Patent Publication Number: US-7581900-B2

Title: Pre-cast curbside access ramp and methods of making and installing the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/774,782, filed Feb. 9, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,973 which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/909,442, filed Jul. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,805, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to curbside access ramps of the type used to interconnect walkways and roadways and relates more particularly to a novel curbside access ramp and to methods of making and installing the same. 
   Curbside access ramps used to interconnect walkways (i.e., sidewalks) and roadways in a manner that is wheelchair-accessible are becoming increasingly more prevalent throughout the U.S. and abroad. In fact, over the last several years, the availability of curbside access ramps at specific locations, such as at certain roadway intersections, has been mandated by various federal, state and local rules and regulations. Typically, such rules and regulations specify that the curbside access ramp must have a longitudinal slope from the roadway to the walkway that does not exceed a predetermined maximum value (typically 1:12). In addition, such rules and regulations typically specify that the ramp must include a pair of flared sides each having a transverse slope that does not exceed a predetermined maximum value (typically 1:10). Compliance with the aforementioned slope requirements is often difficult to achieve, however, since the ramp is typically constructed after the roadway and the walkway have already been constructed, with the distance between the roadway and the walkway and the respective heights of the roadway and the walkway already having been set. 
   In addition to the aforementioned problem of compliance with governmental rules and regulations, curbside access ramps are currently formed in a manner that is both time and labor intensive, not to mention lacking uniformity in construction techniques. Nevertheless, the installation of a conventional curbside access ramp often involves the following types of steps: cutting into three sections that portion of the curb located where the ramp is to be built; removing the curb sections; digging a hole from the roadway to the walkway where the ramp is to be built and spreading a layer of gravel in the thus-created ramp hole; laying the middle section of the cut curb flush with the roadway so as to bound a portion of the ramp hole; sloping the side sections of the cut curb to transition from the middle section of the cut to the remainder of the curb; laying the side sections of the cut curb in the ground on opposite ends of the middle section so as to bound additional portions of the ramp hole; positioning a form within the ramp hole and, if desired, grading the ramp hole with gravel or the like; pouring concrete into the form; and shaping, screeding, edging, grooving, and troweling the poured concrete to its finished form. 
   Once the above-described concrete ramp has been formed, the ramp then must be allowed to harden over a period of several days. In general, the ramp will harden to about 95% strength in about 7 days and will harden to about 100% strength in about 28 days. As can readily be appreciated, one of the challenges encountered in making such ramps is to keep pedestrians, motorists and the like off of the ramp until the ramp has sufficiently hardened. This often requires the hiring of a person to guard the ramp against trespassers, thereby further adding to the cost of making the ramp. 
   In addition, as can readily be appreciated, the occurrence of adverse weather conditions may complicate or preclude the construction of the above-described ramp and may elongate the period of time required for the ramp to harden. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel curbside access ramp. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a curbside access ramp as described above that overcomes at least some of the problems described herein that are associated with existing curbside access ramps. 
   In furtherance of the above objects, as well as other objects hereinafter to be described, the present invention is directed, in one aspect, to a pre-cast curbside access ramp. Said pre-cast curbside access ramp is amenable to being manufactured, for example, in a factory setting or the like and then, once constructed, to being transported to a ramp site for installation. As a result, one advantage of said pre-cast curbside access ramp is that it may be mass-produced under uniform manufacturing conditions, including being allowed to completely harden before it is delivered to an installation site. Other advantages are described or are apparent from the discussion below. 
   One feature of the aforementioned pre-cast curbside access ramp is the provision therein of an integrally formed curb portion. Another feature of the aforementioned pre-cast curbside access ramp is the use of steel-reinforced concrete in its construction. Still another feature of the aforementioned pre-cast curbside access ramp is the provision of a recessed area in its bottom that reduces the weight of the pre-cast ramp by approximately 500 lbs. 
   According to a preferred embodiment, the pre-cast curbside access ramp is a quasi-trapezoidal member having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, a front left side, a rear left side, a front right side and a rear right side. An integrally formed curb portion extends from said front left side to said front right side of the ramp. Said integrally formed curb portion includes a central region adapted to lie flush with a roadway and side regions disposed on opposite ends of said central region adapted to slope gradually upwardly from said central region. Said ramp is further shaped to include a central region and a pair of side regions, said central region and said side regions being disposed behind said integrally formed curb portion, said side regions being disposed on opposite sides of said central region and transitioning seamlessly therefrom, said central region sloping from said integrally formed curb portion to said rear with a maximum slope of no greater than 1:12, said side regions sloping from said central region to said rear left side and said rear right side, respectively, with a maximum slope of no greater than 1:10. 
