DE69622796T2 - Stair ramp for a ladder - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a portable stair ramp for use with a ladder.

Stairs are notoriously difficult places to work, whether for decorating or carrying out general maintenance on the adjacent walls and ceilings.

When carrying out such tasks, the usual method is to use a scaffold board, which is placed as a bridge across two ladders, placed at different heights along the flight of the stairwell. This is not only very unstable, but also leaves the user unable to reach high ceilings and walls.

There are specially made towers available on the market that are more stable than these makeshift solutions, but they are not completely free of movement, are very large and relatively expensive. When they are used, staircases are blocked, making them and entire floors unusable. When these towers are not in use, they are also very bulky to store and their design was probably not designed with problem-free transport in mind.

Stepladders are also commercially available, but their use is very limited. Above a certain point, work is no longer possible, so the heights that can be reached with them are limited.

According to the present invention, a stair ramp device for a ladder is provided, the device being foldable for transport and storage and comprising a support ramp for a ladder and a support element which is rotatably attached to the ramp by means of a swivel joint. is attached, the parts being arranged so that in the assembled state and in use, the ladder support ramp being substantially horizontal and the support element being substantially vertical, an upwardly facing surface region of the support element is in abutment with a downwardly facing surface region of the ladder support ramp, the pivot and the surface regions being arranged so that there is a tendency to maintain a substantially right angle between the abutting parts even when a weight is acting on the ladder support ramp, and characterized in that the pivot and the abutting surface regions are arranged relative to one another so that rotation of the support element substantially beyond the vertical in the angular direction pointing towards the underside of the ladder support ramp is prevented, but rotation of the support element in the other direction is possible so that the device can be folded up for transport or storage.

Advantageously, the ladder support ramp has a recessed part for receiving the support element in the folded state of the device, and the swivel joint is adapted so that the support element can be moved into a position in which it is received by the recessed part of the ladder support ramp for storage and/or transport.

In some embodiments, the ladder stair ramp device may be collapsible for transport and storage and may comprise a ladder support ramp and a support member pivotally attached to the ramp by means of a pivot joint, the parts being arranged such that, in the assembled condition and in use, with the ladder support ramp substantially horizontal and the support member substantially vertical, an upwardly facing surface portion of the support member is in abutment with a downwardly facing surface portion of the ladder support ramp, the pivot joint and the surface portions being arranged such that there is a tendency to maintain a substantially right angle between the abutting parts even when a weight is applied to the ladder support ramp. and the swivel joint is designed in such a way that rotation of the support element substantially beyond the vertical in the angular direction pointing towards the underside of the ladder support ramp is prevented, but rotation of the support element in the other direction is possible so that the device can be folded up for transport or storage.

Advantageously, a surface area of the support element is provided which, when the device is assembled and in use, the ladder support ramp being substantially horizontal and the support element being substantially vertical, lies in abutment with an opposite surface area of the ladder support ramp, the pivot joint being located above the abutting surface areas, so that rotation of the support element about a fulcrum defined by the abutting surface areas substantially beyond the vertical in the angular direction pointing to the underside of the ladder support ramp is prevented, but rotation of the support element in the other direction is possible, so that the device can be folded up for transport or storage.

The opposing surface areas may be in addition to or replace the upward and downward facing surface areas described above. The planes of the opposing surface areas are oriented to have at least one vertical component and, in some embodiments, are substantially vertical. This arrangement provides additional stability to the ladder stair ramp when it is assembled and in use.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivot joint is designed such that the support element can be displaced relative to the ladder support ramp when the device is assembled or folded up. In a suitable form of the pivot joint, the joint comprises a locking device which is carried by a support element and a ladder support ramp, respectively, and the locking device can be arranged in a pair of substantially parallel elongate guides. provided along the length of the other support member and the other ladder support ramp. The elongate guides may be formed on the inner surfaces of a pair of ladder stops, one provided along each edge of the ladder support ramp. This arrangement provides the advantage that a rigid ramp can be constructed simply by sliding the support member relative to the ladder support ramp from a compact initial configuration in which the support member and the ladder support ramp are substantially parallel and adjacent to one another, to an intermediate configuration in which the support member is still parallel to the ladder support ramp but overhangs it, to a final working configuration in which the support member is rotated downwards so that a surface portion of the support member is in abutment with a surface portion of the ladder support ramp in a manner such that substantially all of the weight on the ladder support ramp is borne by the abutting surface portions and not by the rotating parts.

