JP7828106B2 - Slope device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a temporary slope device .

Temporary slope devices have traditionally been used to easily overcome steps. The portable slope disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a pair of slope plates, a hinge member that folds and connects the slope plates, and a number of stopper members that are spaced apart from each other and positioned along the side edge of each sleeve plate on the other side of each slope plate.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-342016

When such a temporary slope device is used at a work site, for example, it needs to be adapted to steps of various heights that are installed at the work site.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a slope device that can accommodate various steps.

The present invention provides a slope device having a slope portion arranged at an angle and a support portion that supports the slope portion so that it can be adjusted in the height direction, wherein the support portion has a screwing member attached to the slope portion and an adjustment member that screws into the screwing member and comes into contact with the floor surface, the screwing member has a main body portion and an attachment portion formed integrally with the main body portion, and is attached to the slope portion via the attachment portion , the screwing member has a plurality of attachment portions, and the plurality of attachment portions are attached to the slope portion in a state where they are each in contact with different, non-parallel surfaces of the slope portion .

The present invention provides a slope device that can accommodate a variety of steps.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the slope device of the first embodiment. 1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view showing an example of the configuration of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of a slope device installed on different steps. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a slope device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a slope device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a slope device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing an example of the configuration of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a configuration of a portion of a slope device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a handle portion. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an adjustment member. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing an example of a slope device when the height is adjusted. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing an example of a slope device when the height is adjusted. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a slope device when the height is adjusted. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a slope device when the height is adjusted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a slope unit. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the ridges.

Hereinafter, the slope device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the slope device 100. FIG. 2 is a plan view and a side view showing the configuration of the slope device 100. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a portion of the configuration of the slope device 100. Note that, hereinafter, the lower side of the step will be referred to as the lower step, and the upper side will be referred to as the upper step. For convenience, in each drawing, the front side from the lower step to the upper step in the horizontal direction will be represented as Fr, the rear side as Rr, the right side as R, and the left side as L.
The slope device 100 of this embodiment includes a slope portion 10 and a support portion 50 .

First, the slope portion 10 will be described.
The slope section 10 is disposed at an incline and has the function of allowing people and objects to pass over the step at a gentle gradient. In a plan view, the slope section 10 has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape with a front-to-back length longer than a left-to-right length.
The slope section 10 has a main slope section 11, a first slope section 21, a second slope section 31, and a third slope section 41. The slope section 10 is arranged in the following order from the rear side to the front side: the first slope section 21, the second slope section 31, the third slope section 41, and the main slope section 11.

The main slope section 11 is located between the third slope section 41 and the upper step of the step. The main slope section 11 has a plurality of (e.g., eight) slope members 12 and a plurality of (e.g., five) joists 16.
The slope member 12 is, for example, a generally flat plate with a longer left-to-right length than its front-to-back length. The slope member 12 is, for example, made of an aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion molding. The slope members 12 are arranged in parallel front-to-back with no gaps between them. Furthermore, the slope member 12 has ridges formed integrally on its upper surface in the left-to-right direction (width direction) as anti-slip protrusions. The anti-slip protrusions are not limited to ridges, but may be formed by blasting the entire upper surface or by fixing a checker plate. The anti-slip protrusion configuration is similar for other slope portions.
In addition, the slope member 12 at the front of the main slope section 11 and the slope member 12 at the center of the main slope section 11 each have holes 13 on both the left and right sides for accessing adjustment members 58, 68 described below.

Furthermore, the rear slope member 12 of the main slope section 11 has a different shape from the other slope members 12 .
FIG. 3( a) is an enlarged view of a portion of the side view of FIG. 2( b). Note that FIG. 3( a) illustrates angle members 36 and 46, which will be described later, in a see-through state. As shown in FIG. 3( a), the rear slope member 12 has a substantially circular pivoting portion 14 at its rear end. The pivoting portion 14 is fitted with a pivoted portion 43, which will be described later, of the third slope portion 41, and they pivot relative to each other. That is, the third slope portion 41 is rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction of the pivoting portion 14 relative to the main slope portion 11. Note that the pivoting portion 14 and the pivoted portion 43 come into contact with each other and their rotation is restricted when they exceed a certain rotation range.
The rear slope member 12 also has a holding portion 15 extending from the rear end toward the front. There is a gap above the holding portion 15, and the holding portion 15 holds from below the joist 16 inserted into the gap from the front.

The beam members 16 are arranged on the underside of the slope members 12 to improve the strength of the main slope section 11. The beam members 16 are hollow members with a roughly rectangular cross section along the front-to-rear direction. The beam members 16 are made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion. As shown by the two-dot chain lines in Figure 2(a), multiple beam members 16 are arranged in parallel on the left and right at intervals. The beam members 16 are fixed to the underside of the slope members 12 using bolts or rivets. Therefore, each slope member 12 and each beam member 16 are configured to intersect with each other.

The first slope portion 21 is in contact with the lower step of the step and forms an inclined surface that continues from the lower step. The first slope portion 21 is located behind the second slope portion 31. The first slope portion 21 has a plurality of (e.g., six) slope pieces 22.
The slope pieces 22 are, for example, generally flat plates whose front-to-back length is longer than their left-to-right length. The slope pieces 22 are made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion molding. The multiple slope pieces 22 are arranged side by side with almost no gaps between them. Furthermore, the slope pieces 22 have protrusions integrally formed on the top surface thereof in the left-to-right direction as anti-slip protrusions. The slope pieces 22 may also be generally flat plates whose front-to-back length is shorter than their left-to-right length, or may be made of flexible synthetic resin.

3A, the slope piece 22 has a pivotable portion 23 at its front end. The pivotable portion 23 fits into a pivotable portion 32 (described later) of the second slope portion 31, and the two portions pivot relative to each other. That is, the slope piece 22 can pivot relative to the second slope portion 31 around an axis along the left-right direction of the pivotable portion 32. Note that the pivotable portion 32 and the pivotable portion 23 come into contact with each other and the pivoting is restricted once the pivoting portion 32 and the pivotable portion 23 exceed a certain range of rotation. In this embodiment, the slope pieces 22 are arranged in parallel on the left and right, and therefore each slope piece 22 can pivot independently relative to the second slope portion 31.
The slope piece 22 has seats 24a, 24b at its rear and front ends, respectively, which contact the lower step of the step. The seats 24a, 24b are formed across the left and right direction of the slope piece 22. The seat 24b is located below the pivoted part 23.
Furthermore, in order to make it possible to recognize the start of the slope, it is preferable that the upper surface of the slope piece 22 is colored a color, for example, red, different from the upper surfaces of the second slope portion 31, the third slope portion 41, and the main slope portion 11. Coloring methods include coloring by surface treatment such as anodizing, coloring by applying paint, coloring by attaching a sticker or the like, coloring by mixing a coloring agent, and the like.

The second slope portion 31 forms an inclined surface continuing from the first slope portion 21. The second slope portion 31 is located in front of the first slope portion 21 and behind the third slope portion 41. The second slope portion 31 is, for example, in the shape of a generally flat plate whose left-to-right length is longer than its front-to-back length, and is configured as a single piece. The second slope portion 31 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion molding. The second slope portion 31 has a ridge formed integrally on its upper surface in the left-to-right direction as an anti-slip protrusion.
The second slope portion 31 has a rotating portion 32 at its rear end and a rotated portion 33 at its front end. The rotated portion 33 fits into a rotating portion 42 (described later) of the third slope portion 41, and they rotate relative to each other; that is, the second slope portion 31 can rotate relative to the third slope portion 41 around an axis along the left-right direction of the rotating portion 42. Note that the rotating portion 42 and the rotated portion 33 come into contact with each other when they exceed a certain rotation range, restricting their rotation.

The second slope section 31 also has seats 34a, 34b at the center and front end in the fore-and-aft direction, which respectively contact the lower step of the step. A non-slip member 35 made of rubber or the like is attached to the lower end of seat 34a. Seat 34b is located below the pivoted section 33 and contacts the lower step in a bifurcated manner, splitting into two parts at the front and rear. By having seat 34b contact the ground in two places, it is possible to prevent second slope section 31 from swaying like a seesaw with seat 34b as the fulcrum, even when people or objects move back and forth between the second slope section 31 and the third slope section 41.