   Preferably, a pair of brightly-colored, textured markers are mounted on opposite ends of said central region of said integrally formed curb portion for the purpose of indicating the location of said central region of said integrally formed curb portion. In addition, a textured, recessed plate is preferably secured to the top of said pre-cast curbside access ramp and centrally located within the central region of said pre-cast curbside access ramp proximate to said rear for the purpose of indicating the location of the central portion of the integrally formed curb portion. Said textured, recessed plate may be, for example, an aluminum diamond plate or may be a bronze medallion embossed with advertising. 
   The aforementioned markers and recessed plate may also be retrofitted to existing curbside access ramps for use in identifying the points of entry therefor. 
   The present invention is also directed to a method of making a pre-cast curbside access ramp, said method comprising the steps of (a) positioning a forming apparatus on a horizontal surface, said forming apparatus comprising an inner form and an outer form, said outer form being shaped to define generally the outer dimensions of a desired pre-cast curbside access ramp, said inner form being positioned within said outer form and being more shallow than said outer form; (b) sealing the top of said inner form to prevent concrete from being poured thereinto; (c) then, filling said outer form with concrete; (d) then, finishing the concrete within said outer form; (e) then, allowing the finished concrete to harden within the finished form; (f) then, removing the hardened concrete from the forming apparatus. 
   Preferably, said sealing step comprises filling said inner form with gravel, and said finishing step comprises forming an appropriately placed groove in the concrete to delineate an integrally formed curb portion. In addition, said removing step preferably comprises lifting the hardened concrete away from the gravel and separating the hardened concrete from the inner and outer forms. Furthermore, said method further comprises, after said sealing step and before said filling step, the step of positioning a reinforcing steel grid within said outer form and over said inner form. 
   The present invention is also directed to a method of bridging a walkway and a roadway, said walkway and said roadway being situated at different elevations, said method comprising the steps of (a) forming a pre-cast curbside access ramp; (b) forming a ramp hole sized to receive the pre-cast curbside access ramp, said ramp hole extending from the rear of the roadway to the front of the walkway and also including a portion of the adjacent walkway at least as long as the pre-cast curbside access ramp; (c) installing the pre-cast curbside access ramp in the ramp hole; and (d) then, constructing a platform in the remainder of the ramp hole extending from the installed pre-cast curbside access ramp to the remainder of the walkway. 
   Preferably, the aforementioned platform is made of asphalt or, more preferably, concrete. 
   Additional objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments for practicing the invention. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first area through which a walkway and a roadway pass in the same generally direction at different elevations, said first area lacking a ramp for interconnecting said walkway and said roadway; 
       FIGS. 2(   a ) through  2 ( c ) are perspective, top and front views, respectively, of the area of  FIG. 1  following the installation of a first conventional curbside access ramp thereinto; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second area through which a walkway and a roadway pass in the same general direction at different elevations, said second area lacking a ramp for interconnecting said walkway and said roadway; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the area of  FIG. 3  following the installation of a second conventional curbside access ramp thereinto; 
       FIGS. 5(   a ) through  5 ( g ) are perspective, top, bottom, front, back, left side and right side views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a forming apparatus adapted for use in forming the pre-cast curbside access ramp shown in  FIGS. 5(   a ) through  5 ( g ); 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the forming apparatus of  FIG. 6 , with the inner form thereof shown filled with gravel; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the forming apparatus of  FIG. 7 , with the inner form thereof shown further covered with a tarp and with a steel grid positioned over the tarp and within the outer form; 
       FIGS. 9(   a ) and  9 ( b ) are perspective and top views, respectively, of the forming apparatus of  FIG. 8 , with concrete having been poured over the inner form and into the outer form and being allowed to harden; 
       FIGS. 10(   a ) through  10 ( c ) are top views illustrating the installation of the pre-cast curbside access ramp of  FIGS. 5(   a ) through  5 ( g ) in the area of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of an embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; and 
       FIGS. 12(   a ) through  12 ( c ) are top, right side and rear views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an area through which a walkway W 1  and a roadway R 1  extend in the same general direction at different elevations, said area being represented generally by reference numeral  11 . Walkway W 1  and roadway R 1  are separated from one another within area  11  by a grassy strip S 1  and a granite curb C 1 . Walkway W 1  has a width x 1  of approximately 4 feet, strip S 1  has a width y 1  of approximately 6 feet, and curb C 1  has a height h 1  of approximately 6 inches. As can readily be seen, area  11  does not include a wheelchair-accessible ramp for interconnecting walkway W 1  and roadway R 1 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2(   a ) through  2 ( c ), there are shown perspective, top and front views, respectively, of the area of  FIG. 1  following the installation of a first conventional curbside access ramp thereinto, said first conventional curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral  21 , the thus-modified area including ramp  21  being represented generally by reference numeral  11 ′. 
