Slope Panel

Abstract

To secure high strength.SOLUTION: A slope panel 30 comprises: a first panel member 81 which includes a fitting concave part 75 formed of an upper side fitting piece part 71 and a lower side fitting piece part 72; and a second panel member 82 which includes an insertion fitting part 76 formed of an upper side insertion piece part 73 and a lower side insertion piece part 74. These first panel member 81 and second panel member 82 are connected with each other through fitting between the fitting concave part 75 and the insertion fitting part 76. In addition, the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 include a hollow structure in which an upper plate part 51 and a lower plate part 52 are connected via a plurality of longitudinal wall parts 50. And the second panel member 82 comprises a longitudinal wall part 50a which is provided at a position where a tip end 71a of the upper side fitting piece part 71 composing the fitting concave part 75 is disposed in a state that the insertion fitting part 76 and the fitting concave part 75 fit with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slope panel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a slope device that forms a ramp at the bottom end of a door opening provided in a vehicle. Some slope panels used in such slope devices are formed by connecting a plurality of panel members.

[0003] For example, the slope panel described in Patent Document 1 includes a first panel member having an upper fitting piece portion and a lower fitting piece portion spaced apart in the vertical direction, and a second panel member having an upper insert piece portion and a lower insert piece portion spaced apart in the vertical direction. The upper fitting piece portion and the lower fitting piece portion, and the upper insert piece portion and the lower insert piece portion are each extended in the width direction of the slope formed by the slope panel. Furthermore, in this slope panel, a gap formed between the upper fitting piece portion and the lower fitting piece portion forms a fitting recess, and the upper insert piece portion and the lower insert piece portion form an insertion fitting portion. The first panel member and the second panel member are connected by fitting the fitting recess portion and the insertion fitting portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6552920 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in such a slope panel, ensuring its strength is an important issue, and since it cannot be said with certainty that sufficient strength can be ensured even with the above-mentioned conventional techniques, there is still room for improvement in this respect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A slope panel that solves the above problem comprises a first panel member having an upper mating piece and a lower mating piece extending in the width direction of a ramp formed at the bottom end of a door opening and spaced apart in the vertical direction, and a second panel member having an upper insertion piece and a lower insertion piece extending in the width direction of the ramp and spaced apart in the vertical direction, wherein a gap formed between the upper mating piece and the lower mating piece serves as a mating recess, and the upper insertion piece and the lower insertion piece serve as insertion mating portions, and the first panel member and the second panel member are connected by mating the mating recess and the insertion mating portion, and the first panel member and the second panel member have a hollow structure in which an upper plate portion and a lower plate portion are connected via a plurality of vertical wall portions extending in the width direction of the ramp, and the second panel member has the vertical wall portions provided at a position where the tip of the upper mating piece is located when the mating recess and the insertion mating portion are mated.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the downward load acting on the upper fitting piece of the first panel member can be received as a compressive stress acting on the vertical wall portion of the second panel member via the upper insertion piece located below it, thereby ensuring high strength.

[0008] In the slope panel that solves the above problems, it is preferable that the upper fitting piece portion and the upper plate portion form a panel surface. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the downward load is applied directly to the upper insertion piece, so that in this configuration, a more significant effect can be obtained by providing a vertical wall portion that receives the downward load as a compressive stress.

[0009] In a slope panel that solves the above problems, it is preferable that the second panel member is configured so that the upper insertion piece and the upper plate portion form a step, and that the tip of the upper fitting piece that is positioned within the step by the fitting between the fitting recess and the insertion fitting portion abuts against the wall surface of the step.

[0010] That is, a downward load applied to the panel surface formed by the upper plate portions of the first panel member and the second panel member acts in a direction that bends the panel surface downward. However, with the above configuration, the downward load is distributed to the first panel member and the second panel member via the abutting tips of the upper fitting pieces and the wall surfaces of the steps. This ensures high strength.

[0011] Furthermore, the first and second panel members can be assembled with high precision by abutting the tip of the upper fitting piece against the wall surface of the step portion, and thus, a continuous panel surface without gaps can be formed by connecting the first and second panel members.

[0012] In the slope panel that solves the above problem, it is preferable that the fitting recess is arranged on the ground side and the insertion fitting portion is arranged on the door opening side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp. According to the above configuration, higher strength can be ensured.

