Step-eliminating ramp

Abstract

To provide a consecutive connection type step elimination slope that can cope with step parts having various long and short widths, is compact and easy to carry even when the slope is made to be long, and especially can withstand a load of a wheelchair or the like moving on connection parts.SOLUTION: A step elimination slope 10 is constituted by consecutively connecting a plurality of slope division bodies. The slope division bodies have an opposite side surface 12 on which a locking protrusion 20 or a locking recessed groove 30 is formed. The locking protrusion 20 is formed so that its width in a longitudinal direction is larger as it goes toward its tip. The locking recessed groove 30 is formed so that its inside dimension in the longitudinal direction is larger as it goes toward its deep end so as to agree with the locking protrusion 20. The locking protrusion 20 is inserted into the locking recessed groove 30 to establish engagement, which joins adjacent slope division bodies. The locking recessed groove 30 is open to an opposite side surface 12 and a bottom surface 13 of the slope division body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement of a step-eliminating ramp that is installed at steps in buildings such as the upper steps of entrances and doorways to eliminate these steps and make it easier for wheelchairs or walking frames for care to get over the steps. [Background technology]

[0002] It is common to install a wedge-shaped component called a step-eliminating ramp at steps in buildings, such as the step at the entrance of a building or at the entrance to a room, to eliminate the step and make it easier for a wheelchair or a walking frame for care (hereinafter referred to as "wheelchair, etc.") to get over the step. One example of such a step-eliminating ramp is shown in Patent Document 1.

[0003] This conventional step-eliminating ramp is made of a rubber member formed into an approximately wedge shape, and a wheelchair or the like can easily get over the step by passing over the tread that slopes gently downward from the upper end of the back end, which is positioned adjacent to the step, to the front end that touches the floor surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Registered Utility Model No. 3177598 (Fig. 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The places where step-eliminating ramps are used include the step-up of the entrance hall, the threshold of the entrance to a room, etc. However, there are various sizes of step-ups and entrance openings.

[0006] In order to accommodate such a wide variety of step locations, step-eliminating ramps of different lengths are required, but there is a problem in that the number of products required to accommodate this is significantly increased. Therefore, many users have been waiting for the arrival of a step-eliminating ramp with adjustable length that can be used in multiple locations with one set of step-eliminating ramps.

[0007] Furthermore, if a large ramp for eliminating steps is manufactured using relatively heavy rubber, it becomes too heavy to carry and is therefore unsuitable for practical use.

[0008] One solution to this problem is to divide the step-eliminating ramp into several pieces and join them together, but a heavy wheelchair or similar may move on the joined step-eliminating ramp. In such cases, the tread surface must have the same flatness as a single piece, and the joints must be strong enough not to come loose or deform when the wheels of the wheelchair or similar move over the joints. This is why such joined-up step-eliminating ramps have not been put to practical use until now.

[0009] To solve the problems of the conventional example, the present invention provides a joint-type step-eliminating ramp that can accommodate step sections of various lengths and widths, is compact and easy to carry even if it is long, and can withstand the weight of a wheelchair or the like moving on the joints. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The step-eliminating slope 10 recited in claim 1 is constructed by connecting a plurality of slope segments (FIGS. 10 to 12). That is, A step-eliminating slope 10 is formed in a substantially wedge shape and is composed of a plurality of slope segments 10a to 10c arranged side by side so that their opposing side surfaces 12 are in contact with each other in order to eliminate a step at a step portion X of a building. First slope segment Opposite The side surface 12 and the first slope segment OppositeA locking protrusion 20 is formed on either the side surface 12 or the opposing side surface 12 of the second slope segment, The other opposing side is formed with a locking groove 30 into which the locking protrusion 20 is inserted and engaged, the locking groove 30 opening into the opposing side surface 12 and bottom surface 13 of the second slope segment, The locking protrusion 20 has a width W in the front-rear direction that increases toward the tip 21. Approximately trapezoidal shape is formed in The locking groove 30 is formed so that the inner dimension W in the front-rear direction becomes larger toward the inner end 31 in accordance with the locking protrusion 20. The locking protrusion 20 has a substantially trapezoidal shape. Formed in 、 The opposing side surface 12 on which the locking protrusion 20 is formed is an inclined surface inclined at an inclination angle α in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the locking protrusion 20 with respect to a perpendicular line S erected on the bottom surface 13, The opposing side surface 12 in which the locking groove 30 is formed and which contacts the opposing side surface 12 in which the locking protrusion 20 is formed is an inclined surface that matches the opposing side surface 12 in which the locking protrusion 20 is provided, The outer surface 23 of the tip 21 of the locking protrusion 20 and the outer surfaces 24 on both sides thereof are inclined surfaces inclined inward at inclination angles α and β with respect to a perpendicular line S erected on the bottom surface 13 so that the area of ​​the top surface side of the locking protrusion 20 is smaller than that of the bottom surface 13 side, The inner surface 33 of the inner end 31 of the locking groove 30 and the inner surfaces 34 on both sides thereof are inclined surfaces that match the outer surface 23 of the tip 21 of the locking protrusion 20 and the outer surfaces 24 on both sides thereof. The upper surface 25 of the locking protrusion 20 and the ceiling surface 35 of the locking groove 30 are inclined downward toward the climbing entrance 17 of the slope division body. It is characterized by the fact that

