CA2047035A1 - Stepladder - Google Patents
StepladderInfo
- Publication number
- CA2047035A1 CA2047035A1 CA 2047035 CA2047035A CA2047035A1 CA 2047035 A1 CA2047035 A1 CA 2047035A1 CA 2047035 CA2047035 CA 2047035 CA 2047035 A CA2047035 A CA 2047035A CA 2047035 A1 CA2047035 A1 CA 2047035A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stepladder
- segments
- accordance
- segment
- cable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C9/00—Ladders characterised by being permanently attached to fixed structures, e.g. fire escapes
- E06C9/02—Ladders characterised by being permanently attached to fixed structures, e.g. fire escapes rigidly mounted
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
- E04H4/144—Means for facilitating access, e.g. step units or slides
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C1/00—Ladders in general
- E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
- E06C1/04—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees
- E06C1/08—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees multi-part
- E06C1/10—Sections fitted end to end
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C7/00—Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories
- E06C7/08—Special construction of longitudinal members, or rungs or other treads
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Ladders (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present invention pertains to a stepladder composed of individual segments, wherein the segments are connected to one another in a positive-locking manner.
The present invention pertains to a stepladder composed of individual segments, wherein the segments are connected to one another in a positive-locking manner.
Description
2 ~
~TEPI.ADDER
SPECIFICATION
The present invention pertains to a stepladder as used, e.g., in swimming pool construction.
Such ladders extend from the edge of the pool first vertically upward and are then bent over in the direction of the pool, and then they pass over into a vertical section which ends via another angulated section in the zone of the water. The 1i5 ladders are usually anchored in the area of the pool edge. In the zone of the water, they often only lie against the pool wall.
Like other ladders, these ladders consist of the two lateral guide rails and at least one step connecting the guide rails. The guide rails of prior-art stepladders are made in one piece and consist of, e.g., steel, aluminum, or plastic. This also applies to the ladder steps, which are usually made in one piece with the corresponding sections of 2 5 the guide rails.
The state of the art and the present invention will be explained below in greater detail on the basis of an above-described stepladder for swimming pools, without thereby limiting the field of application of the stepladders according to the present invention. Consequently, the term "stepladder" also covers ladders which are used, e.g., in the household, trade, or the like.
It is a disadvantage of the prior-art swimming pool stepladders that, depending on the size of the swimming pool, different formats must be provided.
However, not only do the ladders differ in terms of their height/length, depending on, e.g., the depth of the water, but the distances between the two vertical legs of the stepladders also vary from one case to the next, depending on where the stepladder can be fastened, e.g., at the edge of the swimming pool.
In addition, one customer wishes to have only one or two steps, while another would like to have three or four steps for a stepladder of otherwise identical design.
This leads to increased costs for the manufacturer of the stepladders, especially because :: . , 2 ~
of different tools for different shapes and types of stepladders.
Finally, individually shaped stepladders, e.g., those with handgrips, can be manufactured only by individual production.
Based on this state of the art, the basic task of the present invention is to provide a stepladder, especially for swimming pools, which permits simplified production and is nevertheless individually adaptable, depending on the customer's wishes, in terms of size, shape, and design.
To accomplish the above-described task, the present invention is based on the general consideration that the stepladders or their guide rails are assembled from discrete elements which can be individually outfitted, ~epending on the desired size, shape, and number of steps and are designed such that they make it possible to design continuous guide rails with steps located between them.
The present invention is based on the idea that this can be realized in a particularly simple and advantageous manner by designing the individual segments in a tubular shape and with an axial passage hole, wherein the segments arranged one h ~3 ~ rd~
behind the other are tensioned with one another via a cable which connects the segments to one another, extends through the axial passage holes of the segments, and i5 anchored at the end.
In its most general embodiment, the present invention suggests a stepladder of the type as described above, which possesses the following characteristics:
. - each guide rail consists of a plurality of tubular segments arranged one behind the other, each tubular segment being provided with an axial passage hole, - a cable is led along the passage holes of the segments of each guide rail, - each cable is fixed under tensile stress at its free ends relative to the corresponding segments, - a step extends between at least two segments of adjacent guide rails, which segments are arranged next to one another at spaced locations.
Any size and shape can be manufactured due to the stepladder being assembled from individual, discrete elements.
. 4 .