[0013] A slope panel that solves the above problem comprises a grounding panel member having a grounding portion that abuts the ground, and it is preferable that the grounding panel member has the hollow structure, the upper plate portion and the grounding portion form a continuous panel surface, and the distance between the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion narrows from the door opening side toward the ground side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp.

[0014] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a flat panel surface on the ground contact portion and the upper plate portion while suppressing interference of the lower plate portion with the ground. This allows, for example, the wheels of a wheelchair or suitcase of a user moving on the panel surface to roll smoothly when using the slope formed by the slope panel.

[0015] Furthermore, the thickness of the front panel can be ensured on the door opening side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp, thereby ensuring high strength. In the slope panel that solves the above problems, it is preferable that the ground contact portion is provided with a thin plate member that is continuous with the panel surface and abuts against the ground.

[0016] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the difference in level between the ground and the panel surface can be reduced, and as a result, the wheels of the user's wheelchair, suitcase, etc. can move smoothly between the ground and the panel surface.

[0017] In the slope panel that solves the above problems, it is preferable that the thin plate members are configured to be elastically deformable. According to the above-mentioned configuration, even if the angle of the slope formed by the panel surface varies, this can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the thin plate member, and thus the ground contact part can be stably made to abut on the ground regardless of the angle between the panel surface and the ground.

[0018] Furthermore, when the wheels of a wheelchair, suitcase, or the like pass over the panel, the thin plate member elastically deforms, further reducing the step, allowing the wheels of the wheelchair, suitcase, or the like to move more smoothly between the ground and the panel surface.

[0019] In a slope panel that solves the above problems, it is preferable that the thin plate member has a curved shape that gradually increases in slope as it moves away from the contact position with the ground in the longitudinal direction of the ramp, connecting the ground and the panel surface.

[0020] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the wheels of a wheelchair, a suitcase, etc. can move smoothly between the ground and the panel surface. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, high strength can be ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a slope device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a slope device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slope device provided below a door opening. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slope device provided below a door opening. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a slope device. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a slope device having a slope panel formed by connecting multiple panel members. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] Side view of the slope panel. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first panel member and a second panel member that form a slope panel. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a connection portion between the first panel member and the second panel member. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a side view of a front panel having a contact portion that contacts the ground. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the ground portion. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the ground portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a slope device for a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2, a vehicle 1 of this embodiment has a vehicle body 2 that is substantially rectangular and box-shaped and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. A door opening 3 through which passengers can get in and out is provided on a side surface 2s of the vehicle body 2. A pair of sliding doors 4f, 4r that open and close in opposite directions in the vehicle front-rear direction are provided in the door opening 3.

[0024] That is, the sliding door 4f on the front side of the vehicle is opened by moving toward the front side of the vehicle, and is closed by moving toward the rear side of the vehicle. On the other hand, the sliding door 4r on the rear side of the vehicle is opened by moving toward the rear side of the vehicle, and is closed by moving toward the front side of the vehicle. Furthermore, each of these sliding doors 4f, 4r has a configuration as a power sliding door device that opens and closes based on the driving force of an actuator (not shown). And, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the door opening 3 is opened and closed by each of these sliding doors 4f, 4r working together.

[0025] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a slope device 11 that deploys a slope plate 10 at the lower end of the door opening 3 when the door opening 3 is in an open state. The vehicle 1 of this embodiment allows passengers to easily get on and off through the door opening 3 by using the ramp 12 formed by the slope plate 10, even if they are carrying, for example, a wheelchair, a stroller, or a carry case.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the slope device 11 is installed in a storage box 13 serving as a storage section provided in the vehicle body 2 below the door opening 3. Specifically, the storage box 13 has an opening 13a facing the same direction as the door opening 3. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured to deploy the slope plate 10 stored in the storage box 13 to the outside of the vehicle through this opening 13a, and then store the deployed slope plate 10 back into the storage box 13.

