U.S. patent application number 09/553452 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for temporary ramp.
Invention is credited to Koch, Earl D..
Application Number | 20020034418 09/553452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24209452 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020034418 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koch, Earl D. |
March 21, 2002 |
Temporary ramp
Abstract
A temporary ramp having a plurality of segments coupled together
by way of interlocking mating shapes located along the edges of
adjacent ramp segments. Hinges couple adjacent ramp segments
together. Fastener openings defined in the ramp segments allow a
fastener to be fixed with the underlying roadway to help secure the
ramp segment in position.
Inventors: |
Koch, Earl D.; (Tremont,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas J. Oppold
HENDERSON & STURM LLP
206 Sixth Avenue
Suite 1213
Des Moines
IA
50309-3589
US
|
Family ID: |
24209452 |
Appl. No.: |
09/553452 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/25 ; 404/32;
404/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 29/1409 20130101;
E02D 29/14 20130101; E01F 1/005 20130101; E01F 9/529 20160201; E01C
9/08 20130101; E01C 23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/25 ; 404/32;
404/35 |
International
Class: |
E02D 029/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A temporary ramp adapted for use on roadways under construction,
the roadways having an elevated obstruction located in the roadway,
said temporary ramp comprising: first and second adjacent ramp
segments each having a lower surface which contacts the roadway
when installed and an upper inclined surface that vehicle wheels
contact during use, said first and second adjacent ramp segments
each having at least one edge portion along which each ramp segment
is coupled with the other ramp section during use, said first and
second ramp segments being positionable adjacent the elevated
obstruction located in the roadway for allowing vehicles traveling
the roadway to ride up and over the elevated obstruction.
2. The temporary ramp of claim 1, wherein said first and second
adjacent ramp segments are removably coupled together during
use.
3. The temporary ramp of claim 2, wherein said edge portions of the
first ramp segment further comprises mating shapes which are
coupled with corresponding mating shapes defined by the edge
portion of the second ramp segment for securing the segments
together during use.
4. The temporary ramp of claim 3, wherein the mating shapes of the
first ramp segments further comprise male shapes which fit together
with female shapes defined by the corresponding mating shapes
defined by the edge portions of the second ramp segment and thereby
secure the first and second ramp segments together when said ramp
segments are installed for use on a roadway under construction.
5. The temporary ramp of claim 3, wherein each ramp segment and
edge portion defines a vertical height, and said mating shapes and
corresponding mating shapes extend substantially the entire
vertical height of the edge portions of the ramp segments proximate
the mating shapes.
6. The temporary ramp of claim 1, wherein the upper inclined
surfaces of the ramp segments are an elastomeric material.
7. The temporary ramp of claim 6, wherein at least one of said ramp
segments includes a core of rigid and relatively heavy
material.
8. The temporary ramp of claim 7, wherein the core is a metal
material.
9. The temporary ramp of claim 4, wherein the upper inclined
surfaces of the ramp segments are an elastomeric material.
10. The temporary ramp of claim 9, wherein at least one ramp
segment includes a core of rigid and relatively heavy material.
11. The temporary ramp of claim 10, wherein the core is a metal
material.
12. The temporary ramp of claim 1, and further comprising a hinge
mechanism positioned between adjacent edge portions of the first
and second ramp segments and allow the first and second ramp
segments to pivot with respect to one another when removed from the
roadway.
13. The temporary ramp of claim 1, wherein the ramp segments
further comprise fastener openings through which fasteners are
positioned, said fasteners being coupled with the roadway beneath
the ramp segments and operatively abut the ramp segments to assist
the ramp segments resist the forces transmitted to the ramp
segments by vehicles traveling across the ramp segments.
14. The temporary ramp of claim 3, wherein the ramp segments
further comprise fastener openings through which fasteners are
positioned, said fasteners being coupled with the roadway beneath
the ramp segment and operatively abut the ramp segments to help the
ramp segments resist the forces transmitted to the ramp segments by
vehicles traveling across the ramp segments.
