Abstract
A military deployable ramp system assembled from sectional modules and used to load/unload heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles on/off rail cars and other transport platforms. The design of the system affords potential to handle such vehicles in a wide range of environments, particularly at remote train track locations. The assembled modular ramp consists of two main parallel load-bearing ramp tracks, connected to each other via central bridging supports. Sections slide together vertically and connect using structural angles which are retained in opposing guide channels, eliminating the need for fixing hardware. Once assembled the ramp can be dismantled by lifting off each section clear of the others in order. The ramp sections independently find their own level relative to each other on unprepared ground. Additional restraint is provided by integrated lashing points for sections to be tethered together to enhance its assembled rigidity.
Claims
1. The assembled modular ramp system comprises: a first outer ramp track; a second outer ramp track; and a central bridging support that connects the first outer ramp track with the second outer ramp track, wherein the first outer ramp track and the second outer ramp track comprise a plurality of ramp modules having differing vertical lifts such that the first outer ramp track and the second outer ramp track have a like sequence of vertical lifts provided by the plurality of ramp modules that decrease from a height of about a loading dock to about the off-loading surface and wherein a ramp module of the plurality of ramp modules is configured to interlock with an adjoining ramp module, and wherein the central bridging support comprises one or more support members that connect a ramp module of height x positioned in the first outer ramp track to a ramp module of height y positioned in the second outer ramp track to stabilize the assembled modular ramp system.
2. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the ramp module has one or more pockets to accept forklift tines
3. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the ramp module has one or more slinging points to which lifting equipment can be attached.
4. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein each ramp module in the first outer ramp track or the second outer ramp track is a different vertical lift as compared to the adjoining ramp module while maintaining at all times the same loading angle.
5. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the ramp module is comprised of heavy structural steel.
6. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the ramp module is provided with a slip-resistant coating.
7. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein a lashing/tie-down position is affixed to the ramp system.
8. The ramp system of claim 6, wherein the upper surface is comprised of steel affixed with an arrangement of solid bar sections to increase friction for a vehicle's wheels or tracks.
9. The ramp system of claim 8, wherein the solid bar sections are affixed at an angle other than horizontal to allow for water run off from the upper surface.
10. The ramp system according to claim 8, wherein the ramp module in the disassembled state may be inverted and packed together with an opposing ramp module upper surface to upper surface in their angled planes, wherein the angled solid bar rests and opposes that of a mating ramp module to form a triangular shaped module wherein the triangular shaped modules is prevented from sliding apart.
11. The ramp system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ramp modules comprise lashing points to securely fasten the plurality of ramp modules together.
12. The ramp system of claim 1 where each support member has a first end and a second end where the first end is connected to the ramp module of height x in the first outer ramp track and the second end is connected to the ramp module of height y in the second outer ramp track with a plurality of pins or other fixing means to avoid rotation of a joint.
13. The ramp system of claim 1 where each ramp module is constructed from a separate base frame and an upper wedge to create an angled upper driving surface.
14. The ramp system of claim 13 where the ramp module wedge is bolted to a separate base frame using a multitude of fixing positions.
15. The ramp system of claim 13 where the ramp module wedge is positioned laterally to move the driving surface relative to the ramp base frame.
16. The ramp system of claim 1 wherein the interlock of adjoining ramp modules comprises a flanged channel guide positioned longitudinally at a lesser side of the ramp module, and over which is positioned an opposing angled section located on a greater side of an adjoining ramp module and wherein the flanged channel guide is configured to enclose over the opposing angled section of the adjoining ramp module, wherein the flanged channel permits vertical travel of an outward facing plate of the opposing angled section within the flanged channel but which prevents the opposing angled section from disconnecting laterally or longitudinally under load without first lifting in the vertical plane of the adjoining ramp module.