The third slope section 41 forms an inclined surface that continues from the second slope section 31. The third slope section 41 is located in front of the second slope section 31 and behind the main slope section 11. The third slope section 41 has the same configuration as the second slope section 31, and the following description will focus on the differences.
The third slope portion 41 has a rotating portion 42 at its rear end and a rotated portion 43 at its front end. As described above, the rotated portion 43 fits into the rotating portion 14 of the main slope portion 11, and the two portions rotate relative to each other. That is, the third slope portion 41 is rotatable relative to the main slope portion 11 around an axis that extends in the left-right direction of the rotating portion 14.

The third slope section 41 also has seats 44a and 44b at the center and front end in the front-to-rear direction, respectively, which contact the lower step of the step. A non-slip member 45 made of rubber or the like is attached to the lower end of seat 44a. Seat 44b is located below the pivoted section 43 and contacts the lower step in a bifurcated manner, splitting into two parts at the front and rear.

The rotating portion 32 and the rotated portion 23, the rotating portion 42 and the rotated portion 33, and the rotating portion 14 and the rotated portion 43 are fitted together, so they cannot separate in the front-to-rear direction, but they can slide left and right relative to each other. Therefore, L-shaped angle members 36 are fixed to both left and right ends of the second slope portion 31 as stopper members. The angle members 36 prevent the first slope portion 21 and the third slope portion 41 from sliding left and right. The third slope portion 41 also has L-shaped angle members 46 as stopper members at both left and right ends. The angle members 46 prevent the main slope portion 11 from sliding left and right.

Next, the support portion 50 will be described.
The support portion 50 is disposed below the slope portion 10. The support portion 50 supports the slope portion 10 so as to be adjustable in the height direction. The support portion 50 of this embodiment has a first support portion 50a and a second support portion 50b that are positioned apart in the front-rear direction.

The first support portion 50a is located on the center side of the slope portion 10 in the front-rear direction.
The first support portion 50 a has a joist member 51 and two support units 52 .
The joist members 51 are arranged on the undersides of the joists 16 to improve the strength of the main slope section 11. The joist members 51 have a length from the right end to the left end of the slope section 10 in the left-right direction, and are arranged so as to overlap with the holes 13 on both sides formed in the slope members 12 in the center of the main slope section 11 in a plan view. The joist members 51 are made of, for example, iron and have a generally U-shaped cross section. The joist members 51 are fixed to the undersides of the joists 16 using bolts or rivets. Therefore, the joist members 51 and the joists 16 are configured to intersect with each other.

The two support units 52 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the joist member 51. Specifically, the two support units 52 are arranged so as to overlap, in a plan view, with the holes 13 on both sides formed in the slope member 12 at the center of the main slope section 11. The two support units 52 each have the same configuration.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 2(b) and seen from the direction of the arrow.
As shown in FIG. 4 , the support unit 52 includes a swing support portion 53 , a swing portion 54 , and an adjustment member 58 .
The swing support part 53 swingably supports the swing part 54 and supports the adjustment member 58 so that it can be adjusted in the height direction. The swing support part 53 is made of, for example, iron and is a roughly U-shaped member that opens downward when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. A nut 57 serving as a female screw part is fixed by welding or the like inside the U-shape of the swing support part 53 with its axis aligned in the height direction.

The swinging portion 54 swings relative to the swinging support portion 53. The swinging portion 54 is made of, for example, iron and is a roughly U-shaped member that opens downward when viewed from the front-to-back direction. The swinging portion 54 is an enlarged version of the swinging support portion 53 and overlaps with the swinging support portion 53 while fitting loosely around the outside. The hanging side plates of the swinging support portion 53 and the swinging portion 54 are connected with a certain amount of play by bolts 55 and nuts 56. Therefore, the swinging portion 54 can swing relative to the swinging support portion 53 around the axis (La) of the bolt 55, i.e., the axis along the left-to-right direction. The upper surface of the swinging portion 54 is fixed to the underside of the joist member 51 by welding or the like.

The adjustment member 58 can adjust the amount of protrusion from the underside of the slope portion 10 and supports the slope portion 10 by contacting the lower step of the step. A so-called adjuster bolt can be used as the adjustment member 58. The adjustment member 58 has a lower end that contacts the lower step of the step and a receiving seat 59 that can rotate around the axis of the adjustment member 58. Meanwhile, the adjustment member 58 has an operation hole at its upper end through which an operator can insert a tool T such as a hex wrench. The male thread of the adjustment member 58 threads into the nut 57 of the swing support portion 53, thereby positioning the adjustment member 58 with its axis aligned in the height direction. The swing portion 54 and the joist member 51 each have a hole through which the adjustment member 58 is inserted. Therefore, the adjustment member 58 is inserted through the swing portion 54 and the joist member 51, and its upper end is positioned within the hole 13 of the slope portion 10.
Here, the operator inserts tool T into the operating hole at the top end of adjustment member 58 and rotates it in one direction, changing the position where it threads onto nut 57 and moving the entire member downward. On the other hand, the operator rotates it in the other direction, changing the position where it threads onto nut 57 and moving the entire member backward and upward. In this way, by rotating adjustment member 58, the operator can adjust the amount by which adjustment member 58 protrudes from the underside of slope portion 10.

The second support portion 50b is located on the front end side of the slope portion 10. The following description will mainly focus on the configuration of the second support portion 50b that differs from the first support portion 50a.
The second support portion 50 b includes a joist member 61 , two support units 62 , and a ground contact portion 70 .
The joist member 61 has the same configuration as the joist member 51 of the first support portion 50a, and is positioned so as to overlap with the holes 13 on both sides formed in the slope member 12 at the front end of the main slope portion 11 when viewed in a plane.

The two support units 62 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the joist member 61. Specifically, the two support units 62 are arranged so as to overlap, in a plan view, with the holes 13 on both sides formed in the slope member 12 at the front end of the main slope section 11. The two support units 62 each have the same configuration.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2(b) and seen from the direction of the arrow.
As shown in FIG. 5 , the support unit 62 includes a swing support portion 63 , a swing portion 64 , and an adjustment member 68 .
The swing support part 63 swingably supports the swing part 64 and supports the adjustment member 68 so that it can be adjusted in the height direction. The swing support part 63 is made of, for example, iron and is a roughly U-shaped member that opens upward when viewed from the front to back direction. A nut 67 serving as a female screw part is fixed to the U-shaped exterior of the swing support part 63 by welding or the like with its axis aligned in the height direction.

The oscillating portion 64 oscillates relative to the oscillating support portion 63. The oscillating portion 64 has a configuration similar to that of the oscillating portion 54 of the first support portion 50a. The oscillating portion 64 has a pair of side plates that overlap with a pair of side plates of the oscillating support portion 63 with some play. The side plates of the oscillating support portion 63 and the oscillating portion 64 are connected to each other by bolts 65 and nuts 66 with a certain amount of play. Therefore, the oscillating portion 64 can oscillate relative to the oscillating support portion 63 around the axis (Lb) of the bolt 65, i.e., around an axis along the left-right direction. The upper surface of the oscillating portion 64 is fixed to the lower surface of the joist member 61 by welding or the like.

The adjustment member 68 can adjust the amount of protrusion from the underside of the slope portion 10, and supports the slope portion 10 by contacting the lower step of the step. The adjustment member 68 has a similar configuration to the adjustment member 58 of the first support portion 50a, except that the male thread portion is longer. The adjustment member 68 contacts the lower step of the step at its lower end and has a receiving seat 69 that is rotatable around the axis of the adjustment member 68.
Therefore, by inserting tool T into the operating hole at the top end of adjustment member 68 and rotating it in one direction, the position where it threads onto nut 67 changes, and the entire adjustment member 68 advances downward. On the other hand, by rotating it in the other direction, the position where it threads onto nut 67 changes, and the entire adjustment member 68 retreats upward. In this way, by rotating adjustment member 68, the operator can adjust the amount by which adjustment member 68 protrudes from the underside of slope portion 10.

