WO2006120713A1 - Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers - Google Patents

Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006120713A1
WO2006120713A1 PCT/IT2006/000333 IT2006000333W WO2006120713A1 WO 2006120713 A1 WO2006120713 A1 WO 2006120713A1 IT 2006000333 W IT2006000333 W IT 2006000333W WO 2006120713 A1 WO2006120713 A1 WO 2006120713A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plates
motorists
functional apparatus
border
plate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2006/000333
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marino Macrolei
Original Assignee
Coneroplastik Dl Giaccaglia Malvina E C.- S.N.C.
Star Autoforniture S.N.C. Dl Evoli Andrea & C.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Coneroplastik Dl Giaccaglia Malvina E C.- S.N.C., Star Autoforniture S.N.C. Dl Evoli Andrea & C. filed Critical Coneroplastik Dl Giaccaglia Malvina E C.- S.N.C.
Priority to EP06745336A priority Critical patent/EP1883543A1/en
Publication of WO2006120713A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006120713A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66FHOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F7/00Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts
    • B66F7/24Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts for raising or lowering vehicles by their own power
    • B66F7/243Ramps
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60BVEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B39/00Increasing wheel adhesion
    • B60B39/02Vehicle fittings for scattering or dispensing material in front of its wheels
    • B60B39/12Vehicle fittings for scattering or dispensing material in front of its wheels the material being sheet-like or web-like
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60PVEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/32Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles
    • B60P3/36Auxiliary arrangements; Arrangements of living accommodation; Details

Definitions

  • Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers.
  • the present patent application refers to a multi-functional apparatus for motorists, which can be used as anti-skid ramp, leveller, parking block, portable step board.
  • the ground is not perfectly levelled and one or more shims with suitable height must be inserted under one or more wheels, in order to compensate the difference in height between the wheels and give a perfectly horizontal position to the walking surface.
  • camper vans and trailers are usually provided with a set of plates with different thickness, to be selectively used according to the specific need.
  • camper van or trailer drivers Another indispensable tool for camper van or trailer drivers is a anti- skid ramp used in case of sinking in sand, mud or snow.
  • This tool is rather bulky, being normally composed of a metal plate, with minimum one meter length, used to create a provisional platform where the skidding wheel can be placed and adhere.
  • the first inconvenience is an economic one, being it necessary to buy four different devices
  • the second inconvenience is a practical one, caused by the dimensions and volumes of the four devices, which need to be stored in the vehicle in suitable spaces that could be otherwise advantageously used.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional apparatus that can be used as anti-skid ramp, leveller, parking block and portable step board, as necessary,
  • a further purpose of the invention is to provide a multi-functional tool that is characterised by compact size and reduced volume, when not used, in order to be stored in narrow spaces.
  • the apparatus of the invention consists in a concatenated series of rectangular plates with different length, connected by means of double-hinged unions that allow a plate to rotate by 360° with respect to the other plate, until they are overlapped and engaged.
  • the free ends of the first and last plate are pivoted to a cuneiform appendix, which can be overturned by approximately 90° in the two rotation directions, in order to be aligned or inclined, for the maximum value of a right angle, with respect to the relevant support plate.
  • the series of plates is aligned to form a long platform articulated in the double- hinged unions.
  • the apparatus of the invention is to be used as leveller, all or some of the plates are overturned to form a stack with suitable height according to the difference in level to be compensated.
  • the apparatus of the invention is to be used as parking block, the last three plates are overturned in order to form the three sides of a wedge, whose vertex is attached to the remaining plates, which are aligned, in order to be surmounted by the wheel, in reverse gear, until the wheel touches and stops against the shim.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, in maximum compaction condition
  • - fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, in maximum extension condition
  • - fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of the invention, in maximum extension condition
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, in partial extension condition
  • - fig. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, folded in such a way as to be used as parking block;
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, shown with all its constructive elements
  • - fig. 7 is an axonometric view of the apparatus of the invention.
  • the multi-functional apparatus of the invention consists in a concatenated series of rectangular plates (P), with identical width and different height.
  • the series comprises four plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) connected by means of double-hinged unions (G) that allow to rotate each plate by 360° with respect to the adjacent one, until they are overlapped and engaged, as shown in fig. 1.
  • all plates (P) are provided with two comb-shaped transversal borders (B), formed of teeth (5) with identical number, distance and dimensions.
  • the two consecutive plates (P) are connected by a spaced series of unions (G), each formed of a flat connection rod (6) provided with two ending holes (6a), suitable to be inserted edgeways between the teeth (5) of two interfaced borders (B) of a consecutive pair of plates (P).
  • All teeth (5) are provided with a transversal hole (5a) used to insert the same pin (7) used to pivot all the connection rods (6) of the same row to the teeth (5) of the same border (B).
  • the free ends of the first (1) and last (4) plate are pivoted to a cuneiform appendix (A), composed of a fin (8) with a comb-shaped transversal border (B1), identical to the aforementioned borders (B), in such a way that the connection between the cuneiform appendixes (A) and the relevant support plates (1 and 4) is made without the interposition of a series of unions (G) of the afore-illustrated type.
  • the cuneiform appendix (A) can be overturned by 90° only in the two rotation directions, in order to be aligned or inclined, for the maximum value of a right angle, with respect to the relevant support plate, as shown in fig. 1.
  • the third plate (3) is the shortest plate
  • the second (2) and the last (4) plate have the same length, being an intermediate value between the first (1) and the third (3) plate.
  • each connection section between the plates (P) finds a stable support plate on the plate immediately below, as shown in fig. 1.
  • connection sections are the most critical resistance area, due to the fact that the structure of the plates (P) in the said sections is lighter and less rigid thanks to the presence of the toothed borders (B). Based on this consideration, the intention was to avoid that, once the plates (P) are overlapped, the sections could assume a vertical aligned position, in which each section would inevitably be charged by the load that assures on the section immediately above, with higher risk of damage for the teeth (5) or the pivoting pins (7).
  • the apparatus of the invention is to be used as leveller, all or some of the plates (P) are overturned to form a stack with suitable height according to the difference in level to be compensated, as shown in figure 4.
  • the series of plates (P) is aligned to form a long platform articulated in the double-hinged unions, as shown in figures 2 and 3.