[0027] In detail, the slope device 11 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of guide rails 20, 20 which extend in the deployment and storage direction of the slope plate 10 which is deployed from the storage box 13 to the lower end of the door opening 3, that is, in the depth direction within the storage box 13.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the guide rails 20, 20 are arranged substantially parallel to each other in such a manner that the slope plate 10 in the storage box 13 is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction. The slope device 11 of this embodiment also includes a pair of moving bodies 21, 21 that are slidably provided along the extending direction of the guide rails 20, 20 engaged with the guide rails 20. The slope device 11 also includes a pair of support arms 22, 22 that are rotatably connected to the rear end 10r of the slope plate 10 and to the moving bodies 21. That is, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the support arms 22, 22 form a connecting mechanism 23 between the slope plate 10 and the moving bodies 21, 21. This allows the slope plate 10 to move in the unfolding and storage directions in conjunction with the moving bodies 21, 21.

[0029] The slope device 11 of this embodiment also includes an actuator 25 that applies a driving force to the slope plate 10 using a motor 24 as a driving source. In the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the actuator 25 is disposed in the storage box 13 on the rear side of the rear end 20r of each guide rail 20. Furthermore, the slope device 11 of this embodiment also includes a pair of drive cables 26, 26 that are routed along the extension direction of the guide rails 20, 20. In addition, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the drive cables 26, 26 are routed from the actuator 25 to the rear end 20r of each guide rail 20, 20 by being inserted into the casing pipes 26x, 26x. In the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the moving bodies 21, 21 move along the extension direction of each guide rail 20, 20 based on the driving force of the actuator 25 transmitted via the drive cables 26, 26.

[0030] Specifically, the actuator 25 of this embodiment has a drive gear 27 that rotates based on the drive force generated by the motor 24. The actuator 25 is configured such that the drive cables 26, 26 mesh with the drive gear 27 at two positions that sandwich the drive gear 27 in the radial direction. That is, the actuator 25 of this embodiment slides the drive cables 26, 26 along the extension direction of the guide rails 20, 20 as the drive gear 27 rotates. Furthermore, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the movable bodies 21, 21 are connected to the ends of the drive cables 26, 26. Thus, the slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured such that the movable bodies 21, 21 slide in the deployment and storage direction of the slope plate 10 together with the drive cables 26, 26 while being guided by the guide rails 20, 20.

[0031] 6 and 7, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the slope plate 10 is stored in the storage box 13 with a substantially horizontal posture maintained based on the engagement force of the movable body 21 and the support arm 22 with the guide rail 20. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured such that the slope plate 10 moves in the deployment and storage directions together with the movable body 21 and the support arm 22 along the extension direction of the guide rail 20 while maintaining this substantially horizontal posture.

[0032] 8, the slope device 11 of this embodiment deploys the slope plate 10 outside the vehicle in such a manner that it extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the side edge 1s of the vehicle 1 where the storage box 13 is provided. Furthermore, in this state, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the support arm 22 interposed between the moving body 21 and the slope plate 10 rotates, thereby lifting the rear end portion 10r of the slope plate 10. Thus, the slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured such that the slope plate 10 forms a ramp 12 in such a manner that the rear end portion 10r approaches the vehicle floor 28.

[0033] In the slope device 11 of this embodiment, a floor engagement portion 29 is provided at the rear end portion 10r of the slope plate 10. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured such that the load of the slope plate 10 is supported by the vehicle floor 28 as a result of the floor engagement portion 29 engaging with the edge portion 28e of the vehicle floor 28.

[0034] (Slope panel connection structure) Next, a connecting structure of the slope panels constituting the slope plate 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 9 to Fig. 11, the slope plate 10 of this embodiment includes a slope panel 30 having a substantially flat plate-like outer shape. The slope plate 10 also includes a pair of left and right side frames 31, 31 that sandwich the slope panel 30 in the width direction. The slope plate 10 of this embodiment is configured to be deployed in the door opening 3 with each of the side frames 31, 31 extending in the front-rear direction, that is, extending in the length direction of the ramp 12 formed by the slope plate 10 (left-right direction in Fig. 11).

[0036] That is, in the slope plate 10 of this embodiment, a user moves on the slope panel 30 that is sandwiched between the side frames 31, 31 on both sides in the width direction. Furthermore, a non-slip sheet (not shown) made of, for example, rubber or the like is attached to this slope panel 30. Thus, the slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured so that a user can safely move on this slope plate 10, more specifically, on the inclined path 12 formed by the slope panel 30.