Alternatively, the latching device can be located in an end region of the ladder support ramp and the elongated guides can be formed along the edges of the support element.

Instead of using a sliding arrangement, the support element can also be attached to the ladder support ramp using a simple rotating arrangement, whereby the support element is rotated by an angle in the range of 270º from the initial position to the end position.

In a further alternative embodiment, the pivot joint may be removable so that the support element can be released from its initial arrangement with respect to the ladder support ramp and reattached to the final working arrangement.

The ladder stair ramp is advantageously adapted so that it does not extend over more than two steps during use. In other words: the respective The lengths of the support element and the ladder support ramp are such that when the ladder stair ramp is set up, the base of the support element rests on the tread of the first step and the ladder support ramp rests on the tread of a step no more than two steps above the first. This embodiment of the present invention is particularly stable in use.

The embodiments of the invention having the feature of the recessed portion in the ladder support ramp of the first aspect may advantageously comprise a base located at the lower end of the support member when the device is assembled and in use and shaped such that the base closes one end of a channel defined by the recessed portion in the ladder support ramp when the device is folded up for transport or storage.

The base can provide additional stability to the ladder stair ramp device when assembled and allows the device to assume a neat and compact shape when folded, since the base can be shaped and dimensioned to form a closure plate which is substantially flush with the cross-section of the ladder support ramp and support element when folded. The base can be attached to the support element in a non-rotatable or rotatable manner.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a base is provided pivotally mounted to the support member, the base having an upwardly facing surface portion of the base in abutment with a downwardly facing surface portion of the support member when the device is assembled and in use, the ladder support ramp and the base being substantially horizontal and the support member being substantially vertical, the pivot and the surfaces being arranged to provide a tendency to maintain a substantially right angle between the abutting portions even when a weight is applied to the ladder support ramp.

The base helps to provide additional stability to the ladder stair ramp as a whole.

In some embodiments, the ladder stair ramp may be collapsible for transport and storage and may comprise three parts: i) a ladder support ramp, ii) a support member pivotally attached to the ramp, and iii) a base pivotally attached to the support member, the parts being arranged such that, when assembled for use, a first surface area of the support member is in abutment with a surface area of the ladder stair ramp, and a second surface area of the support member is in abutment with a surface area of the base, the pivotable parts and the surface areas being arranged such that there is a tendency to maintain a substantially right angle between each pair of abutting parts when a weight is applied to the ladder support ramp.

In one embodiment, the support ramp is attached to the support element in such a way that the support element passes through an angle in the range of 270º when changing from the folded to the assembled state.

Alternatively or additionally, the ladder stair ramp may be collapsible for transport and storage and may comprise a ladder support ramp and a support element rotatably attached to the ramp, the support element being provided with a height adjustment in the form of a telescopic mechanism.

A telescopic mechanism in this context is understood to mean one in which the support element comprises at least two parts which can be moved back and forth without relative rotation of the parts (although it is contemplated that a rotary mechanism such as a worm can be used to produce the reciprocating movement). With such a Thanks to the telescopic height adjustment, the ladder stair ramp can be quickly and precisely adjusted to different sizes of stairs.

Alternatively or additionally, the ladder stair ramp may be collapsible for transport and storage and may comprise two parts: i) a ladder support ramp and ii) a support member pivotally attached to the ramp, with height adjustment in the form of a jack mechanism or other screw thread mechanism operated by one or more handles.

The ladder stair ramp embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wide range of general purpose ladders which incorporate height and width adjustment systems for use with steps of various sizes, for example, domestic, institutional or industrial type steps. These embodiments may be quickly retracted for compact storage and transportation and may be adapted to be made from any suitable material including wood, reinforced aluminum, compression steel or suitable plastics.

Preferably, the parts are arranged so that when assembled for use, the support element has a surface area which abuts a surface area of the ladder support ramp, the rotatable parts and the surface areas being arranged so that there is a tendency to maintain a substantially right angle between the abutting parts when a weight acts on the ladder support ramp.

Advantageously, a locking mechanism may be provided to assist in maintaining the support member and the ladder support ramp at substantially right angles to each other when the ladder stair ramp is assembled for use.

In addition, a ladder support ramp adjustment can be provided to accommodate different step widths, for example in the form of a hand-operated mechanism or a jack mechanism or other screw-threaded mechanism operated by one or more handles. Alternatively or additionally, a telescopic mechanism may be used.