15. The temporary ramp of claim 4, wherein the ramp segments
further comprise fastener openings through which fasteners are
positioned, said fasteners being coupled with the roadway beneath
the ramp segment and operatively abut the ramp segments to help the
ramp segments resist the forces transmitted to the ramp segments by
vehicles traveling across the ramp segments.
16. The temporary ramp of claim 5, wherein the ramp segments
further comprise fastener openings through which fasteners are
positioned, said fasteners being coupled with the roadway beneath
the ramp segment and operatively abut the ramp segments to help the
ramp segments resist the forces transmitted to the ramp segments by
vehicles traveling across the ramp segments.
17. The temporary ramp of claim 7, wherein the ramp segments
further comprise fastener openings through which fasteners are
positioned, said fasteners being coupled with the roadway beneath
the ramp segment and operatively abut the ramp segments to help the
ramp segments resist the forces transmitted to the ramp segments by
vehicles traveling across the ramp segments.
18. The temporary ramp of claim 10, wherein the ramp segments
further comprise fastener openings through which fasteners are
positioned, said fasteners being coupled with the roadway beneath
the ramp segment and operatively abut the ramp segments to help the
ramp segments resist the forces transmitted to the ramp segments by
vehicles traveling across the ramp segments.
19. The temporary ramp of claim 12, wherein the ramp segments
further comprise fastener openings through which fasteners are
positioned, said fasteners being coupled with the roadway beneath
the ramp segment and operatively abut the ramp segments to help the
ramp segments resist the forces transmitted to the ramp segments by
vehicles traveling across the ramp segments.
20. The temporary ramp of claim 16, and further comprising a hinge
mechanism positioned between adjacent edge portions of the first
and second ramp segments and allow the first and second ramp
segments to pivot with respect to one another when removed from the
roadway.
21. The temporary ramp of claim 5, and further comprising a hinge
mechanism positioned between adjacent edge portions of the first
and second ramp segments and allow the first and second ramp
segments to pivot with respect to one another when removed from the
roadway.
22. The temporary ramp of claim 7, and further comprising a hinge
mechanism positioned between adjacent edge portions of the first
and second ramp segments and allow the first and second ramp
segments to pivot with respect to one another when removed from the
roadway.
23. The temporary ramp of claim 17, and further comprising a hinge
mechanism positioned between adjacent edge portions of the first
and second ramp segments and allow the first and second ramp
segments to pivot with respect to one another when removed from the
roadway.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to temporary ramps for use on
roadways under construction, wherein the roadways have obstructions
such as manhole structures which are temporarily positioned at
slightly higher elevations than the existing roadway.
[0002] During roadway construction, various structures such as
manholes, storm sewer inlets and structures which allow access to
water mains are constructed at a raised elevation corresponding to
that of the finished roadway. The roadway is then built up such
that the surface of the roadway is at the same elevation as the
manholes, storm sewers and other structures, resulting in a smooth
roadway with all structures being at the proper elevation.
[0003] Other roadway construction projects involve removing the top
layer of roadway by grinding and then replacing it with a new
surface layer. Removal of the top layer of these roadways leaves
the structures such as manholes and sewer inlets slightly elevated.
These elevated structures are obstructions to automobiles traveling
the roadway during the period of time when the top surface is not
in place on the roadway.
[0004] Similarly, during construction of a roadway the area of road
under construction is often at a lower elevation than an adjacent
area of roadway. The roadway under construction is eventually
raised to the level of the adjacent roadway. But during the period
of construction the higher elevation of the adjacent finished
roadway is an elevated structure that automobile traffic
encounters. This type of elevated structure created by the
temporary difference in roadway elevation creates an obstruction to
vehicular traffic.
[0005] It is known to provide temporary ramps positioned against
the edge of the elevated structures so that automobiles may drive
up the ramps and over the obstruction. This helps eliminate damage
to automobiles as they drive over the elevated structures. One type
of ramp is comprised of asphalt that is installed at the edge of
the elevated structure and tapers down to the roadway. The
installation and removal of this type of temporary ramp involves a
variety of machinery and many workers and is therefore a relatively
labor intensive and costly process. Also, the asphalt material is
only used once and therefore involves disposal of a relatively
large amount of waste material.