[0037] In the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the slope panel 30 is formed by connecting a plurality of panel members 40 to each other. Specifically, the slope device 11 of this embodiment includes a front panel 41 that constitutes the front end 10f of the slope plate 10. The slope device 11 also includes an end panel 42 that constitutes the rear end 10r of the slope plate 10. The slope device 11 also includes a plurality of intermediate panels 43 that are disposed between the front panel 41 and the end panel 42. The slope device 11 of this embodiment includes four intermediate panels 43. The slope panel 30 of this embodiment has a structure in which the panel members 40 are connected in the front-rear direction of the slope plate 10, that is, in the length direction of the slope 12 formed by the slope panel 30.

[0038] More specifically, each of these panel members 40 has an elongated, generally flat plate-like outer shape extending in the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 9) of the slope 12 formed by the slope panel 30. Specifically, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, each of these panel members 40 has a hollow structure in which an upper plate portion 51 and a lower plate portion 52 are connected via a plurality of vertical wall portions 50 extending in the width direction of the slope 12. The upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52 also have a flat plate shape. In addition, each of these panel members 40 has a first end portion 61 disposed on the rear end portion 10r side of the slope plate 10, and a second end portion 62 disposed on the rear end portion 10r side of the slope plate 10. In other words, each panel member 40 has a first end 61 disposed on the door opening 3 side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30, and a second end 62 disposed on the ground 65 side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12. Each panel member 40 is configured such that adjacent panel members 40, 40 in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12 are connected to each other with their first end 61 and second end 62 fitting together.

[0039] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 11 to 13, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, each intermediate panel 43 has an upper fitting piece 71 and a lower fitting piece 72 provided at a first end 61 thereof, spaced apart in the vertical direction. In Figs. 12 and 13, the left side is the ground 65 side in the length direction of the ramp 12, and the right side is the door opening 3 side. Each intermediate panel 43 has an upper insertion piece 73 and a lower insertion piece 74 provided at a second end 62 thereof, spaced apart in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the end panel 42 also has an upper insertion piece 73 and a lower insertion piece 74 similar to those of each intermediate panel 43 at its second end 62. The front panel 41 has an upper fitting piece 71 and a lower fitting piece 72 similar to those of each intermediate panel 43 at its first end 61.

[0040] In the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the upper fitting piece 71 and the lower fitting piece 72, as well as the upper insertion piece 73 and the lower insertion piece 74, are each extended in the width direction of the slope plate 10, that is, in the width direction of the slope 12 formed by the slope panel 30. In addition, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, a gap formed between the upper fitting piece 71 and the lower fitting piece 72 constitutes a fitting recess 75. Furthermore, the upper insertion piece 73 and the lower insertion piece 74 constitute an insertion fitting portion 76. In the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the fitting recess 75 and the insertion fitting portion 76 are fitted together, so that the panel members 40 adjacent to each other in the length direction of the slope 12 are connected to each other.

[0041] That is, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, of the two panel members 40, 40 connected by fitting the fitting recess 75 and the insertion fitting portion 76, one panel member 40 arranged on the ground 65 side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12 constitutes a first panel member 81. And the other panel member 40 arranged on the door opening 3 side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12 constitutes a second panel member 82.

[0042] That is, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, each intermediate panel 43 having a fitting recess 75 at its first end 61 and an insertion fitting portion 76 at its second end 62 functions as a first panel member 81 and a second panel member 82, respectively. The front panel 41 having the fitting recess 75 at its first end 61 is configured as the first panel member 81. The end panel 42 having the insertion fitting portion 76 at its second end 62 is configured as the second panel member 82.

[0043] 13, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the first panel member 81 has an upper fitting piece 71 at a position where it is flush with the upper plate portion 51. The first panel member 81 of this embodiment is thus configured such that the upper fitting piece 71, together with the upper plate portion 51, forms the panel surface 30s of the slope panel 30.

[0044] Additionally, in the second panel member 82, the upper insertion piece 73 forms a step 83 between itself and the upper plate portion 51. Thus, in the slope panel 30 of the present embodiment, the upper fitting piece 71 of the first panel member 81 is disposed in the step 83 provided in the second panel member 82 by fitting the fitting recess 75 and the insertion fitting portion 76 together.

