Ramp Extension Section for Lip and Door Jam Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable ramp assemblies often have transition plates that are incompatible with surfaces featuring lips or door jams, leading to inadequate resting contacts and transitions between elevation surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an extension section with proximal and distal sloping portions forming an obtuse angle, which includes a lip receivable by a lip-receiving channel and a fastening device for attachment to the ramp platform, allowing the extension section to overcome obstructions like lips and door jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional transition plates are used, then the ramp assembly is simple in structure, but the transition plates are incompatible with surfaces featuring lips or door jams, leading to inadequate resting contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The extension section is divided into multiple sloping portions (proximal sloping portion, intermediate sloping portion, and distal sloping portion) that can be independently configured. Each portion can be tailored to accommodate different surface features such as lips, door jams, or elevation changes, allowing the single extension section to adapt to various transition scenarios without requiring multiple different components
Solution Approach 2:
The extension section incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements including removable fastening devices, adjustable sloping portions, and reconfigurable transition plates. These dynamic features allow users to modify the extension section's configuration to match different ramp applications and surface conditions, enhancing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple base structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If extension section with multiple sloping portions is added, then compatibility with various surfaces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension section is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple transition scenarios through its multi-portional structure. The same extension section with proximal, intermediate, and distal sloping portions can accommodate lips, door jams, elevation changes, and various surface configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized transition plates for different situations
Solution Approach 2:
The extension section employs a nested structure where the intermediate sloping portion is positioned between and connects the proximal and distal sloping portions. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be integrated within a compact configuration, reducing the overall space required and simplifying the assembly compared to having separate components for each sloping portion
3Reliability
If fastening devices are added to secure the extension section, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening devices are designed to be removable and adjustable, transforming from fixed permanent connections to dynamic reversible connections. Users can easily install or remove the extension section by detaching or repositioning the fastening devices, while the devices maintain secure attachment when engaged, balancing reliability with operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The extension section and ramp platform incorporate pre-configured alignment features and pre-positioned fastening device locations. These preliminary arrangements guide users through the attachment process, ensuring proper alignment before fastening and reducing the complexity of installation and removal operations
Data Source
AI summary
An extension section for a ramp platform generally includes a first sloping portion including a lip releasably that is receivable by a lip receiving channel, wherein the first sloping portion includes a stepped surface configured to interface with a transition plate, and a second sloping portion oriented with respect to the first sloping section such that the first and second sloping portions converge to form an obtuse angle at their juncture.