,?5 In the simplest case, in which the stepladder extends only linearly, its length can be varied very simply by using more or fewer segments to form the corresponding guide rails. In this case, additional cross webs are preferably arranged between the guide rails at the end in order to stiffen the ladder.
In the case of the stepladders of the above-mentioned type, which are used, e.g., in swimming pools, i.e., stepladders with bent guide rails, the goal of the present invention can be accomplished analogously; it is only necessary to design individual segments in a bent shape, preferably in the shape of circular segments.
Even though the stepladder is composed from a plurality of individual segments according to the present invention, it forms as a whole a more or less rigid system. This is achieved by the cable led through the segments, which is tensioned with tensile stress at the ends of each guide rail. The individual segments are thus lashed, so that they will subsequently have a defined shape that is extensively resistant to deformation.
An embodiment in which adjacent segments of one guide rail are connected in a positive-locking ?~
manner, but detachably, is particularly preferxed.
The positive locking nature of the segments with one another increases the stability of the ladder as a whole.
In an advantageous embodiment, it is suggested that each segment be provided, viewed in the direction of the passage hole, with a recess extending coaxially to the passage hole at one end and -- at its opposite end -- with a projection that extends coaxially to the passage hole and whose cross section is equal to or slightly smaller than that of the recess. It is thus possible to introduce the projection of one segment into the recess of the adjacent segment, as a result of which the two are first connected. If the guide rail has been thus designed, the cable, which has been pulled through and tensioned at the ends, ensures that the geometry thus established is preserved even under mechanical stress on the ladder, e.g., by a person.
Contrary to the one-piece guide rails or one-piece ladders, the ladder according to the present invention offers the additional advantage that it has a certain intrinsic elasticity and is able to show a certain, reversible deformability in the case - . . .. .
- , . .
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of, e.g., high loads caused by a large or heavy person.
The projections and recesses of each segment should advantageously have a circular cross section and be part of a cylindrical segment. Cylindrical segments which -- arranged one behind the other --complement one another to form a cylindrical guide rail have the advantage that they can easily be grasped with the hand and rule out the risk of injury due to edges.
From the viewpoint of high reliability of operation, the present invention also suggests that the proiections of the segments be designed --viewed in the axial direction of the passage hole --with a greater length than the corresponding recesses. As a consequence of this, the tubular segments inserted one into the other have a certain distance from one another circumferentially, so that there is no risk of pinching even if a person grasps the guide rail precisely in the zone of adjacent segments and the segments undergo a slight deformation relative to one another, e.g., under a high load.
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Experiments have shown that a distance of about 2 cm between adjacent segments is sufficient to eliminate any risk of injury. For the same reason, the largest diameter of the projection of each segment should also be smaller by at least 4 cm than the outside diameter of the segment, so that an inwardly extending annular segment with a width of ca. 2 cm will be obtained between adjacent segments.
While the recesses of each segment may also be designed such that they slightly taper conically toward the interior of the segment, the corresponding projections should also be slightly conical toward the free end in this case, so that reliable positive connection of adjacent segments will always be guaranteed.
The tensioning of the individual segments relative to one another by means of the cable can also be brought about in different ways. While it is usually sufficient to mechanically anchor the cable at one end of each guide rail, a tensioning device for the cable should be provided at least at the other end of each guide rail, with which ttensioning device] the cable can be subjected to a predeterminable tensile stress in order to securely ' ;, '' " .
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fasten the individual segments relative to one another. Such tensioning elements for cables have been known from the construction industry, but they are used for other purposes there. The tensioning device may consist of, e.g., a receiving part with internal threads fastened at the end of the cable, which [receiving part] can be screwed onto a threaded bolt fastened, for example, at the edge of the pool, as a result of which the effective cable length between the anchoring points in reduced.
To ensure high tensile forces and consequently reliable positive-locking connection of the segments to one another, the cable may be, e.g., a metal cable, preferably a steel cable. However, plastic cables, especially plastic cables twisted from a plurality of fibers, which are characterized by extremely high tensile strength and consequently can be used within the framework of the present invention, are also currently known.
The shape and the material for the segments can , .
`~ be selected nearly completely freely. Cylindrical segments are usually used for the vertical sections of a ladder. However, to form handgrips, e.g., .
` above the surface of the water, it is also possible , ,: :, ;
.. .