   Ramp  21 , which extends from the front edge of walkway W 1  to the rear edge of roadway R 1 , comprises a generally rectangular, middle section  23  and a pair of generally triangular, mirror-image (i.e., flared), side sections  25 - 1  and  25 - 2 . The slope of middle section  23 , as measured in the direction indicated by arrow A 1  from roadway R 1  to walkway W 1 , is approximately 1:12, given that the height of curb C 1  is approximately 6 inches and that the distance between roadway R 1  and walkway W 1  is approximately 6 feet. The slope of each of side sections  25 - 1  and  25 - 2 , as measured transversely relative to the aforementioned slope of middle section  23  and as indicated by arrows A 2  and A 3 , respectively, is approximately 1:10. 
   Ramp  21  further comprises a plurality of curb sections  27 - 1  through  27 - 3 , which are positioned between roadway R 1  and sections  25 - 1 ,  23  and  25 - 2 , respectively. Curb section  27 - 2  is set in the ground so as to lie flush with the rear edge of roadway R 1  and the front edge of middle section  23 . Curb sections  27 - 1  and  27 - 3  are set in the ground on opposite ends of section  27 - 2  and in front of sections  25 - 1  and  25 - 2 , respectively, and are sloped to smoothly transition the top surface of curb section  27 - 2  to the top surface of the remainder of curb C 1 . 
   Ramp  21  is typically made in the conventional manner described above. More specifically, ramp  21  is typically made by transversely cutting curb C 1  into the three sections that are to become sections  27 - 1  through  27 - 3 ; removing said three curb sections; digging a hole in strip S 1  where sections  25 - 1  through  25 - 3  are to be formed; spreading a layer of gravel in the thus-created ramp hole; cutting down the thickness of the middle cut curb section to form curb section  27 - 2  and setting curb section  27 - 2  in the ground so that it lies flush with the rear edge of roadway R 1  and bounds a portion of the front edge of the ramp hole; setting the remaining two sections of the cut curb in the ground on opposite ends of section  27 - 2  to bound the remainder of the front edge of the ramp hole and sloping said two sections (to yield sections  27 - 1  and  27 - 3 ) so that a smooth transition is formed between the top surface of section  27 - 2  and the top surface of the remainder of curb C 1 ; positioning a form within the ramp hole to bound the rear and side edges of the yet-to-be-formed ramp; grading the ramp hole with gravel or the like; pouring concrete into the form; shaping, screeding, edging, grooving, and troweling the poured concrete to define sections  25 - 1  through  25 - 3 ; and allowing sections  25 - 1  through  25 - 3  to harden. 
   As can readily be appreciated, the manufacture of ramp  21  according to the above method is time and labor intensive. Nevertheless, ramp  21  is sized and shaped to comply with existing federal and Massachusetts regulations. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of an area through which a walkway W 2  and a roadway R 2  extend in the same general direction at different elevations, said area being represented generally by reference numeral  51 . Walkway W 2  and roadway R 2  are separated from one another within area  51  by a grassy strip S 2  and a granite curb C 2 . Walkway W 2  has a width x 2  of approximately 3.5 feet, strip S 2  has a width y 2  of approximately 4 feet, and curb C 2  has a height h 2  of approximately 8 inches. As can readily be seen, area  51  does not include a wheelchair-accessible ramp for interconnecting walkway W 2  and roadway R 2 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of the area of  FIG. 3  following the installation of a second conventional curbside access ramp thereinto, said second conventional curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral  61 , the thus-modified area including ramp  61  being represented generally by reference numeral  51 ′. 
