PROFILE FOR HOSE RAMP, HOSE RAMP PROVIDED THEREWITH, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

Abstract

A profile for a hose ramp, a hose ramp provided with one or more of these profiles and a method for constructing a hose ramp. The profile includes a housing with a bottom part which rests on a ground surface during use, a first outer end provided with a first exit plane, and a second outer end provided with a second exit plane. A channel extends through the housing from the first exit plane to the second exit plane and is configured for passage of a hose. The channel is substantially provided with an oval shape. The first exit plane is provided at a first angle to the bottom part and the second exit plane is provided at a second angle to the bottom part, and the first and second angle differ from each other.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A profile for a hose ramp, comprising: a housing with a bottom part which rests on a ground surface during use, a first outer end provided with a first exit plane, and a second outer end provided with a second exit plane; and a channel extending through the housing from the first exit plane to the second exit plane and configured for passage of a hose, wherein the channel is substantially provided with an oval shape, and wherein the first exit plane is provided at a first angle to the bottom part and the second exit plane is provided at a second angle to the bottom part, and wherein the first and second angle differ from each other.

13. The profile according to claim 12, the profile further comprising a coupling element configured to be coupled to a coupling element of an adjacent profile during use.

14. The profile according to claim 13, wherein the first angle lies in the range of 40 to 60.

15. The profile according to claim 14, wherein the second angle lies in the range of 50 to 75.

16. The profile according to claim 13, wherein the coupling element is provided on or close to the side of the profile directed downward during use.

17. The profile according to claim 16, wherein the coupling element comprises at least one from the group of: hook element, strap, press-stud, pin-hole connection.

18. The profile according to claim 13, wherein the coupling element comprises at least one from the group of: hook element, strap, press-stud, pin-hole connection.

19. The profile according to claim 12, wherein the first angle lies in the range of 40 to 60.

20. The profile according to claim 19, wherein the second angle lies in the range of 50 to 75.

21. The profile according to claim 12, wherein the second angle lies in the range of 50 to 75.

22. The profile according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the outer ends of the profile is provided with a reflective and/or light-emitting element.

23. The profile according to claim 12, further comprising a transition guide configured to guide the hose from a substantially oval cross-section to a substantially round cross-section.

24. The profile according to claim 12, wherein the profile is provided from two profile parts.

25. The profile according to claim 12, wherein the first angle lies in the range of 40 to 50.

26. The profile according to claim 12, wherein the first angle lies in the range of 42 to 50.

27. The profile according to claim 12, wherein the second angle lies in the range of 55 to 70.

28. The profile according to claim 12, wherein the second angle lies in the range of 58 to 68.

29. A hose ramp comprising one or more profiles that comprise: a housing with a bottom part which rests on a ground surface during use, a first outer end provided with a first exit plane, and a second outer end provided with a second exit plane; a channel extending through the housing from the first exit plane to the second exit plane and configured for passage of a hose, wherein the channel is substantially provided with an oval shape, wherein the first exit plane is provided at a first angle to the bottom part and the second exit plane is provided at a second angle to the bottom part, and wherein the first and second angle differ from each other; and a number of ramp plates.

30. A hose ramp according to claim 29, the profile further comprising a coupling element configured to be coupled to a coupling element of an adjacent profile during use, wherein the first angle lies in the range of 40 to 60, and wherein the second angle lies in the range of 50 to 75.

31. A method for providing a hose ramp, comprising the steps of: providing one or more profiles comprising: a housing with a bottom part which rests on a ground surface during use, a first outer end provided with a first exit plane, and a second outer end provided with a second exit plane; a channel extending through the housing from the first exit plane to the second exit plane and configured for passage of a hose, wherein the channel is substantially provided with an oval shape, wherein the first exit plane is provided at a first angle to the bottom part and the second exit plane is provided at a second angle to the bottom part, and wherein the first and second angle differ from each other, positioning and mutually coupling the one or more profiles on the ground surface; arranging ramp plates; and arranging a hose.

Description

[0039] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are further elucidated below on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a view of a hose ramp with the profiles according to the invention;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a top view of the hose ramp of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the hose ramp of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0043] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-section of the hose ramp of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0044] FIG. 5 is a side view of the optional hose guide for the profile according to the invention; and

[0045] FIG. 6 is a view of a hose ramp in a further embodiment according to the invention.

[0046] Hose ramp 2 (FIGS. 1-4) comprises a number of profiles 4. Further provided are ramp plates 6 for enabling a vehicle to travel over profiles 4. In the shown embodiment channel 8 extends through or in the housing of profiles 4. Channel 8 thereby extends in longitudinal direction of profiles 4 and longitudinal direction of hose ramp 2. Hose S can be positioned in channel 8. For this purpose it can be carried, preferably while not in use, through channel 8. Upper side 22 of profile 4 can optionally be foldable or removable in order to simplify the positioning of hose S. Profile 4 is further provided with a first outer end with first exit plane 10 and a second outer end with second exit plane 12.

