Slope

Abstract

To provide a slope that can be connected at an end to a sloped floor surface, can be safely passed by a wheelchair, etc., and can be easily assembled and inexpensively configured.SOLUTION: There is provided a slope through which wheelchairs and persons with impaired lower limbs can pass by being laid from a high-position floor surface of a step difference to a low-position floor surface thereof. For a first slope on the high-position floor surface side and a second slope on the low-position floor surface side supported on the first slope, by screwing a first slope body and a second slope body together with a screw member and a nut member through a first long hole and a second long hole drilled in the first slope and a hole drilled in the second slope body, the second slope is extended with respect to the first slope to moderate an angle of entry onto the slope, further, the second slope is rotated so that the low-position floor surface and a tip of the second slope are connected to each other when the low-position floor surface is sloped on either left or right side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slope that can be used by wheelchair users or people with disabilities when moving from a lower level to a higher level on a step. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, when a wheelchair user or a user with a lower limb disability moves between the lower and higher positions of a step, a ramp has been provided that can be used to bridge the lower and higher positions of the step to increase the safety of movement. In addition, a wide variety of ramps are available, allowing users to choose the most suitable specifications depending on their usage environment.

[0003] The portable ramp shown in Patent Document 1 is a portable ramp that can be used independently. This portable ramp is lightweight and highly rigid, making it easy to transport and easy to remove when not in use.

[0004] The ramp may also be used in combination with other mechanisms. For example, when installing a non-portable concrete ramp in a home's yard, it is necessary to set a gentle slope (entrance angle) so that wheelchair users and people with lower limb disabilities can pass through without difficulty, and a certain amount of space must be secured in the yard. However, compared to public facilities and commercial facilities where a certain amount of space can be secured, an average home may not have enough space to install a non-portable ramp in its yard. In order to cope with such an environment where it is difficult to provide a non-portable ramp, the applicant has proposed a wheelchair elevator as shown in Patent Document 2. This wheelchair lift can be installed in a small space, and the table can be raised and lowered vertically to allow wheelchairs and other devices to overcome steps. Because the table is located above the base frame, a step occurs between the floor and the top of the table. To eliminate this step and allow wheelchairs and caregivers to safely board the table, a ramp is rotatably attached to the side edge of the table. In this case, the floor on which the wheelchair lift is installed is at a low level, while the table of the wheelchair lift is at a high level, creating a step, and a slope is used to eliminate this step.