Further aspects and alternatives become clear from the following descriptions:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the ladder stair ramp with a ladder in use.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the ladder stair ramp of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 folded into the carrying/storage position.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the example shown in Fig. 1-3 in the carrying/storage position.

Fig. 5 shows the bottom side of the example shown in Fig. 1-4.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged partial view of the ramp and ladder stops.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 7-7 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative example of a ladder stair ramp.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 9-9 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the example shown in Figs. 8 and 9 in the carrying/storage position.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of an alternative foot element as an integral part of the example shown in Fig. 8-10.

Fig. 12 shows a plan view of the bottom of the example shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of another alternative example.

Fig. 14 shows a cross-sectional view substantially in the plane of the line 14-14 in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the example shown in Fig. 13-14.

Fig. 16 shows a plan view of the rear of the example of a ladder stair ramp shown in Fig. 13-15.

Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of an alternative base for use with the ladder stair ramp shown in Figs. 13-16.

Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of another alternative example of a ladder stair ramp.

Fig. 19 shows a cross-sectional view substantially in the plane of the line 19-19 in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 shows a plan view of the front of the ladder stair ramp shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

Fig. 21 shows an alternative positioning of the height handles for use with the example shown in Fig. 13, with the gear mechanism shown in Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 shows a perspective view of another alternative example of a ladder stair ramp with an alternative height adjustment system for use in the example shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the example shown in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 shows a perspective view of another alternative example of a ladder stair ramp.

Fig. 25 shows a perspective view of the example shown in Fig. 24 in a partially folded position.

Fig. 26 shows a perspective view of the example shown in Fig. 24-25 in a position prior to closing/storage.

Fig. 27 shows a perspective view of the example shown in Fig. 24-26 in the closed transport position.

Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the example shown in Fig. 24.

Fig. 29 shows a perspective view of another alternative example of a ladder stair ramp with a ratchet mechanism.

Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the example shown in Fig. 29.

Fig. 31 shows a perspective view of another alternative example of a ladder stair ramp with screw mechanism.

Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the example shown in Fig. 31.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the ladder stair ramp comprising a ramp 1 with integral ladder stops 2 and a vertical support member 3 pivotally mounted by hinges 9 as best shown in Fig. 2. A support/ramp stop 15 mounted to the vertical support 3 is in abutment with ramp 1 at right angles to that member as also shown in Fig. 7. A base 4 is pivotally mounted to the support 3 by hinges 14 on the sides opposite the ramp hinges 9. The support/base stop 13 is in abutment with base 4 at right angles, the opposing forces of the hinges 9 and 14, together with the oppositely mounted support stops 15 and 13, providing a rigid structure as best shown in Fig. 7. Height adjusters 5 provided with wing nuts are connected to adjustable feet 16 (as shown in Fig. 7) by means of threaded sleeves 19 and wing nut stops 18 so that the ramp 1 can be aligned horizontally on a step tread 11. A spirit level 8 may be provided as an alignment aid. The edge of the ramp 1 opposite the ramp hinges 9 abuts a step joint 10 (see Fig. 1). Bumpers 6 located on the outer edge of the ramp 1 and base 4 are intended to protect the area which abuts the ladder stair ramp. A rubber non-slip step grip surface 17, best shown in Fig. 5, holds firmly on the step tread 11 when the ladder 12 is placed on the non-slip ladder grip surface 7 (as shown in Fig. 6) and leaned against the wall of the stairwell and weight is applied.

After use, the ladder 12 is removed and the ladder stair ramp is folded into a compact storage position as best shown in Fig. 4 by rotating about the pivot axes 9 and 14 as shown in Fig. 3.

By following the above procedures, the ladder stair ramp can be installed anywhere in a stairwell.

A second embodiment of the ladder stair ramp is best seen in Fig. 8. This alternative embodiment comprises a ramp 1a with integral ladder stops 2 and a vertical beam 21 pivotally mounted to a recessed metal slide plate 32 by means of a rod hinged beam strut 31 as best shown in Fig. 9. The beam 21 pivots to the vertical on a rod hinge 30 parallel to the ramp 1a, best shown in Figs. 9 and 12, with the hinged base 22 pivotally mounted by hinges 23 which abut at right angles to the base 22 and beam 21 with the beam/base stop 36 as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The carrier 21 can be moved towards or away from the step stitch 10 within the width adjusting carrier guide 24 as best shown in Fig. 8. The recessed metal slide plate 32 slides in the metal plate guides 38 as best shown in Fig. 10. Bolts 34 provided with wing nuts, which are secured through holes in the metal slide plate 32, are guided into the desired position and locked within recessed bolt guides 20 (see Fig. 9).