[0011] As a result, when the first and second slope segments are connected, the tread side, which is the ceiling surface 35 of the locking groove 30, is blocked by the tread 11, so that the entire tread 11 of the joined first and second slope segments becomes a flat surface. The engagement between the locking groove 30 and the locking protrusion 20 is formed so that the front-to-rear width W of the locking protrusion 20 increases toward the tip 21, and the locking groove 30 is formed so that the inner dimension W in the front-to-rear direction increases toward the inner end 31 to match the locking protrusion 20. Since the engagement of the locking protrusion 20 is performed from the bottom opening 36 of the locking groove 30, even if a load G force of a wheelchair or the like is applied to this joint, it will not fall off and will not hinder their movement.

[0014] Also, The engagement between the locking protrusion 20 and the locking groove 30 is wedge-shaped, which strengthens the engagement force and prevents disengagement even when a load G is applied from above to the engagement portion. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to these inventions, since multiple slope segments are joined, they can be used for steps of various lengths, and even if they are made long, they are compact and easy to carry. Moreover, since the joints are wedge-shaped, they can withstand the weight of a wheelchair moving over them. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a step-eliminating slope according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an exploded bottom view of the case where two slope segments of the present invention are used. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is another exploded bottom view showing the use of two slope segments of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is yet another exploded bottom view showing the use of two slope segments of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a locking protrusion and a locking groove according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the locking protrusion and the locking groove of the present invention before engagement. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the locking protrusion and the locking groove of the present invention when engaged with each other. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Z direction in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiment. The present step-eliminating slope 10 is configured as a set of multiple slope segments 10a-10c, and two or more of these that can be connected are selected and connected to be used at a length that matches the length of the step portion X at the location of use. In the embodiment of Figs. 1-3, three slope segments 10a-10c are shown as one set, but the number is not limited to three, and two may be used as shown in Figs. 5-7, or four or more may be used, although not shown.

[0018] Also, as can be seen from Figure 4, in one set of slope segments 10a-10c, some are placed at the ends and some are placed on the inside, with the one placed on the inside being the first slope segment 10a, the one placed to the right of it being the second slope segment 10b, and the one placed to the left of it being the third slope segment 10c.

[0019] The slope segments selected from a set of slope segments 10a to 10c are connectable as a female-male pair with the locking protrusions 20 and the locking grooves 30. The slope segments are joined together by engagement between the locking protrusions 20 and the locking grooves 30 provided on the opposing side surfaces 12 of the slope segments.

[0020] Taking the example of a set of three slope segments 10a-10c (Figures 1-4), the first slope segment 10a located in the center is horizontally elongated, has an engaging protrusion 20 on one side 12, and has an engaging groove 30 on the other side 12.

[0021] The second slope segment 10b provided at the right end has a lateral length shorter than the lateral length of the first slope segment 10a, and has an engaging protrusion 20 provided on the opposing side surface 12 facing the opposing side surface 12 of the first slope segment 10a, and the other side surface is finished to be a flat surface.