[0005] On the other hand, when installing a slope, it is necessary to ensure the stability of the slope installation surface. For example, in the gardens and garages of houses, a water gradient is provided to improve drainage of rainwater, etc. When a wheelchair is brought into the living room from the garden with this water gradient, a gap equal to the water gradient will be created between the floor and one of the ends of the ramp for a wheelchair lift installed in the garden that comes into contact with the floor at a lower position. These gaps can cause the ramp to wobble when a wheelchair passes over it, or the wheelchair's casters can get caught on the edge of the ramp, making it difficult to board.In some cases, this can even lead to deformation or damage to the ramp. In order to solve such problems, a slope device shown in Patent Document 3 has been proposed. With this slope device, even if the installation surface is unstable, the multiple veneers that make up the lower end slope of the slope rotate appropriately along the edge of the slope body to match the unevenness of the ground surface, so there is no gap between the slope and the ground surface, allowing people to board it stably. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2012-143260 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2008-081231 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2017-180070 Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in the ramp device described in Patent Document 3, as shown in Figure 7 of Patent Document 3, each veneer rotates up and down to change position, so when a wheelchair or other user gets on, the end slopes create a step in the left and right directions, which could catch the wheels of the wheelchair or the feet of the caregiver, so users must watch their step when passing through. Furthermore, the more the veneers that make up the end slope are divided into smaller pieces, the smoother the surface can be formed to match the unevenness, resulting in greater effectiveness. However, there are concerns that the number of parts will increase, which will increase management and operating costs. In addition, when an abnormality occurs in a veneer other than the end and it needs to be replaced, it will be necessary to remove the veneer that is not abnormal, which will complicate maintenance work. [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a slope that allows wheelchairs and other vehicles to pass safely by connecting the ends to a sloped floor surface, and that is easy to assemble and inexpensive to construct. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The slope of the present invention is a slope that can be used by wheelchair users or people with disabilities by spanning from the floor surface at a higher position to the floor surface at a lower position of a step, and includes a first slope disposed on the higher floor surface side, and a second slope supported on the first slope and disposed on the lower floor surface side, and is provided with a first oblong hole in the approximate center of the first slope body parallel to the direction of passage of wheelchair users or people with disabilities in their legs, and a second oblong hole at a certain distance on either the left or right side or both sides of the first oblong hole, and the second slope is provided with a first oblong hole in the approximate center of the first slope body parallel to the direction of passage of wheelchair users or people with disabilities in their legs ... the second slope is provided with a first oblong hole in the approximate center of the first slope body parallel to the direction of passage of wheelchair users or people with disabilities in their legs, and the second slope is provided with a second oblong hole in the approximate center of the first slope body. The first slope body and the second slope body are screwed together with a screw member and a nut member through a hole drilled in the second slope body of the slope, the first long hole, and the second long hole, so that the second slope extends relative to the first slope, making the approach angle to the slope gentler, and in addition, when the floor surface at the low position has a slope on either the left or right side, the second slope can be rotated so that the floor surface at the low position and the tip of the second slope are connected. The nut member is connected and fixed by a plate-shaped slope fixing member. Furthermore, the first slope body is characterized by having numerous round holes drilled in a punched metal manner, making it possible to fix the second slope at any position on the first slope. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The ramp of the present invention has a first slope with a first elongated hole and a second elongated hole parallel to the direction of travel for wheelchair users and people with lower limb disabilities. The second slope is screwed into the first and second elongated holes with a screw and nut, allowing the second slope to extend and rotate relative to the first slope. This configuration allows the second slope to be connected to the sloped surface of the exterior structure, such as a water slope in a garden, where the exterior structure is inclined relative to the floor of the house. This eliminates gaps between the end of the slope and the lower floor. This allows the upper and lower floors to be connected by the slope, improving safety for wheelchair users and people with lower limb disabilities. This also prevents deformation and damage to the ramp itself, improving durability. Furthermore, the second slope is flat and plate-shaped, eliminating obstacles such as steps to the left and right of the path, allowing for safe passage. Furthermore, because the first and second elongated holes are drilled in the first slope body parallel to the direction of travel for wheelchair users and people with lower limb disabilities, the slope's entry angle can be made gentler by extending the second slope toward the lower floor. This means that wheelchair users and people with lower limb disabilities can easily move through the slope. Furthermore, despite the simple structure in which a screw member moves within the first and second elongated holes that serve as guides drilled in the first slope to determine its position, the second slope can be fixed in any position. This allows for an inexpensive construction without increasing the number of parts or using a complex link mechanism. Furthermore, by connecting and fixing multiple nut members using a plate-shaped slope fixing member, the nut members will not fall off when tightening or loosening the screw members, and the nut members will not rotate in accordance with the tightening or loosening of the screw members, eliminating the need to use tools such as wrenches on the nut members, thereby improving workability.In addition, the slope fixing member can serve as a substitute for a flat washer placed between the nut members and the second slope body, which has the advantage of reducing the number of parts. Furthermore, by drilling countless holes in the main body of the first slope like perforated metal, it is possible to create flexibility in the layout when changing the position of the second slope relative to the first slope. For example, if there is an obstacle such as a pillar that constitutes the exterior structure at the end of the first slope, the obstacle can be avoided by shifting the center of the first slope from the center of the second slope in a plan view, and the installation range of the slopes can be expanded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which the slope 1 according to the first embodiment is used; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a stored state of the slope 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a slope 1 according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 1A is a partial plan view of the slope 1 in the first embodiment, in which the first slope 11 and the second slope 12 are attached in parallel, and the second slope 12 is in (a) a reference position and (b) an extended position. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a partial plan view showing a state in which a second slope 12 is rotated relative to a first slope 11 of a slope 1 in a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are plan and side views showing a state in which a first slope 11 and a second slope 12 of a slope 1 in a first embodiment are attached in parallel, and an end point P1 of the second slope 12 is in contact with a floor surface L on the lower position side. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are plan and side views showing a state in which the second slope 12 is rotated relative to the first slope 11 of the slope 1 in the first embodiment, and the end points P1 and P2 of the second slope 12 are in contact with the floor L on the lower side in parallel thereto. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a partial plan view showing a slope 1A according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a side view showing a state in which a slope 1B according to a third embodiment is used; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slope 1 according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Example]