. , ,, ,: . , 7~33 to arrange, along the ver~ical section, e.g., semicircular segments with bent end sections which will then again extend coaxially to the adjacent cylindrical segments and are connected to them in a positive-loc~ing manner.
Designing the segments as plastic parts is particularly advantageous. In this case, they can be manufactured, e.g., by injection molding or extrusion methods. The shaping and coloring that can thus be achieved are practically unlimited.
For installation on a swimming pool, it is usually sufficient to anchor the ladders in the area of the pool edge. To do so, at least the last segments at the corresponding end of the stepladder .
should be designed with a device for locking the stepladder in the ground, deck, or wall. For this purpose, any desired elements are available to the person skilled in the art. For example, the last segments may be designed with a circumferential flange which is bolted against the pool edge.
The steps extending between the guide rails may ; be made in one piece with the corresponding segments, or they may also be suspended from them, ` e.g., in a positive-locking manner~
., , .: . . :
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The design according to the present invention makes it possible to arrange any desired number of steps of any design between the guide rails, depending on the customer's wishes. It is also possible, for example, to manufacture a stepladder that consists of three guide rails, as a result of which basically two stepladders are provided, and, for example, the distance between the steps of one of the ladders is designed to be greater for adults than the distance between the steps of the ladder arranged next to it, which will thus preferably be used, e.g., by children.
The description given above shows that the design embodiments of the ladders are unlimited.
Nevertheless, only a small number of basic elements are needed to manufacture any desired ladder.
The present invention will be described below in greater detail on the basis of an embodiment.
The following views are represented in a schematic representation:
Figure 1 shows a side view of a step fastened to the edge of a swimming pool, Figure 2 shows a top view of the step according to Figure 1 as viewed from the water, .. , ~
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2 ~ !~ 7 ~
Figure 3 shows a partially cutaway detail of the last segment of a guide rail that rests against the pool wall, and Figure 4 shows a partially cutaway view of the connection zone between adjacent segments.
Identical components and components with equivalent functions are designated by identical reference numerals in the figures.
In Figure 1, reference numeral 10 designates the edge of a swimming pool and 12 designates its wall. ;
Two guide rails 14 of the stepladder 16 are firmly anchored at the pool edge 10.
Said guide rails 14 have a first section 14a extending vertically in the upward direction from the pool edge 10, an adjacent semicircular section 14b, another vertical section 14c adjoining the latter in the downward direction, and, finally, at the lower end, a section 14d extending in the inward direction over a quarter circle, whose free end lies loosely against said pool wall 12.
Each said guide rail 14 consists of a plurality of segments 18. Said segments 18 of said sections : 14a, 14c are cylindrical, while said segments 18 of .
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:
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said sections 14b and 14d are designed as curved cylinders.
Each said segment 18 has a central passage hole 20. With the exception of the end segments 18, which are connected to said pool edge 10 or lie against said pool wall 12, each segment 18 is provided with a recess 22 at one end and with a projection 24 at the other end. Said recess 22 and said projection 24 extend coaxially to the respective passage hole 20, as is shown most clearly in Figure 4.
Viewed in the direction of said passage hole 20, said projections 24 have a greater height than do said recesses 22.
This causes said adjacent segments 18 to be circumferentially spaced from one another by a distance of d when a segment 18 with its projection 24 is introduced into the corresponding recess 22 o~
the adjacent segment 18 for positive-locking connection (Figure 4).
Figure 4 also shows that --relative to said :~ passage hole 20-- adjacent segments 18 are alsospaced apart in the radial direction, because said projections 24 have a smaller diameter than do said .
: . . . .-..
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segments 18 as a whole.
This leads to the formation of an annular channel 26 of height "d" and width "B" between said adjacent segments 18.
Comparison of Figures 1 and 4 shows that said segments 18 are arranged one behind the other. To fix them in this association, a steel cable 28, which is locked in the last segment 18 at the end that lies against said pool wall 12 and via a tensioning device, under tensile stress, at the opposite end (i.e., in the area of said segment 18), which stands on said pool wall 10, is passed through the continuous passage hole 20 of said segments 18.
The individual segments 18 are thus tensioned among themselves and fixed relative to one another in a positive-locking manner, so th~t said segments 18 that belong together always form a guide rail 14.
Adjacent to the pool wall 10, said segments 18 have, at their free ends, a circumferential flange 18a, which is used to fix the corresponding guide rails 14 at said pool edge 10 by means of screws 30.