   Ramp  61  is similar in many respects to ramp  21 , ramp  61  comprising a middle curb section  63 - 1  and a pair of side curb sections  63 - 2  and  63 - 3 . Middle curb section  63 - 1  is set in the ground so as to be flush with roadway R 2 . Side curb sections  63 - 2  and  63 - 3  are set in the ground on opposite ends of curb section  63 - 1  and are sloped to transition from middle curb section  63 - 1  to the remainder of curb C 2 . 
   Ramp  61  also comprises a generally rectangular, middle concrete section  65 - 1  and a pair of flared, side concrete sections  65 - 2  and  65 - 3 . Middle concrete section  65 - 1  extends from middle curb section  63 - 1  to walkway W 2 , and side concrete sections  65 - 2  and  65 - 3  extend from side curb sections  63 - 2  and  63 - 3 , respectively, to walkway W 2 . 
   Ramp  61  is made in a manner substantially identical to that used to make ramp  21 . However, because curb C 2  has a height h 2  of approximately 8 inches (as compared to a height h 1  of approximately 6 inches for curb C 1 ) and strip S 2  has a width of approximately 4 feet (as compared to a height of approximately 6 feet for strip S 1 ), middle section  65 - 1  has a slope in the direction indicated by arrow A 4  of 1:6. Such a slope is too steep for compliance with federal and Massachusetts state regulations. 
   Consequently, as can be seen from the above, the existing method for producing curbside access ramps cannot be used to make fully compliant ramps unless the pre-existing spacing between the walkway and the roadway and the pre-existing curb height are such that, among other things, a maximum slope of 1:12 can be achieved. As a result, existing curbside access ramps lack uniformity in size and shape, with many such ramps failing to meet established standards. Moreover, as can readily be appreciated, even if the desired slopes can be achieved in the ramp, the existing method for producing the ramp is cumbersome. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5(   a ) through  5 ( g ), there are shown various views of a first embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, said pre-cast curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral  101 . 
   Ramp  101 , which is made in the manner to be described below, comprises a quasi-trapezoidal, reinforced concrete member shaped to include a top  103 , a bottom  105 , a front  107 , a rear  109 , a front left side  111 , a rear left side  113 , a front right side  115  and a rear right side  117 . 
   Top  103 , which is curved in the manner to be described below, is provided with a joint or groove  118  extending from the rear of front left side  111  to the rear of front right side  115 , groove  118  defining an integrally formed curb portion  120 . Curb portion  120  may be colored (e.g., its outer surface painted or its entirety pigmented) and/or textured differently than the remainder of ramp  101  to facilitate its identification by sight-impaired individuals, seeing-eye dogs and the like. As can readily be appreciated, one advantage to having ramp  101  include integrally-formed curb portion  120  is that there is no need to cut and slope the three curb sections in the manner that is required to be done conventionally. 
   Bottom  105  is provided with a recessed portion or cavity  119 , cavity  119  being similar in overall shape to ramp  101  and being concentrically-disposed within bottom  105 . As will hereinafter be described, cavity  119  serves to reduce the overall weight of ramp  101  so that it can be transported more easily from its place of manufacture to its place of use. Bottom  105  is also provided with a first pair of parallel slots  121 - 1  and  121 - 2  that extend from cavity  119  to rear  109  and a second pair of parallel slots  123 - 1  and  123 - 2  that extend from cavity  119  to front  107 , slots  121 - 1  and  123 - 1  being collinear and slots  121 - 2  and  123 - 2  being collinear. Slots  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  123 - 1  and  123 - 2  are dimensioned to receive a pair of straps that may be looped around ramp  101  so that ramp  101  may be lifted and/or transported by said straps using the boom of a backhoe or the like. 
   Front  107 , which has a level bottom edge, is shaped to include a central region  125  and a pair of side regions  127 - 1  and  127 - 2 , side regions  127 - 1  and  127 - 2  transitioning seamlessly from central region  125 . Central region  125  is generally rectangular in shape and has a constant height h 3 . Side regions  127 - 1  and  127 - 2  are generally wedge-shaped and gradually increase in height in a direction away from central region  125 . A recessed slot or key-way  129  is provided along most of the length of front  107  so that, when ramp  101  is installed in the ground in the manner to be described below, asphalt, concrete or the like can be received in key-way  129  and allowed to harden therein, thereby more securely locking ramp  101  in place. 
   Rear  109  is generally rectangular in shape and has a constant height h 4 , height h 4  being greater than height h 3  of front  107 . A key-way  131  is provided along most of the length of rear  109 , key-way  131  serving the same purpose as key-way  129 . 