The grounding portion 70 is grounded to the upper step of the step.
Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2(b). As shown in Fig. 3(b), the ground contact portion 70 is located in front of the main slope portion 11. The ground contact portion 70 is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the left and right, and its length in the left and right direction is substantially the same as that of the slope portion 10. The ground contact portion 70 is made of, for example, iron, and is formed by bending.
The grounding portion 70 has a fixing portion 71 and a mounting portion 72 .
The fixed portion 71 is a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction and is fixed to the front end of the swing support portion 63 using bolts, rivets, or the like. Therefore, even if the inclination angle of the slope portion 10 is changed, the ground contact portion 70 does not incline in synchronization with the slope portion 10, and can always maintain a constant posture.
The mounting portion 72 is a substantially horizontal plate, and when placed on the upper step of the step, the grounding portion 70 comes into contact with the upper step of the step. The height of the mounting portion 72 is slightly higher than the front end of the main slope portion 11. There is a gap between the mounting portion 72 and the main slope portion 11 so that the mounting portion 72 does not interfere with the slope portion 10 when the slope portion 10 swings in synchronization with the swinging portion 64 and the inclination angle is changed (see FIG. 6 , described later). The mounting portion 72 also has a plurality of holes 73 for fixing it to the upper step of the step.
Furthermore, in order to make it possible to recognize the start of the inclination, it is preferable that the upper surface of the mounting portion 72 is colored a color, for example, red, different from the upper surfaces of the second slope portion 31, the third slope portion 41, and the main slope portion 11. Coloring includes coloring by surface treatment, coloring by applying paint, coloring by attaching a sticker or the like, and the like.

Next, a method for installing the slope device 100 configured as described above at a work site with steps will be described. In this example, two slope devices 100 are installed side by side on the left and right to ensure sufficient length in the left-right direction.
First, a worker brings two pre-assembled slope devices 100 to the work site. At this time, the adjustment members 58 and 68 of the support units 52 and 62 of each slope device 100 are positioned so that the receiving seats 59 and 69 are respectively close to the main slope section 11. In other words, the adjustment members 58 and 68 protrude only slightly from the underside of the slope section 10.

Next, the worker places the mounting portion 72 of the ground contact portion 70 on the upper step of the step, and grounds the first slope portion 21, the second slope portion 31, and the third slope portion 41 of the slope portion 10 on the lower step of the step. At this time, the worker arranges the two slope devices 100 side by side with almost no gap between them.
Next, the operator inserts tool T into the operation hole of adjustment members 58, 68 through hole 13 of main slope portion 11 and rotates it in one direction to advance adjustment members 58, 68 downward. The operator rotates receiving seats 59 of adjustment member 58 and receiving seats 69 of adjustment member 68 until they contact the lower step of the step. Therefore, slope portion 10 is supported by adjustment members 58, 68 of support portion 50.
Next, the worker can install the slope device 100 by fastening the grounding portion 70 to the upper step of the step using bolts or the like through the holes 73 in the mounting portion 72. In this way, the slope device 100 of this embodiment does not require the worker to assemble it, so the slope device 100 can be easily installed. Note that although the case where two slope devices 100 are installed side by side on the left and right has been described here, only one slope device 100 may be installed, or three or more slope devices 100 may be installed side by side on the left and right.

When the slope device 100 is installed, the slope section 10 is supported by the adjustment members 58, 68 of the support section 50. Therefore, the load when passing over the slope section 10 is not borne solely by the first slope section 21, etc. or the ground contact section 70, but is borne by the lower section via the adjustment members 58, 68 of the support section 50, thereby improving the strength of the slope device 100.

Figure 6 is a side view showing the slope device 100 installed on an upper step that is higher than the upper step shown in Figure 2(b). In Figure 6, the adjustment members 58, 68 protruding from the underside of the slope section 10 are adjusted to protrude longer than in Figure 2(b), allowing the adjustment members 58, 68 to contact the lower step of the step. In this way, the support section 50 supports the slope section 10 via the adjustment members 58, 68 in an adjustable manner in the height direction, making it possible to accommodate a variety of step differences. In this embodiment, the height from the lower to upper step can accommodate a range of heights from 110 mm to 210 mm, for example.

Furthermore, the slope section 10 swings relative to the swing support section 53, i.e., relative to the adjustment member 58, via the swing section 54. Similarly, the slope section 10 swings relative to the swing support section 63, i.e., relative to the adjustment member 68, via the swing section 64. In other words, even if the protrusion amount of the adjustment members 58, 68 is adjusted to install it on different steps, the slope section 10 swings relatively between the swing support section 53 and the swing section 54, and between the swing support section 63 and the swing section 64, so the inclination angle can be changed. Therefore, it can accommodate a variety of steps.

The support unit 50 also has a grounding portion 70 that grounds to the upper step of the step. Specifically, the grounding portion 70 is not provided on the slope portion 10, but is connected to the swing support portion 63 of the support unit 50. Therefore, even if the slope portion 10 is installed on a different step and the inclination angle of the slope portion 10 changes, the grounding portion 70 will not incline in sync with the inclination angle of the slope portion 10, preventing unintended gaps or steps from occurring between the grounding portion 70 and the upper step of the step.

Furthermore, the height of the mounting portion 72 of the ground contact portion 70 is located slightly higher than the front end of the main slope portion 11. In other words, the height of the front end of the main slope portion 11 is lower than the mounting portion 72 of the ground contact portion 70. Therefore, even when a transport cart, for example, passes from the ground contact portion 70 toward the slope portion 10, the transport cart can be prevented from hitting the front end of the slope portion 10. Therefore, the external force that the slope portion 10 receives from the front side can be suppressed, and damage to the slope portion 10 and displacement of the slope portion 10 can be prevented.
Furthermore, since there is a gap between the ground contact portion 70 and the slope portion 10, the slope portion 10 oscillates in synchronization with the oscillating portion 64, and interference with the slope portion 10 can be prevented when the inclination angle is changed.

Furthermore, the first slope section 21 and the second slope section 31, the second slope section 31 and the third slope section 41, and the third slope section 41 and the main slope section 11 are each rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction. Therefore, when the first slope section 21, the second slope section 31, and the third slope section 41 are placed on the lower section of a step, they rotate between each slope section to follow the undulations even if there are undulations on the lower section. Therefore, even if there are undulations on the lower section, each slope section can be placed on the ground, preventing the slope section 10 from lifting up.

The first slope section 21 also has slope pieces 22 arranged in parallel on the left and right. The slope pieces 22 can rotate independently of the second slope section 31. Therefore, when the first slope section 21 is placed on the lower step of a step, each slope piece 22 rotates to follow the undulations even if there are lateral undulations on the lower step. Therefore, each slope piece 22 can form an inclined surface that continues from the lower step. Furthermore, by making the slope pieces 22 out of a material that is more flexible than the second slope section 31, etc. (for example, synthetic resin), the slope pieces 22 themselves can bend and further follow the undulations.

Second Embodiment
In this embodiment, the support portion 50 of the first embodiment is replaced with a support portion 80, and the grounding portion 70 is replaced with a grounding portion 95. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
Fig. 7 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the slope device 200. Fig. 8 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the support portion 80 and its surroundings in the slope device 200. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in Fig. 7 and viewed from the direction of the arrow. Note that Figs. 7 and 8 show an angle member 97, which will be described later, in a see-through state.
The support portion 80 of this embodiment is formed only at the front end of the slope portion 10. The support portion 80 has a swing portion 81, a swing support portion 84, an adjustment member 88, and a ground portion 95.

The swinging portion 81 swings relative to the swing support portion 84. The swinging portion 81 is located in front of the main slope portion 11 and behind the ground contact portion 95. The length of the swinging portion 81 in the left-right direction is approximately the same as that of the slope portion 10. In this embodiment, the swinging portion 81 also functions as part of the slope portion 10 because the upper surface of the swinging portion 81 is inclined so as to be continuous with the main slope portion 11.
The swinging portion 81 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and is formed by extrusion molding. The swinging portion 81 has a connecting portion 82 at its rear end. The connecting portion 82 connects the beam members 16 by clamping the front ends of the beam members 16 from above and below and fastening them using bolts or rivets.

The swinging portion 81 also has a guided portion 83 whose swinging is guided by the guide portion 85 of the swing support portion 84. The guided portion 83 is formed in a concave shape relative to the lower surface of the swinging portion 81. Specifically, the guided portion 83 is formed as part of a circle that curves in an arc shape toward the upper surface, centered on a horizontal axis (Lb) along the left-right direction when viewed from the left-right direction. The guided portion 83 is formed from the right end to the left end of the swinging portion 81 in the left-right direction.
Further, the swinging portion 81 has holes 13 on both the left and right sides for accessing the adjustment member 88, similar to the first embodiment.

The swing support portion 84 swingably supports the swing portion 81 and supports the adjustment member 88 so that the adjustment member 88 is adjustable in the height direction. The swing support portion 84 has substantially the same length as the swing portion 81 in the left-right direction.
The swing support portion 84 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and is formed by extrusion molding. The swing support portion 84 also has a guide portion 85 at its upper portion that guides the guided portion 83 of the swing portion 81. The guide portion 85 is formed in a convex shape facing upward. Specifically, when viewed from the left-right direction, the guide portion 85 is part of a circle centered on the axis line (Lb), and the center is formed hollow for lightening. Furthermore, a hole that communicates with the hole 13 is formed at the top of the guide portion 85 in a plan view.