Figures 1 and 2 also show that two steps 32 are arranged between the adjacent guide rails 14. Said steps 32 always extend between two adjacent segments .
.
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18 of each guide rail, and are made in one piece with them.
Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a device for tensioning said cable 28.
For tensioning, the end of said cable 28 is provided with a section 28a, which has a circumferential threading 28b. A nut 34 having corresponding internal threads can be screwed onto said threads 28b. A washer 36 is placed between said nut 34 and said segment 18 in the area of an expanded section 38 of said segment 18. Depending on how far said nut 34 is screwed onto said threads 28b, said cable Z8, whose other end is anchored in the same way within the corresponding segment 18, can be tensioned.
It is obvious that the shape and design of the stepladder according to the Figures 1 through 4 can be varied within broad ranges by imparting a different shape to the individual segments, by making them shorter or longer, by arranging additional steps between adjacent segments, or by connecting, on the whole, a greater number of seqments one behind the other, so that said guide rails 14 on the whole will be longer.
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The stepladder would also be able, e.g., to have the shape of an ord~nary ladder used in trade or household, i.e., for example, to have a side view having the shape of an inverted V, with a holding member connecting the two legs of the ladder. Such ;~
a ladder can be erected by folding over at what will subsequently be the apex and subsequently tensioning the tensioning cable, but after releasing the pulling cable, it can be folded up in nearly any desired shape, so that is can easily be transported.
, : .
~TEPI.ADDER
SPECIFICATION
The present invention pertains to a stepladder as used, e.g., in swimming pool construction.
Such ladders extend from the edge of the pool first vertically upward and are then bent over in the direction of the pool, and then they pass over into a vertical section which ends via another angulated section in the zone of the water. The 1i5 ladders are usually anchored in the area of the pool edge. In the zone of the water, they often only lie against the pool wall.
Like other ladders, these ladders consist of the two lateral guide rails and at least one step connecting the guide rails. The guide rails of prior-art stepladders are made in one piece and consist of, e.g., steel, aluminum, or plastic. This also applies to the ladder steps, which are usually made in one piece with the corresponding sections of 2 5 the guide rails.
The state of the art and the present invention will be explained below in greater detail on the basis of an above-described stepladder for swimming pools, without thereby limiting the field of application of the stepladders according to the present invention. Consequently, the term "stepladder" also covers ladders which are used, e.g., in the household, trade, or the like.
It is a disadvantage of the prior-art swimming pool stepladders that, depending on the size of the swimming pool, different formats must be provided.
However, not only do the ladders differ in terms of their height/length, depending on, e.g., the depth of the water, but the distances between the two vertical legs of the stepladders also vary from one case to the next, depending on where the stepladder can be fastened, e.g., at the edge of the swimming pool.
In addition, one customer wishes to have only one or two steps, while another would like to have three or four steps for a stepladder of otherwise identical design.
This leads to increased costs for the manufacturer of the stepladders, especially because :: . , 2 ~
of different tools for different shapes and types of stepladders.
Finally, individually shaped stepladders, e.g., those with handgrips, can be manufactured only by individual production.
Based on this state of the art, the basic task of the present invention is to provide a stepladder, especially for swimming pools, which permits simplified production and is nevertheless individually adaptable, depending on the customer's wishes, in terms of size, shape, and design.
To accomplish the above-described task, the present invention is based on the general consideration that the stepladders or their guide rails are assembled from discrete elements which can be individually outfitted, ~epending on the desired size, shape, and number of steps and are designed such that they make it possible to design continuous guide rails with steps located between them.
The present invention is based on the idea that this can be realized in a particularly simple and advantageous manner by designing the individual segments in a tubular shape and with an axial passage hole, wherein the segments arranged one h ~3 ~ rd~
behind the other are tensioned with one another via a cable which connects the segments to one another, extends through the axial passage holes of the segments, and i5 anchored at the end.
In its most general embodiment, the present invention suggests a stepladder of the type as described above, which possesses the following characteristics:
. - each guide rail consists of a plurality of tubular segments arranged one behind the other, each tubular segment being provided with an axial passage hole, - a cable is led along the passage holes of the segments of each guide rail, - each cable is fixed under tensile stress at its free ends relative to the corresponding segments, - a step extends between at least two segments of adjacent guide rails, which segments are arranged next to one another at spaced locations.