[0045] That is, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the upper insertion piece 73 and the lower insertion piece 74 of the second panel member 82 are sandwiched between the upper fitting piece 71 and the lower fitting piece 72 of the first panel member 81, and the fitting recess 75 and the insertion fitting portion 76 are fitted together. This limits the vertical movement between the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82, which are connected to each other, more specifically, the relative movement in a direction perpendicular to the upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52. Thus, the slope panel 30 of this embodiment is configured such that the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 form a continuous panel surface 30s.

[0046] In the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the lower insertion piece 74 of the second panel member 82 also forms a step portion 84 between itself and the lower plate portion 52. The slope panel 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the lower insertion piece 74 of the second panel member 82 is disposed in this step portion 84 by the fitting recess 75 and the insertion fitting portion 76 fitting together.

[0047] In the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, a plurality of through holes 85 are provided in the lower fitting piece 72 of the first panel member 81. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 86 are also provided in the lower insertion piece 74 of the second panel member 82. The slope panel 30 of this embodiment is configured so that the panel members 40, 40 connected by fitting the fitting recesses 75 and the insertion fitting portions 76 together are fixed based on the fastening force of fastening members 87 inserted into the through holes 85, 86.

[0048] Furthermore, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 are positioned in a direction perpendicular to the upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52 by fastening the lower fitting piece 72 and the lower insertion piece 74 together. In this state, the slope panel 30 of this embodiment is configured such that the upper fitting piece 71 arranged within the step portion 83 of the second panel member 82 is flush with the upper plate portion 51 of the second panel member 82.

[0049] 10 and 13, in the slope device 11 of this embodiment, the side frames 31, 31 sandwich the slope panel 30 from both sides in the width direction while fitting into both longitudinal ends of each panel member 40. Furthermore, each side frame 31, 31 of this embodiment has a plurality of through holes 88 facing each through hole 85, 86 provided in each panel member 40 in this state. The slope device 11 of this embodiment is configured so that both longitudinal ends of each panel member 40 constituting the slope panel 30 are fastened together to each side frame 31, 31 by utilizing the through holes 88.

[0050] 13, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the second panel member 82 has a vertical wall portion 50a provided at a position where the tip 71a of the upper fitting piece 71 is disposed when the insertion fitting portion 76 is fitted into the fitting recess 75. Specifically, in the second panel member 82 of this embodiment, the vertical wall portion 50a is provided in a manner that connects the upper insertion piece 73 and the lower insertion piece 74 that constitute the insertion fitting portion 76. Thus, the slope panel 30 of this embodiment is configured such that the vertical wall portion 50a bears a downward load applied to the upper fitting piece 71 that forms the panel surface 30s together with the upper plate portion 51 of the first panel member 81.

[0051] Furthermore, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the tip 71a of the upper fitting piece 71 arranged in the step portion 83 of the second panel member 82 abuts against the wall surface 89 of the step portion 83. Thus, the slope panel 30 of this embodiment is configured to be able to distribute the downward load applied to the panel surface 30s to each panel member 40.

[0052] Moreover, the first panel member 81 of this embodiment includes a vertical wall portion 50b provided at a position where the tip 73a of the upper insertion piece 73 constituting the insertion fitting portion 76 is disposed when the fitting recess 75 of the first panel member 81 and the insertion fitting portion 76 of the second panel member 82 are fitted together. Thus, when an excessive downward load is applied to the upper fitting piece 71, the first panel member 81 of this embodiment is configured so that the load can be received by the vertical wall portion 50b via the insertion fitting portion 76 of the second panel member 82 located below.

[0053] (Grounding structure of slope panel) Next, the grounding structure of the slope panel 30 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 9 and 14, in the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, the front panel 41 constituting the front end 10f of the slope plate 10 has a ground contact portion 90 at its second end 62 that abuts against the ground 65.

[0054] More specifically, in the front panel 41 of this embodiment, the ground contact portion 90 has a substantially flat plate-like outer shape extending in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 14) of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30. The ground contact portion 90 also has a columnar portion 91 with a substantially circular cross section extending in the width direction of the ramp 12 at the position (left end in FIG. 14) that is the foremost end of the slope plate 10. That is, in the front panel 41 of this embodiment, when the slope plate 10 is deployed at the lower end of the door opening 3, the columnar portion 91 provided on the ground contact portion 90 abuts against the ground 65. Thus, the front panel 41 of this embodiment is configured to be able to stably abut against the ground 65 regardless of the angle of the slope panel 30 with respect to the ground 65.