17. The ramp system of claim 1 wherein the outer ramp module is laterally connected to each other via an arrangement of structural sections connected back to the modules by brackets presenting latitudinally in the outer ramp modules wherein the bracing members are pinned in place using a plurality of pins at either end to prevent rotation of the connection joint.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
[0026] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a functional ramp system in its assembled state according to one embodiment of the present invention
[0028] FIG. 2 shows the ramp system disassembled into its main functional modules according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows the ramp system of FIG. 1 packed into a single 20 ft ISO intermodal shipping container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a ramp according to one embodiment of the present invention in use astride the railway tracks
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a ramp according to one embodiment of the present invention in use at a rail crossing
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a ramp according to one embodiment of the present invention in use loading a road trailer
[0033] FIG. 7 shows the main parallel load-bearing ramp sections in their complete form, including all vertical heights and toe sections for flush loading, along with the central bridging supports, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIGS. 8A-D show one main ramp assembly having been built up, before the adjacent assembly is set in place, and which is braced laterally by way of the central bridging supports, and further supported by tethering hardware allowing connection back to the rail car or trailer via a tether, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 9 shows the outer ramp tracks being arranged either side of a variety of prevalent worldwide track gauges, making the ramp system suitable for global usage, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows a ramp module being lifted via a plurality of slinging points, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 11 shows the longitudinal ramp module connection detail allowing each ramp module to slide securely into the structural guides and down the channel, preventing module separation or rotation, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIGS. 12A-B show the structural angle and channel connection detail and its lifting method, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 13 shows the main ramp module construction from the base support framework to the structural wedges which may be bolted into different positions on top to adjust the track width of the ramp, as well as to facilitate easier shipping and maintenance for the ramp system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 14 shows the ramp system configured to be used in one mode as a static ramp that can be configured for different track widths by simply setting it to the desired offset distance, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 15 shows the ramp system being used by a variety of different vehicle types, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 16 shows the ramp system supporting multiple varieties of vehicle track widths, from main battle tanks, heavy transporters, to tactical vehicles and large forklifts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Turning to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, there is shown a plurality of ramp modules 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and support members 108 which are assembled to form a modular ramp system 101. Each ramp module has a greater end and a lesser end referring to the height from the bottom of the base of the frame. For example, the greater end of ramp module 107 is adjacent to the dock, trailer, rail car or other platform from which to load or unload cargo. The lesser side of ramp module 107 is adjoining ramp module 106. First outer ramp track 110 and second outer ramp track 112 are stabilized with support member 108 that connects each ramp module that is directly across from each other such as ramp module 107 on first outer ramp track 110 with ramp module 107 on second outer ramp track 112.
[0044] FIG. 2 demonstrates the ramp system 201 disassembled into the individual ramp system elements including ramp modules 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and a plurality of central bridging support members 108 which may be consolidated for transport into a single 20 ft intermodal ISO shipping container 301 as illustrated in FIG. 3 for ease of movement between sites with the individual elements of a complete ramp system contained entirely therein 303. In one embodiment, ramp module 103 is a combination of multiple ramp modules to form single ramp module 103.
[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ramp system 405 is designed to operate as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 at the rear of a rail car 403 whether said rail car is at a road crossing point 501 (FIG. 5) or alternatively astride the tracks themselves 405.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 6, the modular ramp system is further designed to function when loading or offloading heavy transport trailers 603 by the use of the ramp toe wedges 601.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 7, a ramp according to one embodiment of the present invention is formed of two parallel outer ramp track sections 701 forming the main weight bearing members of the ramp to receive the wheeled or tracked vehicle. The outer ramp track section 701 is braced and supported by central bridging support 702 which provides lateral and torsional stability to the interconnected ramp modules of the outer ramp track sections 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107.
[0048] According to one embodiment, each outer ramp track 701 of FIG. 7 is comprised of structural steel members configured and arranged in combination to provide heavy duty load bearing support (for example load bearing that is sufficient to offload weights of 185,000 lbs for example a military vehicle that weights 60-74 tons, 50-60 tons, greater than 1500 lbs to several tons) to an upper plate surface 705, which provides the bearing support to the vehicle. Each ramp module 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107 has an upper plate surface 705. The outer ramp track 701 ramp modules also connect in order of height/vertical lift from the tallest to the shortest by a process of lifting of the sections into position (see FIGS. 12A-B). The vertical lift of the ramp module is measured when the ramp module is in position on the ground where it is to be positioned. This permits each outer ramp track to be customized with the proper height ramp module to accommodate for uneven ground and permit the desired loading angel of the ramp. Each outer ramp module may also feature brackets or other connecting hardware to their inside sides which face the opposite parallel ramp module inside side, such brackets purpose being to affix the central bridging supports.
