CA2513243C - Safe angle guide gauge for use in climbing ladders - Google Patents
Safe angle guide gauge for use in climbing ladders Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2513243C CA2513243C CA 2513243 CA2513243A CA2513243C CA 2513243 C CA2513243 C CA 2513243C CA 2513243 CA2513243 CA 2513243 CA 2513243 A CA2513243 A CA 2513243A CA 2513243 C CA2513243 C CA 2513243C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ladder
- face plate
- markings
- pointer
- axle
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C7/00—Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories
- E06C7/003—Indicating devices, e.g. user warnings or inclinators
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
- G01C9/12—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using a single pendulum plumb lines G01C15/10
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ladders (AREA)
Abstract
A device for determining if a ladder is at a safe angle comprises a casing having a face plate mounted therein. The face plate has an indicator pivotally connected thereto. The indicator has a central axle extending through the face plate, a counterweight affixed to an inner end of the axle behind the face plate and a pointer affixed to an outer end of the axle. The face plate has an outer surface that is provided with visible markings to which the pointer may point to indicate whether a ladder to which the device is attached is set at a safe angle.
Description
SAFE ANGLE GAUGE FOR USE IN CLIMBING LADDERS
The present invention relates to the field of safety equipment and accessories for use with ladders. In particular, the present invention provides a novel gauge for attachment to the side surface of a ladder so that a person using the ladder can quickly and effectively determine if the ladder is set at a safe angle.
When one sets up a ladder it is important that the ladder be set at a safe angle. If the ladder is set at too great an angle (i.e., to close to perpendicular), then as one ascends the ladder, or works on the ladder, it will tend to tip backwards, which can lead to an accident and injury.
On the other hand, if the ladder is set at too shallow an angle, then as one ascends the ladder, it may not be able to maintain its grip on the ground, and may collapse.
Accordingly, it will be understood that there is a narrow range of safe angles at which a ladder may be set. Usually, a person using a ladder will essentially guess at whether a given angle is safe. This can be dangerous.
Several devices have been proposed in the past to provide guidance in setting up a ladder, but none have proved to be satisfactory. In Canadian Patent Application No.
The present invention relates to the field of safety equipment and accessories for use with ladders. In particular, the present invention provides a novel gauge for attachment to the side surface of a ladder so that a person using the ladder can quickly and effectively determine if the ladder is set at a safe angle.
When one sets up a ladder it is important that the ladder be set at a safe angle. If the ladder is set at too great an angle (i.e., to close to perpendicular), then as one ascends the ladder, or works on the ladder, it will tend to tip backwards, which can lead to an accident and injury.
On the other hand, if the ladder is set at too shallow an angle, then as one ascends the ladder, it may not be able to maintain its grip on the ground, and may collapse.
Accordingly, it will be understood that there is a narrow range of safe angles at which a ladder may be set. Usually, a person using a ladder will essentially guess at whether a given angle is safe. This can be dangerous.
Several devices have been proposed in the past to provide guidance in setting up a ladder, but none have proved to be satisfactory. In Canadian Patent Application No.
2,142,934 (Gilbert) a Device for Positioning a Ladder is described, which includes a bubble level that is built into a gauge assembly, and can be used to verify that a ladder is set at the correct angle. Bubble levels are quite accurate if used properly, but many people find them quite finicky to work with.
U.S. Patent No. 3,118,234 shows a gauge that can be clamped to the side of a wooden ladder, and includes a hanging plumb that is free to pivot in the gauge. The gauge is set at a predetermined angle on the clamp that attaches to the side of the ladder and provides an indication when the ladder is set at 75° to the ground. The gauge is, however, open to the elements, and so is unsuitable for use in dirty or cold, wet environments in which the plumb could become frozen in place or jammed.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,554,994 and 5,740,881 both relate to devices for assessing the inclination of a ladder that are built into the foot of the ladder. As such, they are inconvenient to observe, and likely not to be used.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art, and provides a safety device for assessing the angle at which a ladder is positioned that is weatherproof and easy to install and read, and which presents information as to the safety of the inclination of the ladder in a simple and easy to understand manner.