[0006] It is also known to provide elevated structures such as
manholes with a single piece temporary ramp that can be placed
around the manhole. Some single piece ramps are relatively small
and therefore define a relatively steep incline. These steep single
piece ramps are therefore best adapted for use in slow traffic
areas. These single piece temporary ramps have the advantage of
being reusable and therefore eliminate waste. The smallest of these
single piece ramps are small enough that they do not require a
large number of persons to install or remove them from the manhole.
But larger single piece ramps may require more than one person to
handle the ramp during installation, removal and transport.
Relatively steep ramps are not well adapted for use on elevated
manholes in roadways where traffic is moving at higher speeds.
Higher speed roadways require a relatively gradual incline on ramps
in order to hinder damage to the car as it rides up over the
elevated structures.
[0007] It would therefore be desirable to provide a temporary ramp
that is adapted for use on roadways where traffic moves at
relatively high speeds. It would be desirable for such a ramp to
have a relatively gradual inclined surface adapted for relatively
high-speed roadways. Such a ramp would be relatively large when in
place on the roadway next to the elevated structure. It would be
desirable for such a temporary ramp to allow a single person to
relatively easily install and remove the temporary ramp, even if
the ramp is relatively large when in place on the roadway. Such a
temporary ramp would therefore not be labor intensive to install or
remove. It would also be desirable for such a temporary ramp to
involve little or no heavy machinery to install. It would also be
advantageous to provide a temporary ramp that is reusable, thereby
eliminating waste and reducing the cost of providing temporary
ramps during roadway construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a temporary ramp adapted for
use on roadways under construction. The roadways have elevated
obstructions such as manholes located in the roadway. The temporary
ramp includes a plurality of elastomeric ramp segments positioned
adjacent each other, each having a lower surface which contacts the
roadway when installed and an upper inclined surface that vehicle
wheels contact during use. The ramp segments each have at least one
edge portion along which each ramp segment is coupled with an
adjacent ramp segment during use. The ramp segments are
positionable adjacent the elevated obstruction for allowing
vehicles traveling the roadway to ride up and over the elevated
obstruction.
[0009] The ramp segments are removably coupled together by way of
interlocking mating shapes which are formed in abutting edge
portions of adjacent ramp segments. The mating shapes comprise male
and female shapes which fit together to secure the adjacent ramp
segments together when the ramp segments are installed for use on a
roadway under construction. The mating shapes extend substantially
the entire vertical height of the edge portions of the ramp
segments proximate the mating shape. The temporary ramp can be
disassembled so that the ramp segments are detached from each
other, thereby allowing an operator to handle individual ramp
segments. This allows a single operator to assemble and disassemble
an entire temporary ramp relatively easily. And the temporary ramp
according to the present invention is re-usable so that materials
are not wasted.
[0010] The ramp segments can be provided with a core of rigid and
relatively heavy material such as metal that adds weight to the
segment for helping the segment resist shifting that may be caused
by forces imparted by vehicles traveling over the temporary
ramp.
[0011] Hinge mechanisms can be positioned between adjacent edge
portions of adjacent ramp segments for allowing the adjacent ramp
segments to pivot with respect to one another when removed from the
roadway. The hinges allow an operator to fold adjacent ramp
segments about the hinge axis to allow an operator to transport the
ramp segments relatively easily.
[0012] The ramp segments according to the present invention can
also include fastener openings through which fasteners can be
positioned. Fasteners positioned within the fastener openings can
be coupled with the roadway beneath the ramp segments and
operatively abut the ramp segments to help the ramp segments resist
shifting due to forces transmitted to the ramp segments by vehicles
traveling across the temporary ramp. Fasteners such as nails can be
placed within the fastener openings and driven into the underlying
roadway. The head of the nail will abut a washer or directly abut
the top surface of the ramp segment for helping to secure the ramp
segment in place on the roadway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a temporary ramp according to the
present invention in position around a manhole structure, said
temporary ramp having a plurality of ramp segments coupled together
by way of mating shapes which interlock.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of a single ramp segment shown in FIG.