[0012] The slope 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show the first embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a step such as a step at the entrance is defined as a lower floor surface L and a higher floor surface H, and wheelchair B is shown moving using wheelchair elevator A installed on the lower floor surface L.

[0013] First, the configuration of the wheelchair elevator A will be described. As shown in Figure 2, wheelchair elevator A is mainly composed of a rectangular base 2 placed on the lower floor surface L, an X-frame 3 arranged above base 2, a rectangular table 4 supported by the X-frame 3, a drive unit 5 for raising and lowering table 4, a ramp 1 for wheelchairs B and the like to get onto table 4, a bridge 6 for moving from table 4 to the higher floor surface H, a fall prevention guard 8 equipped with a lever 7 for opening and closing bridge 6, and a ramp opening and closing mechanism 9 that enables ramp 1 to be opened and closed automatically in accordance with the raising and lowering of table 4. Although details of this wheelchair lift A are omitted, it is configured such that the table 4 is raised and lowered in the vertical direction by opening and closing the X-frame 3 using a drive device (not shown) that has a motor, sprockets, chains, etc. pivotally mounted inside the drive unit 5. The table 4 can be raised, lowered, or stopped to any desired height by turning on and off a switch on a remote control (not shown) that operates the drive device. The table 4 of the wheelchair lift A is rectangular in plan view, and is configured so that a straight-in boarding configuration is possible by providing guards 8 on all four sides of the table 4 opposite the drive unit 5 and bridges 6 on all four sides opposite the slope 1, but it is also possible to configure it so that a bridge 6 is provided opposite the drive unit 5 and guards 8 are provided opposite the slope 1, resulting in an L-shaped boarding configuration. As shown in Figure 3, when the table 4 is raised or lowered, a roller 92 attached to the tip of a guide member body 91 of the slope opening / closing mechanism 9 attached to the side of the slope 1 is configured to be always tangent to a support pole 93 that is L-shaped when viewed from the front and erected on the side of the mast 3 on the slope 1 side, thereby creating an automatic slope configuration that can open and close the slope 1 in accordance with the raising and lowering of the table 4. In other words, when the table 4 is at the lowest position, the slope 1 is in an open state, allowing the wheelchair B to get on to the table 4, and can be used as a wheel stopper to prevent the wheelchair B from falling off until the table 4 is in the middle of rising or falling or reaches the height of the higher floor surface H and can be moved to the higher floor surface H. In addition, the bridge 6 can also be opened and closed by rotating a lever 7 disposed above a guard 8 in the direction in which the wheelchair B passes. Therefore, the configuration of the slope 1 and bridge 5 in this embodiment can change its posture as needed, thereby preventing the wheelchair B from falling off the table 4. Further, although a detailed description is omitted, screw-type adjusters 21, 21, . . . are screwed onto the four lower corners of the base 2 between the base 2 and the floor surface L on the lower side so as to be freely adjustable. By adjusting the amount of protrusion of these adjusters 21, 21, . . . , it is possible to install the wheelchair lift A on an unstable floor surface, and to make the table 4 parallel to the floor surface H at a high position.

