Ramp bridging device

Claim 1

A ramp bridging device, the ramp having therewith means forming a recess delimited by a rear surface and a base surface, said device comprising in combination: a bridge plate having a rear end and a forward end, said rear end of said bridge plate being pivotally mounted on said rear surface of said ramp so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis; an extension portion mounted on said forward end of said bridge plate, said extension portion being extensible and retractable with respect to said bridge plate and being locatable, in said extended state, on a platform to be loaded on unloaded; and stop buffers pivotably mounted on said base surface of said recess and extending laterally of said extension portion of said bridge plate, said stop buffers being pivotable between a first operative position wherein said stop buffers extend substantially vertically, and a second inoperative position wherein said stop buffers are located in said recess below said bridge plate, whereby in said first operative position, said stop buffers protrude forwardly of said forward end of said bridge plate, said stop buffers respectively including an upper free end, said bridge plate being provided with an abutment for the free ends of said stop buffers during bracing engagement thereagainst, when said stop buffers are located in said first operative position, to prevent movement of said stop buffers to said second inoperative position, said bridge plate including a bottom surface, an abutment member being provided on, and directed away from, said bottom surface, to engage the stop buffers accordingly directly as to the free end though also slightly below the upper free end thereof, said abutment member effecting the bracing engagement of said stop buffers when said stop buffers are located in said first operative position.