1 in position adjacent a manhole structure.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the single ramp segment shown in
FIG. 2 in position adjacent a manhole structure.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a temporary ramp according to the
present invention in position around a manhole structure, said
temporary ramp having two ramp segments coupled together by way of
a hinge mechanism.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of the temporary ramp of FIG. 4 with
the segments folded about the axis of the hinge mechanism.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of the temporary ramp of FIG. 4 having
a hinge mechanism and in position around a manhole structure.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of a temporary ramp according to the
present invention in position against a butt joint, said temporary
ramp having a hinge mechanism which pivotally couples the ramp
segments together.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a top view of a temporary ramp according to the
present invention in position against a butt joint, said temporary
ramp having mating interlocking shapes which couple adjacent ramp
segments together.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top view of a pair of ramp segments shown in
FIG. 7 having a hinge mechanism that pivotally couples the ramp
segments together.
[0022] FIG. 10 is side view of a ramp segment similar to that shown
in FIG. 7, but with a metal core located within the ramp
segment.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of first and second ramp
segments according to the present invention having mating shapes
which interlock to secure the first and second ramp segments
together when the ramp segments are assembled adjacent a raised
structure on a roadway under construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, there is shown the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1-3 show a round manhole
structure 10 which extends upwardly above the top surface of a
roadway 12. The roadway 12 as shown is under construction, and the
top layer of roadway has not yet been installed. Therefore the
manhole structure 10 temporarily extends above the elevation of the
roadway surface 12. The manhole structure 10 creates an obstruction
to vehicles traveling the roadway. A temporary ramp 14 according to
the present invention is provided for allowing vehicular traffic to
smoothly and easily ride up and over the circular manhole structure
10. The temporary ramp 14 shown in FIG. 1 includes four ramp
segments 16 that can be fitted together to form a single ramp
structure 14 around the manhole 10. The ramp segments 16 are made
of a material such as plastic, rubber, or high strength composite
material.
[0025] Each ramp segment 16 shown in FIGS. 1-3 includes edge
portions 18 that define mating shapes 20 that interlock to secure
adjacent ramp segments 16 together. The mating shapes include male
tabs 22 and female openings 24 that fit together in snug fashion
for tightly securing adjacent ramp segments 16 together when in
place around the manhole structure 10. The mating shapes 20 are
defined in the edge portions 18 of the ramp segments 16, and, as
best seen in FIG. 11, extend the entire vertical height or
dimension 26 of the ramp segments 16 in that vicinity. This
maximizes the size of the mating shapes 20 to thereby increase the
amount of material that absorbs the forces transmitted between
mating shapes 20 when the ramp 14 encounters loads associated with
a vehicle driving over the ramp 14 and manhole 10. All portions of
the mating shapes 20 are as thick as the ramp segment 16 in that
location, and therefore the mating shapes 20 utilize a mass of
material as thick as the entire vertical height 26 of the segment
16 to maximize the amount of material through which forces are
transmitted from one segment 16 to the next. The large size of the
mating shapes 20 enhances the strength of the interlocked mating
shapes 20, thereby enhancing the ability of the adjacent ramp
segments 16 to withstand the forces transmitted through the mating
shapes 20 during operation.