Abstract

The present invention refers to a multi-functional apparatus for motorists, which can be used as anti-skid ramp, leveller, parking block, portable step board; the said apparatus comprises a concatenated series of rectangular plates (P) with same width, connected by means of double-hinged unions (G) that allow a plate to rotate by 360° with respect to the other plate, until they are overlapped and engaged.

Description

Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers.
The present patent application refers to a multi-functional apparatus for motorists, which can be used as anti-skid ramp, leveller, parking block, portable step board.
Motorists travelling in camper vans or trailers can appreciate and benefit from the great versatility of use of the apparatus of the invention, As a matter of fact, in the aforementioned cases special needs are added to the ordinary emergency situations that may occur when using an ordinary car, because of the peculiar ways in which this special category of vehicles is used.
For instance, reference is made to the need to level the walking surface of a trailer or camper van, once they are parked for a long time.
In such a case, and especially in the case of earth or grass surfaces, the ground is not perfectly levelled and one or more shims with suitable height must be inserted under one or more wheels, in order to compensate the difference in height between the wheels and give a perfectly horizontal position to the walking surface.
To that end, users of camper vans and trailers are usually provided with a set of plates with different thickness, to be selectively used according to the specific need.
Another indispensable tool for camper van or trailer drivers is a anti- skid ramp used in case of sinking in sand, mud or snow.
This tool is rather bulky, being normally composed of a metal plate, with minimum one meter length, used to create a provisional platform where the skidding wheel can be placed and adhere.
In case of extended emergency parking uphill, in high slope roads, in order to prevent the vehicle from accidentally moving backwards without control, parking blocks made of shims are inserted on the back of the wheel, between tyre and ground. Finally, to ensure easier access when getting on or off the camper van or trailer, a small mobile tool is provisionally situated under the door, in order to halve the difference in height between the ground and the door threshold, thus allowing easier and safer movement, because of the presence of the intermediate step.
In order to find a solution to every requirement as illustrated above, motorists have to be provided with one specific, dedicated tool, with two types of inconvenience: the first inconvenience is an economic one, being it necessary to buy four different devices, and the second inconvenience is a practical one, caused by the dimensions and volumes of the four devices, which need to be stored in the vehicle in suitable spaces that could be otherwise advantageously used.
As mentioned above, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional apparatus that can be used as anti-skid ramp, leveller, parking block and portable step board, as necessary,
A further purpose of the invention is to provide a multi-functional tool that is characterised by compact size and reduced volume, when not used, in order to be stored in narrow spaces.
The apparatus of the invention consists in a concatenated series of rectangular plates with different length, connected by means of double-hinged unions that allow a plate to rotate by 360° with respect to the other plate, until they are overlapped and engaged.
The free ends of the first and last plate are pivoted to a cuneiform appendix, which can be overturned by approximately 90° in the two rotation directions, in order to be aligned or inclined, for the maximum value of a right angle, with respect to the relevant support plate.
When the apparatus of the invention is to be used as anti-skid ramp, the series of plates is aligned to form a long platform articulated in the double- hinged unions. When the apparatus of the invention is to be used as leveller, all or some of the plates are overturned to form a stack with suitable height according to the difference in level to be compensated. When the apparatus of the invention is to be used as parking block, the last three plates are overturned in order to form the three sides of a wedge, whose vertex is attached to the remaining plates, which are aligned, in order to be surmounted by the wheel, in reverse gear, until the wheel touches and stops against the shim.
It must be noted that in this case this special parking block cannot be accidentally moved or voluntarily removed, since the wheel surmounts part of the tool.
When the apparatus of the invention is to be used as step board, all plates are overturned and placed one on top of the other, thus forming a stack with the maximum height, which can be used as step when getting on or off the vehicle.