The swing support part 84 also has a base part 86 at its bottom that is generally U-shaped and opens downward when viewed from the left and right. The base part 86 has a hole that communicates with the hole 13 in a plan view. A nut 87 serving as a female thread is disposed on the base part 86 via a mounting plate 90. Specifically, the mounting plate 90 is attached in a fitted state to the base part 86, and the nut 87 is fixed to the underside of the mounting plate 90 by welding or the like with its axis aligned in the height direction.
The base 86 is not limited to having a generally U-shaped opening, but may simply be a generally horizontal plate. In this case, the mounting plate 90 is fixed to the underside of the base 86 using bolts, rivets, etc.

The adjustment member 88 can adjust the amount of protrusion from the underside of the oscillating portion 81 and supports the slope portion 10 by contacting the lower step of the step. The support portion 80 has two adjustment members 88 on both the left and right sides of the oscillating support portion 84. The adjustment members 88 have the same configuration as the adjustment member 68 of the first embodiment. The lower end of the adjustment member 88 contacts the lower step of the step and has a receiving seat 89 that can rotate around the axis of the adjustment member 88. The male threaded portion of the adjustment member 88 threads into a nut 87 fixed to the oscillating support portion 84, positioning the adjustment member 88 with its axis aligned in the height direction. The guide portion 85 and base portion 86 of the oscillating support portion 84 have holes that communicate with hole 13, so the upper end of the adjustment member 88 is located within hole 13 of the oscillating portion 81.

A retaining member 92 is connected to the receiving seat 89. The retaining member 92 is, for example, a bolt. As shown in FIG. 9 , the retaining member 92 is located on the outer side of the adjustment member 88 in the left-right direction. The retaining member 92 passes through the mounting plate 90 and the swing support member 84 with its axis aligned in the height direction, and is positioned close to the top of the swing support member 84. The retaining member 92 also has a stopper portion 93 on its upper portion. The stopper portion 93 is, for example, the head of a bolt and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the bolt's male thread portion. Because the retaining member 92 is connected to the receiving seat 89, it moves in synchronization with the vertical movement of the adjustment member 88. If the adjustment member 88 advances excessively downward, the stopper portion 93 of the retaining member 92 abuts against the upper surface of the abutment portion 91 of the mounting plate 90, preventing the adjustment member 88 from slipping out of the nut 87. The abutment portion 91 is a U-shaped upper surface that protrudes downward from the mounting plate 90 and is located below the lower surface of the mounting plate 90. Note that the male thread portion of the adjustment member 88 may be partially tightened to prevent the adjustment member 88 from slipping out of the nut 87, in which case the retaining member 92 can be omitted.

The grounding portion 95 is a single, roughly plate-shaped piece. It is made of, for example, iron. The grounding portion 95 is rotatably connected to the front end of the oscillating portion 81 by a pivot 96. The pivot 96 passes through the front end of the oscillating portion 81 and the rear end of the grounding portion 95 with its axis aligned in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the inclination angle of the slope portion 10 changes, the grounding portion 95 can be placed flat on the upper step of the step. Furthermore, by rotating the front end of the grounding portion 95 toward the receiving seat 89 of the adjustment member 88, the slope device 200 can be carried compactly.

The operator inserts the tool T into the operation hole of the adjustment member 88 through the hole 13 of the swinging portion 81 and rotates it in one direction, causing the adjustment member 88 to advance downward. The operator rotates the receiving seat 89 of the adjustment member 88 until it touches the lower step of the step, and the slope portion 10 is supported by the adjustment member 88 of the support portion 80.
8 indicates a state in which the adjustment member 88 is adjusted to its limit, in which the stopper portion 93 of the retaining member 92 abuts against the upper surface of the abutment portion 91 of the mounting plate 90.
Since the swinging portion 81 and the swing support portion 84 are fitted together, they do not separate in the vertical direction, but they do slide relative to each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, L-shaped angle members 97 are fixed to both left and right ends of the swinging portion 81 as stopper members.

In this embodiment, the oscillating portion 81 and the oscillating support portion 84 can be made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, which allows for a reduction in the weight of the slope device 200. Furthermore, as with the first embodiment, when the slope device 200 is installed, the adjustment member 88 of the support portion 80 supports the slope portion 10. Therefore, the load when passing over the slope portion 10 is not borne solely by the first slope portion 21, etc. or the ground contact portion 95, but is borne by the lower portion via the adjustment member 88 of the support portion 80, thereby improving the strength of the slope device 200.

Furthermore, the support portion 80 supports the slope portion 10 via the adjustment member 88 so that the slope portion 10 can be adjusted in the height direction, and therefore can accommodate various steps.
Furthermore, since the grounding portion 95 is rotatably connected to the swinging portion 81 that functions as part of the slope portion 10, the grounding portion 95 can be placed flat on the upper step of the step even if the inclination angle of the slope portion 10 changes. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a gap from occurring between the swinging portion 81 and the grounding portion 95.

(Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, the shape of the support portion 80 in the second embodiment is partially changed. Also, the retaining member 92 in the second embodiment is changed to a retaining member 98. Note that the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
10 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the support unit 80 and its surroundings in the slope device 300. The swinging unit 81 of this embodiment has guided units 83a to 83c. Meanwhile, the swing support unit 84 of this embodiment has guide units 85a to 85c that guide the guided units 83a to 83c. The guided units 83a, 83b and the guide units 85a, 85b fit together, respectively, to prevent the swinging unit 81 and the swing support unit 84 from separating in the height direction.

A nut 87 serving as a female screw is directly fixed to the base 86 of the swing support part 84 by welding or the like with its axis aligned in the height direction. Furthermore, the fixing part 71 of the ground contact part 70 is fixed to the front end of the base 86 by using a bolt, rivet, or the like.
A retaining member 98 is connected between the receiving seat 89 of the adjusting member 88 and the base 86. The retaining member 98 is, for example, a chain. The retaining member 98 is stretched across the adjusting member 88 when the adjusting member 88 advances excessively downward, thereby preventing the adjusting member 88 from slipping out of the nut 87.

(Fourth embodiment)
The slope device 400 of this embodiment has a configuration in which a connecting portion 110 and a connected portion 112 are added to the slope device 100 of the first embodiment, and a handle portion 120 is further added. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the slope device 400.
When a plurality of slope devices 400 are installed side by side on the left and right, the connecting portion 110 and the connected portion 112 connect adjacent slope devices 400 so that they do not separate.

The connecting part 110 is fixed to the side of the joist 16 located at the right end using bolts, rivets, etc. In this embodiment, two connecting parts 110 are arranged at a distance from each other in the front and rear. The connecting part 110 is made of, for example, iron and formed by bending. The connecting part 110 also has a connecting hole 111 that penetrates in the height direction.
The connected parts 112 are fixed to the underside of the joist 16 located at the left end using bolts, rivets, etc. In this embodiment, two connected parts 112 are arranged spaced apart in the front and rear. Each connected part 112 is arranged opposite the connecting part 110 in the left-right direction. The connected parts 112 are made of iron, for example, and are formed by bending. Furthermore, the connected parts 112 extend in the height direction from the bottom.

Here, assume that the slope devices 400 are installed side by side on the left and right. In this case, the first slope device 400 is installed first, and then the second slope device 400 is installed to the left of the first slope device 400. At this time, the second slope device 400 is installed from above while aligning its position so that the connected portion 112 of the first slope device 400 is inserted into the connecting hole 111 of the connecting portion 110 of the second slope device 400.
The second slope device 400 is connected to the first slope device 400 by inserting the connected portion 112 into the connecting hole 111 of the connecting portion 110. Therefore, the two slope devices 400 can be installed side by side with almost no gaps between them. Note that even when installing three or more slope devices 400, they can be installed side by side with almost no gaps between them by connecting them in the same way.
The shapes of the connecting portion 110 and the connected portion 112 are not limited to those described above. For example, the connecting portion 110 may have a shape in which the L-shaped angle member 97 described above extends further toward the rear. In this case, the connected portion 112 is inserted between the angle member 97 and the joist 16, thereby connecting the second slope device 400 to the first slope device 400.