[0049] The tallest required outer ramp track section (which determines the loading height of the ramp) is lifted into the intended position adjacent to the dock, railcar or trailer (see FIG. 8A). At this point the module may be tethered via tethering hardware 801 and tether 803 securely to prevent the ramp or railcar/trailer from shifting during operation. The next tallest ramp module is lifted and positioned over an intended resting position such that the next tallest ramp module fully clears vertically of the tallest ramp module that is already in position and to which the lowered ramp module will connect (see FIGS. 12A-B) in such a manner as to allow the opposing angle section 1102 on the greater end 1205 of the ramp modules 701 to slide through a cut-out guide 1101 (for example a flanged channel) on the lesser end 1203 of the taller module and be thereby encapsulated by the taller module's cut-out guide (eg. structural beam flanges) 1101 in a strong manner, but such as to still allow an amount of relative movement and flexibility for each module thereby connected (see FIG. 11). The length of travel of angle 1102 in the flange channel 1101 is not a precise distance to achieve the strength of the module connection, with the design strength being achieved through the vertically locked interference, preventing module separation. Each module can therefore find its own final levelness even on ground which may not be fully level, without compromise to the overall performance of the modular ramp system.
[0050] The same connection method is employed on each ramp module of the outer ramp track assembly 701, with the process of assembling the outer track section continuing in the aforementioned manner from the tallest to the shortest in height in that order. The angles 1102 becoming entrapped within their neighbouring modules 1101 in such a manner that the assembled ramp when complete may only be dismantled by first lifting sections out fully clear vertically of their neighbouring sections. Correspondingly all the ramp system modules form a rigid assembly by virtue of the interference between their constituent parts, according to one preferred embodiment.
[0051] The central bridging sections 702 provide lateral stability between the two main parallel ramp assemblies 701. They are attached using brackets or other fixing methods on the inside faces of the outer ramp modules (see FIG. 9) and permit an operator to gain access therein additionally to the bracing points on the outer ramp sections. By its open design the bracings thereby employed in the additional strengthening of the ramp assembly benefit from being enclosed within the natural void within the structure of the ramp, along with any additional chains or other strapping, and thereby do not present an impediment or interference with vehicular movement or a tripping hazard to operators working in the vicinity. Furthermore, the central bridging supports may provide structural stability and support to the upper surface wedges 1302 when vehicles traversing the ramp apply force to the wedges at their innermost surface, thereby counteracting rotational forces on the main ramp system through their design.
[0052] The main parallel ramp assemblies 701 sit adjacent to, and outside of, the rail tracks FIG. 9 according to one embodiment and are configured to accommodate the most common global rail track gauges of both standard (US & European) gauge of about 1435 mm and broad gauge (about 1520 mm). The offset defined by the central bridging supports permits the ramp to be used for both gauges without interference with the rail track itself.
[0053] The ramp system may also be used outside of rail track environments in a yard configuration to load/offload transport trailers FIG. 6 and the ramp system can thereby be sited to support different track widths FIG. 14 by varying the internal spacing d between the parallel ramp tracks, with the possibility to eliminate the central bridging supports if the ramps are affixed to the floor using optionally the anchoring holes provided 1401. Such a simplification offers ability to utilize the ramp system additionally for other activities, such as vehicle underbody inspection, which benefits from an open internal void between the parallel ramp tracks.
[0054] Each ramp section is designed to be flexibly lifted into position by various methods and devices 1003, and to that end each section comprises at a minimum two slinging points (for example 707, 707, 709, 709, 711, 711 and 713, 713) on the upper surface FIG. 10 as well as forklift lifting pockets or slots where such space permits. Such slinging points are integral to the design and may comprise a solid structural bar affixed to the underside of the lifting surface which by design cannot move within the assembly, and with a structural lifting capacity considerably in excess of the section's own self-weight. Said slinging points may have slots in the upper deck surface to allow for easier reach of the operator attaching/detaching the lifting slings/chains.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 13, each main ramp module 1301 is constructed by bolted or pinned connection of a structural base frame system 1303 to an angled wedge 1302 that comprises the load supporting surface. By virtue of the design, this structural wedge 1302 may be positioned such to cantilever (as shown by arrow) the driving surface over its supporting base frame 1303 and into position partially over the rail track, while the base frames 1303 are limited as to their resting position on the ground by the rail track. Such a simplification provides a narrower inside driving surface for vehicles with lesser wheel track than larger armored vehicles with larger wheel track. In an alternative attachment, the wedges can be re-bolted in a different manner such that they are centrally positioned over the base-frame 1303 which may be optimal for when the ramp system is used as a fixed yard ramp.
[0056] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
[0057] Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.