Any size and shape can be manufactured due to the stepladder being assembled from individual, discrete elements.
. 4 .
,?5 In the simplest case, in which the stepladder extends only linearly, its length can be varied very simply by using more or fewer segments to form the corresponding guide rails. In this case, additional cross webs are preferably arranged between the guide rails at the end in order to stiffen the ladder.
In the case of the stepladders of the above-mentioned type, which are used, e.g., in swimming pools, i.e., stepladders with bent guide rails, the goal of the present invention can be accomplished analogously; it is only necessary to design individual segments in a bent shape, preferably in the shape of circular segments.
Even though the stepladder is composed from a plurality of individual segments according to the present invention, it forms as a whole a more or less rigid system. This is achieved by the cable led through the segments, which is tensioned with tensile stress at the ends of each guide rail. The individual segments are thus lashed, so that they will subsequently have a defined shape that is extensively resistant to deformation.
An embodiment in which adjacent segments of one guide rail are connected in a positive-locking ?~
manner, but detachably, is particularly preferxed.
The positive locking nature of the segments with one another increases the stability of the ladder as a whole.
In an advantageous embodiment, it is suggested that each segment be provided, viewed in the direction of the passage hole, with a recess extending coaxially to the passage hole at one end and -- at its opposite end -- with a projection that extends coaxially to the passage hole and whose cross section is equal to or slightly smaller than that of the recess. It is thus possible to introduce the projection of one segment into the recess of the adjacent segment, as a result of which the two are first connected. If the guide rail has been thus designed, the cable, which has been pulled through and tensioned at the ends, ensures that the geometry thus established is preserved even under mechanical stress on the ladder, e.g., by a person.
Contrary to the one-piece guide rails or one-piece ladders, the ladder according to the present invention offers the additional advantage that it has a certain intrinsic elasticity and is able to show a certain, reversible deformability in the case - . . .. .
- , . .
:~ .
2 Q ~ S
of, e.g., high loads caused by a large or heavy person.
The projections and recesses of each segment should advantageously have a circular cross section and be part of a cylindrical segment. Cylindrical segments which -- arranged one behind the other --complement one another to form a cylindrical guide rail have the advantage that they can easily be grasped with the hand and rule out the risk of injury due to edges.
From the viewpoint of high reliability of operation, the present invention also suggests that the proiections of the segments be designed --viewed in the axial direction of the passage hole --with a greater length than the corresponding recesses. As a consequence of this, the tubular segments inserted one into the other have a certain distance from one another circumferentially, so that there is no risk of pinching even if a person grasps the guide rail precisely in the zone of adjacent segments and the segments undergo a slight deformation relative to one another, e.g., under a high load.
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.
,~
2 ~ L~
Experiments have shown that a distance of about 2 cm between adjacent segments is sufficient to eliminate any risk of injury. For the same reason, the largest diameter of the projection of each segment should also be smaller by at least 4 cm than the outside diameter of the segment, so that an inwardly extending annular segment with a width of ca. 2 cm will be obtained between adjacent segments.
While the recesses of each segment may also be designed such that they slightly taper conically toward the interior of the segment, the corresponding projections should also be slightly conical toward the free end in this case, so that reliable positive connection of adjacent segments will always be guaranteed.
The tensioning of the individual segments relative to one another by means of the cable can also be brought about in different ways. While it is usually sufficient to mechanically anchor the cable at one end of each guide rail, a tensioning device for the cable should be provided at least at the other end of each guide rail, with which ttensioning device] the cable can be subjected to a predeterminable tensile stress in order to securely ' ;, '' " .
;;. ~ . , ` -i ,, . . - ` - ~
,. . . . .
. ., : : . `i ~ ~
: ' . ` ~ ~ ' , " ' ` . ; ' "
~J ~ U ~
fasten the individual segments relative to one another. Such tensioning elements for cables have been known from the construction industry, but they are used for other purposes there. The tensioning device may consist of, e.g., a receiving part with internal threads fastened at the end of the cable, which [receiving part] can be screwed onto a threaded bolt fastened, for example, at the edge of the pool, as a result of which the effective cable length between the anchoring points in reduced.
To ensure high tensile forces and consequently reliable positive-locking connection of the segments to one another, the cable may be, e.g., a metal cable, preferably a steel cable. However, plastic cables, especially plastic cables twisted from a plurality of fibers, which are characterized by extremely high tensile strength and consequently can be used within the framework of the present invention, are also currently known.