[0022] The third slope segment 10c provided at the left end has a lateral length shorter than that of the second slope segment 10b, one side surface of which is finished flat, and an engaging groove 30 is provided on the opposing side surface 12 that faces the opposing side surface 12 of the first slope segment 10a. In the figure, there is one first slope segment 10a located in the center, but there may be two or more.

[0023] The side shape of the slope segments 10a-10c is wedge-shaped as described above, and the gradient θ of the slope segments 10a-10c (the angle between the tread surface 11 and the bottom surface 13; see FIG. 1) is set to an angle that is easy for a wheelchair or the like to get over (for example, in the range of 10-15 degrees), and is set to 14 degrees in this embodiment. The angle between the front surface 14 and the bottom surface 13 is formed as an acute angle close to a right angle, so that when the slope segments 10a-10c are placed adjacent to the step portion X, the tread surface 11 side of the front surface 14 will be in contact with it, and the bottom surface 13 side will be slightly separated from it.

[0024] Each tread surface 11 has diamond pattern projections 11d formed over its entire surface (see the circles in FIG. 1), and has multiple shallow grooves 16 (four in this example) engraved at predetermined intervals over the entire longitudinal length.

[0025] The height H (Fig. 1) of the step-eliminating slope 10 is set to be the same as or slightly lower than the height of the step X as described above, and is set to 3 cm in this embodiment. A large number of recesses 15 for removing material are formed vertically and horizontally in multiple rows and columns on the bottom surface 13 (Fig. 3) of the step-eliminating slope 10.

[0026] 1 to 4 show the case where three slope segments are selected, and Fig. 5 to 7 show the case where two slope segments are selected. When three slope segments are selected, a first slope segment 10a having a locking protrusion 20 on one opposing side surface 12 and a locking recessed groove 30 on the opposing side surface 12 on the opposite side is selected, a second slope segment 10b having a locking protrusion 20 on one opposing side surface 12, and a third slope segment 10c having a locking recessed groove 30 on one opposing side surface 12 are selected. Then, the locking protrusion 20 of the second slope segment 10b is fitted into the locking recessed groove 30 of the first slope segment 10a, and then the locking protrusion 20 of the first slope segment 10a is fitted into the locking recessed groove 30 of the third slope segment 10c to form a single longest step-eliminating slope 10.

[0027] In the case where two slope segments are selected, the combination shown in Fig. 5 selects the first slope segment 10a and the second slope segment 10b, and the locking protrusion 20 of the second slope segment 10b fits into the locking groove 30 of the first slope segment 10a to form a step-eliminating slope 10 of the second length. The locking protrusion 20 of the first slope segment 10a is not used and is therefore cut out as necessary. The cutting line is indicated by L.

[0028] In the case of Figure 6, the first slope segment 10a and the third slope segment 10c are selected, and the locking protrusion 20 of the first slope segment 10a is fitted into the locking groove 30 of the third slope segment 10b, resulting in a step-eliminating slope 10 of the third length.

[0029] In the case of Figure 7, the second slope segment 10b and the third slope segment 10c are selected, and the locking protrusion 20 of the second slope segment 10a is fitted into the locking groove 30 of the third slope segment 10b, resulting in a step-eliminating slope 10 with the shortest length.

[0030] The locking protrusions 20 and the locking grooves 30 provided on the slope segments will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 12. In this embodiment, the locking protrusions 20 are provided in a plurality of positions (three positions in this example) on the opposing side surfaces 12 of the slope segments. As can be seen from Fig. 8, the front surface 14 of the wedge-shaped slope segments is thick and the rear end of the slope segments is thin, so that the locking protrusions 20 on the front surface 14 side of the slope segments are made large and thick, and are successively made smaller and thinner toward the slope segments ...

[0031] The planar shape of the locking protrusion 20 is trapezoidal as shown in FIG. 9, with a base 22 in contact with the opposing side surface 12 being narrow and a tip 21 being wider.