The handles 120 are the parts that an operator grasps when carrying the slope device 400. The handles 120 are fixed to the underside of the right-end and left-end beam members 16 using bolts, rivets, or the like. That is, in this embodiment, two handles 120 are arranged on the left and right sides. The handles 120 are made of, for example, iron or a flexible material (e.g., nylon). Note that if the handles 120 are made of iron, it is preferable that the handles 120 be retractable under the slope unit 10. The operator grasps one of the handles 120 and carries the slope device 400 in a hanging state, i.e., with the slope unit 10 hanging down in the left-right direction. At this time, it is preferable that the handles 120 be located at the center of gravity in the front-to-rear direction so that the slope device 400 does not tilt.
In this way, the slope device 400 has the handle portion 120, so that the worker can easily carry the slope device 400.

Fifth Embodiment
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the slope device 500. Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of the slope device 500. Fig. 14 is a side view showing the configuration of the slope device 500. Fig. 14 shows a state in which angle members, which will be described later, are seen through. Fig. 15 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the slope device 500.
The slope device 500 of this embodiment includes a slope portion 210 and a support portion 250 .

First, the slope portion 210 will be described.
The slope section 210 is inclined and functions to allow people and objects to pass over the step at a gentle gradient. In a plan view, the slope section 210 has a generally rectangular shape, with a front-to-back length longer than its left-to-right length. The slope section 210 has a front-to-back length (La shown in FIG. 14 ) of approximately 960 mm (e.g., in a range of 800 mm to 1200 mm) and a left-to-right (width) length of approximately 600 mm (e.g., 400 mm to 800 mm). The height (H shown in FIG. 14 ) of the slope section 210 is adjustable between approximately 100 mm and approximately 150 mm, with an adjustment range of approximately 50 mm (e.g., 40 mm to 80 mm). In this embodiment, the slope of the slope section 210, expressed as H/L, is set to be no more than 1/6 and no less than 1/12. The slope of no more than 1/6 is determined in consideration of the Parking Lot Act Enforcement Ordinance. A gradient greater than 1/6 would be too steep, so it is preferable to set the gradient to 1/6 or less. The reason for setting the gradient to 1/12 or more is to take into consideration the Act on Promotion of Smooth Mobility for the Elderly and Disabled. If the gradient is smaller than 1/12, the slope device 500 will become too large, so it is preferable to set the gradient to 1/12 or more.
The slope portion 210 has a main slope portion 211, a first slope portion 221, and a second slope portion 231. The slope portion 210 is arranged in the following order from the rear side to the front side: the first slope portion 221, the second slope portion 231, and the main slope portion 211. The surfaces (top surfaces) of the main slope portion 211, the first slope portion 221, and the second slope portion 231 are all the same color.

The main slope portion 211 is located between the second slope portion 231 and the upper step of the step. The main slope portion 211 has a plurality of (e.g., six) slope members 212 and a plurality of (e.g., five) joists 217. The slope members 212 have the same configuration as the slope members 12 of the first embodiment. The main slope portion 211 has a surface integrally provided with ridges extending in the left-right direction as anti-slip protrusions.
The front slope member 212 b of the main slope portion 211 has a hole 216 for exposing the upper end of the adjustment member 261 .

Furthermore, the rear slope member 212 a and the front slope member 212 b of the main slope portion 211 have shapes different from those of the other central slope member 212 .
16A and 16B are enlarged views of a portion of the side view of FIG. 14 . As shown in FIG. 16A , the rear slope member 212a has a substantially circular pivoting portion 214 at its rear end. The pivoting portion 214 is fitted with a pivoted portion 233 (described later) of the second slope member 231, allowing them to pivot relative to each other. That is, the second slope member 231 is rotatable relative to the main slope member 211 around an axis along the left-right direction of the pivoting portion 214. Note that the pivoting portion 214 and the pivoted portion 233 come into contact with each other and their rotation is restricted once their rotation exceeds a certain range. The rear slope member 212a also has a retaining portion 215 extending forward from its rear end. A gap is provided above the retaining portion 215, and the retaining portion 215 holds a rail member 217 inserted into the gap from the front side from below.
16B, the front slope member 212b has a holding portion 213 extending from the front end toward the rear. There is a gap above the holding portion 213, and the holding portion 213 holds from below the joist 217 inserted into the gap from the rear side.
The beam member 217 has the same configuration as the beam member 16 of the first embodiment.

Furthermore, L-shaped angle members 241R and 241L are fixed to both left and right ends of the main slope portion 211 as connecting members. The angle members 241R and 241L function as protective members that protect the ends of the main slope portion 211. The angle members 241R and 241L have lengths that are approximately the same as the length of the main slope portion 211 in the front-to-rear direction. The angle members 241R and 241L are made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion molding. The angle member 241R covers the side surface and surface of the right end of the main slope portion 211, and the angle member 241L covers the side surface and surface of the left end of the main slope portion 211. The angle members 241R and 241L are fixed to the surface of the main slope portion 211 using bolts, rivets, etc.
Here, the front and side surfaces of the angle members 241R, 241L, i.e., the exposed surfaces, are colored a color different from the surface of the main slope portion 211, for example, red. The angle members 241R, 241L function as visual identification portions for distinguishing the left and right ends of the slope portion 210. Coloring methods include coloring by surface treatment such as anodizing, coloring by applying paint, coloring by attaching stickers, and coloring by mixing coloring agents. The angle members 241R, 241L are not limited to being L-shaped, and may simply be plate members covering the side surfaces of the right and left ends of the main slope portion 211, or may simply be plate members covering the surfaces of the right and left ends of the main slope portion 211.

Additionally, angle member 241R has a connecting portion 242. On the other hand, angle member 241L has a connected portion 243. When multiple slope devices 500 are installed side by side on the left and right, connecting portion 242 and connected portion 243 connect adjacent slope devices 500 so that they do not separate.
A plurality of (e.g., two) connecting portions 242 are arranged at intervals in front of and behind the angle member 241R. The connecting portions 242 are grooves that open downward in the side plate of the angle member 241R. A plurality of (e.g., two) connected portions 243 are arranged at intervals in front of and behind the angle member 241L. The connected portions 243 are rivets or the like that are fixed to the side plate of the angle member 241L. The connecting portions 242 and connected portions 243 are arranged at positions that are approximately symmetrical left and right with respect to the center line C of the slope device 500.
The two slope devices 500 are connected by fitting from above into the groove that is the connecting portion 242 of the second slope device 500 and the head of the rivet that is the connected portion 243 of the first slope device 500. The head of the rivet of the connected portion 243 is larger than the groove of the connecting portion 242, and by positioning the head of the rivet between the side plate of the angle member 241R and the main slope portion 211, the connecting portion 242 and the connected portion 243 are connected without separating left and right.

The main slope portion 211 also has handles 244R and 244L on both the left and right sides. The handles 244R and 244L are parts that an operator grasps when lifting or carrying the slope device 500.
Here, the grip portion 244R and the grip portion 244L are configured to be substantially symmetrical with respect to the center line C, and only the grip portion 244R will be described.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the handle portion 244R. When not in use, the handle portion 244R is stored below the main slope portion 211 and is pulled up for use. The handle portion 244R is bar-shaped and bent into a U-shape. Specifically, the handle portion 244R has a handhold portion 245, a sliding portion 246, and a rotating portion 247. The handhold portion 245 is the portion that an operator actually places his or her hand on and grasps. The sliding portion 246 is formed by bending from the end of the handhold portion 245. The sliding portion 246 is inserted into slide holes 248 formed near the right end of the main slope portion 211 and spaced apart in the front and rear directions. The rotating portion 247 is formed by bending from the end of the sliding portion 246. The tip of the rotating portion 247 has a retaining portion to prevent it from slipping out of the slide hole 248.

17(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the handle portion 244R is housed below the main slope portion 211. In this state, the handle portion 244R hangs down due to its own weight, and the handhold portion 245 is in contact with the surface of the main slope portion 211.
17(b) is a diagram showing a state in which an operator has hooked his/her hands on the handle portion 245 and pulled up. In this state, the rotating portion 247 of the grip portion 244R abuts against the periphery of the slide hole 248. The operator can lift the slope device 500 by pulling up further from this state. In particular, the operator can lift the entire slope device 500 by pulling up the grip portion 244R and the grip portion 244L with both hands.
17(c) shows the state in which the operator has rotated the handhold 245 around the rotating part 247. In this state, the handhold 245 protrudes outward from the side surface of the angle member 241R. By holding the handle 244R with one hand, the operator can carry the slope device 500 with the surface of the main slope section 211 oriented vertically.

