from the loaded or unloaded driving position of the ramp according to Fig. 1 to a loading or unloading position according to Fig. 4, the upper rail system 3, located further inwards and above, is first extended backwards in the direction of arrow A (transition from Fig. 1 to Fig. 2) and, in this extended state, can be tilted in the direction of arrow B (Fig. 3). In the tilted state, the extendable rail system 3 can reach down to the ground C, thus facilitating easy loading or unloading. A drive 19, which can be operated, for example, by its own motor or by attaching a cordless drill, moves the front wheel holder 15 backwards, so that a load placed on it can be pushed backwards onto the ground or, conversely, pulled onto the extendable rail system 3 by pulling the front wheel holder 15, before the movement is reversed to the opposite direction as shown in Fig. 1. With very short cargo or without cargo, the shorter part 2b, 3b can be pivoted from the aligned transport position (extending the rail system) according to Fig. 1, via the hinge devices 5, 6, into a position (shortening the rail system 2, 3) according to Fig. 5. This pivoting can be done manually or fully or partially motor-assisted. Reference symbol list: 1 Ramp, 2 Fixed rail system, 2a Longer section, 2b Shorter section, 3 Extendable rail system, 3a Longer section, 3b Shorter section, 4 Swivel axis, 5 Hinge device of the fixed rail system, 6 Hinge device of the extendable rail system, 7 Upright support section, 8 Horizontal support section, 9 Bearing block of the fixed rail system, 10 Bearing block of the fixed rail system, 11 Bearing block of the extendable rail system, 12 Bearing block of the extendable rail system, 13 Outer mounting eyes, 14 Axle body, 15 Middle mounting eye, 16 Split joint between hinge bodies, 17 Locking lever, 18 Abutment, 19 Drive, 20 Axle holder, 21 Cross braces, A Extension direction, B Tilting direction, C Floor, Q Transverse direction

Claims

Folding ramp (1) with a first, stationary rail system (2) and with a second rail system (3) which is extendable relative to the first and can be tilted at least when extended, wherein both rail systems (2;3) are foldable about a common pivot axis (4) lying transversely to the extension of the rail systems (2;3), wherein hinge devices (5;6) are assigned to each rail system (2;3) to form the pivot axis (4), characterized in that at least one of these hinge devices (5;6) has a first, upright retaining part (7) which is held laterally on the rail system (2;3), and a second, horizontal retaining part (8) which is held on the upper side of the rail system (2;3). Ramp (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that both retaining parts (7;8) are formed in a connected manner and form an inverted L-shape in cross-section, which abuts a respective rail (2a;2b,3a;3b) on two sides. Ramp (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper, horizontal retaining part (8) carries a bearing block (9, 10; 11, 12) which in one case (9 or 11) carries two receiving eyes (13) for an axle body (14) encompassing the pivot axis (4), in particular a bolt, and which in the other case (10 or 12) carries an inner receiving eye (15) for the axle body (14) which engages between the two receiving eyes (13). Ramp (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that each bearing block (9, 10; 11, 12) is arranged at least nearly transversely centrally on the upper retaining part (8). Ramp (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each bearing block (9, 10; 11, 12) has an approximately triangular shape with a wide base, the upper tip of which forms the receiving eyes (13; 15). Ramp (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the receiving eyes (13;15) extend at least partially beyond the longitudinal extent of the respective hinge body (2;3). Ramp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stationary rail system (2) is each assigned two such hinge devices (5) on the outside and top side and the extendable rail system (3) is also each assigned two such hinge devices (6) on the outside and top side. Ramp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hinge devices (5) of the fixed rail system (2) and the hinge devices (6) of the extendable rail system (3) are designed in the same way as each other. Ramp (1) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the receiving eyes (13) are provided axially on the inside with friction-enhancing retaining discs (14). Ramp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that short parts (2b;3b) of the rail systems (2;3) can be folded in by about 180° via the hinge devices (5;6) and placed on long parts (2a;3a). Ramp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least the hinge device (6) of the extendable rail system (3) is provided with a locking lever (17) which engages a support (18) to secure the aligned position of the rail parts (3a;3b).

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