   Front left side  111  and rear left side  113 , each of which has a level bottom edge and a sloped top edge, continuously taper in height from front  107  to rear  109 . A key-way  133 , which serves the same purpose as key-way  129 , extends for most of the length of rear left side  113 . 
   Front right side  115  and rear right side  117 , which are mirror images of front left side  111  and rear left side  113 , respectively, similarly taper in height from front  107  to rear  109 . A key-way  135 , which serves the same purpose as key-way  129 , extends for most of the length of rear right side  117 . 
   In view of the above, ramp  101  can be seen to include, in addition to curb portion  120 , a central ramp region  141  and a pair of side ramp regions  143 - 1  and  143 - 2 , side ramp regions  143 - 1  and  143 - 2  transitioning seamlessly from opposite sides of central ramp region  141 . Central ramp region  141 , whose top surface is generally trapezoidal in shape and extends from curb portion  120  to rear  109 , slopes gradually upwardly from curb portion  120  to rear  109 . Side ramp regions  143 - 1  and  143 - 2 , whose top surfaces are generally triangular in shape and are positioned on opposite sides of central region  141  behind curb portion  120 , slope gradually upwardly from central region  141  to sides  113  and  117 , respectively. 
   The following exemplary dimensions for ramp  101  are illustrative only: front  107  has a length l 1  of 11 feet 3 inches, with central region  125  having a length l 2  of 3 feet and each of side regions  127 - 1  and  127 - 2  having a length l 3  of 4 feet 1.5 inches; rear  109  has a length l 4  of 6 feet; each of front left side  111  and front right side  115  has a length l 5  of 6 inches; each of rear left side  113  and rear right side  117  has a length l 6  of 4 feet 4.5 inches; central region  125  has a height h 3  of 6 inches; each of side regions  127 - 1  and  127 - 2  has a maximum height h 4  (located at its point of intersection with front left side  111  and front right side  115 , respectively) of 10.75 inches; each of rear left side  113  and rear right side  117  has a minimum height h 5  (located at its point of intersection with rear  109 ) of 9 inches; and each of slots  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  123 - 1  and  123 - 2  has a width z 1  of 3.5 inches and a depth d 1  of 1.5 inches. 
   With the above dimensions, ramp  101  has longitudinal and transverse slopes that comply with existing governmental standards. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a top view of a forming apparatus adapted for use in forming ramp  101 , said forming apparatus being represented generally by reference numeral  201 . 
   Apparatus  201  comprises an outer form  203  and an inner form  205 , inner form  205  being concentrically-disposed within outer form  203 . Outer form  203 , which has inside dimensions that correspond to the outside dimensions of ramp  101 , comprises a plurality of wooden boards  207 - 1  through  207 - 6  that are appropriately arranged and detachably joined together by nails or other suitable means. (Alternatively, two or more of boards  207 - 1  through  207 - 6  may be hingedly interconnected to facilitate the removal of ramp  101  from form  203 .) Form  203  also comprises a plurality of knockout boards  209 - 1  through  209 - 4  that are secured to boards  207 - 1 ,  207 - 3 ,  207 - 4  and  207 - 5  and that are used to form key-ways  129 ,  133 ,  131  and  135 , respectively. 
   Inner form  205 , which has outer dimensions that correspond to the dimensions of cavity  119 , comprises a plurality of wooden boards  211 - 1  through  211 - 6  that are joined together by nails or other suitable means to have a shape similar to that of outer form  203 , the principal difference between the two forms being that inner form  205  is more shallow and has a smaller overall size than outer form  203 . 
   Apparatus  201  further includes a pair of wooden knockout boards  213 - 1  and  213 - 2 , knockout boards  213 - 1  and  213 - 2  extending in a parallel fashion between boards  207 - 1  and  207 - 4  and being used to create slots  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  123 - 1  and  123 - 2  in ramp  101 . Recesses (not shown) are provided on the bottom of board  211 - 1  and corresponding recesses (not shown) are provided on the bottom of board  211 - 4  to permit knockout boards  213 - 1  and  213 - 2 , respectively, to pass thereunder. 
   Although apparatus  201  has been described above as being made primarily of wood, it can readily be appreciated that apparatus  201  could be formed from metal (e.g., steel) or other suitable materials. 
