GB2530710A

GB2530710A - Apparatus for providing temporary access to a position

Info

Publication number: GB2530710A
Application number: GB1413756.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Perry Cohn; Gary Malcolm Savage
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-01
Filing date: 2014-08-01
Publication date: 2016-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-01
Also published as: GB201413756D0; GB2530710B

Abstract

The ladder 2 comprises a plurality of sections 4, each section comprising tubular rungs 6 extending between a pair of tubular stiles 8, the stiles being releasably end 10 to end 12 connectable via male 14 and female 16 connecting formations. Each male connecting formation may be inserted into and chemically bonded to a female holding portion of a section. The ladder may comprise hooks and loops for fastening the sections together. Each section may have a carbon and Innegra (RTM) hybrid outer ply covering for protection from damage. The male connecting formation may be moulded carbon. Each section may have rectangular rungs and stiles, and be mouldable and non-metallic. The ladder may include a head restraint and webbing straps. The rungs may be concave.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING

TEMPORARY ACCESS TO A POSITION

This invention relates to apparatus for providing temporary access to a position.

There is often a need for apparatus for providing temporary access to a position. For example, the apparatus may be required for providing temporary access for emergency services, disaster relief, military forces, and the oil industry. Ideally, the apparatus should be lightweight, manually portable, and configured of multiple sections for achieving a desired length. It is an aim of the present invention to provide such apparatus.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for providing temporary access to a position, which apparatus comprises a plurality of sections which connect together, and which apparatus is such that: (I) each section comprises rungs extending between a pair of stiles; (ii) the rungs and stiles are tubular for providing a lightweight structure; (iii) each section has a first end and a second end; (iv) the first end comprises a pair of male connecting formations whith extend from the pair of stiles; (v) the second end comprises a pair of female connecting formations which extend into the pair of stiles; (vi) the male connecting formations are received in the female connecting formations, whereby the sections are releasably connected together end to end; (vii) the male connecting formations are smaller than the end of the stiles from which they project, whereby the male connecting formations are a sliding fit in the female connecting formations; (viii) the sliding fit is precision engineered such that the sections require to be under load when in use in order to be retained together; and (ix) the male connecting formations are precision moulded tubes.

The apparatus of the present invention is lightweight. The lightweight nature of the apparatus enables it to be manually portable. The use of the sections enables various numbers of sections to be connected together until the apparatus is of a required length for providing the temporary access to the position. The position may be an elevated position such for example as would be found up the side of, or over, a structure such for example as a wall or sharply inclined slope. The position may be the other side of a channel or ravine, or the other side of a river. The apparatus may afford the temporary access to personnel and also light vehicles. The personnel and/or the light vehicles may carry equipment as required for any particular situation. The sections are easily connected together by virtue of their precision engineered sliding fit. The sections are retained together when under load.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which: (x) each male connecting formation has an insert portion at its end remote from the end that first enters the female connecting formation; (xi) the insert portion is received in a female holding portion in the first end of the section; and (xii) the insert portion is bonded in the female holding portion.

The male connecting formations are then able to be replaced if they become damaged during use of the apparatus. If desired, the apparatus may alternatively be one in which the male connecting formations are formed as an integral part of the sections.

The apparatus may include fastener means for fastening the sections together.

The fastener means may be a tape fastener means comprising a matrix of plastics moulded members of the type that push together for fastening and that pull apart for unfastening. Preferably such tape fastener means is a hook and loop tape fastener means, for example that known under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro. Other types of matrices of plastics moulded members of the type that push together for fastening and that pull apart for unfastening may be employed. Other types of fastener means and tape fastener means may be employed.

The apparatus may be one in which each section has an outer ply covering for protecting the section against damage. The outer ply covering is preferably a carbon/polypropylene hybrid outer ply covering. A preferred polypropylene fibre is Innegra (Registered Trade Mark) Other types of outer ply covering may be employed, for example comprising carbon and other polyolefin fibres.

The male connecting formations are preferably moulded carbon material male connecting formations. Other types of materials may be employed for the male connecting formations. The moulded carbon material is preferably a carbon fibre material.

Preferably, the rungs and the stiles are rectangular in cross section.

Other cross sectional shapes may however be employed so that, for example, the rungs and the stiles may be of circular or oval cross sectional shape.

Usually the rungs and the stiles will be of the same general type of shape in cross section but mixtures of shapes may be employed.