For purposes of clarity the description of the apparatus of the invention continues with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes of illustration only and not in a limiting sense, whereby:
- fig. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, in maximum compaction condition;
- fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, in maximum extension condition; - fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of the invention, in maximum extension condition;
- fig. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, in partial extension condition;
- fig. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, folded in such a way as to be used as parking block;
- fig. 6 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention, shown with all its constructive elements;
- fig. 7 is an axonometric view of the apparatus of the invention.
With reference to the aforementioned figures, the multi-functional apparatus of the invention consists in a concatenated series of rectangular plates (P), with identical width and different height.
The series comprises four plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) connected by means of double-hinged unions (G) that allow to rotate each plate by 360° with respect to the adjacent one, until they are overlapped and engaged, as shown in fig. 1.
More precisely, all plates (P) are provided with two comb-shaped transversal borders (B), formed of teeth (5) with identical number, distance and dimensions.
The two consecutive plates (P) are connected by a spaced series of unions (G), each formed of a flat connection rod (6) provided with two ending holes (6a), suitable to be inserted edgeways between the teeth (5) of two interfaced borders (B) of a consecutive pair of plates (P).
All teeth (5) are provided with a transversal hole (5a) used to insert the same pin (7) used to pivot all the connection rods (6) of the same row to the teeth (5) of the same border (B).
The free ends of the first (1) and last (4) plate are pivoted to a cuneiform appendix (A), composed of a fin (8) with a comb-shaped transversal border (B1), identical to the aforementioned borders (B), in such a way that the connection between the cuneiform appendixes (A) and the relevant support plates (1 and 4) is made without the interposition of a series of unions (G) of the afore-illustrated type. This means that all teeth (8a) of the said border (B 1) have a transversal hole (8b) used to insert the same pivoting pin (7) used to connect the border (B1) to the border (B) in the front.
Due to the fact that it is not necessary to interpose a series of unions
(G) between border (B1) and border (B), the cuneiform appendix (A) can be overturned by 90° only in the two rotation directions, in order to be aligned or inclined, for the maximum value of a right angle, with respect to the relevant support plate, as shown in fig. 1.
Attention is now drawn on the logical principles that determine the different lengths of the plates (P), which have the following values: - the first plate (1 ) is the longest plate
- the third plate (3) is the shortest plate
- the second (2) and the last (4) plate have the same length, being an intermediate value between the first (1) and the third (3) plate.
Because of the aforementioned dimensions of the plates (P), in case of partial or total overlapping of the different plates, each connection section between the plates (P) finds a stable support plate on the plate immediately below, as shown in fig. 1.
Evidently, in load conditions the connection sections are the most critical resistance area, due to the fact that the structure of the plates (P) in the said sections is lighter and less rigid thanks to the presence of the toothed borders (B). Based on this consideration, the intention was to avoid that, once the plates (P) are overlapped, the sections could assume a vertical aligned position, in which each section would inevitably be charged by the load that insists on the section immediately above, with higher risk of damage for the teeth (5) or the pivoting pins (7). When the apparatus of the invention is to be used as leveller, all or some of the plates (P) are overturned to form a stack with suitable height according to the difference in level to be compensated, as shown in figure 4. When the apparatus is to be used as parking block, the last three (2, 3 and 4) of the plates (P) are overturned, as shown in figure 5. To that end, it must be noted that in this case this special parking block cannot be accidentally moved or voluntarily removed, since the wheel surmounts the first plate (1).
When the apparatus is to be used as step board, all plates (P) of the series are overturned and engaged one above the other, as shown in fig. 1 , which also shows the most compacted configuration of the apparatus for storage purposes in narrow spaces.
When the apparatus of the invention is to be used as anti-skid ramp, the series of plates (P) is aligned to form a long platform articulated in the double-hinged unions, as shown in figures 2 and 3.

