Access RAMP for modular floor

Abstract

ACCESS RAMP FOR MODULAR FLOORING refers to access ramps specially designed for modular flooring, fitted to them by male-and-female interlocks, equipped with shock absorption, expansion joints, and the possibility of installing anti-theft screws. As a distinguishing feature, the ramps ensure safe accessibility to areas where overlapping modular flooring is installed, facilitating the movement of wheeled devices, such as wheelchairs, carts, and bicycles, due to the presence of shock absorption.

Description

Subject:

[0001] The present Invention Patent refers to access ramps specially designed for modular flooring, fitted to them by male-and-female interlocks, equipped with shock absorption, expansion joints, and the possibility of installing anti-theft screws. As a distinguishing feature, the ramps ensure safe accessibility to areas where overlapping modular flooring is installed, facilitating the movement of wheeled devices, such as wheelchairs, carts, and bicycles, due to the presence of shock absorption.State of the Art:

[0002] Modular flooring installed in an overlapping manner is already known in the art, generally manufactured from plastic material with shock absorption, assembled by interlocking between pieces, usually square and / or rectangular.

[0003] Regarding patent references, document BR202014024725-0, filed on 9 / 29 / 2014, titled "Rubber Floor and Rubber Tactile Floor", by the same applicant, discloses a modular tactile rubber floor that is easy to install, as it is installed over a polymer base with a fish-scale-type pin system on the underside of the base for fixation on concrete, and side click-fit male-and-female interlocking with an expansion joint to connect one base to another.

[0004] Document BR202019028317-9, filed on 12 / 31 / 2019, titled "Impact-Absorbing Floor Plate", also by the same applicant, describes a modular plate with impact absorption used to compose flooring for various purposes. The impact-absorption function is achieved through a plurality of cylindrical pins made of thermoplastic elastomer rubber inserted into a structural base, absorbing the forces transmitted to the joints, reducing injuries in the user's knees, heels, and legs, and improving the athletic performance of athletes as well as general users.

[0005] In general, these floors serve a specific purpose, such as in sports practice areas at schools, and may be installed indoors or outdoors. Other uses also occur, such as delimiting recreation and common-use areas, or even solely for decorative purposes.

[0006] Such modular plates are installed directly over the pre-existing floor, which must be rigid but is generally not in good condition, presenting uneven areas, cracks, and other natural damage resulting from use over time.

[0007] For this reason, the modular plates have expansion joints, formed directly in the male-and-female interlocks, which allow the absorption of unevenness and defects in the original floor, as well as the absorption of expansion and contraction movements of the plates themselves due to temperature variations, depending on the location where they are installed.

[0008] Because they aim to provide greater comfort to the user, especially athletes and children, they feature impact absorption, improving the conditions of use and reducing the occurrence of injuries caused by impact or falls.

[0009] The existing modular flooring plates have all the above advantages, but they do not include a proper end piece or finishing element that provides the transition between the existing floor and the modular floor. Thus, a step of approximately 5 cm is formed, creating an edge, which is not an adequate transition condition.

[0010] In addition to this finishing configuration being aesthetically undesirable, it hinders access for wheelchairs, strollers, small bicycles, among others, and increases the likelihood of accidents such as tripping, as well as creating a surface where disassembly of the plates may unintentionally begin, that is, enabling theft or intentional damage.Inventive Concept:

[0011] The present Access Ramp for Modular Flooring has been developed to meet the following main objectives: to allow and facilitate accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers, among others, to reduce the risk of accidents, and to result in an improved visual aesthetic finish.

[0012] To this end, the ramp has a curved top surface provided with grooves, and on the underside it has shock-absorbing pins to improve access conditions, especially for wheelchairs.

[0013] The interlocking with the modular plates, as well as between the ramp plates themselves, is achieved through male-and-female interlocks, including a corner closure piece that allows continuity of the ramp at the corners of the installed modular flooring.