The insert portion is preferably chemically bonded in the female holding portion. Any suitable and appropriate chemical bonding agent may be employed. The chemical bonding agent may be one of a number of commercially available adhesives. The adhesive used may be in paste form, or part of a resin used in the process by which the apparatus is manufactured.

Other bonding methods may be employed including, for example, ultrasonic welding.

The apparatus may be one in which each section is made of a non-metallic mouldable material which is such that each section is able to float on water.

The apparatus will usually be in the form of a ladder. The apparatus may take other shapes if desired, for example in the form of sections which are much wider than normally found in ladders.

The apparatus may include a head restraint and webbing straps. The head restraint and webbing straps may be especially useful if the apparatus of the present invention is used for receiving a casualty with spinal and/or other injuries.

The rungs may be concave along their length. Such concave rungs may be especially useful for instances where the apparatus is to receive a casualty such for example as mentioned above. The concave rungs may provide comfort for the casualty and also ease of restraint. Other shapes for the rungs may be employed including straight rungs.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of apparatus of the present invention for providing temporary access to a position; Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 but in a connected non-exploded form; Figure 3 shows the apparatus of Figure 2 with optional and preferred fastener means for fastening the sections together; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part of the sections shown in Figure 1 and illustrates how they are connected together; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one side of one of the sections shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the other side of the section shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an end view of the section as shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a section on line D -D shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is an enlarged section of the part circled in Figure 8; Figure 10 is an enlarged view showing an outer ply covering for the section shown in Figure 1; Figure 11 shows a first use of apparatus of the present invention; Figure 12 shows a second use of apparatus of the present invention; Figure 13 shows a third use of appartus of the present invention; Figure 14 shows rungs of alternative cross sectional shape to those shOwn in Figure 1; and Figure 15 is an enlarged view of part of the rungs shown in Figure 14.

Referring to Figures 1 -10, there is shown apparatus 2 for providing temporary access to a position. The apparatus 2 comprises a plurality of sections 4 which connect together.

The apparatus 2 is such that each section 4 comprises rungs 6 extending between a pair of stiles 8. The rungs 6 and the stiles 8 are tubular for providing a lightweight structure.

Each section 4 has a first end 10 and a second end 12. The first end comprises a pair of male connecting formations 14 which extend from the pair of stiles 8. The second end 12 comprises a pair of female connecting formations 16 which extend into the pair of stiles 8.

The male connecting formations 14 are received in the female connecting formations 16, whereby the sections 4 are releasably connected together end to end. The male connecting formations 14 are smaller than the end of the stiles 8 from which they project, whereby the male connecting formations 14 are a sliding fit in the female connecting formations 16. The sliding fit is a precision engineering fit such that the sections 4 require to be under load when in use, in order to be retained together.

The male connecting formations 14 are precision moulded tubes. Each male connecting formation 14 has an insert portion 18 at its end remote from the end 20 that first enters the female connecting formation 16. The insert portion 18 is received in a female holding portion 22 in the first end 10 of the section. The insert portion 18 is chemically bonded in the female holding portion 22.

Each section 4 has an outer ply covering 24 for protecting the section 4 against damage.

The apparatus 2 includes fastener means 26 for fastening the sections 4 together. The fastener means 26 is a tape fastener means 26 comprising a matrix of plastics moulded members of the type that push together for fastening and that pull apart for unfastening. The matrix of the plastics moulded members is that sold under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro.

The outer ply covering 24 is a carbon/Innegra (Registered Trade Mark) hybrid outer covering. The male connecting formations 14 are moulded carbon material male connecting formations 14. The rungs 16 and the stiles 8 are rectangular in cross section as shown.

Each section 4 is made of a non-metallic mouldable material which is such that each section 4 is able to float on water.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus 2 is in the form of a ladder.

As best appreciated from Figures 5 and 8, the rungs 6 are concave along their length. The concave rungs may be especiaDy convenient if the apparatus 2 is used in an emergency situation requiring a casualty to be placed on the apparatus. In this case, the apparatus may be provided with a head restraint (not shown) and webbing straps (not shown) for restraining the casualty. The concave shape of the rungs may provide good comfort for the casualty, in addition to facilitating easy restraint of the casualty.

Figure 11 shows a use of apparatus 28 of the present invention. The apparatus 28 is like the apparatus 2 but it is made up of five of the sections 4, rather than two of the sections 4 as shown in Figure 1. The apparatus 28 is being used for gaining access to a window 30 in a wall 32 of a structure.