   To use apparatus  201  to form ramp  101 , one first lays apparatus  201  horizontally on a level non-stick surface. (Although not required, the inside surfaces of form  203  and/or the outside surfaces of form  205  may be treated with a curing oil to prevent concrete from sticking thereto.) Next, as shown in  FIG. 7 , inner form  205  is filled with gravel G or the like. As will be seen, the gravel G disposed within form  205  does not make its way into ramp  101 , but rather, is merely used to occupy space within form  205  so that concrete cannot be poured into form  205 . The space in form  205  occupied by gravel G ultimately becomes cavity  119  and, in the present embodiment, results in an approximately 500 lbs. reduction in weight of ramp  101  from what would otherwise be about 3700-3900 lbs. to about 3200-3400 lbs. Such a weight reduction is highly advantageous since it permits ramp  101  to be moved by standard construction equipment, like backhoes, that have a maximum weight capacity of about 3500 lbs. As can readily be appreciated, another benefit of creating cavity  119  with gravel G is that one can realize an appreciable savings in the amount of concrete needed to make ramp  101  (said savings being about one-quarter yard of concrete in the present embodiment). 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 8 , gravel G is covered with a tarp T, and a steel grid  221  is positioned within form  203  over tarp T. (One or more bricks B may be used to elevate grid  221  relative to tarp T.) Concrete is then poured into form  203 , with grid  221  being enveloped within the poured concrete. The use of steel grid  221  in the present invention is advantageous because it serves to reinforce the concrete used to make ramp  101 . Such reinforcement is desirable because, whereas concrete is strong in compression, it is weak in tension. Steel, on the other hand, is weak in compression but is strong in tension. Steel-reinforced concrete is not found in the conventional curbside access ramps described above. Moreover, because the pre-cast ramp of the present invention is intended to be transported, the reinforcement provided to the ramp by steel grid  221  helps to preserve the integrity of ramp  101  during transport. 
   The concrete poured into form  203  is preferably that typically used to make curbside access ramps, namely, 4000 pound peastone mix concrete. It should be understood, however, that additives to such concrete could be added, such additives including salt resistant chemicals to guard against corrosion caused by salts (particularly ice-melting salts used in colder climates), strength-enhancing materials like fiber-mesh (particularly if grid  221  were to be omitted), and chemicals like high-early to hasten hardening of the concrete. 
   Next, the concrete within form  203  is shaped, screeded, edged, grooved, and troweled until it has been transformed into its finished state as ramp  101 , as seen in  FIGS. 9(   a ) and  9 ( b ). (Ramp  101  may be textured with a broom finish, a brick-pattern finish or the like; alternatively, regions  141 ,  143 - 1  and  143 - 2  of ramp  101  may be decorated with brickface. Curb portion  120  is preferably colored and/or textured differently than regions  141 ,  143 - 1  and  143 - 2  to facilitate its detection by sight-impaired individuals and seeing-eye dogs.) Ramp  101  is then allowed to harden within form  203  for several days. Once ramp  101  has sufficiently hardened, ramp  101  and apparatus  201  are lifted off the ground, leaving gravel G to remain on the ground and revealing cavity  119 . Inner form  205  and knockout boards  213 - 1  and  213 - 2  are then removed from ramp  101 . Ramp  101  is then removed from outer form  203  and is ready to be transported to its ultimate destination. 
   As is apparent from the description above, the pre-cast curbside access ramp of the present invention is distinguishable from conventional curbside access ramps in that the pre-cast ramp is not formed in the hole in which it is to be used, but rather, is formed at a separate location and is then transported from its place of manufacture to its place of use. Consequently, the pre-cast ramp of the present invention is particularly well-suited for being manufactured in a factory setting. This permits uniformity in the size and shape of the ramps, as well as in the technique used to manufacture said ramps. It also permits certain processing equipment that would not be available at a construction site (such as a concrete vibrator) to be on-hand. It further permits the ramps to completely harden before they are delivered to an installation site. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 10(   a ) through  10 ( c ), there is shown the installation of ramp  101  in area  51 , it being understood that area  51  has been selected for illustrative purposes only and that ramp  101  is also amenable for installation in area  21  and in many other areas in which it is desired to bridge a walkway and a roadway. 
   As seen in  FIG. 10(   a ), area  51  is first prepped to receive ramp  101  by having a length of curb C 2  removed, said length corresponding to length l 1  of front  107  of ramp  101 . In addition, portions of strip S 2  and walkway W 2  (the lengths of said portions being determined in the manner to be described below) are also removed from area  51  to yield a hole H. Hole H is sufficiently deep for front region  125  of ramp  101  to lie flush with the rear edge of roadway R 2 . 