A non-slip rubber holding surface 17 sits firmly on the step tread 11, whereby the front edge 6 of the ramp 1a provided with bumpers lies flush with the support element with the step stitch 10 as shown in Fig. 1.

A height adjustment handle 25 activates a lifting gear 27 in a housing 26, which in turn rotates a height-adjusting worm 28 clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the desired height.

A threaded connector 29 is provided which is attached to the rod hinge support strut 31. When the height adjustment handle 25 is rotated, the connector 29 moves up or down along the worm thread 28. A rubber worm anchor 35 is provided to maintain the parallel separation between the worm 28 and the support 21. as shown in Fig. 9. A spirit level 8 can be provided as a horizontal alignment aid.

When not in use, the ladder stair ramp of this example can be returned to a compact transport/storage position by rotating it about its axis as shown in Fig. 10 with a retaining strap 37 in place.

A further addition to the above example is an alternative integral rigid support foot 33 with protective plastic bumpers 6 and a rubber non-slip step support surface 17, as best shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

In addition or as an alternative to the above example, a further embodiment is described as follows. Referring to Fig. 13, there is provided a ramp 1b for supporting a ladder 12 having integral ladder stops 2 and two vertical leg supports 41 connected by cross members 40 and secured to a bar hinge 55 passing through each vertical leg support 41 and secured to a width adjusting slide plate by a locking collar 51 as best shown in Fig. 16.

The vertical leg supports 41 rotate parallel to the ramp 1c, as best shown in Fig. 15, to the vertical as in Fig. 13, with the upper edge of the vertical leg support 41 abutting at right angles with the underside of the width adjusting slide plate 50. The base foot 45 is attached as an integral element to the adjustable legs 44 so that it sits firmly on the step tread 11.

The leg supports 41 can be adjusted to fit treads of different widths. The width adjusting means comprises the metal sliding plate 50 which is guided in a sliding plate 49, bolts 34 provided with wing nuts which are fastened through drilled holes in the metal sliding plate 50 and positioning recessed bolt guides 48 with a metal sliding plate for easy operation, as best shown in Fig. 14.

The height adjustment handles 25a are guided in handle slots 39, as best shown in Fig. 13. The desired position on the step tread 11 is set by bolts 34 provided with wing nuts.

The height adjustment mechanism comprises two vertical leg supports 41, each housing adjustable legs 44 and a height adjustment mechanism in the form of worms 54 which are locked in position by means of locking collars 47 which abut against the upper enclosed surface of the support leg 41. The worm leads to another set of locking collars 46 and in turn through two adjustment handles 25a. Along the worms 54 are provided worm links 52 which run up or down the worms 54 depending on the direction of rotation of the adjustment handles 25a. The worm links 52 are attached to adjustable legs 44 by bolts so that the elements are raised or lowered when the adjustment handles 25a are rotated. This in turn brings the ramp 1b into the horizontal position. A spirit level 8 can be provided as an alignment aid. If it is not needed, the ladder stair ramp can be folded back into the position shown in Fig. 15.

A further addition to the above example is an alternative hinged foot 22, as best shown in Fig. 17, which is attached by base hinges 23 to the base foot 45, the underside of which is in abutment with the base surface so that a rigid structure is formed when weight is applied.

Fig. 18 shows a further embodiment of the ladder stair ramp comprising a ramp 1c for carrying a ladder 12 and a support element 59 which is rotatably mounted by means of a rod hinge 55 which extends through drill holes in the respective part of a vertical leg support 59, as shown on best shown in Fig. 19 and 20. These in turn are locked in a width-adjusting sliding plate 73 by means of rod sleeves 51. The sliding plate 73 slides in sliding plate guides 74. Bolts 34 provided with wing nuts, positioned through drilled holes in the sliding plate 73, sit on a metal sliding plate 48 provided with a recess for easy operation.

