AN INTRODUCTION AND
GUIDE IN RAMP BUILDING
The ramps from Mobility World Limited offer so many combination options that virtually the
only limit is your imagination.
Traditional straight ramps can be made with different gradients and support options for the
user.
The three examples shown below use these five components :
Ramp
½ Tile
Tile
Article no.
Article no.
Article no.
RP12506
RP12510
RP12503
T-Lock
R-Lock
Article no.
Article no.
RP12732
RP12742
I
II
III
Ramp type I is the traditional and most commonly used ramp type.
Ramp type II is particularly well suited for wheelchairs without motors, as the small resting
platforms allow the user to take a rest or reposition his hands before going up the next rise.
Highly recommended by our users themselves.
Ramp type III is designed for users who need to rest longer before going up the next rise.
As previously mentioned, the above examples are just a few of the combination options
available for setting up a straight ramp.
Corner ramps:
Where available space permits it, and where the user and care staff requires increased safety /
freedom of movement, we recommend that you supplement the ramps with corner ramps. We
usually refer to this as “cornering”. The part number of our corner ramp is article
no.RP12507.
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Cornering of ramps offers
many advantages, particularly
when a ramp is to be placed
at a corner entrance like
the one shown here.
Unlike the traditional
straight ramp, this cornered
ramp allows the user to
go down the ramp wherever
it suits him.
Cornering offers additional
safety as there is no edges
that could make your wheelchair or walker tip over.
This applies wherever
you install the ramp - also
for small indoors ramps.
In indoor hallways, and where
a door is placed in a corner,
the user will often have to
make some manoeuvres with
the wheelchair in order to hit
the ramp straight on. However, if the ramp is made with cornering, it is not necessary to
perform such awkward manoeuvres with the wheelchair / walker, as the corner pieces make it
possible to approach the ramp from alongside the wall, drive up the ramp from the side and
then simply swing through the doorway.
Just like straight ramps, cornered ramps can also be built as variants
I
II
I + II + III.
III
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At main entrances you can build ramps on 1, 2, or 3 sides of the platform, which is typically
built in front of a main entrance.
Building a platform
Platforms facilitate manoeuvring, for instance for opening and closing doors.
If there is no platform in front of the door where the ramp is being installed, a platform can
be integrated into the ramp itself.
Stairs
Where there are stairs in front of the door, you can build the ramp with scarf joints to make it
fit onto the stair steps.
As you will see from the above examples, it is possible to build practically any kind of
solution imaginable.
Ramp Building Guide:
As soon as you have built a few ramps, you will find that building ramps with the Mobility
World Modular Ramp System is just as easy as playing with children's toy blocks, but to make
it easy for you to start building, we have included some instructive tables and descriptions on
the following pages.
How many layers do I need in my ramp and how long will it be?
The table on the next page shows the shortest possible ramp giving the largest possible
gradient (type I). For smaller gradients, simply use type II or III. See also the section with
technical information.
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
1
In this drawing of a type I ramp,
some of the features are deliberately
exaggerated slightly to make them
easier to distinguish.
No. of layers
Total ramp height:
Total ramp length:
From the top
in cm
in cm
1.85
3.73
5.60
7.50
9.35
11.20
13.10
14.95
16.80
18.65
20.50
22.40
24.30
26.15
28.05
29.90
31.80
33.40
35.50
37.40
39.30
13.70
26.20
38.70
51.20
63.70
76.20
88.70
101.20
113.70
126.20
138.70
151.20
163.70
176.20
188.70
201.20
213.70
226.20
238.70
251.20
263.70
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Example: To make a ramp with a height of 14 cm you need 8 layers = 14.95 cm.
Cut a little off the top layer to obtain the exact height of 14 cm. When you cut only the top
layer, there is no need to alter the length of the ramp, which will still be 101.20 cm.
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To make the ramp, start by assembling layer number 8
(1 ½ tile + 3 tiles + 1 ramp), then assemble layer 7 and secure it to layer 8 using T-Locks and
R-Locks. Continue like this until you reach the top layer, which must be adjusted in height
before it is secured to the previous layer.
If you are not making the ramp on site, but, say, in your workshop, it is usually a good idea
not to secure the two top layers, but fit them on the site instead, to obtain the best possible
match.
So how do I make a 9.5 cm high ramp with corners on two sides of a platform in front of
a main entrance?
The height of 9.5 cm corresponds to 5 layers (9.35 cm), as shown in the previous table. The
bottom layer (layer 5) consists of 2 tiles + ramp (63.7 cm).
Layer 5
To make this ramp, start by assembling the
bottom layer of the corner ramp, then
continue laying tiles at the side to make the
width of the corner ramp match both sides
of the platform.
Layer 5
Platform
As you will see from the figure showing layer 5,
the corner ramp itself is square,
consisting of 2 x 2 tiles + ramp.
Layer 4
Layer 4 consists of ½ tile +
tile + ramp.
Platform
Layer 4
Layer 5.
For layer 4, again assemble the corner
Ramp and extend it to match the sides
of the platform. Since layer 4 is half a
tile smaller than layer 5, you need to
adjust the ramp's width to match both
sides using a saw.
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Layer 3
Layer 3 consists of tile + ramp
Layer 3
Layer 4
Layer 5.
Platform
Layer 2
Layer 2 consists of ½ tile + ramp
Platform
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Layer 5
Layer 1
Layer 1 consists of a ramp
Platform
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Layer 5
We have now finished building and adjusting the ramp to match the site of use.
The ramp assembly procedure is explained on the following figure.
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Here you see the three lock types, T-Lock, C-Lock and R-Lock,
which make it much easier to build the ramp.
T-Lock :
C-Lock :
R-Lock :
Used to secure a tile
on top of another tile.
Used to secure tiles
horizontally, i.e. to
secure one tile lying
next to another tile.
Used to secure ramps on top
of a tiles. Always used in the
line of holes at the bottom of
the ramp. PLEASE NOTE
that the head of the lock is
tapered to match the ramp's
gradient.
Used only on
horizontal surfaces.
1
2
1
3
T-Lock is used on
horizontal surfaces to
secure tiles placed on top
of each other.
2
3
On ramps, use T-Locks on the
horizontal surface at the top of the
ramp; use R-locks for the line of
holes at the bottom of the tapered
part of the ramp.
On corner ramps,
use R-Locks in the
bottom line of holes
on the ramp. You
cannot use the corner
hole, as it has two
tapered faces.
Fitting the
C-Locks.
Always use a rubber hammer to fit the T-Locks, C-Locks, and R-Locks.
Good luck!
ramper - UK
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