[0014] The wheelchair elevator A is not limited to the form shown in this embodiment. For example, instead of an automatic slope configuration using a slope opening / closing mechanism 9, the slope 1 may be configured to be manually opened and closed using a lever 7 like a bridge 5. Also, the driving unit 5 may be installed directly on the base 2, and one end of the table 4 may be attached to the driving unit 5 to form a cantilever beam that allows the table 4 to be raised and lowered. In other words, the configuration of the wheelchair lift A may be selected arbitrarily as long as it is capable of moving the wheelchair B from the low floor surface L to the high floor surface H.

[0015] Next, the slope 1 in the first embodiment will be described. This slope 1 is mainly composed of a first slope 11 and a second slope 12. First, the configuration of the first slope 11 will be described. As shown in Figure 3 etc., support plates 11b, 11b are fixed to both ends of a first slope body 11a which is bent in a generally U-shape and opens downward toward the floor surface, with a length generally equal to the width direction of the boarding side of the table 4. Support shafts 11c, 11c are fixed to one end of the support plates 11b, 11b on the table 4 side. Support bosses 11e, 11e are fixed to mounting plates 11d, 11d which are generally U-shaped and open downward toward the floor surface, and the support shafts 11c, 11c are inserted into the support bosses 11e, 11e and rotatably attached thereto. The first slope 11 is then pivotally attached to the side of the table 4 so that it can rotate freely, by hanging mounting plates 11d, 11d on the side frame 41a that forms one side of the slope 1 side of the table frame main body 41, which is made by combining and fixing multiple rectangular frames of the table 4 into a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and then clamping it with a table plate 42 laid on top of the table frame main body 41. Although detailed description will be omitted, an L-shaped plate 11f with a hole drilled in the center is fixed to the central end of the first slope main body 11a on the table 4 side in a plan view. One end of a substantially L-shaped hook plate 41b fixed to an end of the side frame 41a of the table frame main body 41 is removably hooked onto the L-shaped plate 11f through the central hole. By configuring it in this manner, when wheelchair B passes over slope 1, the load can be received not only by support axes 11c, 11c but also by central hook-shaped plate 41b, thereby reducing deflection of slope 1 (first slope 11). Although detailed description is omitted, a curtain case 11g capable of storing a curtain 11h for preventing foreign matter from entering between the base 2 and the table 4 is engaged below the support plates 11b, 11b. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the method shown here, and the user may select any mounting configuration for the table 4 and the slope 1 as long as the slope 1 is attached to the table 4 so as to be freely rotatable.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, the first slope body 11a is provided with a first elongated hole h1 and second elongated holes h2, h2 which are parallel to each other and extend in the direction in which the wheelchair B passes to the table 4. In this embodiment, the vertical length h12, h12 of the second elongated hole h2 is longer than the vertical length h11 of the first elongated hole h1. Furthermore, in a plan view, the first long hole h1 is located approximately at the center of the first slope main body 11a, the second long holes h2, h2 are spaced equally apart on the left and right from the first long hole h1, and one end of the first long hole h1 and the second long holes h2, h2 on the table 4 side are arranged at approximately the same position.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the second slope 12 will be described. As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, a second slope body 12a made of a plate bent into a roughly U-shape with an upwardly open opening is disposed above the first slope body 11a, and below the first slope body 11a is disposed a slope fixing member 12b which connects and fixes nut members 12c, 12c, 12c which are disposed at the same pitch as the first elongated hole h1 and second elongated holes h2, h2 of the first slope body 11a. The effect of the slope fixing member 12b is that when tightening or loosening the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d, there is no need to use a tool such as a wrench on the nut members 12c, 12c, 12c side, and since the nut members 12c, 12c, 12c are connected, there is no need to worry about them falling off individually, thereby improving workability. Additionally, rubber cushioning materials 12e, 12e are attached to the underside of the tip of the second slope 12 that comes into contact with the lower floor surface L. These cushioning materials 12e, 12e are intended to protect the contact surface of the second slope 12, but the use of these materials and the location of their attachment can be determined at will. The second slope 12 configured in this manner is fixed to the first slope 11 by inserting screw members 12d, 12d, 12d from the side of holes 121a, 121a, 121a drilled in the second slope main body 12a, and screwing them into nut members 12c, 12c, 12c via the first elongated hole h1 and the second elongated hole h2, h2.