The shape and the material for the segments can , .
`~ be selected nearly completely freely. Cylindrical segments are usually used for the vertical sections of a ladder. However, to form handgrips, e.g., .
` above the surface of the water, it is also possible , ,: :, ;
.. .
. , ,, ,: . , 7~33 to arrange, along the ver~ical section, e.g., semicircular segments with bent end sections which will then again extend coaxially to the adjacent cylindrical segments and are connected to them in a positive-loc~ing manner.
Designing the segments as plastic parts is particularly advantageous. In this case, they can be manufactured, e.g., by injection molding or extrusion methods. The shaping and coloring that can thus be achieved are practically unlimited.
For installation on a swimming pool, it is usually sufficient to anchor the ladders in the area of the pool edge. To do so, at least the last segments at the corresponding end of the stepladder .
should be designed with a device for locking the stepladder in the ground, deck, or wall. For this purpose, any desired elements are available to the person skilled in the art. For example, the last segments may be designed with a circumferential flange which is bolted against the pool edge.
The steps extending between the guide rails may ; be made in one piece with the corresponding segments, or they may also be suspended from them, ` e.g., in a positive-locking manner~
., , .: . . :
, . . . :
- ~
7~
The design according to the present invention makes it possible to arrange any desired number of steps of any design between the guide rails, depending on the customer's wishes. It is also possible, for example, to manufacture a stepladder that consists of three guide rails, as a result of which basically two stepladders are provided, and, for example, the distance between the steps of one of the ladders is designed to be greater for adults than the distance between the steps of the ladder arranged next to it, which will thus preferably be used, e.g., by children.
The description given above shows that the design embodiments of the ladders are unlimited.
Nevertheless, only a small number of basic elements are needed to manufacture any desired ladder.
The present invention will be described below in greater detail on the basis of an embodiment.
The following views are represented in a schematic representation:
Figure 1 shows a side view of a step fastened to the edge of a swimming pool, Figure 2 shows a top view of the step according to Figure 1 as viewed from the water, .. , ~
- :: . .
2 ~ !~ 7 ~
Figure 3 shows a partially cutaway detail of the last segment of a guide rail that rests against the pool wall, and Figure 4 shows a partially cutaway view of the connection zone between adjacent segments.
Identical components and components with equivalent functions are designated by identical reference numerals in the figures.
In Figure 1, reference numeral 10 designates the edge of a swimming pool and 12 designates its wall. ;
Two guide rails 14 of the stepladder 16 are firmly anchored at the pool edge 10.
Said guide rails 14 have a first section 14a extending vertically in the upward direction from the pool edge 10, an adjacent semicircular section 14b, another vertical section 14c adjoining the latter in the downward direction, and, finally, at the lower end, a section 14d extending in the inward direction over a quarter circle, whose free end lies loosely against said pool wall 12.
Each said guide rail 14 consists of a plurality of segments 18. Said segments 18 of said sections : 14a, 14c are cylindrical, while said segments 18 of .
' ' ~. . ' .; ' . ' ,. .. . . .
:
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2~ 7~
said sections 14b and 14d are designed as curved cylinders.
Each said segment 18 has a central passage hole 20. With the exception of the end segments 18, which are connected to said pool edge 10 or lie against said pool wall 12, each segment 18 is provided with a recess 22 at one end and with a projection 24 at the other end. Said recess 22 and said projection 24 extend coaxially to the respective passage hole 20, as is shown most clearly in Figure 4.
Viewed in the direction of said passage hole 20, said projections 24 have a greater height than do said recesses 22.
This causes said adjacent segments 18 to be circumferentially spaced from one another by a distance of d when a segment 18 with its projection 24 is introduced into the corresponding recess 22 o~
the adjacent segment 18 for positive-locking connection (Figure 4).
Figure 4 also shows that --relative to said :~ passage hole 20-- adjacent segments 18 are alsospaced apart in the radial direction, because said projections 24 have a smaller diameter than do said .
: . . . .-..
2~ ~ 7~
segments 18 as a whole.
This leads to the formation of an annular channel 26 of height "d" and width "B" between said adjacent segments 18.