The first slope portion 221 is in contact with the lower step of the step and forms an inclined surface that continues from the lower step. The first slope portion 221 is located behind the second slope portion 231. The first slope portion 221 is, for example, a generally flat plate whose left-to-right length is longer than its front-to-back length, and is composed of one piece. The first slope portion 221 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion molding. The first slope portion 221 has a ridge formed integrally on its surface in the left-to-right direction as an anti-slip protrusion.

The first slope portion 221 has a rotatable portion 222 at its front end. The rotatable portion 222 fits into a rotating portion 232 (described later) of the second slope portion 231, and the two portions rotate relative to each other. That is, the first slope portion 221 is rotatable relative to the second slope portion 231 around an axis along the left-right direction of the rotating portion 232. Note that the rotating portion 232 and the rotatable portion 222 come into contact with each other and the rotation is restricted when they exceed a certain rotation range.
The first slope portion 221 has a seat portion 223 at its rear end that contacts the lower step of the step. The seat portion 223 is formed across the first slope portion 221 in the left-right direction.
In addition, anti-slip members 224 made of rubber or the like are coupled to the underside of the first slope portion 221. As shown in Fig. 15, a plurality of (for example, three) anti-slip members 224 are fixed to the underside of the first slope portion 221 at intervals in the left-right direction using screws, rivets, or the like.
The first slope portion 221 has a plurality of holes 228 at positions close to the rear end and close to the left and right ends thereof for fixing to the lower step of the step.

The second slope portion 231 forms an inclined surface continuing from the first slope portion 221. The second slope portion 231 is located in front of the first slope portion 221 and behind the main slope portion 211. The second slope portion 231 is, for example, in the shape of a generally flat plate whose left-to-right length is longer than its front-to-back length, and is configured as a single piece. The second slope portion 231 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion molding. The second slope portion 231 has a surface integrally provided with ridges extending in the left-to-right direction as anti-slip protrusions.
The second slope portion 231 has a rotating portion 232 at its rear end and a rotated portion 233 at its front end. The rotated portion 233 fits into the rotating portion 214 of the rear slope member 212a.
Additionally, anti-slip members 234 made of rubber or the like are coupled to the underside of the second slope portion 231. As shown in Fig. 15, a plurality of (e.g., three) anti-slip members 234 are fixed to the underside of the second slope portion 231 at intervals in the left-right direction using screws, rivets, or the like.

Here, anti-slip member 224 and anti-slip member 234 each have a main body portion 225 and a protrusion portion 226. Main body portion 225 is a portion that is fixed to the underside of first slope portion 221 and second slope portion 231, respectively. Protrusion portion 226 is a portion that protrudes from the underside of main body portion 225 toward the floor surface. A plurality of protrusion portions 226 are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, each protrusion portion 226 has approximately the same shape along the left-right direction.
FIG. 16C is an enlarged view of a portion of the protrusion 226. In FIG. 16C, the anti-slip members 224 and 234 are in contact with a horizontal floor surface (two-dot chain line). The protrusion 226 has a front side surface 227a and a rear side surface 227b, and the center line Ce between the front side surface 227a and the rear side surface 227b is inclined toward the front side. The front side surface 227a and the rear side surface 227b of the protrusion 226 are not parallel, but are formed so that they approach each other downward. Here, the angle between the front side surface 227a of the protrusion 226 and the floor surface is angle α1, and the angle between the rear side surface 227b of the protrusion 226 and the floor surface is angle α2. The protrusion 226 is formed so that angle α1 is smaller than angle α2.
The above-described shapes make it difficult for anti-slip members 224 and 234 to move rearward. Therefore, first slope portion 221 and second slope portion 231 to which anti-slip members 224 and 234 are respectively fixed are difficult to move in a direction away from the upper step of the step, which makes it possible to prevent a gap from being formed between slope device 500 and the upper step of the step. On the other hand, even if first slope portion 221 and second slope portion 231 move forward, the movement is in a direction toward the upper step of the step, which makes it possible to reduce the gap between slope device 500 and the upper step of the step.

Since the rotating portion 232 and the rotated portion 222, and the rotating portion 214 and the rotated portion 233 are fitted together, they cannot separate in the front-to-rear direction, but they can slide left and right relative to each other. Therefore, L-shaped angle members 236R and 236L are fixed to both left and right ends of the second slope portion 231 as stopper members. The angle members 236R and 236L restrict the first slope portion 221 and the main slope portion 211 from sliding left and right.
Here, the front and side surfaces of the angle members 236R, 236L, i.e., the exposed surfaces, are colored a color, for example, red, different from the surface of the second slope portion 231. The angle members 236R, 236L function as visual identification portions for distinguishing the left and right ends of the slope portion 210. The coloring may be achieved by a surface treatment such as anodizing, by applying paint, by attaching a sticker or the like, or by mixing a coloring agent. The angle members 236R, 236L are not limited to being L-shaped, and may simply be plate members that cover the side surfaces of the right and left ends of the second slope portion 231, or may simply be plate members that cover the surfaces of the right and left ends of the second slope portion 231.

Next, the support portion 250 will be described.
The support portion 250 is located below the slope portion 210, on the front end side in the front-rear direction of the slope portion 210. The support portion 250 supports the slope portion 210 so as to be adjustable in the height direction.
The support section 250 of this embodiment has a first support unit 251a and a second support unit 251b. The first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b are disposed below the front slope member 212b, on both the left and right sides of the front slope member 212b. Specifically, the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b are disposed so as to overlap with the holes 216 formed on both sides of the front main slope section 211 in a plan view. The first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b have the same basic configuration. Therefore, the basic configuration of the first support unit 251a will be described here, and differences will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first support unit 251 a includes a screw member 252 and an adjustment member 261 .
The threaded member 252 is fixedly attached to the slope portion 210 and is threadedly engaged with the adjustment member 261. Specifically, the threaded member 252 has a main body portion 253, a first attachment portion 255, a second attachment portion 256, and a nut 257 as a female thread portion. Here, the main body portion 253, the first attachment portion 255, and the second attachment portion 256 are an integrated member formed by bending through press molding, and are made of, for example, iron.

The main body 253 is a plate-like member that is long in the front-rear direction, and has a hole 254 in the approximate center through which the adjustment member 261 is inserted (see FIGS. 20A and 20B, which will be described later).
The first mounting portion 255 is generally U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, the first mounting portions 255 extend in parallel upward from the left and right ends of the rear side of the main body 253. The first mounting portions 255 sandwich the rail member 217 from the left and right, and are fixed to the rail member 217 using screws, rivets, etc. through multiple mounting holes.
The second mounting portions 256 are generally hat-shaped when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, the second mounting portions 256 extend upward in parallel from the left and right ends of the front side of the main body 253, and then bend and extend in directions away from each other. The second mounting portions 255 are fixed to the slope member 212b at the front using screws, rivets, etc., through multiple mounting holes while abutting against the underside of the front slope member 212b.

The nut 257 is fixed to the underside of the main body 253, for example by welding, while communicating with the hole 254 located approximately in the center of the main body 253. Here, when the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b are attached to the slope portion 210, the axis of the nut 257 does not align with the vertical direction when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, but is intentionally tilted at a predetermined angle. In other words, the extension direction of the first mounting portion 255 and the second mounting portion 256 of the main body 253 to which the nut 257 is fixed is designed so that it is not intentionally parallel to the horizontal plane when viewed from the front-to-rear direction.

The adjustment member 261 is screwed into the screw member 252 and is in contact with the floor surface.
Fig. 18(a) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the adjustment member 261. Fig. 18(b) is a bottom view of the adjustment member 261.
The adjustment member 261 has a bolt 262 as a male threaded portion, a fixing plate 264, and a receiving seat 265. The head side of the bolt 262 is located within the receiving seat 265, and the tip side is exposed. A hole 263 is formed in the end face on the tip side of the bolt 262. The fixing plate 264 is made of iron, for example, and is generally disk-shaped with a diameter larger than the head of the bolt 262. The fixing plate 264 is fixed by welding, screwing, or the like while in contact with the head of the bolt 262.

The catch 265 is made of, for example, resin or rubber, and is generally disk-shaped and larger than the head of the bolt 262 and the fixed plate 264. The catch 265 has a space 266 that opens upward inside. The head of the bolt 262 and the fixed plate 264 are housed in the space 266. The catch 265 also has multiple operating parts 267 around the entire outer periphery that allow the user to rotate the adjustment member 261 around the axis. The operating parts 267 are concave from the outer periphery toward the center of the catch 265, but are not limited to this shape. The bottom surface of the catch 265 is not flat, but rather a curved surface that is convex downward. The portion of the bottom surface of the catch 265 that passes through the center line Cr is located at the lowest point. The bottom surface of the catch 265 also has irregularities. Specifically, the catch 265 has annular recesses 268 and annular protrusions 269 formed alternately from the center to the outer periphery, with the center line Cr as the center. The bottom surface of the catch 265 has multiple (e.g., four) countersunk portions 270 to prevent a fixing member 271 for fixing the catch 265 to the fixing plate 264 from protruding from the bottom surface of the catch 265.