[0018] As shown in Figure 4(a) and other figures, the first long hole h1 and the second long hole h2 of the first slope body 11a are configured so that the horizontal lengths h22, h22 of the second long holes h2, h2 are longer than the horizontal length h12 of the first long hole h1. With this configuration, the second slope 12 can rotate relative to the first slope 11 around the screw member 12d inserted into the first elongated hole h1 as the rotation center. In more detail, when an attempt is made to rotate the second slope body 12a, the second slope body 12a rotates with the screw member 12d inserted into the first long hole h1 and the screw members 12d, 12d inserted into the second long holes h2, h2 each serving as a rotation radius, and therefore the screw members 12d, 12d inserted into the second long holes h2, h2 move not only up and down but also left and right within the second long holes h2, h2. In this embodiment, the horizontal length h22, h22 of the second long holes h2, h2 is longer than the horizontal length h12 of the first long hole h1 by the arrow height (height of the arc) required to rotate the second slope 12, so that the second slope 12 can be rotated even though it has the shape of a long hole drilled linearly in the direction of travel. In this embodiment, the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d are of the same standard in order to reduce the number of parts, and as a result, the horizontal length h22 of the second elongated hole h2 is longer than the horizontal length h12 of the first elongated hole h1. However, by making the screw members 12d, 12d inserted into the second elongated hole h2 smaller in diameter than the screw member 12d inserted into the first elongated hole h1, the horizontal lengths of the first elongated hole h12 and the second elongated hole h22 can be made the same. In other words, as long as the second slope 12 is configured to be rotatable relative to the first slope 11, the first elongated hole h1, the second elongated hole h2, and the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d may be combined in any manner. In addition, in order to stably fix the second slope 12 to the first slope 11, the second long holes h2, h2 and the screw members 12d, 12d are provided in two locations, but the second long holes h2 and the screw members 12d may be provided only on either the left or right side of the first long hole h1, as long as the second slope 12 is configured to be extendable and rotatable relative to the first slope 11.

[0019] By combining the first slope 11 and the second slope 12 configured in this manner, the first slope 11 can be extended and rotated by the length of the first elongated hole h1 and the second elongated holes h2, h2 by tightening or loosening the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d. First, the advantage of extending the second slope 12 is that by extending the second slope 12, the boarding angle up to the table 4 can be made gentler, so that wheelchair B can pass over the slope 1 easily, and if there is an obstacle at the contact point of the second slope 12, the obstacle can be avoided by extending the second slope 12 and changing the contact point, thereby reducing the physical burden on the user and ensuring safety. The advantage of the second slope 12 being rotatable is that when the slope 1 is installed on a sloped floor surface such as a water slope, the sloped floor surface and the contact surface of the slope 1 can be configured to be continuous, thereby increasing safety when boarding, as will be described in detail later.

[0020] Next, how to move the second slope 12 will be described. FIG. 4(a) shows a reference position where the second slope 12 is attached in parallel to the first slope 11. When extending the second slope 12 relative to the first slope 11 from this state as shown in Figure 4(b), the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d are loosened, and an assistant or the like grasps the second slope 12 and pulls it straight out toward themselves, adjusting it as desired between the end point of the first long hole h1 on the table 4 side and the end point on the lower floor side, and then tightens the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d to make the adjustment. Next, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the second slope 12 is rotated from the state in which the second slope 12 is extended relative to the first slope 11 shown in FIG. 4(b). To achieve this state, the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d are loosened, and the caregiver or other person holds the second slope 12 and rotates the drive unit 5 side of the second slope 12 counterclockwise in a planar view, using the screw member 12d inserted into the first long hole h1 as the rotation center, thereby adjusting it as desired between the end points of the second long hole, and then tightens the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d to make the adjustment. At this time, as shown in Figure 5, the second slope 12 is extended forward by the first long hole h1 and the second long holes h2, h2, so when the slope 12 is rotated, the end of the slope 12 on the table 4 side does not protrude beyond the first slope 11, so wheelchair B can pass safely when getting onto the table 4 without becoming an obstacle to passage.