[0055] In addition, in the front panel 41 of this embodiment, the ground contact portion 90 and the upper plate portion 51 form a continuous panel surface 30s. Furthermore, the front panel 41 is configured such that the distance D between the upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52 narrows from the first end portion 61 side connected to the intermediate panel 43 toward the second end portion 62 side where the ground contact portion 90 is provided (from right to left in FIG. 14). Thus, the front panel 41 of this embodiment has a structure in which the lower plate portion 52 is unlikely to interfere with the ground 65.

[0056] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the slope panel 30 of this embodiment, a downward load acting on the upper fitting piece 71 of the first panel member 81 constituting the panel surface 30s is transmitted to the upper insertion piece 73 located below via the tip 71a of the upper fitting piece 71. Then, this downward load acts as a compressive stress on the vertical wall portion 50a of the second panel member 82 provided at the position where the tip 71a of the upper fitting piece 71 is located.

[0057] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The slope panel 30 includes a first panel member 81 having a fitting recess 75 formed by an upper fitting piece 71 and a lower fitting piece 72, and a second panel member 82 having an insertion fitting portion 76 formed by an upper insertion piece 73 and a lower insertion piece 74. The first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 are connected to each other by fitting the fitting recess 75 and the insertion fitting portion 76 together. The first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 have a hollow structure in which the upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52 are connected via a plurality of vertical wall portions 50. The second panel member 82 includes a vertical wall portion 50a provided at a position where the tip end 71a of the upper fitting piece 71 constituting the fitting recess 75 is disposed when the insertion fitting portion 76 and the fitting recess 75 are fitted together.

[0058] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the downward load acting on the upper fitting piece 71 of the first panel member 81 can be received as a compressive stress acting on the vertical wall portion 50a of the second panel member 82 via the upper insertion piece 73 located below it, thereby ensuring high strength.

[0059] (2) The upper fitting piece 71, together with the upper plate portion 51, constitutes the panel surface 30s. According to the above-mentioned configuration, a downward load is applied directly to the upper fitting piece 71. Therefore, in such a configuration, by providing the vertical wall portion 50a that receives the downward load as a compressive stress, a more significant effect can be obtained.

[0060] (3) In the second panel member 82, the upper insertion piece 73 and the upper plate portion 51 form a step portion 83. Then, by fitting the fitting recess 75 and the insertion fitting portion 76 together, the tip 71a of the upper fitting piece 71 disposed in the step portion 83 is configured to abut against a wall surface 89 of the step portion 83.

[0061] That is, a downward load applied to the panel surface 30s formed by each of the upper plate portions 51 of the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 acts in a direction that bends the panel surface 30s downward. However, with the above-described configuration, the downward load is distributed to the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 via the mutually abutting tips 71a of the upper fitting pieces 71 and the wall surfaces 89 of the step portions 83. This makes it possible to ensure high strength.

[0062] Furthermore, the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 can be assembled with high precision by abutting the tip 71a of the upper fitting piece 71 against the wall surface 89 of the step portion 83. As a result, the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 can be connected to form a continuous panel surface 30s without any gaps.

[0063] (4) The slope panel 30 is configured such that, in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30, the fitting recess 75 is disposed on the ground 65 side, and the insertion fitting portion 76 is disposed on the door opening 3 side. This ensures higher strength.

[0064] (5) The slope panel 30 includes a front panel 41 as a ground panel member having a ground portion 90 that contacts the ground 65. The slope panel 30 has a panel surface 30s formed by the ground portion 90 and an upper plate portion 51 that are continuous with each other. The slope panel 30 is configured such that a distance D between the upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52 narrows from the door opening 3 side toward the ground 65 side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30.

[0065] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to set a flat panel surface 30s on the ground contact portion 90 and the upper plate portion 51 while suppressing interference of the lower plate portion 52 with the ground surface 65. As a result, when using the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30, for example, the wheels of a wheelchair, a suitcase, or the like of a user moving on the panel surface 30s can roll smoothly.

[0066] Furthermore, the thickness of the front panel 41 can be ensured on the door opening 3 side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12. This makes it possible to ensure high strength. The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the first panel member 81 has the upper fitting piece 71 at a position that is flush with the upper plate portion 51. As a result, the upper fitting piece 71, together with the upper plate portion 51, forms the panel surface 30s of the slope panel 30.