Comparison of Figures 1 and 4 shows that said segments 18 are arranged one behind the other. To fix them in this association, a steel cable 28, which is locked in the last segment 18 at the end that lies against said pool wall 12 and via a tensioning device, under tensile stress, at the opposite end (i.e., in the area of said segment 18), which stands on said pool wall 10, is passed through the continuous passage hole 20 of said segments 18.
The individual segments 18 are thus tensioned among themselves and fixed relative to one another in a positive-locking manner, so th~t said segments 18 that belong together always form a guide rail 14.
Adjacent to the pool wall 10, said segments 18 have, at their free ends, a circumferential flange 18a, which is used to fix the corresponding guide rails 14 at said pool edge 10 by means of screws 30.
Figures 1 and 2 also show that two steps 32 are arranged between the adjacent guide rails 14. Said steps 32 always extend between two adjacent segments .
.
' : -2~Q2~ :
18 of each guide rail, and are made in one piece with them.
Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a device for tensioning said cable 28.
For tensioning, the end of said cable 28 is provided with a section 28a, which has a circumferential threading 28b. A nut 34 having corresponding internal threads can be screwed onto said threads 28b. A washer 36 is placed between said nut 34 and said segment 18 in the area of an expanded section 38 of said segment 18. Depending on how far said nut 34 is screwed onto said threads 28b, said cable Z8, whose other end is anchored in the same way within the corresponding segment 18, can be tensioned.
It is obvious that the shape and design of the stepladder according to the Figures 1 through 4 can be varied within broad ranges by imparting a different shape to the individual segments, by making them shorter or longer, by arranging additional steps between adjacent segments, or by connecting, on the whole, a greater number of seqments one behind the other, so that said guide rails 14 on the whole will be longer.
,::
' . ' , ' ~ :. ~ ' . ' " ; " ' ' :
~ , :
The stepladder would also be able, e.g., to have the shape of an ord~nary ladder used in trade or household, i.e., for example, to have a side view having the shape of an inverted V, with a holding member connecting the two legs of the ladder. Such ;~
a ladder can be erected by folding over at what will subsequently be the apex and subsequently tensioning the tensioning cable, but after releasing the pulling cable, it can be folded up in nearly any desired shape, so that is can easily be transported.
, : .
Claims (19)
1. Stepladder, especially for swimming pools, with at least two lateral guide rails 14 and at least one step 32 connecting the guide rails 14, possessing the following characteristics:
1.1 Each guide rail 14 consists of a plurality of tubular segments 18 arranged one behind the other with an axial passage hole 20, 1.2 A cable 28 is led along the passage holes 20 of the segments 18 of each guide rail 14:
1.3 Each cable 28 is fixed at its free end relative to the corresponding segments 18 under tensile stress, 1.4 a step 32 extends between at least two segments 18 of adjacent guide rails 14, which [segments] are arranged at a horizontally spaced location from one another.
1.1 Each guide rail 14 consists of a plurality of tubular segments 18 arranged one behind the other with an axial passage hole 20, 1.2 A cable 28 is led along the passage holes 20 of the segments 18 of each guide rail 14:
1.3 Each cable 28 is fixed at its free end relative to the corresponding segments 18 under tensile stress, 1.4 a step 32 extends between at least two segments 18 of adjacent guide rails 14, which [segments] are arranged at a horizontally spaced location from one another.
2. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein adjacent segments 18 of each guide rail 14 are connected to one another in a positive-locking manner, but detachably.
3. Stepladder in accordance with claim 2, wherein each segment 18, viewed in the direction of the passage hole 20, is provided at one end with a recess 22 extending coaxially with the passage hole 20 and --at its opposite end-- with a projection 24 extending coaxially to the passage hole 20, whose cross section is equal to or slightly smaller than that of the recess 22.
4. Stepladder in accordance with claim 3, wherein the projections and recesses, 24, 22 of each segment 18 have circular cross sections.
5. Stepladder in accordance with claim 3, wherein, viewed in the axial direction of the passage holes 20, the projections 24 of the segments 18 have a greater length than the recesses 22 of the segments.
6. Stepladder in accordance with claim 3, wherein the recess 22 of each segment 18 is slightly conically tapered toward the interior of the segment 18, and the projection 24 of each segment 18 is slightly conically tapered toward the free end.
7. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cable 28 of each guide rail 14 is provided at least at one end with a tensioning device (28a, 28b, 34, 36) which itself can be fixed relative to the corresponding segment 18.
8. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cable 28 is a metal cable.