[0021] The second slope 12 can be configured in a manner other than that shown in this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d are truss screws with heads that are approximately the same size as the upper surface of the mat member 12f, which is laid on the upper surface of the second slope main body 12a and also serves as an anti-slip material, or that protrude slightly upward, in order to ensure stability when the wheelchair B is moving.However, they do not have to be limited to truss screws as long as they can be screwed into the nut members 12c, 12c, 12c and do not hinder the passage of the wheelchair B. Furthermore, if there is a concern that the male thread portions of the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d may wear out when the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d move within the first elongated hole h1 and the second elongated holes h2, h2, wear can be prevented by extrapolating a hollow collar member (not shown) onto the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d.

[0022] Generally, a water gradient of 2% to 3% (a slope that drops 2cm to 3cm per meter) is required in the garden or exterior of a house, but since wheelchair lift A is usually installed on a roughly level floor such as an entrance or under the eaves, even if a water gradient is formed, it is often only 1% to 2% (a slope that drops 1cm to 2cm per meter). Taking these factors into consideration, the slope 1 in this embodiment is configured to be compatible with floor surfaces with a water gradient of 1.5%, which is the installation surface of the wheelchair elevator A, but this does not need to be limited to this embodiment, and the configuration of the slope 1 can be changed appropriately to suit the floor surface. For example, the rotation angle can be increased by increasing the length of the first elongated hole h1 and the second elongated holes h2, h2 in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that it can accommodate a water gradient of 1.5% or more. Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, if the first elongated hole h1 is made into a round hole and a second elongated hole h2 is drilled so that the second slope 12 can rotate relative to the first slope 11, it is possible to cope with this without having an extension function. In addition, in this embodiment, the slope 1 is configured to accommodate a water gradient of 1.5%, and is configured so that even when the first slope 11 is spaced apart from the floor surface L at a low position, no deflection will occur even if a downward load is applied when a wheelchair B or the like passes over the slope 1. If there are concerns about strength when accommodating a water gradient of 1.5% or more, it is possible to attach a support pillar similar to that of the slope device described in Patent Document 3 to the slope 1 below the first slope main body 11a, which acts as a support between the low-position floor surface L and the slope 1, although this is not shown in the figure. In other words, the slope 1 in this embodiment may be configured so that the second slope 12 can rotate relative to the first slope 11 to accommodate the gradient of the water or the like.

[0023] Next, the installation environment of the wheelchair elevator A will be described. The steps shown in Figure 1 and other figures are a high-position floor surface H that is horizontally arranged in the left-right direction when wheelchair B faces the direction of travel from the low-position floor surface L side of the slope 1 of wheelchair elevator A, and a low-position floor surface L that is arranged at a lower position than this high-position floor surface H and is formed so as to descend from the right side L1 of wheelchair B to the left side L2. The high floor H and the low floor L are connected via a wall.

[0024] Next, the procedure for installing the wheelchair lift A on the low floor L and changing the position of the ramp 1 will be described below. The assembly method for the wheelchair elevator A will be omitted. (1) The base 2 of the wheelchair lift A is placed on the lower installation surface L. (2) The adjusters 21, 21, ... are extended or contracted so that the upper surface of the table 4 of the wheelchair lift A and the floor surface H on the higher position side are approximately parallel. (In the first embodiment, the adjusters 21, 21 on the guard 8 side are extended.) (3) The screw members 12d, 12d, 12d that secure the first slope 11 and the second slope 12 are loosened. (4) With the table 4 at its lowest position, the tip P1 on the L1 side of the second slope 12 is temporarily placed on the low-position floor surface L. (In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the end on the L1 side of the second slope main body 12a is placed on the low-position floor surface L, but a gap G is created between the tip P2 on the L2 side and the floor surface L.) (5) Rotate the second slope 12 to a position where there is no gap G between the end P1 on the L1 side of the second slope 12 and the end P2 on the L2 side of the second slope 12 and the floor surface L. (In some cases, extend the second slope 12 to make the boarding angle gentler.) (6) The screw members 12d, 12d, 12d of the first slope 11 and the second slope 12 are tightened and fixed.

[0025] The slope 1 in the first embodiment configured as described above has the following advantages. 1. The second slope 12 can rotate relative to the first slope 11, so that the sloped surface such as the water gradient and the second slope 12 can be made into a continuous surface, which increases the stability of the installation of the slope 1. It also prevents deformation and damage to the slope 1. 2. Because the second slope 12 can be extended relative to the first slope 11, the boarding angle of the wheelchair B can be made gentler, making it easier for the wheelchair to board from the slope 1 to a high floor surface such as a table 4. Also, if there is an obstacle at the installation position of the second slope 12 with the ground, the second slope 12 can be extended to avoid the obstacle and make contact with the floor surface. 3. The second slope 12 can be extended and rotated relative to the first slope 11 simply by providing the first long hole h1 and the second long holes h2, h2 in the first slope body 11a, so there is no need to employ a complex mechanism, and the number of parts is small, making it possible to construct it inexpensively. 4. Since the nut members 12c, 12c, 12c are connected and fixed by the slope fixing member 12b, no tool is required to fix the nut members 12c, 12c, 12c when loosening the screw members 12d, 12d; instead, it is sufficient to prepare only a screwdriver to tighten and loosen the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d. In addition, it is possible to prevent the trouble of one of the nut members 12c falling off on its own, thereby improving workability. In other words, the slope 1 of the present invention can be used safely because its ends can be continuously grounded on inclined surfaces in the same way as on horizontal surfaces, and the components are simple, making it inexpensive.

[0026] Next, a slope 1A in a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that a description of parts having the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted. In the slope 1A in the second embodiment, a first slope body 11Aa constituting a first slope 11A has a countless number of holes ha, ha, . . . drilled in a punched metal shape so that the screw members 12d, 12d, 12d can pass through. The advantage of this configuration is that in the first embodiment, the second slope 12 rotates around the screw member 12d that is inserted into and screwed into the first elongated hole h1 as the rotation center, which limited the rotation range, but in the second embodiment, there is no restriction on the fixed position of the second slope 12, so the layout of the second slope 12 can be freely determined. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the second slope 12 (dotted line in the figure) in the first embodiment has the center of the first slope 11 as the rotation center, so it cannot be installed if there is an obstacle such as a pillar within the installation range of the second slope 12, but the slope 1A in the second embodiment can be installed by selecting holes ha, ha, ... at any position so that the second slope 12A avoids the obstacle. In other words, by using the slope 1A in the second embodiment, the installation range can be expanded.

[0027] So far, the ramp 1 provided in the wheelchair lift A has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a portable ramp that can be easily carried by the user. A third embodiment of the present invention, in which the present invention is applied to a portable ramp, is shown in FIG. The portable ramp 1B shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b) is a schematic diagram, and only the main structure is shown, omitting parts that are designed to ensure the safety of users. A portable slope 1B according to a third embodiment will now be described. The second slope 12 (second slope main body 12a) is arranged on the first slope 11 (first slope main body 11a) at the end of the floor surface L on the lower side of the first slope 11, which is made of a long rectangular plate in a plan view for wheelchairs B and the like to pass through, and is screwed and fixed by nut members (not shown) arranged on the back of the first slope main body 11a using screw members 12d, 12d, 12d through first long holes h1 and second long holes h2, h2 drilled in the first slope main body 11a. Furthermore, boss members 1B1, 1B1 are fixed to the end of the first slope body 11a on the floor surface H side at the higher position, and one end of a bridge 6 is rotatably attached to the boss members 1B1, 1B1. By configuring it in this way, the present invention can be applied to the portable ramp 1B in the same way as the ramp 1 of the wheelchair lift A shown in the first embodiment described above. The portable ramp 1B does not need to be limited to the embodiment as long as the second ramp 12 can be extended and rotated relative to the first ramp 11 in the same manner as the ramp 1 of the wheelchair elevator A shown in the first embodiment.