In a broad aspect, then, the present invention relates to a device for determining if a ladder is at a safe angle, comprising a casing having a face plate mounted therein, said face plate having an indicator pivotally connected thereto, said indicator having a central axle extending through said face plate, a counterweight affixed to an inner end of said axle behind said face plate and a pointer affixed to an outer end of said axle, said face plate having an outer surface that is provided with visible markings to which said pointer may point to indicate whether a ladder to which said device is attached is set at a safe angle.
In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gauge according to the present invention, affixed to a ladder;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the gauge of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front view of the gauge of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a sectional view through line 4-4 in Figure 3.
Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the gauge 1 of the present invention mounted on the side of a ladder 2. Gauge 1 comprises a casing 3 mounted on a base plate 4. As can be seen in Figure 2, casing 3 preferably includes a hollow body 31 and a transparent cover 32 that screws or snaps onto body 31.
A face plate 5 is mounted inside hollow body 31. Face place 5 has markings 6 printed or affixed to the outwardly facing surface thereof. Markings 6 provide an indication that is visible through transparent cover 32 of the state of inclination of the ladder to which the gauge is affixed.
An inclination indicator 7 is provided in association with face page 5.
Indicator 7 includes an upwardly extending pointer 71 affixed at its lower end to the outer end of an axle 72 extending through face plate 5 to a space in body 1 where a hanging counterweight 73 that is heavier than pointer 71 is affixed to the inner end of axle 72.
Counterweight 73 and pointer 71 are vertically aligned. Gravity will tend to make counterweight 73 hang vertically downwardly, so that pointer 71 will at all times be pointing up. Axle 72 may be captive in a short cylindrical bearing 51 in face plate 5.
Axle 72 may be defined by a portion of said indicator integral with said pointer, but bent 90° thereto.
The markings 6 on face plate 5 may include red outer zones 61 that will indicate that when the pointer 71 is pointing to red, the ladder is at a dangerous angle, either too steep or too shallow. A green inner zone between red zones may indicate a safe usage angle, and yellow zones 63 at the outer markings of the green zone may indicate angles at which the ladder may be used, but only with caution, for instance with a person assisting to steady the ladder.
The casing is permanently affixed to base plate 4 at an angle selected so that the green zone is at the upper position when the ladder is at the optimum inclination for use. The base plate 4 is provided with parallel side edges 41 so that after the body 3 is affixed to the base plate (eg., during manufacture) in order to correctly secure the device to a ladder, it merely has to be aligned with the side edge of the correct side of the ladder. Accordingly, the base plate should bear a prominent printed legend stating "Align with side edge of left side of ladder", or words to similar effect, so that a user will correctly affix the base plate to a ladder, and so that after the base plate has been affixed to a ladder, the ladder will be correctly used, even by inexperienced persons.
The base plate may be affixed to a ladder by any suitable means, as will be a matter of choice to one skilled in the art, or the gauge may be factory installed on a ladder during its manufacture, in which case it will not be necessary to provide a base plate.
U.S. Patent No. 3,118,234 shows a gauge that can be clamped to the side of a wooden ladder, and includes a hanging plumb that is free to pivot in the gauge. The gauge is set at a predetermined angle on the clamp that attaches to the side of the ladder and provides an indication when the ladder is set at 75° to the ground. The gauge is, however, open to the elements, and so is unsuitable for use in dirty or cold, wet environments in which the plumb could become frozen in place or jammed.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,554,994 and 5,740,881 both relate to devices for assessing the inclination of a ladder that are built into the foot of the ladder. As such, they are inconvenient to observe, and likely not to be used.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art, and provides a safety device for assessing the angle at which a ladder is positioned that is weatherproof and easy to install and read, and which presents information as to the safety of the inclination of the ladder in a simple and easy to understand manner.
In a broad aspect, then, the present invention relates to a device for determining if a ladder is at a safe angle, comprising a casing having a face plate mounted therein, said face plate having an indicator pivotally connected thereto, said indicator having a central axle extending through said face plate, a counterweight affixed to an inner end of said axle behind said face plate and a pointer affixed to an outer end of said axle, said face plate having an outer surface that is provided with visible markings to which said pointer may point to indicate whether a ladder to which said device is attached is set at a safe angle.
In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gauge according to the present invention, affixed to a ladder;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the gauge of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front view of the gauge of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a sectional view through line 4-4 in Figure 3.
Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the gauge 1 of the present invention mounted on the side of a ladder 2. Gauge 1 comprises a casing 3 mounted on a base plate 4. As can be seen in Figure 2, casing 3 preferably includes a hollow body 31 and a transparent cover 32 that screws or snaps onto body 31.
A face plate 5 is mounted inside hollow body 31. Face place 5 has markings 6 printed or affixed to the outwardly facing surface thereof. Markings 6 provide an indication that is visible through transparent cover 32 of the state of inclination of the ladder to which the gauge is affixed.
An inclination indicator 7 is provided in association with face page 5.
Indicator 7 includes an upwardly extending pointer 71 affixed at its lower end to the outer end of an axle 72 extending through face plate 5 to a space in body 1 where a hanging counterweight 73 that is heavier than pointer 71 is affixed to the inner end of axle 72.
Counterweight 73 and pointer 71 are vertically aligned. Gravity will tend to make counterweight 73 hang vertically downwardly, so that pointer 71 will at all times be pointing up. Axle 72 may be captive in a short cylindrical bearing 51 in face plate 5.
Axle 72 may be defined by a portion of said indicator integral with said pointer, but bent 90° thereto.
The markings 6 on face plate 5 may include red outer zones 61 that will indicate that when the pointer 71 is pointing to red, the ladder is at a dangerous angle, either too steep or too shallow. A green inner zone between red zones may indicate a safe usage angle, and yellow zones 63 at the outer markings of the green zone may indicate angles at which the ladder may be used, but only with caution, for instance with a person assisting to steady the ladder.
The casing is permanently affixed to base plate 4 at an angle selected so that the green zone is at the upper position when the ladder is at the optimum inclination for use. The base plate 4 is provided with parallel side edges 41 so that after the body 3 is affixed to the base plate (eg., during manufacture) in order to correctly secure the device to a ladder, it merely has to be aligned with the side edge of the correct side of the ladder. Accordingly, the base plate should bear a prominent printed legend stating "Align with side edge of left side of ladder", or words to similar effect, so that a user will correctly affix the base plate to a ladder, and so that after the base plate has been affixed to a ladder, the ladder will be correctly used, even by inexperienced persons.
The base plate may be affixed to a ladder by any suitable means, as will be a matter of choice to one skilled in the art, or the gauge may be factory installed on a ladder during its manufacture, in which case it will not be necessary to provide a base plate.
Claims (8)
1. A device for determining if a ladder is at a safe angle, comprising a casing having a face plate mounted therein, said face plate having an indicator pivotally connected thereto, said indicator having a central axle extending through said face plate, a counterweight affixed to an inner end of said axle behind said face plate and a pointer affixed to an outer end of said axle, said face plate having an outer surface that is provided with visible markings to which said pointer may point to indicate whether a ladder to which said device is attached is set at a safe angle.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing is provided with a hollow body and a removable transparent cover through which the markings on said face plate, and said pointer, can be viewed.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said markings include a green coloured central marking and red coloured outer markings.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said markings include yellow markings at the outer margins of said green marking, between said green marking and said red markings.
5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a base plate on which said casing is mounted.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said casing is affixed to said base plate at an angle predetermined so that said pointer points to said markings indicating a ladder to which said base plate is attached is set at a safe angle when said ladder is actually at a safe angle.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said base plate is provided with parallel side edges alignable with the side edges of a said ladder.
8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said face plate is provided with a short cylindrical bearing for holding said axle.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2513243 CA2513243C (en) | 2005-08-08 | 2005-08-08 | Safe angle guide gauge for use in climbing ladders |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2513243 CA2513243C (en) | 2005-08-08 | 2005-08-08 | Safe angle guide gauge for use in climbing ladders |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2513243A1 CA2513243A1 (en) | 2007-02-08 |
| CA2513243C true CA2513243C (en) | 2008-10-07 |
Family
ID=37728048
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2513243 Expired - Fee Related CA2513243C (en) | 2005-08-08 | 2005-08-08 | Safe angle guide gauge for use in climbing ladders |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2513243C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9482053B2 (en) * | 2012-11-14 | 2016-11-01 | William D. Polzen | Ladder safety device and method of attachment |
-
2005
- 2005-08-08 CA CA 2513243 patent/CA2513243C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2513243A1 (en) | 2007-02-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20140808 |