GB2180875A - A structure for stabilising a ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure for stabilising a ladder has two telescopically extendible legs, each consisting of a short tube 16 with a swivel foot 17 attached, and a long tube 12. The short tube is a sliding fit inside the long tube, and each leg is held in position by use of a clamp 15. These legs are attached to the stiles of a ladder by means of a hinged swivel joint assembly which consists of a swivel bracket 10 and a tube retaining bracket 11, thus enabling the legs to pivot outwardly from the ladder to provide stability. On completion of work the legs are collapsed, and can be secured to the ladder by means of a spring retaining bracket 24. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Astructureforstabilising a ladder This invention relates to a structureforstabilising a ladder.

Ladders of all types are used for various purposes under different conditions, and some of these conditions are very often dangerous. It is with this particular consideration in mind that a safety factor is introduced, namely, a structure for stabilising a ladderwhich might prove to be both helpful, and necessary, when working in adverse weather conditions-oron undulating ordifficultground, alleviating possible accidents that might occur otherwise.

According to the present invention there is provided a structure for stabilising a ladder which comprisestwo telescopically extendible legs, each leg consisting of a shorttube-with a swivel foot attached, and a longtube,theshorttubebeinga sliding fit into the long tube, which are then permanently attached to the respective stiles of a ladder by means of a hinged swivel joint assembly, for limited pivotable movement about a first axis substantially normal to the general plane ofthe ladder,sothatthe legs can be pivoted outwardly from the ladder to engage the ground at positions laterally removed from the lowered ofthe ladder, and for limited pivotable movement about a second axis perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular,to said first axis, so that in use the lower ends of the legs engage the ground at positions laterally and rearwardly to the foot ofthe ladder and thus provide a means of safety support. The legs can be collapsed and secured to the ladder when not in use for easy transit, movementofthe ladderto an adjacent work place, or easy storage.

A specific embodiment of the invention is described as follows, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 - shows the telescopically extendible legs beforethey are securedto a ladder.

Figure - shows the hinged swivel joint assembly and the working parts of the telescopically extendible legs.

Figure3-shows front and side elevation of extendible legs in collapsed and secured to ladder position, ready for movement of ladderto adjacent work place, transit or storage.

Figure 4-shows front and side elevation of extendible legs on ladder in working position.

Figure 5-shows extendible legs fitted to extended ladder in working position.

Referring to the drawings, a structure for stabilising a ladder comprises two telescopically extendible legs, each leg consisting of a short tube 16 with swivel foot 17 attached, and a long tube 12., the shorttube being a sliding fit into the long tube with a hinged swivel bracket 10 and atube retaining bracket 11 -which permanently attaches the legs to the ladders a means of safety support, these brackets being assembled by various bolts, pins and backing plates, not shown.The legs are fitted to the lower section of any standard double or tripe extension ladders, upto approximately fourteen rungs per single ladder, by means of a hinged swivel joint assemblywhich has a limitation of movement in two directions, thus containing the legs at a given angle, Figure 4., so as to prevent a non-slip situation of ladderwhen in use.

The shorter telescopic leg 16 is capable of retraction and protrusion upto 1.5 metre maximum linear adjustment within the main upper support leg 12., and can be clamped securely in any infinite position within this 1.5 metre adjustment by the special circularclamp 15-as shown in Figure 1.

This latterfeature (shorttelescopictube 16) is advantageous for working on undulating ground surfaces, even if extreme, and would provide 'in balance' safety, giving more positive support to the ladder- hence the lowering ofthecentreofgravity with a resultant safety factor conveyed to the user, especially if overreaching at arms length whilst using ladders or high step ladders approaching firstfloor level or higher. This is of particular importance if working in adverse weather conditions.

When moving the ladder or steps to a new position, or on completion of work, the legs are collapsed and can be secured to the ladder by means ofthe spring retaining bracket provided 24 which is of course attached to the ladder.

It is important to note that the short tube 16 Figure 1 is always retained in the long tube 12 buy a measurement of 0.4 metre, when the shorttube has been extended to it's maximum 1.5 metre travel. This will be indicated by a positive circular identity mark 18 as shown on the short tube 16 Figures 1 and 2.

1. A structure for stabilising a ladder which comprises two telescopically extendible legs with a hinged swivel joint assembly, which permanently attaches the legs to a ladder as a means of safety support.

2. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 1., wherein are provided two telescopicaliy extendible legs, each consisting of a short tube with a swivel foot attached and a long tube.

3. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 2., wherein is provided a shorter telescopic tube capable of retraction and protrusion upto 1.5 metre linearadjustmentwithin the uppersupport leg (or long tube), and which can be clamped securely in any infinite position within this 1.5 metre adjustment bytheclamp provided.

4. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 3., wherein is provided a hinged swivel joint assembly to attach the legs to the ladder enabling them to pivot outwardly to provide stability.

5. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 4., wherein are provided a swivel bracket and atube retaining bracket which permanently attach the legs to the ladder as a means ofsafety support.

6. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 4 and Claim 5., wherein the hinged swivel joint assembly is adapted with a limitation of movement in two directions.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Astructureforstabilising a ladder This invention relates to a structureforstabilising a ladder. Ladders of all types are used for various purposes under different conditions, and some of these conditions are very often dangerous. It is with this particular consideration in mind that a safety factor is introduced, namely, a structure for stabilising a ladderwhich might prove to be both helpful, and necessary, when working in adverse weather conditions-oron undulating ordifficultground, alleviating possible accidents that might occur otherwise. According to the present invention there is provided a structure for stabilising a ladder which comprisestwo telescopically extendible legs, each leg consisting of a shorttube-with a swivel foot attached, and a longtube,theshorttubebeinga sliding fit into the long tube, which are then permanently attached to the respective stiles of a ladder by means of a hinged swivel joint assembly, for limited pivotable movement about a first axis substantially normal to the general plane ofthe ladder,sothatthe legs can be pivoted outwardly from the ladder to engage the ground at positions laterally removed from the lowered ofthe ladder, and for limited pivotable movement about a second axis perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular,to said first axis, so that in use the lower ends of the legs engage the ground at positions laterally and rearwardly to the foot ofthe ladder and thus provide a means of safety support. The legs can be collapsed and secured to the ladder when not in use for easy transit, movementofthe ladderto an adjacent work place, or easy storage. A specific embodiment of the invention is described as follows, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 - shows the telescopically extendible legs beforethey are securedto a ladder. Figure - shows the hinged swivel joint assembly and the working parts of the telescopically extendible legs. Figure3-shows front and side elevation of extendible legs in collapsed and secured to ladder position, ready for movement of ladderto adjacent work place, transit or storage. Figure 4-shows front and side elevation of extendible legs on ladder in working position. Figure 5-shows extendible legs fitted to extended ladder in working position. Referring to the drawings, a structure for stabilising a ladder comprises two telescopically extendible legs, each leg consisting of a short tube 16 with swivel foot 17 attached, and a long tube 12., the shorttube being a sliding fit into the long tube with a hinged swivel bracket 10 and atube retaining bracket 11 -which permanently attaches the legs to the ladders a means of safety support, these brackets being assembled by various bolts, pins and backing plates, not shown.The legs are fitted to the lower section of any standard double or tripe extension ladders, upto approximately fourteen rungs per single ladder, by means of a hinged swivel joint assemblywhich has a limitation of movement in two directions, thus containing the legs at a given angle, Figure 4., so as to prevent a non-slip situation of ladderwhen in use. The shorter telescopic leg 16 is capable of retraction and protrusion upto 1.5 metre maximum linear adjustment within the main upper support leg 12., and can be clamped securely in any infinite position within this 1.5 metre adjustment by the special circularclamp 15-as shown in Figure 1. This latterfeature (shorttelescopictube 16) is advantageous for working on undulating ground surfaces, even if extreme, and would provide 'in balance' safety, giving more positive support to the ladder- hence the lowering ofthecentreofgravity with a resultant safety factor conveyed to the user, especially if overreaching at arms length whilst using ladders or high step ladders approaching firstfloor level or higher. This is of particular importance if working in adverse weather conditions. When moving the ladder or steps to a new position, or on completion of work, the legs are collapsed and can be secured to the ladder by means ofthe spring retaining bracket provided 24 which is of course attached to the ladder. It is important to note that the short tube 16 Figure 1 is always retained in the long tube 12 buy a measurement of 0.4 metre, when the shorttube has been extended to it's maximum 1.5 metre travel. This will be indicated by a positive circular identity mark 18 as shown on the short tube 16 Figures 1 and 2. CLAIMS

1. A structure for stabilising a ladder which comprises two telescopically extendible legs with a hinged swivel joint assembly, which permanently attaches the legs to a ladder as a means of safety support.

2. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 1., wherein are provided two telescopicaliy extendible legs, each consisting of a short tube with a swivel foot attached and a long tube.

3. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 2., wherein is provided a shorter telescopic tube capable of retraction and protrusion upto 1.5 metre linearadjustmentwithin the uppersupport leg (or long tube), and which can be clamped securely in any infinite position within this 1.5 metre adjustment bytheclamp provided.

4. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 3., wherein is provided a hinged swivel joint assembly to attach the legs to the ladder enabling them to pivot outwardly to provide stability.

5. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 4., wherein are provided a swivel bracket and atube retaining bracket which permanently attach the legs to the ladder as a means ofsafety support.

6. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 4 and Claim 5., wherein the hinged swivel joint assembly is adapted with a limitation of movement in two directions.

7. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 6., wherein the extendible legs are contained at given angles, so asto prevent a non-slipsituation when using a ladder.

8. A structure for stabilising a ladder, as claimed in Claim 7., wherein is provided a spring retaining bracketfor securing the extendilbe legs to a ladder for movement to adjacent working position or on completion ofwork.

9. Astructure for stabilising a ladder substantially, as described herein, with reference to Figures 1 - 5 ofthe accompanying drawings.