[0068] However, the arrangement of the upper fitting piece 71 is not limited thereto, and does not necessarily have to be flush with the upper plate portion 51. For example, the upper fitting piece 71 may be arranged below the upper plate portion 51. In other words, the configuration may be such that the downward load applied to the panel surface 30s acts indirectly on the upper fitting piece 71. It is sufficient that the upper fitting piece 71 and the lower fitting piece 72 form the fitting recess 75, and the upper insertion piece 73 and the lower insertion piece 74 form the insertion fitting portion 76. The vertical positions of the upper fitting piece 71 and the lower fitting piece 72, and the upper insertion piece 73 and the lower insertion piece 74 may be changed as desired.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the vertical wall portion 50a of the second panel member 82 is provided in a manner that connects the upper insertion piece portion 73 and the lower insertion piece portion 74 that constitute the insertion fitting portion 76. However, this is not limited to this, and the vertical wall portion 50a may be provided in a manner that connects the upper insertion piece portion 73 and the lower plate portion 52. That is, it is sufficient that the vertical wall portion 50a is provided at a position where the tip end 71a of the upper fitting piece portion 71 is disposed when the insertion fitting portion 76 is fitted into the fitting recess 75. This allows the vertical wall portion 50a to receive the downward load acting on the upper fitting piece portion 71 as a compressive stress via the upper insertion piece portion 73 disposed in the upper insertion piece portion 73.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the lower fitting piece 72 and the lower insertion piece 74 are fastened together using the through hole 85 provided in the lower fitting piece 72 of the first panel member 81 and the through hole 86 provided in the lower insertion piece 74 of the second panel member 82. However, this is not limiting, and the lower fitting piece 72 and the lower insertion piece 74 may be fixed together by a method other than fastening. Furthermore, the connected first panel member 81 and second panel member 82 may be fixed together by another method.

[0071] In the above embodiment, in the longitudinal direction of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30, the fitting recess 75 is disposed on the ground 65 side, and the insertion fitting portion 76 is disposed on the door opening 3 side. However, this is not limiting, and the fitting recess 75 may be disposed on the door opening 3 side, and the insertion fitting portion 76 may be disposed on the ground 65 side.

[0072] The number of panel members 40 connected to each other as the first panel member 81 and the second panel member 82 may be changed as desired. In the above embodiment, the front panel 41 has a cylindrical portion 91 provided on the ground contact portion 90 that comes into contact with the ground 65. However, this is not limiting, and the shape of the portion that comes into contact with the ground 65 may be changed as desired.

[0073] 15, a configuration may be adopted in which the ground contact portion 90B of the front panel 41B includes a thin plate member 100 that is continuous with the panel surface 30s formed by the ground contact portion 90B together with the upper plate portion 51 and abuts against the ground 65. This reduces the step between the ground 65 and the panel surface 30s, allowing the wheels of a wheelchair, carry case, or the like of a user to move smoothly between the ground 65 and the panel surface 30s.

[0074] Furthermore, the thin plate member 100 is configured to be elastically deformable by using a material such as rubber or resin, etc. Thus, the ground contact portion 90B of this alternative example is configured to be able to stably contact the ground 65 regardless of the angle between the ground 65 and the panel surface 30s.

[0075] That is, even if the angle of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30B is different, this can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the thin plate member 100. Furthermore, when the wheels of a wheelchair, a suitcase, or the like pass through, the elastic deformation of the thin plate member 100 can further reduce the step. This allows the wheels of the wheelchair, suitcase, or the like to move more smoothly between the ground surface 65 and the panel surface 30s.

[0076] Also, for example, as in the ground contact portion 90C of the front panel 41C shown in FIG. 16, the thin plate member 100C may be configured to have a curved shape to connect the ground 65 and the panel surface 30s. That is, the thin plate member 100C is configured so that the inclination gradually increases from the contact position P with the ground 65 in the length direction of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30C, in other words, toward the door opening 3 side (the right side in FIG. 16). The curved shape thus formed continuously connects the ground 65 and the panel surface 30s. Even if such a configuration is adopted, the wheels of a wheelchair, a carry case, or the like can move smoothly between the ground 65 and the panel surface 30s.