[0047] Profiles 4 are optionally positioned with a small intermediate space 14, wherein couplings 16 ensure the relative positions of adjacent profiles 4. In the shown embodiment couplings 16 are provided close to the ground during use.

[0048] In the shown embodiment ramp plates 6 are attached to profiles 4 using couplings 18. In a currently preferred embodiment ramp plates 6 are supplied separately and coupled with couplings 18 to profiles 4 in situ. It is also possible to provide couplings 18 more permanently and for instance arrange ramp plates 6 rotatably on profiles 4 so as to enable compact transport and storage. Profile 4 is further provided with bottom part 20, upper surface 22 and two side walls 24. In the shown embodiment two reflective and/or light-emitting elements 26 are further arranged at the outer ends of hose ramp 2 for the purpose of indicating assembly order and/or direction of travel or travel path for a driver.

[0049] Additional guide 28, which is coupled with a first outer end 30 to profile 4 and is positioned freely with a second outer end 32 (FIG. 5), can optionally be provided. Hose guide 28 is provided at first outer end 30 with an oval shape substantially corresponding to the shape of channel 8 of profile 4. At second outer end 32 guide 28 is provided with a round shape substantially corresponding to the free, natural shape of hose S.

[0050] It will be apparent that different profile dimensions are possible. In the shown embodiment hose ramp 2 is provided with three profiles 4 which are positioned adjacently of each other so as to achieve sufficient length. The oval shape is chosen such that, in practice, ground clearance h prevents damage to vehicles and is still able to allow passage of hoses of sufficient diameter.

[0051] First outer end 10 is provided at angle .sub.1 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 4) and second exit plane 12 is provided at a second angle .sub.2. In the shown embodiment .sub.1 is smaller than .sub.2. .sub.1 is thus for instance 45 and .sub.2 is for instance 60. These angles are defined between the oblique exit planes 10, 12 relative to bottom surface 20 of profile 4.

[0052] In the shown embodiment hose ramp 2 is provided with asymmetrical profile 4a (FIG. 4) on either side of hose ramp 2 and with conventional, symmetrical intermediate profiles 4b between these two outer ends 4a. In the case of symmetrical profile 4b downward forces F.sub.1 and upward forces F.sub.2 are in balance, and a lifting effect can remain limited, depending on the exit planes. In the shown embodiment profile 4b is provided with the relatively large angle .sub.2.

[0053] In the same shown embodiment profiles 4a according to the invention take an asymmetrical form. This means that downward forces F.sub.1 and upward forces F.sub.2 are not in balance and a torque T.sub.k will thereby occur, this resulting in a lifting effect for profile 4a. This is caused by outward bulging of hose S between two adjacent profiles 4a,b, and where hose S exits at exit plane 10.

[0054] In the shown embodiment for hose ramp 2 (FIG. 4) intermediate profile 4b is provided with exit planes 12a,b with an angle .sub.2 which is substantially equal to the angle .sub.2 of asymmetrical profile 4a. It will be apparent that other embodiments are also possible here, for instance with different angles for intermediate profiles 4b and asymmetrical side profiles 4a.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment hose ramp 102 (FIG. 6) is provided with profiles 4, optionally provided from two profile parts 4, 4. Profile parts 4, 4 are connected to each other using form connection 5 and straps/belts 7. In the shown embodiment profiles 4 are mutually connected with straps/belts 9, bolts/press-studs 9a and buckle element 9b. It will be apparent that other connections are also possible according to the invention. Ramp plates 6 and optionally arranged auxiliary ramp plates 6a are connected to each other with couplings 17, as well as to profiles 4. In the shown embodiment coupling 17 is provided with pin 17a, strip 17b and coupling element 17c. It will be apparent that other couplings are also possible for this purpose according to the invention. In the shown embodiment profiles 4 are provided from aluminum. It is possible here to apply other materials and/or combinations.

[0056] For the purpose of placing hose ramp 2, 102 two asymmetrical side profiles 4a are supplied, as well as a number of intermediate profiles 4B, if desired. These are positioned on a roadway, wherein the asymmetrical profiles 4a are preferably directed with a smallest angle .sub.1 toward an outer end. In the shown embodiment this orientation is made relatively simple for the installer by arranging reflective or light-emitting elements 26 at these outer ends. Adjacent profiles are coupled with coupling 9, 16. Hose S is carried through or placed in channel 8. Ramp plates 6 are then supplied and connected with couplings 17, 18 to profiles 4, 4a, 4b. After the correct positioning of hose ramp 2 hose S can be pressurized. Hose guide 28 is optionally provided at outer ends of hose ramp 2.

[0057] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.