The width adjusting handle 60, when rotated, sets the auger 70 in rotation in a handle guide 66 and is held in position by locking collars 63. The auger link 69 located on the auger 70 is attached to the slide plate 73 and in turn sets the slide plate 73 to the desired position, which in turn is set by wing nut bolts 34. A auger receiver 72 with a auger anchor 71 is provided to hold the auger 70 parallel to the ramp 1c as shown in Fig. 19.

The height adjustment includes a vertical leg support 59 pivotally mounted to a slide plate 73 as described above and enclosing an adjustable leg 58 which is attached to a worm coupling 68. The worm coupling 68 travels up and down the worm 67 as the handle 61, which is attached by the vertical supports 59 and held in position by the locking collars 64, is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. Gears 66a and 66 are provided for this action as best shown in Fig. 19. The gear 66a is attached to the handle 61 and the gear 66 is attached to the worm 67. The integral base foot 62 is in turn raised or lowered so as to effect horizontal alignment of the ramp 1c on the step tread 11. A spirit level 8 may be provided as an alignment aid. If its use is not required, this ladder stair ramp can be folded up by following the above steps in reverse order. It is important to note that where there is a relatively large distance between the stringers in stairwells, e.g. institutional/industrial stairs, the ladder stair ramp does not need to be flush with the step stringer. Ramp can be placed anywhere on the step tread and ladder placed anywhere inside the ramp, not necessarily against the ladder stop, to achieve the recommended 75º placement.

Fig. 22 shows another embodiment of the ladder stair ramp comprising a ramp 1d with integral ladder stops 2d and a support member 75 pivotally attached to the ramp 1d by hinges 9d. A support/ramp stop 15d attached to the support member 75 lies in abutment with the ramp 1d at right angles to this member 75 as shown in Fig. 23. The height adjustment mechanism comprises a vertical support member 75 pivotally attached to the ramp 1d as described above and enclosing an adjustable leg 76 attached to a worm connector 77. The worm link travels up and down the worm 78 when the handle 79, which is secured by the vertical support member 75 and held in position by the locking collars 79, is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. Gears 80 and 81 are provided for this action as shown in Fig. 23. A base leg 82, which is pivotally secured by hinges 83 to the adjustable leg 76 (best shown in Fig. 22), is in turn raised or lowered so as to effect a horizontal alignment of the ramp 1d on the step tread 11. A spirit level 8d may be provided as an alignment aid. The support/base stop 13d is at right angles to the base 82 and support leg 76.

The edge of the ramp 1d opposite the ramp hinges 9d abuts against a step tread 10 as shown in Fig. 1. Bumpers 6 located on the outer edge of the ramp 1d and the base 82 are intended to protect the area that abuts against the ladder stair ramp. A non-slip rubber step support surface 17d holds firmly against the step tread 11 when the ladder 12 is placed on the non-slip ladder support surface 7d as shown in Fig. 22 and leaned against the wall of the stairwell and weight is applied.

After use, the ladder 12 is removed and the ladder stair ramp is folded up by rotating about the pivot axes 9d and 83 in the manner shown in Fig. 3 and 4. It is important to note that the opposing forces of the oppositely mounted hinges 9d and 83, together with the oppositely mounted support stops 13d and 83, provide a rigid structure under weight loading.

Another embodiment of the ladder stair ramp is shown in Figs. 24-28. This alternative example includes a ramp 1e with integral ladder stops 2e having pivot slide guides 84. A vertical support member 85 with integral pivot rod 86 is attached to the ramp 1e in the area of the pivot slide guides 84 so that the support member 85 can slide from a storage position, best shown in Fig. 27, to an operating position shown in Fig. 24 by pulling the member away from the housing in the manner shown in Figs. 25 and 26. The support member 85 abuts the underside of the ramp 1e (as shown in Figs. 24 and 28) at right angles to the integral pivot rod 86 which abuts the end of the pivot slide guides 84 (as shown in Figs. 24 and 28). The abutting edge of the support member 85 rests in a recess 87 on the underside of the ramp 1e, as shown in Figs. 24 and 28. The upper end of the support member 85 and rotating rod 86 can function as a ladder stop in some embodiments.