[0032] 12, the opposing side surface 12 on which the locking protrusion 20 is formed is inclined at an inclination angle α in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the locking protrusion 20 with respect to a perpendicular line S erected on the bottom surface 13. The outer surface 23 of the tip 21 of the locking protrusion 20 is also inclined parallel to the inclined surface inclined at the inclination angle α (the inclined opposing side surface 12 on which the locking protrusion 20 is formed).

[0033] The outer surfaces 24 on both sides of the locking protrusion 20 are also inclined inward at an inclination angle β with respect to a perpendicular line S erected to the bottom surface 13. In other words, they are inclined inward so that the width W in the front-to-rear direction of the top surface 25 is narrower than that of the bottom surface 13. The inclination angle β may be equal to or different from the inclination angle α.

[0034] Additionally, the upper surface 25 of the locking protrusion 20 is formed stepwise lower than the tread surface 11. This step is represented by D. The bottom surface of the locking protrusion 20 is formed flush with the bottom surface 13 of the slope segment.

[0035] The locking grooves 30 are recessed in a plurality (three places in this example) at the same intervals, positions and shapes as the locking protrusions 20. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the slope segment is made large and deep on the front surface 14 side where it is thick, and gradually becomes smaller and shallower toward the climbing entrance 17 side. However, the recess depth from the opposing side surface 12 is made the same as that of the locking protrusions 20. The opposing side surface 12 where the locking grooves 30 open is the same as that where the locking protrusions 20 are provided. Opposite It has an inclined surface that matches the side surface 12.

[0036] The shape of the locking groove 30 is made the same as that of the locking protrusion 20 as described above, and its planar shape is trapezoidal as shown in FIG. 9, with the opening portion 32 of the side surface 12 being narrow and becoming wider toward the inner end 31. The inner surface 33 of the inner end 31 is formed to be slightly inclined inward from the bottom surface 13 toward the tread surface 11 in accordance with the locking protrusion 20. The ceiling surface 35 of the locking groove 30 is closed by the tread surface 11, and the thickness of this portion (closed tread surface portion) is represented by D. The thickness D of the tread surface closing portion and the step D of the locking protrusion 20 are the same size. The bottom surface of the locking groove 30 opens to the bottom surface 13 of the slope division body. This portion is referred to as a bottom surface opening 36.

[0037] Since the locking protrusion 20 and the locking groove 30 have the shapes described above, the locking protrusion 20 is inserted into the bottom opening 36 of the locking groove 30 and engages with it. When the locking protrusion 20 engages with the locking groove 30, the tread surfaces 11, bottom surfaces 13, front surfaces 14 and climbing entrances 17 of the engaged slope segments are flush and matched, and their opposing side surfaces 12 are in contact with no gaps.

[0038] When using the step-eliminating ramp 10 configured as described above, the step-eliminating ramp 10 is placed at the corner of the step portion X with the front surface 14 of the step-eliminating ramp 10 pressed against the vertical surface of the step portion X, as shown in FIG.

[0039] A gap may occur between the bottom surface 13 of the step-eliminating ramp 10 and the floor surface C due to slight unevenness on the floor surface C, but because the step-eliminating ramp 10 is made of an elastic rubber material, the bottom surface 13 of the step-eliminating ramp 10 conforms to the shape of the floor surface C, filling the gap and eliminating wobble. Also, the tread surface 11 has diamond-patterned unevenness 11d formed over its entire surface, and shallow grooves 16 are engraved along its entire length, providing a high anti-slip effect.

[0040] When a heavy wheelchair moves over the installed step-eliminating ramp 10, the wheels may pass over the engagement point. In this case, the wheels apply a large load G to the engagement point. The outer surfaces 23 and 24 of the locking protrusion 20 are inclined so that the area of ​​its top surface 25 side is smaller than that of its bottom surface 13 side, and the inner surfaces 33 and 34 of the locking groove 30 are also inclined to match this, so that the load G presses the locking protrusion 20 into the locking groove 30 like a wedge, making the engagement between the two stronger.

