Prior art devices have been awkward and unsatisfactory. In one prior art device four lengths of fibreglass covered marine ply are positioned in parallel with 4 straps of transversely attached webbing linking each length. This type of ramp has the advantage of strength but has numerous disadvantages. When folded it is too thick to handle and it is very slippery. The hinges being formed from a webbing tend to fray and break. Fibreglass is easily broken which can expose the wood and allow rot to set in.

Another prior art device comprises a thick rectangular ramp made from aluminium. This ramp is long lasting and light.

Unfortunately the ramp cannot be folded which makes it awkward to carry and store. Again the ramp can be slippery when wet. As the ramp is basically a sheet of metal the ramp has sharp edges and for this reason is unacceptable for public use from a safety viewpoint. It is an object of the present to provide a ramp which is readily transportable and is easily folded for storage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ramp which is strong but not heavy.

With these objects in view the invention in a preferred

aspect may provide a transportable ramp for bridging a gap between two surfaces, said ramp including two longitudinal planar members hinged together along at least part of their length and adapted to be folded flat against each other when in the transported position, and said ramp adapted to form a uniform planar surface when extended, said ramp having a nose portion at one end for projection over a portion of the remote bridging surface.

Preferably each member is a hollow moulded skin enclosing a core. It is preferred that the skin be formed of a plastics material and said core is formed from urethane foam. Preferably each end of each member is bevelled. In a practical embodiment the lower facing surface of each member includes at least one longitudinal strengthening rib.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily put into practical effect, a preferred non-limitative embodiment of a transportable ramp will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig 1 is a front perspective view of a transportable ramp made in accordance with the concepts of the invention; Fig 2 is an underneath perspective view of the ramp shown in Fig 1;

Fig 3 is a perspective view of the ramp in Fig 1 shown in the folded position;

Fig 4 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows 4-4 in Fig 1; and

Fig 5 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows 5-5 of Fig 1.

In the drawings there is shown a ramp 10 formed from two halves 12, 14 joined together by a hinge 16. As seen in Fig 2 it is

preferred that hinge 16 extends along a substantial length of ramp 10. Hinge 16 could be replaced by a plurality of hinges or flexible joiner if required. Hinge 16 will allow ramp 10 to be folded in the direction of arrows A (Fig. 4) to provide a folded compact unit. To assist in transportation a handle (handles) 18 as provided on side 20 of ramp 10. Each half 12, 14 is preferably formed as a plastic moulded skin 22 encasing a core 24 (Fig. 4). Core 24 is preferably formed of urethane foam. Such a construction will provide a strong but not heavy ramp. Ramp 10 has side rails 26 which taper from front to rear relative to floors 28 of each half 12, 14. A bevel 30 provides an attractive front for the ramp. A strip of rubber 32 runs along front edge 34 to provide grip on steps or similar. To further enhance the usefulness of ramp 10, a light reflective strip 33 can be placed along the top surfaces of side rails 26. Such a strip will assist visually impaired persons to locate the ramp easier. A non-slip surface or surfaces (not shown) can also be applied to floors 28 to enhance traction of wheelchair tyres or pedestrians footwear.

At the end opposite front edge 34 is a nose portion 36 having a strip of rubber 38 running along rear edge 40. Nose portion 36 has a bevelled end 42 and an undercut 44 leading to a shoulder 46. Ramp 10 is strengthened by the inclusion of longitudinal ribs 48 and side ribs 50. Ribs 48,50 are formed when moulding skins 22. Ribs enhance the strength of ramp 10 but substantially reduce the weight thereof.

In use, ramp 10 is unfolded and nose portion 36 rests on the upper level e.g. railway carriage, step, etc by pushing shoulder 46 to abut against the step and hang over the step. This provides a very stable ramp which does not require the weight of the wheelchair

to hold it. The ramp is readily transportable by handle 18 and folds down to a manageable size.

It is believed that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts and that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the ramp described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.