[0028] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the slope 1 shown in the first embodiment, in which the second slope 12 rotates relative to the first slope 11 to accommodate the gradient. At this time, a slight step may occur between the first slope 11 and the second slope 12 due to the rotation of the second slope 12 . In order to fill this step, a plate-shaped packing member 1C having the same thickness as the second slope 12 is disposed in the space generated by the rotation of the second slope 12, thereby eliminating the step. The plate-shaped packing member 1C shown in FIG. 10 is fixed to the first slope main body 11a by screwing a screw member 1C2 and a nut member 1C3 through a hole 1C1 drilled in the plate-shaped packing member 1C, utilizing the second long hole h2 of the first slope 11 that is exposed when the second slope 12 is rotated. 10 has a triangular shape in plan view, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the second slope 12 is moved in parallel, the packing member 1C may have a rectangular shape, which may be matched to the surface shape of the first slope 11 that is exposed when the second slope 12 moves relative to the first slope 11. Furthermore, when attaching the plate-shaped packing member 1C to the first slope body 11a, instead of screwing it in as in the fourth embodiment, adhesive may be applied to the back surface of the plate-shaped packing member 1C, or double-sided tape may be attached, or a hook-and-loop fastener may be attached.

[0029] So far, we have explained an example of the present invention in which a slope such as a water gradient is formed on the lower floor surface L, but the slope 1 of the present invention can also be used when the higher floor surface H is sloped for some reason. For example, in the case of the slope 1 in the first embodiment, the bridge 6 has the same structure as the slope 1 and is pivotally attached to the table 4 so as to be rotatable. By using the slope 1 of the present invention on a surface with such a slope, it is possible to use only the low floor surface L, only the high floor surface H, or both the low floor surface L and the high floor surface H, depending on the situation.

[0030] Furthermore, from the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, the tip of the first slope 11 is spaced apart from the floor surface L at a low position, but the first slope main body 11a is formed in a U-shape that is open downward, so that when the wheelchair B passes over the slope 1, both of the raised ends come into contact with the floor surface and receive the load, minimizing deflection. If there are still concerns about the durability of the slope 1, a reinforcing member such as the support pillar provided in the slope device described in Patent Document 3 may be added below the first slope main body 11a as appropriate. In other words, it is sufficient to appropriately select a member that improves durability within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. Slope 11 First Slope 12 Second Slope 2. Bass 21 Adjuster 3X Frame 4 tables 5 Drive unit 6 Bridge 7 Lever 8 Guard 9 Slope opening and closing mechanism h1 First long hole h2 Second long hole A. Wheelchair lift B. Wheelchair G Gap H High floor L Low floor L1 High side of the floor at the low position L2 Lower side of the floor

Claims

1. A slope that spans from a floor surface at a higher position of a step to a floor surface at a lower position to enable wheelchairs and persons with disabilities to pass over, the slope comprising: a first slope disposed on the side of the floor surface at the higher position; and a second slope supported on the first slope and disposed on the side of the floor surface at the lower position; a first long hole and a second long hole drilled in approximately the center of the first slope body parallel to the direction of passage of wheelchairs and persons with disabilities, and a fixed distance apart on either or both of the left and right sides of the first long hole; and the first slope body and the second slope body are screwed together with a screw member and a nut member through the holes drilled in the second slope body of the second slope, the first long hole, and the second long hole, so that the second slope extends relative to the first slope to make the angle of entry onto the slope gentler, and in the case where a slope is present on either the left or right side of the floor surface at the lower position, the second slope can be rotated so that the end of the second slope is connected to the floor surface at the lower position.

2. 2. The slope according to claim 1, wherein the nut member is connected and fixed to a plate-shaped slope fixing member.

3. The slope described in claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first slope body has numerous round holes drilled in a punching metal manner, making it possible to fix the second slope at any position on the first slope.

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