[0014] The ramps are preferably manufactured using recycled plastic material as the raw material, with the addition of chemical additives that ensure adequate durability of both the ramp and its coloration.Summary:

[0015] The Access Ramp for Modular Flooring is essentially characterized by the fact that the ramp comprises at least three pieces that interlock with one another: the straight ramp with female interlocks, the straight ramp with male interlocks, and the corner ramp, which includes both male and female interlocks.

[0016] The Access Ramp for Modular Flooring is additionally characterized by the fact that the parts that compose the ramp also include male-and-female interlocks, as well as shock absorbers and expansion limiters.Field of Application

[0017] The present Access Ramp for Modular Flooring is applied as modular flooring installed in an overlapping configuration by interlocking between the pieces.Advantages:

[0018] The Access Ramp for Modular Flooring presents the following advantages: It enables accessibility and facilitates access for individuals using wheelchairs, as well as strollers, bicycles, among others; It provides comfort to the user, since the ramp also contains impact absorption; It prevents accidents by providing a smooth curved transition between the modular flooring and the pre-existing lower floor; Due to the presence of an expansion joint, it easily absorbs unevenness in the floor, as well as small defects and existing damage, and remains in perfect installation condition despite temperature changes, which cause natural expansion and contraction of the polymer used in manufacturing; It allows for easy installation and removal for maintenance, due to the male-and-female interlock system; As it is manufactured using recycled plastic and recycled rubber as raw materials, it reduces the existence of non-reused plastic waste, providing a durable application that benefits environmental matters and mitigates damage caused by plastic waste. Illustrations:

[0019] To facilitate examination and provide understanding of the present patent, as recommended in the report, according to a basic and preferred embodiment prepared by the applicant, reference is made to the attached illustrations, which form part of and support the present descriptive report, wherein: FIG. 01 - shows a perspective view of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 02 - shows a top perspective view of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 03 - shows a bottom perspective view of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 04 - shows a detailed perspective view of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 05 - shows a bottom view of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 06 - shows an exploded bottom perspective detail of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 07 - shows an exploded bottom perspective detail of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 08 - shows an exploded bottom perspective detail of the ramps fitted into the flooring; FIG. 09 - shows a perspective view of the ramp with female interlocks; FIG. 10 - shows a top view of the ramp with female interlocks; FIG. 11 - shows a bottom view of the ramp with female interlocks; FIG. 12 - shows a perspective view of the ramp with male interlocks; FIG. 13 - shows a top view of the ramp with male interlocks; FIG. 14 - shows a bottom view of the ramp with male interlocks; FIG. 15 - shows a top perspective view of the corner ramp; FIG. 16 - shows an internal perspective view of the corner ramp; FIG. 17 - shows a bottom view of the corner ramp. Description:

[0020] The Access Ramp for Modular Flooring consists of a finishing element arranged along the edges of the modular flooring after its complete installation, with the purpose of facilitating access to the area where the flooring is installed and also providing the finishing on its edges.

[0021] Thus, the ramp (1) is constructed from three pieces that interlock with each other and with the modular flooring (5): the straight ramp with female interlocks (2), the straight ramp with male interlocks (3), and the corner ramp (4), which includes both male and female interlocks.

[0022] The straight ramp with female interlocks (2) has its upper surface (6) curved and provided with a plurality of grooves for the purpose of being non-slip, that is, increasing friction and grip, thereby facilitating access. On one of its sides, the straight ramp with female interlocks (2) has a male interlock (7), and on the opposite side, the straight ramp with female interlocks (2) has a female interlock (8), the male interlock (7) being provided on its underside with a shock absorber (9).

[0023] On the lateral face of the straight ramp with female interlocks (2) that contacts the modular flooring (5), on the underside, there is a plurality of female interlocks (10) arranged side by side, each provided with an expansion limiter (11), into which the male interlocks of the modular flooring (5) will be inserted, allowing the straight ramp with female interlocks (2) to be fixed to said flooring. The female interlock (8) is also provided with an expansion limiter (11).

[0024] On its underside, the straight ramp with female interlocks (2) includes a plurality of shock absorbers (9), arranged side by side in openings (12), fulfilling the objective of assisting access by wheelchairs, baby strollers, among others, as the shock absorption also enhances movement by providing propulsion.