Claims

Claims
1) Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers, characterised in that it comprises a concatenated series of rectangular plates (P) with same width, connected by means of double-hinged unions (G) that allow a plate to rotate by 360° with respect to the other plate, until they are overlapped and engaged.
2) Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers, as defined in the preceding claim, characterised in that the free end of the first and last plate (P) is pivoted to a cuneiform appendix (A) that can be overturned by approximately 90° in the two rotation directions. 3) Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers, as defined in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that all plates (P) are provided with two comb-shaped transversal borders (B), all formed of teeth (5) with identical number, distance and dimensions, between which a spaced series of unions (G) is inserted, each of them being formed of a flat connection rod (6) provided with two ending holes (6a), suitable to be inserted edgeways between the teeth (5), which have a transversal hole (5a) for the insertion of the same pin (7), with which all the connection rods (6) of the same row are pivoted to the teeth (5) of the same border (B). 4) Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers, as defined in claim 2, characterised in that the cuneiform appendix (A) is formed of a fin (8) with comb-shaped transversal border (B1), identical to the aforementioned borders (B); it being provided that all teeth (8a) of the same border (B1) have a transversal hole (8b) used to insert the same pivoting pin (7) used to connect the border (B 1) to the border (B) in the front. 5) Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plates (P) have different length.
6) Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers, as defined in the preceding claim, characterised in that the length of the plates (P) is such that - in case of partial or total overlapping of the plates - each connection section between the plates (P) finds a stable support plane in the plate immediately below.
PCT/IT2006/000333 2005-05-11 2006-05-09 Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers WO2006120713A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06745336A EP1883543A1 (en) 2005-05-11 2006-05-09 Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMC2005A000044 2005-05-11
ITMC20050044 ITMC20050044A1 (en) 2005-05-11 2005-05-11 MULTI-PURPOSE AUTOMOBILE TOOLS, IN PARTICULAR FOR CAMPERISTI

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006120713A1 true WO2006120713A1 (en) 2006-11-16

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ID=36778120

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2006/000333 WO2006120713A1 (en) 2005-05-11 2006-05-09 Multi-functional apparatus for motorists, especially camper van drivers

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1883543A1 (en)
IT (1) ITMC20050044A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006120713A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2465065A (en) * 2008-11-05 2010-05-12 Milenco Ltd Caravan levelling ramp
RU175532U1 (en) * 2017-04-03 2017-12-07 Александр Николаевич Кунилов Traction control for vehicles and wheeled vehicles
RU2667021C1 (en) * 2017-04-03 2018-09-13 Александр Николаевич Кунилов Anti-skid device for vehicles and wheeled self-propelled machines

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1156564A (en) 1966-06-25 1969-07-02 Charles Ivan Knowles Gripping Mat Apparatus for Use in Assisting Vehicles to Move on Surfaces of a Slippery Nature
GB2199292A (en) * 1986-12-19 1988-07-06 Rodney Melvin Green Adjustable height vehicle wheel ramp
CH680729A5 (en) * 1989-03-17 1992-10-30 Raymond Boekenkamp
US5439171A (en) 1993-02-22 1995-08-08 Kulak Technologies Pty. Ltd. Traction mat for vehicles
CA2177316A1 (en) * 1996-05-24 1997-11-25 Germain Jutras Anti-skid device for motor vehicle
DE20310883U1 (en) * 2003-07-15 2004-08-19 Froli Kunststoffwerk Heinrich Fromme Ohg Compensating chock for horizontal alignment of parked vehicles has access ramp connected high side of wedge, and access ramp is formed from first wedge-form section and second trough-form section interconnected by joint

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1156564A (en) 1966-06-25 1969-07-02 Charles Ivan Knowles Gripping Mat Apparatus for Use in Assisting Vehicles to Move on Surfaces of a Slippery Nature
GB2199292A (en) * 1986-12-19 1988-07-06 Rodney Melvin Green Adjustable height vehicle wheel ramp
CH680729A5 (en) * 1989-03-17 1992-10-30 Raymond Boekenkamp
US5439171A (en) 1993-02-22 1995-08-08 Kulak Technologies Pty. Ltd. Traction mat for vehicles
CA2177316A1 (en) * 1996-05-24 1997-11-25 Germain Jutras Anti-skid device for motor vehicle
DE20310883U1 (en) * 2003-07-15 2004-08-19 Froli Kunststoffwerk Heinrich Fromme Ohg Compensating chock for horizontal alignment of parked vehicles has access ramp connected high side of wedge, and access ramp is formed from first wedge-form section and second trough-form section interconnected by joint

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2465065A (en) * 2008-11-05 2010-05-12 Milenco Ltd Caravan levelling ramp
RU175532U1 (en) * 2017-04-03 2017-12-07 Александр Николаевич Кунилов Traction control for vehicles and wheeled vehicles
RU2667021C1 (en) * 2017-04-03 2018-09-13 Александр Николаевич Кунилов Anti-skid device for vehicles and wheeled self-propelled machines

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITMC20050044A1 (en) 2006-11-12
EP1883543A1 (en) 2008-02-06

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