To assemble the first support unit 251a, the fixing plate 264 is first fixed to the bolt 262, and the head of the bolt 262 is accommodated in the space 266 of the receiving seat 265. Next, the adjustment member 261 is assembled by fastening the receiving seat 265 and the fixing plate 264 together using a screw, rivet, or the like through the counterbore 270 of the receiving seat 265. Next, the bolt 262 of the adjustment member 261 is threaded from below into the nut 257 of the threaded member 252 and inserted into the hole 254 of the main body 253. Finally, the first support unit 251a can be assembled by inserting the bolt 262 into the hole 263 at the tip using a screw 273 (see FIGS. 1, 20A, and 20B) and attaching a washer 272 as a retaining member to the tip of the adjustment member 261.
The second support unit 251b has the same configuration as the first support unit 251a, but the direction in which the axis of the nut 257 inclines when viewed from the front-to-back direction is symmetrical with respect to the center line C in the left-to-right direction of the slope portion 210.
The slope device 500 can be assembled by attaching the assembled first support unit 251a and second support unit 251b to the main slope section 211, respectively.

Next, a method for installing the slope device 500 configured as described above at a work site with a step will be described. The worker brings the slope device 500 to the work site. At this time, the adjustment member 261 of the support part 250 is in a state where it protrudes only a short distance from the underside of the slope part.
Next, the worker grounds the adjustment member 261 of the support portion 250 on a lower step near the step, and grounds the first slope portion 221 and the second slope portion 231 of the slope portion 210 on lower steps away from the step.
Next, the worker advances the adjustment members 261 of the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b downward. For example, the worker can rotate the adjustment member 261 of the first support unit 251a using the operation unit 267 while holding up the slope device 500 by the handle 244R, or can rotate the adjustment member 261 of the second support unit 251b using the operation unit 267 while holding up the slope device 500 by the handle 244L. The worker advances and adjusts the adjustment member 261 downward so that the front upper end of the front slope member 212b of the main slope portion 211 is the same height as the upper step of the step.

Finally, the worker can install the slope device 500 by fastening it to the lower step of the step using bolts or the like through the holes 228 in the first slope portion 221 .
The method of installing the slope device 500 is not limited to the above-described method, and the adjustment member 261 may be advanced downward before the slope device 500 is placed on the ground. Alternatively, the adjustment member 261 of the support part 250 may be left in a state in which it protrudes a long distance from the underside of the slope part 210, and the adjustment member 261 may be retracted upward to adjust the height so that the front upper end of the front slope member 212b and the upper step of the step are aligned.

Next, the state in which the slope device 500 is installed will be described with reference to FIGS.
19A and 19B are rear views showing the configuration of slope device 500. Fig. 19A shows a state in which the protrusion amount of adjustment member 261 is the shortest, i.e., the state in which main slope portion 211 is the lowest (lower limit of the adjustment range). On the other hand, Fig. 19B shows a state in which the protrusion amount of adjustment member 261 is the longest, i.e., the state in which main slope portion 211 is the highest (upper limit of the adjustment range). In this way, by adjusting the protrusion amount of adjustment member 261, main slope portion 211 rotates around rotating portion 214, changing the height of main slope portion 211.

19A and 19B, the adjustment members 261 of the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b are inclined relative to the floor surface when in contact with the ground. That is, the axes S of the bolts 262 of the first support unit 251a and the bolts 262 of the second support unit 251b are inclined relative to the floor surface.
Specifically, in rear view, the bolts 262 of the first support unit 251a and the bolts 262 of the second support unit 251b are inclined so that their upper sides are close to each other and their lower sides are farther apart. That is, the bolts 262 of the first support unit 251a and the bolts 262 of the second support unit 251b are generally V-shaped. Here, because the bottom surfaces of the receiving seats 265 of the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b are curved, a portion of the receiving seat 265 that is biased toward the center line C of the slope device 500 rather than the center line Cr (see FIG. 18(b)) comes into contact with the floor. When vibrations or the like are applied to the adjustment member 261 due to a person or object passing over the slope section 210, the direction of the reaction force that the adjustment member 261 receives from the floor is generally parallel to the axis S.

Therefore, the adjustment member 261 of the first support unit 251a and the adjustment member 261 of the second support unit 251b tend to move mainly in the tilted direction of the left-right direction. However, the adjustment member 261 of the first support unit 251a and the adjustment member 261 of the second support unit 251b are tilted symmetrically with each other and tend to move in opposite directions, so they are unable to move, and left-right misalignment of the entire slope device 500 is suppressed.
In either the state shown in FIG. 19A or FIG. 19B, the inclination angles of the bolts 262 of the first support unit 251a and the bolts 262 of the second support unit 251b are always constant or approximately constant.

20A and 20B are cross-sectional views showing a part of the slope device 500. Here, the first support unit 251a will be described, but the second support unit 251b is similar.
20A shows the state in which the protrusion amount of adjustment member 261 is the shortest, i.e., the state in which main slope portion 211 is the lowest (lower limit of the adjustment range). In the state shown in FIG. 20A, the upper end of adjustment member 261 is positioned in hole 216 of front slope member 212b. Furthermore, because the lower end of nut 257 and the surface of fixing plate 264 of adjustment member 261 are in contact, the protrusion amount of adjustment member 261 cannot be made shorter than in this state.
20B shows the state in which the amount of protrusion of adjustment member 261 is the longest, i.e., the state in which main slope portion 211 is at its highest (the upper limit of the adjustment range). In the state shown in Fig. 20B, the upper end of adjustment member 261 is positioned in hole 254 of main body portion 253 of threaded member 252. In addition, because the upper end of nut 257 and washer 272 at the upper end of adjustment member 261 are in contact, the amount of protrusion of adjustment member 261 cannot be made longer than in this state.

20A , adjustment member 261 is inclined relative to the floor surface when in contact with the ground. That is, axis S of bolt 262 of adjustment member 261 is inclined relative to the floor surface. Specifically, in a side view, bolt 262 of adjustment member 261 is inclined such that the upper side is closer to the step and the lower side is farther away from the step, in other words, the upper side is inclined forward and the lower side is inclined rearward.
From this state, by adjusting the amount of protrusion of the adjustment member 261 in the advancing direction, the gradient of the slope portion 210 changes, and the angle at which the axis S of the bolt 262 of the adjustment member 261 is inclined also changes. Specifically, the angle at which the axis S of the bolt 262 is inclined changes so as to approach the vertical direction with respect to the floor surface.

In this embodiment, even in the state shown in Figure 20B, adjustment member 261 is not vertical, but strictly speaking, is in contact with the floor at a slight incline. That is, axis S of bolt 262 of adjustment member 261 is inclined with respect to the floor. Specifically, in a side view, bolt 262 of adjustment member 261 is inclined so that the upper side is closer to the step and the lower side is farther away from the step, in other words, the upper side is inclined forward and the lower side is inclined backward.
That is, from the lower limit to the upper limit of the adjustment range of the adjustment member 261, the axis S of the bolt 262 is inclined so that the upper side is close to the step and the lower side is far from the step.

Here, because the bottom surface of the receiving seat 265 of the adjustment member 261 is a curved surface, the part that is biased toward the step from the center line Cr (see FIG. 18(b)), i.e., the part that is biased toward the front, comes into contact with the floor. When vibrations or the like are applied to the adjustment member 261 due to a person or object passing over the slope section 210, the direction of the reaction force that the adjustment member 261 receives from the floor becomes approximately parallel to the axis S.
Therefore, when vibrations or the like are applied to the adjustment member 261 due to a person or object passing above, the adjustment member 261 tends to move forward in the fore-and-aft direction, i.e., toward the step. This prevents a gap from forming between the step and the front slope member 212b. Furthermore, the annular convex portion 269 on the bottom surface of the seat 265 contacts the floor surface in an inclined manner. Therefore, the annular convex portion 269 acts in the same manner as the protrusions 226 of the anti-slip members 224 and 234, making it difficult for the adjustment member 261 to move away from the upper step of the step, further preventing a gap from forming between the slope device 500 and the upper step of the step.