Figure 12 shows the apparatus 28 in use in bridging a gap 34 between two banks 36, 38. The gap 34 may be a simple void, or it may be in the form of a river.

Figure 13 shows two pieces of the apparatus 28 in use for bridging the gap 34 by a vehicle (not shown). The wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle will run in the two different pieces of the apparatus 28.

Figures 14 and 15 show two stiles 40 which will be on the same side of apparatus of the present invention. The stiles 40 are of circular cross section.

Each style 40 has a male connecting formation 42, a female connecting formation 44, an insert portion, and a female holding portion in the same manner as the stiles 8, except that the stiles 40 are of circular cross section whereas the stiles 8 are of rectangular cross section. Rungs of circular cross section will usually be used with stiles of circular cross section, but other cross sectional shapes may be employed and mixed as may be desired.

The various types of apparatus shown in the drawings is able to be simply and easily constructed. It is of lightweight construction so that it is easily portable by hand. It is also robust in use due to the outer ply covering 24. The material from which the apparatus 2 is made ensures that it is able to bear desired loads. The apparatus 2 is of a non-slip planar section in order to aid walking and climbing. The fibre reinforced composite construction provides for high strength and stiffness with a low weight. The apparatus is easy to assemble and dismantle in the field. The fastener means 26 acts as a failsafe device and ensures that the apparatus can be pre-assembled and transported unloaded.

The segmented design of the apparatus shown in the drawings enables the apparatus to be easily transported in a dismantled condition. The apparatus can easily be assembled for a wide variety of uses including a scaling ladder, an assault bridge, apparatus for casualty evacuation, and a loading pallet for transporting equipment, for example heavy or vulnerable equipment. The fastener means 26 may be employed in different locations for backpacking and/or other attachments. The apparatus is non-rusting because it is non-metallic. The apparatus is able to float in water. The apparatus can be decontaminated if required. Due to the various different sections, the apparatus is easily repairable/interchangeable. The use of the outer ply covering makes the apparatus impact resistant. The apparatus can be provided with various paint coverings. Additionally or alternatively the apparatus can be provided with various non-slip coatings. The apparatus may be made to flame retardant. The sections may be monolithic or fabricated.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for eAample, the apparatus 2 may be in a different form to that of a ladder. Thus the apparatus may be much wider, for example of a width such that one piece of the apparatus is wide enough to receive a vehicle. The rungs 6 may be straight instead of concave. The apparatus 2 may be used for providing temporary access to positions other than those shown. The apparatus 2 may be made from a material other than a non-metallic mouldable material. The outer ply covering 24 may be omitted if desired. The male connecting formations 16 may be formed as an integral part of the sections 4 as an alternative to having the insert portions 18 which are chemicafly bonded in position. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.

Claims

Apparatus for providing temporary access to a position, which apparatus comprises a plurality of sections which connect together, and which apparatus is such that: (i) each section comprises rungs extending between a pair of stiles; (ii) the rungs and stiles are tubular for providing a lightweight structure; (iii) each section has a first end and a second end; (iv) the first end comprises a pair of male connecting formations which extend from the pair of stiles; (v) the second end comprises a pair of female connecting formations which extend into the pair of stiles; (vi) the male connecting formations are received in the female connecting formations, whereby the sections are releasably connected together end to end; (vii) the male connecting formations are smaller than the end of the stiles from which they project, whereby the male connecting formations are a sliding fit in the female connecting formations; (viii) the sliding fit is precision engineered such that the sections require to be under load when in use in order to be retained together; and (ix) the mate connecting formations are precision moulded tubes;
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which: (x) each male connecting formation has an insert portion at its end remote from the end that first enters the female connecting formation; (xi) the insert portion is received in a female holding portion in the first end of the section; and (xii) the insert portion is bonded in the female holding portion.
3. Apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 and including fastener means for fastening the sections together.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the fastener means is a tape fastener means comprising a matrix of plastics moulded members of the type that push together for fastening and that pull apart for unfastening.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which each section has an outer ply covering for protecting the section against damage.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the outer ply covering is a carbon/Innegra (Registered Trade Mark) hybrid outer piy covering.
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the male connecting formations are moulded carbon material male connecting formations.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rungs and the stiles are rectangular in cross section.
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the insert portion is chemically bonded in the female holding portion.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which each section is made of a non-metallic mouldable material which is such that each section is able to float on water.
11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and in the form of a ladder.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a head restraint and webbing straps.
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rungs are concave.
14. Apparatus for providing temporary access to a position, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.