[0026] FIG. 11 shows first and second ramp segments 28, 30 that
have edge portions 18 that abut each other when the temporary ramp
14 is assembled on a roadway 12 under construction. The edge
portions 18 are provided with mating shapes 20 which interlock to
secure the first and second ramp segments 28, 30 together when
assembled on a roadway 12. The mating shapes 20 include a bulbous
portion 32 connected via a neck portion 34 to the first ramp
segment 28. An opening 36 defined in the edge portion 18 of the
second ramp segment 30 corresponds to the shape of the bulbous
portion 32 and neck 34. The bulbous portion 32 and neck 34 are
tightly received in the opening 24 for securing the first and
second ramp segments 28, 30 together. The opening 24 is defined by
the full vertical height 26 of the second ramp segment 30 in that
location, and the bulbous portion 32 and neck 34 extend the entire
vertical dimension 26 of the first ramp segment 28 in that
location.
[0027] The ramp 14 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is formed of four
interlocking segments 16 which can be assembled and disassembled by
an operator. Since the ramp 14 can be broken down into a plurality
of relatively small segments 16, a single operator can relatively
easily handle the segments 16 and carry them to and from a
transport vehicle or truck. Furthermore, a single operator can
easily manipulate the relatively small segments 16 during assembly
of the ramp 14 around a manhole 10. The ramp segments 16 are
therefore a manageable size that allows a single operator to
transport, manipulate, assemble and disassemble a relatively large
ramp 14. Preferably the ramp segments 16 are large enough that they
extend radially outwardly from the manhole 10 a relatively large
distance such that they define a relatively gradual slope or ramped
surface well adapted for relatively high speed roadways. If such a
ramp were a single unitary structure, a single operator may not be
capable of handling such a large structure. Such a unitary
structure might also be too large to fit in conventional vehicles
such as a pickup truck. But the ramp 14 according to the present
invention is divided into interlocking segments 16 so that a single
operator can disassemble and assemble the ramp 14 relatively
easily, and so that the segments 16 easily fit within the width of
the bed of a conventional pickup truck, for example.
[0028] The ramp segments 16 can also be provided with fastener
holes 38 that allow an installer to attach fasteners 40 such as
nails through the holes 38 and into the underlying pavement 12. A
washer 42 can be placed around the nail 40 before being driven.
Once the nail 40 is driven into the underlying pavement 12 in this
manner the head of the nail 40 abuts the washer 42, which abuts the
top surface 44 of the ramp segment 16. The nail 40 and washer 42
help secure the segment 16 in place as vehicular traffic drives
over the temporary ramp 14. FIG. 2 shows in phantom a single
fastener opening 38 positioned in the ramp segment 16 adjacent the
manhole 10, and a pair of fastener openings 38 positioned in each
ramp segment 16 adjacent the radially outer edge 46 of the segment
16.
[0029] The ramp segments 16 can be provided with a 1:20 incline.
For a manhole 10 that extends 1.75 inches above the existing
roadway surface 12, the segment 16 would extend radially 30 inches
from the manhole 10. The radially outer edge 46 of the segment is
approximately 0.25 inches high.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 7-10 there is shown a temporary ramp
14 according to the present invention adapted for use against a
straight edge 48 of an obstruction, otherwise known in the
construction field as a butt joint. FIG. 7 shows the surface of a
roadway 12 under construction. A top surface layer (not shown) will
be installed on top of the lower surface 12 shown. A finished
roadway surface 50 is shown adjacent to the portion of the roadway
12 under construction. The temporary ramp 14 is utilized for
allowing vehicular traffic on the roadway 12 to drive from the
finished roadway surface 50 to the lower surface 12, and vice
verse, without causing damage to the vehicle. The ramp 14 is
positioned in close abutment with the drop-off or edge 48 of the
finished surface 50 to provide a relatively smooth transition
between the upper and lower surfaces 50 and 12.