   Next, as seen in  FIG. 10(   b ), a layer of stone dust SD is applied to hole H, and ramp  101  is set in hole H. Typically, ramp  101  is lowered into hole H by feeding a pair of looped straps around ramp  101  and through slots  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  123 - 1  and  123 - 2  and then using the boom of a backhoe or the like to hold ramp  101  via said looped straps. Once ramp  101  is set in place, the straps are then un-looped and removed through slots  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2 ,  123 - 1  and  123 - 2 . 
   Lastly, as seen in  FIG. 10(   c ), the remainder of hole H is filled with concrete (or asphalt) and is finished to form a platform  140  that bridges ramp  101  and walkway W 2 . As can readily be appreciated, one can ensure a gentle slope from ramp  101  to walkway W 2  by dimensioning and grading platform  140  as needed. In addition, if the differential in elevation between the rear of ramp  101  and walkway W 2  is sufficiently large, one can remove additional lengths of walkway W 2  and extend the slope of platform  140  gradually until walkway W 2  is reached. Good control points for grading platform  140  to walkway W 2  are provided by rear  109 , rear left side  113  and rear right side  117  of ramp  101 . 
   As can be seen, the present invention represents a departure in the manner in which ramps are constructed in that, according to the present invention, the ramp is set first and the walkway is then graded to the ramp whereas, in the past, the walkway is set first and the ramp is then graded to the walkway. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a top view of a pre-cast curbside access ramp assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, said pre-cast curbside access ramp assembly being represented generally by reference numeral  351 . 
   Ramp assembly  351  is similar in most respects to ramp  101 , a principal difference between ramp assembly  351  and ramp  101  being that ramp assembly  351  additionally comprises a pair of brightly-colored and textured markers  353 - 1  and  353 - 2  affixed by a heat-melt adhesive to curb portion  120  on opposite ends of central portion  125 . Markers  353 - 1  and  353 - 2  serve to indicate to pedestrians, particularly those who are sight-impaired, the location of central region  141  of ramp  101 . 
   Another difference between ramp assembly  351  and ramp  101  is that ramp assembly  351  further comprises a recessed plate  355  secured to top  103  and located within central region  141  proximate to rear  109 . Plate  355  is preferably received within a recess formed in ramp  101  by a knockout during the setting of ramp  101 . Plate  355  may be an aluminum diamond plate or may be a bronze medallion embossed with advertising or the name of a sponsor. In either event, plate  355  further serves to indicate to pedestrians, both by appearance and texture (the embossments of plate  355  extending above the surface of top  103 ), the location of central region  141  of ramp  101 . 
   As can readily be appreciated from the above description, markers  353 - 1  and  353 - 2  and plate  355  are arranged on ramp  101  in a triangular pattern. This triangular pattern, together with the textured surfaces of markers  353 - 1  and  353 - 2  and of plate  355 , is intended to help the sight-impaired situate themselves on ramp  101 . 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to pre-cast curbside access ramps of any particular size and/or shape. For example, another embodiment of a pre-cast curbside access ramp constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 12(   a ) through  12 ( c ), said pre-cast curbside access ramp being represented generally by reference numeral  401 . 
   Ramp  401 , which is particularly well-suited use at the apices of an intersection where it is desirable to bridge the roadway with a pair of perpendicular walkways, is a quasi-triangular member shaped to include a top  403 , a bottom  405 , a straight side  407 , and an arcuate side  409 , one end of arcuate side  409  being joined to one end of straight side  407 , the other end of arcuate side  409  being joined to the opposite end of straight side  407 . 
   Top  403  is shaped to include a triangularly shaped post  413  located along the midpoint of arcuate side  409 . Top  403  is also shaped to include a flat area  415  surrounding post and a sloped area  417  extending from flat area  415  to straight side  407 . A groove  416  is formed in top  403  to delineate an integrally formed curb portion  418 . 
   The following exemplary dimensions for ramp  401  are illustrative only: straight side  407  has a length l 7  of 11 feet 6 inches and a height h 6  of 9.5 inches; post  413  has a height h 7  of 3.5 inches and side lengths s 1  and s 2  of 18 inches; arcuate side  409  has a height h 8  of 6 inches; and sloped area  417  has a length l 8  of 2 feet 5 inches. 
   The embodiments of the present invention recited herein are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.