[0041] In addition, since the opposing side surface 12 where the locking protrusion 20 and the locking groove 30 engage is also inclined with respect to the perpendicular line S, when the above-mentioned load G is applied to the slope partition on the opposing side surface 12 side that covers one of the opposing side surfaces 12 from above, the opposing side surface 12 that covers one of the opposing side surfaces 12 from above shifts slightly downward, and as shown in Figure 12, the locking groove 30 side presses the locking protrusion 20 side, pushing the locking protrusion 20 into the locking groove 30.

[0042] Conversely, when the above load G is applied to the slope segment of one of the opposing side surfaces 12, the one side surface 12 shifts slightly downward relative to the opposing side surface 12 covering it from above, and deforms in a direction slightly separating it from the side surface 12 covering it from above. As a result, a force is applied in a direction pulling the locking protrusion 20 out of the locking groove 30, but because the locking protrusion 20 and the locking groove 30 are trapezoidal in shape, the locking protrusion 20 is pressed against the narrow side opening 32, and as described above, the connection between the two is strengthened.

[0043] In addition, since the upper surface 25 of the locking protrusion 20 and the ceiling surface 35 of the locking groove 30 are inclined toward the climbing entrance 17 of the slope section, the locking groove 30 (locking protrusion 20) of the slope section to which the load G is applied will tend to deform slightly toward the climbing entrance 17 relative to the locking protrusion 20 (locking groove 30) of the adjacent slope section, causing the side outer surfaces 24 on the front surface 14 (climbing entrance 17) side to be pressed together, thereby strengthening the connection between the two as described above.

[0044] As a result, even if a plurality of slope segments are joined together to suit the installation location and used as a single step-eliminating slope 10, the weaknesses at the joints are overcome, making it possible to put it into practical use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10: step-eliminating slope, 10a, 10b, 10c: slope division body, 11: tread surface, 11d: diamond pattern unevenness, 12: (opposing) side, 13: bottom surface, 14: front surface, 15: recessed hole, 16: shallow groove, 17: climbing entrance, 20: locking protrusion, 21: tip, 22: base, 23: outer surface of tip, 24: outer surface of side, 25: top surface, 30: locking recess, 31: back end, 32: side opening, 33: inner surface of back end, 34: inner surface of side, 35: ceiling surface, 36: bottom opening, C: floor surface, D: step (thickness), G: load, H: height, L: resection line, S: perpendicular line, T protruding length, W: width in front-to-back direction (inner dimension), X: step portion, α, β: inclination angle, θ: gradient

Claims

[Claim 1] A step-eliminating slope is formed in a substantially wedge shape and is composed of a plurality of slope divisions arranged side by side so that their opposing sides are in contact with each other to eliminate the step at a step portion of a building. A locking protrusion is formed on either one of an opposing side surface of the first slope segment and an opposing side surface of the second slope segment opposed to the opposing side surface of the first slope segment, The other of the opposing sides of the second slope segment is formed with a locking groove into which the locking protrusion is inserted and engaged, the locking groove opening into the opposing side surface and bottom surface of the second slope segment; The locking protrusion is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape such that its width in the front-rear direction increases toward its tip, The locking groove is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape having an inner dimension in a front-to-rear direction that is larger toward the inner end in accordance with the locking protrusion, the trapping groove having the same shape as the locking protrusion, the opposing side surface on which the locking protrusion is formed is an inclined surface inclined at an inclination angle in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the locking protrusion with respect to a perpendicular line erected on the bottom surface, the opposing side surface on which the locking groove is formed and which contacts the opposing side surface on which the locking protrusion is formed is an inclined surface that matches the opposing side surface on which the locking protrusion is provided, the outer surface of the tip of the locking protrusion and the outer surfaces of both sides of the tip of the locking protrusion are inclined inward at an inclination angle with respect to a perpendicular line erected on the bottom surface so that the area of ​​the top surface side of the locking protrusion is smaller than that of the bottom surface side, the inner surface of the inner end of the locking groove and the inner surfaces of both sides of the inner end of the locking groove are inclined surfaces that match the outer surface of the tip portion of the locking protrusion and the outer surfaces of both sides of the tip portion of the locking protrusion, A step-eliminating slope characterized in that the upper surface of the locking protrusion and the ceiling surface of the locking groove are inclined downwardly toward the entrance side of the slope segment.

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