[0077] Moreover, the thin plate members 100, 100C as described above do not necessarily need to extend across the entire width of the ramp 12 formed by the slope panel 30. For example, as shown in region α in FIG. 9, the thin plate members 100, 100C may be arranged partially at the position where the wheels of a wheelchair pass. Furthermore, after the slope panel 10 is deployed at the lower end of the door opening 3, the thin plate member 100C may be configured as a movable member protruding from the ground contact portion 90C of the front panel 41C. Thin plate members 100 having other shapes may also be configured as such movable members.

[0078] The configuration in which the slope plate 10 is deployed at the lower end of the door opening 3 may be changed as desired. For example, the present invention may be applied to a configuration in which the front end 10f of the slope plate 10 deployed at the lower end of the door opening 3 simply touches the ground 65 due to its own weight, causing the slope panel 30 to form a ramp 12. The present invention may also be applied to a configuration in which the slope plate 10 is deployed manually without using a driving source such as the motor 24.

[0079] Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above embodiment and modified examples will be described. (i) A slope panel characterized in that the first panel member has a vertical wall portion provided at a position where the tip of the upper insertion piece portion is positioned when the fitting recess and the insertion fitting portion are fitted together.

[0080] According to the above configuration, even if an excessive downward load acts on the upper fitting piece, the downward load can be received by the vertical wall portion of the first panel member via the insertion fitting portion of the second panel member located below.

[0081] (B) A slope panel characterized in that a lower fitting piece and a lower insertion piece are fastened together, which allows the first and second panel members connected together by fitting the fitting recesses and the insertion fitting parts to be stably fixed with a simple structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 30…Slope panel 50…Vertical wall part 50a…Vertical wall section 51…Upper plate 52…Lower plate part 71...Upper fitting piece 72...Lower fitting piece 73…Upper insertion piece 74…Lower insertion piece 75…Mating recess 76…Insertion fitting part 81...First panel member 82...Second panel member

Claims

1. a first panel member including an upper mating piece and a lower mating piece extending in a width direction of a ramp formed at a lower end of a door opening and spaced apart in a vertical direction; a second panel member including an upper insertion piece portion and a lower insertion piece portion extending in a width direction of the ramp and spaced apart in a vertical direction; A gap formed between the upper fitting piece and the lower fitting piece is a fitting recess, The upper insertion piece and the lower insertion piece serve as an insertion fitting portion, The first panel member and the second panel member are connected by fitting the fitting recess and the insertion fitting portion together, The first panel member and the second panel member have a hollow structure in which an upper plate portion and a lower plate portion are connected via a plurality of vertical wall portions extending in a width direction of the ramp, the second panel member includes the vertical wall portion provided at a position where a tip end of the upper fitting piece is disposed when the fitting recess and the insertion fitting portion are fitted together, The first panel member is a slope panel having a vertical wall portion provided at a position where a tip of the upper insertion piece portion is positioned when the fitting recess and the insertion fitting portion are fitted together.

2. The slope panel according to claim 1, the upper fitting piece portion and the upper plate portion form a panel surface; A slope panel featuring:

3. The slope panel according to claim 1 or 2, the second panel member is configured such that the upper insertion piece and the upper plate portion form a step portion, and a tip end of the upper fitting piece disposed in the step portion by the fitting between the fitting recess and the insertion fitting portion comes into contact with a wall surface of the step portion; A slope panel featuring:

4. In the slope panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A slope panel characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction of the ramp, the fitting recess is positioned on the ground side and the insertion fitting portion is positioned on the door opening side.

5. In the slope panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A grounding panel member having a grounding portion that contacts the ground, The ground panel member has the hollow structure, and the upper plate portion and the ground portion form a continuous panel surface, A slope panel characterized in that the distance between the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion narrows from the door opening side toward the ground side in the longitudinal direction of the ramp.

6. The slope panel according to claim 5, A slope panel characterized in that the ground contact portion is provided with a thin plate member that is continuous with the panel surface and abuts against the ground.

7. The slope panel according to claim 6, The thin plate member is configured to be elastically deformable; A slope panel featuring:

8. The slope panel according to claim 6 or 7, the thin plate member has a curved shape whose inclination gradually increases as it moves away from the contact position with the ground in the length direction of the ramp, and connects the ground and the panel surface; A slope panel featuring:

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