In this embodiment, when viewed from the side, the axis S of the bolt 262 is inclined so that the upper side is close to the step and the lower side is away from the step from the lower limit to the upper limit of the adjustment range of the adjustment member 261, but this is not limited to this case.
For example, from the lower limit to the middle of the adjustment range of the adjustment member 261, the axis S of the bolt 262 may be inclined so that the upper side is close to the step and the lower side is far from the step. Furthermore, if the adjustment range is R, then from the lower limit to R×¾ of the adjustment range (a range that is more than half of the adjustment range but does not include the entire adjustment range), the axis S of the bolt 262 may be inclined so that the upper side is close to the step and the lower side is far from the step. That is, at the upper limit of the adjustment range, the axis S of the bolt 262 may be perpendicular to the floor surface, or may be inclined so that the upper side is far from the step and the lower side is closer to the step. In this case, for example, a worker can be alerted that the range in which the upper side of the axis S of the bolt 262 is inclined so that the upper side is close to the step and the lower side is far from the step is the adjustment range of the adjustment member 261.

Next, a case where a plurality of (for example, two) slope devices 500 are arranged side by side on the left and right to form a slope unit 600 will be described.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the slope unit 600.
First, the worker installs the first slope device 500a, and then installs the second slope device 500b to the left of the first slope device 500a. At this time, the worker installs the second slope device 500b from above while aligning it so that the connecting portion 242 of the second slope device 500b is connected to the connected portion 243 of the first slope device 500a.
Therefore, the two slope devices 500a, 500b can be installed side by side with almost no gap in the left-right direction, thereby forming the slope unit 600. Here, the angle members 241R, 241L, 236R, and 236L are positioned along the front-rear direction at approximately the center in the left-right direction of the entire slope unit 600. Here, the angle members 241R, 241L, 236R, and 236L positioned approximately in the left-right center correspond to an example of a linear portion. When passing through the slope unit 600, a worker can recognize the approximate center in the width direction by using the angle members 241R, 241L, 236R, and 236L positioned approximately in the width direction as indicators. Therefore, when a worker, for example, drives a cart through the slope unit 600, the cart can easily travel along approximately the center in the width direction of the slope unit 600, preventing the cart from running off the slope unit 600. The indicator for identifying the approximate center in the width direction is not limited to the angle members 241R, 241L, 236R, and 236L, but may be applied by applying paint, attaching a sticker, or mixing in a coloring agent. The indicator for identifying the approximate center in the width direction is not limited to being continuous in the front-to-rear direction, but may be discontinuous in the front-to-rear direction. Even when only one slope device 500 is installed, a linear portion extending along the front-to-rear direction may be provided at the approximate center in the width direction.

Next, the convex strips serving as anti-slip projections will be described.
FIG. 22 is a side view or a cross-sectional view showing an example of the ridge 280. As shown in FIG.
The convex rib 280 of this embodiment has a substantially triangular shape. Here, the convex rib 280 is not an isosceles triangle but has a so-called sawtooth shape. Specifically, the convex rib 280 has a lower surface 281a and an upper surface 281b. Here, of the inclination angles formed between the convex rib 280 and the surface F of the slope portion 210, the inclination angle on the acute angle between the lower surface 281a and the surface F of the slope portion 210 is defined as β1. Furthermore, the inclination angle on the acute angle between the upper surface 281b and the surface F of the slope portion 210 is defined as β2. In the convex rib 280 of this embodiment, the inclination angle β2 on the upper surface is greater than the inclination angle β1 on the lower surface.

Here, assume that a worker is driving a cart, for example, to pass over the upper slope portion 210 of the slope device 500. Since the surface 281a of the convex strip 280 has a gentle inclination angle with respect to the surface F, there is relatively little resistance, and the casters of the cart can easily climb over the convex strip 280. On the other hand, after climbing over the convex strip 280, the surface 281b of the convex strip 280 has a steep inclination angle with respect to the surface F, and therefore creates resistance, preventing the casters of the cart from moving from the surface 281b to the surface 281a.
Therefore, the worker can easily move toward the upper tier on the slope section 210, while being prevented from unintentionally moving toward the lower tier after passing through. Note that the shape of the convex rib 280 is not limited to a triangle with a corner at the apex, but may be curved. Furthermore, the convex rib 280 is preferably provided on all of the main slope section 211, the first slope section 221, and the second slope section 231, but may be provided on at least one of them.

The present invention has been described above in conjunction with the above-mentioned embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to only the above-mentioned embodiments, and modifications and the like are possible within the scope of the present invention, and the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined as appropriate.
In the first embodiment described above, the support section 50 has the first support section 50a and the second support section 50b, but this is not limiting. For example, the support section 50 may be configured with only the second support section 50b without the first support section 50a. Furthermore, for example, the support section 50 may have first to n-th support sections (n≧3).
In the second and third embodiments described above, the support portion 80 is configured with only one support portion 80, but this is not limiting. For example, similar to the first embodiment, the support portion 80 may have a first support portion 80a and a second support portion 80b. Also, for example, the support portion 80 may have first to n-th support portions (n≧3).

In addition, in the above-described fifth embodiment, the support section 250 has two support units 251a and 251b. However, this is not limited to this, and the support section 250 may have three or more support units. For example, if the support section 250 has three support units and the third support unit is the third support unit 251c, the third support unit 251c is disposed between the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b. In this case, in a rear view, the bolts 262 of the third support unit 251c are aligned vertically and not inclined relative to the floor surface, unlike the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b. On the other hand, in a side view, the bolts 262 of the third support unit 251c are inclined so that the upper side is closer to the step and the lower side is farther away from the step, similar to the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b. Furthermore, even when a fourth or subsequent support unit is added, it can be placed between the first support unit 251a and the second support unit 251b, and configured so that it is not inclined when viewed from the rear, but is inclined when viewed from the side, similar to the bolt 262 of the third support unit 251c.

10: Slope section 11: Main slope section 12: Slope member 16: Joist member 21: First slope section 22: Slope piece 31: Second slope section 41: Third slope section 50: Support section 50a: First support section 50b: Second support section 53: Oscillating section 54: Oscillating support section 58: Adjustment member 63: Oscillating section 64: Oscillating support section 68: Adjustment member 80: Support section 81: Oscillating section 84: Oscillating support section 88: Adjustment member 100: Slope device 200: Slope device 300: Slope device 400: Slope device 500: Slope device 600: Slope unit 210: Slope section 211: Main slope section 212: Slope member 217: Joist member 221: First slope portion 231: Second slope portion 250: Support portion 252: Threaded member 261: Adjustment member

Claims (6)

a slope portion disposed at an angle;
A slope device having a support portion that supports the slope portion so as to be adjustable in a height direction,
The support portion is
a screw member attached to the slope portion;
an adjustment member that is screwed onto the screw member and that is in contact with a floor surface,
The threaded member is
The slope portion is attached to the main body portion via the mounting portion .
The threaded member has a plurality of the attachment portions,
A slope device, characterized in that the multiple mounting portions are attached to the slope portion in a state where they abut on different surfaces of the slope portion that are not parallel to each other . a slope portion disposed at an angle;
A slope device having a support portion that supports the slope portion so as to be adjustable in a height direction,
The support portion is
a screw member attached to the slope portion;
an adjustment member that is screwed onto the screw member and that is in contact with a floor surface,
The threaded member is
The slope portion is attached to the main body portion via the mounting portion.
The threaded member has a plurality of the attachment portions,
A slope device characterized in that the multiple mounting portions are attached to the slope portion in a state where they each abut against different members of the slope portion. One of the plurality of attachment portions is
3. The slope device according to claim 1, wherein the slope device is attached to the slope portion by being sandwiched between joist members that are arranged along the front-rear direction and that constitute the slope portion. One of the plurality of attachment portions is
3. The slope device according to claim 1 , wherein a pair of slopes extend upward in parallel from the left and right ends of the main body. One of the plurality of attachment portions is
3. The slope device according to claim 1, wherein the slope device is attached to the slope portion in a state of contacting the lower surface of the slope portion. a slope portion disposed at an angle;
A slope device having a support portion that supports the slope portion so as to be adjustable in a height direction,
The support portion is
a screw member attached to the slope portion;
an adjustment member that is screwed onto the screw member and that is in contact with a floor surface,
The screw member is
The slope portion is attached to the main body portion via the mounting portion.
The mounting portion is
A slope device characterized in that a pair of slopes extend upward in parallel from the left and right ends of the main body, and then bend and extend in directions away from each other.