Enclosed by the support member 85 is provided a height adjustment mechanism in the form of an adjustable leg 88 which is attached to a worm link 89. The worm link 89 travels up and down the worm 90 when the handle 91, which is attached by the support member 85 and held in position by the locking collars 92, is rotated either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Gears 93 and 94 are provided for this action as shown in Fig. 28. The integral base foot 95 is in turn raised or lowered so as to effect a horizontal alignment of the ramp 1e on the step tread 11. As A spirit level may be provided to aid alignment. The edge of the ramp 1e opposite the pivot rod 86 abuts a step joint 10 as in Fig. 1. Bumpers 6 provided on the outer edge of the ramp 1e and base foot 95 are intended to protect the area which abuts the ladder stair ramp. A rubber non-slip step support surface 17e holds firmly to the step tread 11 when the ladder 12 is placed on the non-slip ladder support surface 7e (as shown in Fig. 24) and leaning against the stairwell wall and weight is applied. A support/ramp stop 96 may be provided for additional stability. If a locking mechanism (not shown) is provided to lock the support member 85 and ramp 1e in the operative position, the ladder stair ramp can be used without the edge of the ramp 1e remote from the pivot rod 86 abutting the step joint 10.

After use, reverse the above steps to place the ladder stair ramp into a configuration that allows for compact storage and/or transportation.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising a height adjustment of the pawl type mechanism is shown in Figs. 29 and 30. The support member 105 comprises an adjustable leg 108 provided with a pawl part 100. A pawl 101 is provided on the support member 105 in such a way that the leg 108 can be telescopically extended out of the support member 105 and retracted back into the same by actuating the pawl.

A further alternative embodiment of the present invention, comprising a screw-type height adjustment, is shown in Fig. 31 and 32. The support element 115 comprises an adjustable leg 118 which is provided with a screw thread 110 which engages a complementary screw thread provided in the support element 115. The leg 118 can be extended from the support element 115 simply by rotation and as which is inserted into it. For additional security, a locking nut 112 can be provided.

Claims (8)

1. Stair ramp device for a ladder, the device being collapsible for transport and storage and comprising a support ramp (1) for a ladder and a support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) which is rotatably attached to the ramp (1) by means of a swivel joint (9, 84, 86), the parts being arranged so that in the assembled state and in use, the ladder support ramp (1) being substantially horizontal and the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) being substantially vertical, an upwardly facing surface area of the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) lies in abutment with a downwardly facing surface area of the ladder support ramp (1), the swivel joint (9, 84, 86) and the surface areas are arranged so that there is a tendency to maintain a substantially right angle between the abutting parts even when a weight acts on the ladder support ramp (1), characterized in that the pivot joint (9, 84, 86) and the abutting surface areas are arranged relative to one another so that rotation of the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) substantially beyond the vertical in the angular direction pointing to the underside of the ladder support ramp (1) is prevented, but rotation of the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) in the other direction is possible, so that the device can be folded up for transport or storage. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the ladder support ramp (1) has a recessed part (87) for receiving the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) in the folded state of the device, and wherein the pivot joint (9, 84, 86) is adapted so that the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) can be moved into a position in which it is received by the recessed part (87) of the ladder support ramp (1) for storage and/or transport. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a surface area of the carrier element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) is provided which, when the device is assembled and in use, the conductor carrier ramp (1) in the is substantially horizontal and the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) is substantially vertical, abuts an opposite surface region of the ladder support ramp (1), the pivot joint (9, 84, 86) being located above the abutting surface regions, so that rotation of the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) about a fulcrum defined by the abutting surface regions substantially beyond the vertical in the angular direction pointing towards the underside of the ladder support ramp (1) is prevented, but rotation of the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) in the other direction is possible, so that the device can be folded up for transport or storage. 4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the swivel joint (9, 84, 86) is designed in such a way that the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) can be displaced relative to the ladder support ramp (1) when the device is being set up or folded up. 5. Device according to claim 2 or according to claims 3 or 4 dependent on claim 2, comprising a base (4, 22, 62, 82) which, when the device is assembled and in use, is located at the lower end of the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) and is shaped such that the base (4, 22, 62, 82) closes one end of a channel defined by the recessed part (87) in the conductor support ramp (1) when the device is folded together for transport or storage. 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the base (4, 22, 62, 82) is rotatably attached to the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85). 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (3, 21, 41, 59, 75, 85) is provided with a height adjustment in the form of a lifting mechanism (27, 28, 29, 35, 41, 44, 46, 47, 52, 54, 58, 67, 68, 76, 77, 78, 88, 89, 90) or another screw thread mechanism (16, 19, 110, 118) which is actuated by one or more handles (5, 25, 61, 79, 91). 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor support ramp (1) comprises adjustment means (20, 32, 34, 38) for adjusting its length.