GB2127080A - A ladder for use with a prefabricated scaffolding system - Google Patents

Abstract

The ladder has rungs 2 spaced at twice the pitch of the rungs of a conventional ladder and is attached vertically to the scaffolding so that horizontal rails 4 of the latter alternate with the rungs at regular intervals thus providing a ladder structure with foot supports at conventional pitching. Unauthorized removal of a ladder may be prevented by connections such that the lower sections cannot be removed without first removing upper sections, and by locking the top section to the scaffold frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A ladder for use in conjunction with a prefabricated scaffolding system The invention is concerned with a vertical ladder for use in conjunction with a prefabricated scaffolding system such that the rungs of the ladder are spaced apart at twice the usual pitch of runs of a conventional ladder. The scaffolding frame onto which the ladder is attached comprises of horizontal rails spaced apart at the same pitch as that used for the ladder. When the ladder is attached to the scaffolding frame, the rungs of the ladder together with the rails of the frame form a ladder structure such that the effective pitches of the rungs of the ladder so formed are equal to the usual dimensions used for conventional ladders.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ladder and the scaffolding frame and Figure 2 is a side view of the ladder and the scaffolding frame.

The invention comprises of a ladder section constructed from a number of elements manufactured from metal or wooden sections connected together by welding, glueing or by means of metal fasteners. The stiles 1 are fitted at the upper end with a spigot or socket member 5 on to which a second or subsequent ladder frame may be located. At the lower end of the stile is fitted or formed a socket or spigot 7 such that the mutual engagement of items 1 & 7 may be achieved.

The rungs 2 of the ladder frame are tubular in section and are permanently fixed to the stile by means of an interposed spacer 8 which is welded or otherwise fixed to both the stile and the rung. The pitch of the rungs is such that the dimension 'B' is twice the pitch usually used to construct a conventional ladder. The upper surfaces of the rung are serrated such that an anti-slip surface is formed.

The ladder stiles are fitted with pairs of hooks 11 positioned mid-way between two pairs of runs such that the ladder may be attached to the scaffold frame.

The scaffold frame is constructed from tubular members 4 similar to the ladder members 2, such that the pitch of the horizontal members is the same as the pitch of the ladder rungs. The ladder rungs 2 are positioned in relation to the stiles 1 such that when the ladder is attached to the frame, the central axes of the hooks are coincidental with the central axes of the rungs and thus when the ladder is attached to the frame the rungs are in vertical alignment with the horizontal scaffold frame members.

The ladder also incorporates a fixing device comprising of a metal bolt or shaft 10 which, when extended beneath one of the horizontal frame members by a spring or other device, prevents the accidental vertical displacement of the ladder.

1. A ladder for use in conjunction with a prefabricated scaffolding system so constructed that the pitch of the rungs of the ladder is approximately twice the pitch usually used for ladder rungs such that, when used in conjunction with a scaffolding frame incorporating horizontal members at the same pitch, a ladder is formed having pitches of the usual spacing.

2. A ladder, as in claim 1, that when removed from the scaffolding system is unsuitable for use as a conventional ladder and is therefore unlikely to be removed from the scaffold for use elsewhere.

3. A ladder so constructed that when sections of the ladder are linked together vertically within a scaffold structure, it becomes impossible to remove the lower sections of the ladder without first removing the uppermost sections of the ladder.

4. A ladder so constructed that by locking the top-most section of the ladder to the scaffold frame with a suitable locking device the unauthorised removal of the entire ladder system is prevented.

5. A ladder so constructed that the rungs are positioned on the ladder frame such that the central axes of the rungs are are in vertical alignment with the horizontal members of the scaffold frame.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A ladder for use in conjunction with a prefabricated scaffolding system The invention is concerned with a vertical ladder for use in conjunction with a prefabricated scaffolding system such that the rungs of the ladder are spaced apart at twice the usual pitch of runs of a conventional ladder. The scaffolding frame onto which the ladder is attached comprises of horizontal rails spaced apart at the same pitch as that used for the ladder. When the ladder is attached to the scaffolding frame, the rungs of the ladder together with the rails of the frame form a ladder structure such that the effective pitches of the rungs of the ladder so formed are equal to the usual dimensions used for conventional ladders. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ladder and the scaffolding frame and Figure 2 is a side view of the ladder and the scaffolding frame. The invention comprises of a ladder section constructed from a number of elements manufactured from metal or wooden sections connected together by welding, glueing or by means of metal fasteners. The stiles 1 are fitted at the upper end with a spigot or socket member 5 on to which a second or subsequent ladder frame may be located. At the lower end of the stile is fitted or formed a socket or spigot 7 such that the mutual engagement of items 1 & 7 may be achieved. The rungs 2 of the ladder frame are tubular in section and are permanently fixed to the stile by means of an interposed spacer 8 which is welded or otherwise fixed to both the stile and the rung. The pitch of the rungs is such that the dimension 'B' is twice the pitch usually used to construct a conventional ladder. The upper surfaces of the rung are serrated such that an anti-slip surface is formed. The ladder stiles are fitted with pairs of hooks 11 positioned mid-way between two pairs of runs such that the ladder may be attached to the scaffold frame. The scaffold frame is constructed from tubular members 4 similar to the ladder members 2, such that the pitch of the horizontal members is the same as the pitch of the ladder rungs. The ladder rungs 2 are positioned in relation to the stiles 1 such that when the ladder is attached to the frame, the central axes of the hooks are coincidental with the central axes of the rungs and thus when the ladder is attached to the frame the rungs are in vertical alignment with the horizontal scaffold frame members. The ladder also incorporates a fixing device comprising of a metal bolt or shaft 10 which, when extended beneath one of the horizontal frame members by a spring or other device, prevents the accidental vertical displacement of the ladder. CLAIMS

1. A ladder for use in conjunction with a prefabricated scaffolding system so constructed that the pitch of the rungs of the ladder is approximately twice the pitch usually used for ladder rungs such that, when used in conjunction with a scaffolding frame incorporating horizontal members at the same pitch, a ladder is formed having pitches of the usual spacing.

2. A ladder, as in claim 1, that when removed from the scaffolding system is unsuitable for use as a conventional ladder and is therefore unlikely to be removed from the scaffold for use elsewhere.

3. A ladder so constructed that when sections of the ladder are linked together vertically within a scaffold structure, it becomes impossible to remove the lower sections of the ladder without first removing the uppermost sections of the ladder.

4. A ladder so constructed that by locking the top-most section of the ladder to the scaffold frame with a suitable locking device the unauthorised removal of the entire ladder system is prevented.

5. A ladder so constructed that the rungs are positioned on the ladder frame such that the central axes of the rungs are are in vertical alignment with the horizontal members of the scaffold frame.