[0025] The expansion limiter (11) functions to limit the movement of the modular flooring (5) or the ramp (1) resulting from expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, in order to prevent the tabs of the male-and-female interlocks from breaking due to excessive stress caused by such movement.

[0026] The straight ramp with male interlocks (3) also has its upper surface (13) curved and provided with a plurality of grooves for the purpose of being non-slip, that is, increasing friction and grip, thereby facilitating access. On one of its sides, the straight ramp with male interlocks (3) has a male interlock (14) laterally, and on the opposite side, the straight ramp with male interlocks (3) has a female interlock (15), the male interlock (14) being provided on its underside with a shock absorber (16). The female interlock (15) is also provided with an expansion limiter (11).

[0027] On the lateral face of the straight ramp with male interlocks (3) that contacts the modular flooring (5), there is a plurality of male interlocks (17) arranged side by side, into which the female interlocks of the modular flooring (5) will be fitted, allowing the straight ramp with male interlocks (3) to be fixed to said flooring. The male interlocks (17) are provided on their underside with a shock absorber (16), except for the central male interlock (18), which has an opening (19) for the placement of a screw to fasten the ramp to the flooring. On its underside, the straight ramp with male interlocks (3) includes a plurality of shock absorbers (16), arranged side by side in openings (20), fulfilling the objective of assisting access by wheelchairs, baby strollers, among others, since shock absorption also facilitates movement by providing propulsion.

[0028] The corner ramp (4) has its upper surface (21) curved and provided with a plurality of grooves for the purpose of being non-slip, as with the other components. On its orthogonal faces, the corner ramp (4) has at least one male interlock (22) provided with a shock absorber (23) and a female interlock (24) provided with an expansion limiter (11). On its underside, the corner ramp (4) has at least one shock absorber (23) fitted into an opening (25).

[0029] The shock absorbers used are manufactured from thermoplastic elastomer rubber, using either virgin or recycled raw material, substantially cylindrical in shape, although other shapes may be used when convenient.Conclusion:

[0030] In this manner, the Access Ramp for Modular Flooring is supported by novel technical and functional characteristics and therefore merits the legal protection being sought.

Claims

1. ACCESS RAMP FOR MODULAR FLOORING, characterized in that the ramp (1) comprises at least three pieces that interlock with each other: the straight ramp with female interlocks (2), the straight ramp with male interlocks (3), and the corner ramp (4), which includes both male and female interlocks.

2. ACCESS RAMP FOR MODULAR FLOORING according to Claim 1, characterized in that the straight ramp with female interlocks (2) has, on its sides, a male interlock (7) provided with a shock absorber (9), and a female interlock (8) provided with an expansion limiter (11); and further comprises a plurality of female interlocks (10) arranged side by side and provided with an expansion limiter (11) on the lateral face that contacts the modular flooring, and on its underside, a plurality of shock absorbers (9) arranged side by side in openings (12).

3. ACCESS RAMP FOR MODULAR FLOORING according to Claim 1, characterized in that the straight ramp with male interlocks (3) has, on its sides, a male interlock (14) provided with a shock absorber (16), and a female interlock (15) provided with an expansion limiter (11); and further comprises a plurality of male interlocks (17) provided with shock absorbers (16), arranged side by side on the lateral face that contacts the modular flooring, and at least one male interlock (18) having an opening (19) for the placement of a fastening screw; and, on its underside, a plurality of shock absorbers (16) arranged side by side in openings (20).

4. ACCESS RAMP FOR MODULAR FLOORING according to Claim 1, characterized in that the corner ramp (4) comprises at least one male interlock (22) provided with a shock absorber (23), and at least one female interlock (24) provided with an expansion limiter (11), and, on its underside, the corner ramp (4) comprises at least one shock absorber (23) fitted into opening (25).

5. ACCESS RAMP FOR MODULAR FLOORING according to Claim 1, characterized in that the straight ramp with female interlocks (2), the straight ramp with male interlocks (3), and the corner ramp (4) have upper surfaces (6), (13), and (21), respectively, which are curved and provided with a plurality of grooves.

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