[0031] The temporary ramp 14 shown in FIGS. 7-10 includes numerous
ramp segments 16 that all fit together to form an assembled
temporary ramp 14. The edges 18 of the ramp segments 16 include
mating shapes 20 that fit together to securely couple the segments
16 together after assembly. The mating shapes 20 include male
shapes 22 and female shapes 24 that fit snuggly together. The
mating shapes 20 extend the entire vertical dimension of the edge
of the segment 16, and thereby provide a relatively large amount of
material through which forces can be dispersed. The mating shapes
20 are formed on the lateral outer edges 52 of the segments 16 for
securing the segments 16 across the width of the roadway 12. The
temporary ramp 14 shown in FIG. 8 also includes mating shapes 20
formed in the laterally extending edges 54 of the segments 16 to
securely couple the adjacent segments 16 together that are aligned
in the direction of vehicle travel. The temporary ramp 14 shown in
FIGS. 7 and 9 are provided with hinge mechanisms 62 which coupled
the laterally extending edges 54 together. The segments 16 are
assembled together to form a ramp 14 having the proper width
desired. Outer ramp segments 56 can be provided having a smooth
outer edge 58 with no mating shape formed therein. Ramp segments 16
having different widths can be provided to allow a person to
assemble the temporary ramp 14 in varying widths depending on the
widths of the segments used. Ramp segments 16 are also coupled
together to form a relatively long ramp 14 in the direction of
vehicle travel, which allows the slope of the ramp 14 to be
relatively gradual and is well adapted for use on high-speed
roadways. The segments 16 are detachable from each other to allow a
single person to disassemble the temporary ramp 14 and easily load
the individual ramp segments 16 into a vehicle such as a pickup
truck.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. The temporary ramp segment 16
shown in FIG. 10 includes a core 60 of a metal material such as
steel or iron. The metal core 60 is relatively heavy, and therefore
serves to increase the weight of the segment 16. A temporary ramp
14 assembled of segments 16 having metal cores 60 such as this are
relatively heavy, which can be advantageous for maintaining the
temporary ramp 14 in position when relatively high speed traffic
drives over the ramp 14. The higher speed traffic tends to impart
larger impact loads to the temporary ramps 14, and therefore the
heavier weight of the temporary ramp 14 with the metallic cores 60
is well adapted to resist these impact loads and hold the ramp 14
in the proper position.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9, there is shown
temporary ramps 14 which include a hinge mechanism 62 that allows
adjacent ramp segments 16 to be folded at the axis of the hinge 62.
The folded ramp segments 16 are relatively compact for easy
handling by a person assembling or disassembling a temporary ramp
14.
[0034] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 shows a temporary ramp 14 designed for use
around a raised manhole structure 10. The hinge mechanism 62 allows
the temporary ramp 14 to be folded about the axis of the hinge 62
to thereby decrease the size of the temporary ramp 14 to facilitate
handling. The folded temporary ramp 14 will more readily fit into
common vehicles such as into the bed of a conventional pickup
truck. The hinge mechanism 62 can be attached to the segment 16 by
a belt splice type of joint or other suitable means.
[0035] FIGS. 7 and 9 show a temporary ramp 14 that is designed to
extend across the width of a roadway 12 against a linear butt joint
48. The hinge mechanisms 62 couple ramp segments 16 together that
are adjacent each other and aligned with the direction of vehicle
traffic. These adjacent ramp segments 16 can be folded about the
axis of the hinge mechanism 62 to thereby make the segments 16 easy
to handle by a person assembling, disassembling or transporting the
temporary ramp 14. Mating shapes 20 are provided between laterally
adjacent ramp segments 16 to secure the ramp segments 16 together
when installed on the roadway 12.
[0036] All the ramp segments 16 shown in the drawing figures can be
provided with fastener openings 38 similar to those shown in
phantom in FIG. 2. These fastener openings 38 help further secure
the temporary ramps 14 and individual segments 16 against movement
as impacts and other loads are encountered when vehicle traffic
drives over the temporary ramps 14.
[0037] The temporary ramps 14 adapted for use against a linear
surface or butt joint 48 as shown in FIGS. 7-10 can be manufactured
having an upper surface 44 that is inclined approximately 1:20, or
as little as 1:80 for use on higher speed roadways.
[0038] The temporary ramps 14 shown in FIGS. 1-11 can be
manufactured in colors such as red, orange or yellow to increase
their visibility to oncoming drivers and thereby warn them of the
approaching variation in roadway.
* * * * *