9. Stepladder in accordance with claim 8, wherein the cable 28 is a steel cable.
10. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the segments 18 consist of a plastic.
11. Stepladder in accordance with claim 10, wherein the segments 18 are plastic parts manufactured by injection molding.
12. Stepladder in accordance with claim 11, wherein the segments 18 are plastic parts manufactured by extrusion.
13. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least some of the segments 18 have a curved shape.
14. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least the respective last segments 18 at one end of the stepladder 10 are provided with a device 18a, 30 for locking the stepladder 10 in the ground, deck, or wall.
15. Stepladder in accordance with claim 5, wherein the circumferential surfaces of adjacent segments 18 of one guide rail 14 have a distance of at least 2 cm.
16. Stepladder in accordance with claim 3, wherein the largest diameter of the projection 24 of each segment 18 is smaller by a least 4 cm than the external diameter of the segment 18.
17. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the segments 18 receiving a step 32 between themselves are made in one piece with the step 32.
18. Stepladder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the segments receiving a step between themselves are provided with devices for stationarily receiving the ends of the step.
19. Stepladder in accordance with claim 7, wherein the tensioning device is a toggle lever-type tensioning device.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19904023426 DE4023426A1 (en) | 1990-07-24 | 1990-07-24 | Stepladder |
| DEP4023426.6 | 1990-07-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2047035A1 true CA2047035A1 (en) | 1992-01-25 |
Family
ID=6410876
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2047035 Abandoned CA2047035A1 (en) | 1990-07-24 | 1991-07-15 | Stepladder |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0468190A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2047035A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4023426A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE9400207D0 (en) * | 1994-01-24 | 1994-01-24 | Aake Nobelius | Rollable support element |
| GB9726957D0 (en) * | 1997-12-19 | 1998-02-18 | Schmitz Hans J | Ladder |
| WO2001020082A1 (en) * | 1999-09-14 | 2001-03-22 | Transvaal Rubber Company (Proprietary) Limited | Ladder fender |
| DE20014367U1 (en) * | 2000-08-19 | 2001-02-08 | Wts Kereskedelmi Es Szolgaltat | Ladder, in particular for swimming pools and swimming pools, with two side rails and several ladder steps or rungs |
| NO320544B1 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-12-19 | Niels S Jorgensen | Moldable device |
| DE102010008639A1 (en) * | 2010-02-15 | 2011-08-18 | Spehr, Thorsten, 14548 | Mounting construction for tower installation of wind turbines, has component structure, on which vertical load acts, where tensile forces acting on component structure are removed by bendable traction elements |
| ES2954605T3 (en) * | 2017-04-18 | 2023-11-23 | Port Safety Aps | Modular safety ladder |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE461253A (en) * | ||||
| DE950688C (en) * | 1953-10-28 | 1956-10-11 | Gustav Mehring Fa | Collapsible tubular steel ladder |
| FR1219940A (en) * | 1959-04-13 | 1960-05-20 | S & G Products | folding ladder |
| US3199627A (en) * | 1962-04-17 | 1965-08-10 | Aladdin Ladders Inc | Roll-up ladder |
| US3886700A (en) * | 1973-08-27 | 1975-06-03 | William M Lambert | Collapsible structural member |
| FR2297988A1 (en) * | 1975-01-15 | 1976-08-13 | Duvert Lucien | Fire escape for tall building - has folding ladder stored in wall recess and releasable from any floor |
| DE2719081C2 (en) * | 1977-04-29 | 1985-02-21 | Andreas 4040 Neuss Krüll | Access ladder for swimming pools |
| GB8802458D0 (en) * | 1988-02-04 | 1988-03-02 | Melland T G | Ladders |
| DE3804306A1 (en) * | 1988-02-09 | 1989-08-17 | Herve Rousselot | Stepladder |
| US4848515A (en) * | 1988-10-26 | 1989-07-18 | Sure-Step, Inc. | Portable swimming pool step device |
| US4869034A (en) * | 1988-11-07 | 1989-09-26 | Hammond Robert S | Sectional circular staircase |
-
1990
- 1990-07-24 DE DE19904023426 patent/DE4023426A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1991
- 1991-06-14 EP EP91109768A patent/EP0468190A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1991-07-15 CA CA 2047035 patent/CA2047035A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4023426A1 (en) | 1992-02-06 |
| EP0468190A1 (en) | 1992-01-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |