GB2214965A - Laterally folding ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

A ladder 10 particularly for use a fire escape or for selective use, as in maintenance, includes a pair of stiles 11, 12 and rungs pivoted to the stiles 11, 12 which are relatively pivotally movable between a deployed configuration wherein the ladder 10 can be climbed and a store configuration wherein the stiles 11, 12, are closer together and the ladder 10 cannot easily be climbed. <IMAGE>

Description

LADDER This invention relates to a ladder, particularly but not exclusively for use as an emergency escape route.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ladder which is capable of allowing egress from a high place in emergency, but which does not normally allow ingress to that high place.

The invention provides a ladder comprising a pair of stiles and rungs extending between the stiles, characterised in that the rungs are pivotally attached to the stiles and the stiles are relatively movable between a first, deployed, configuration wherein the stiles are spaced apart and the ladder can be climbed, and a second, store, configuration wherein the stiles are closely adjacent each other and the ladder cannot easily be climbed.

Preferably, each of the stiles is of channel section and in the store configuration the adjacent stiles embrace and enclose the rungs. Such 'enclosure' of the rungs is best sufficient to prevent or discourage potential entrants from climbing the ladder in its store configuration.

One of the stiles can be secured to a wall and have its upper end at or adjacent a window or other exit from a high place. There can be a lock mechanism securing the stiles together at the top and releasable by a person in the high place.

The ladder can be vertically attached to a wall or can be arranged to be angled with the one stile against the wall.

Alternatively, both stiles could slant as a conventional ladder.

In the above store condition the other stile will have its lower end spaced from the ground and upon deployment will pivot downwards to meet the ground. To steady the deployed ladder a formation on the lower end of the other stile can engage a complementary ground mounted formation. The formations can be a pin and socket or like combination.

Alternatively, a spike on the other stile can penetrate soft ground.

The invention also provides a fire escape in the form of a ladder having a pair of stiles; rungs pivoted to the stiles, the stiles being movable between a first, deployed, configuration wherein the stiles are spaced apart and the ladder is climbable and a second, store configuration wherein the stiles are close together and the ladder cannot easily be climbed, the upper end of the ladder being disposed adjacent an exit from a high place; and locking means for retaining the ladder in its store configuration and actuable, only from said high place, to release the ladder to its deployed condition.

The high place can be an upper storey and the exit can be a door or a window.

The one stile can be secured at its top to structure (such as a wall) adjacent the exit. The lower part of the stile can be secured close against a wall, and, if the wall is vertical, optionally sloping sideways to facilitate descent. Alternatively, the stile can have its upper end secured at said exit.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred ladder of the invention in a "store" configuration; Fig. lb is a comparable view showing the ladder in its "deployed" configuration; Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a single rung of the ladder in the store configuration; Fig. 3 is an exploded view illustrating pivoting or a rung to a stile; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a rung of the ladder.

Fig. 5 shows how a stile of the ladder can be secured to a wall; Fig. 6 illustrates a steady arrangement for the other stile of the ladder; Fig. 7 illustrates an upper locking mechanism for the ladder; Fig. 8a is a sketch showing a house with the ladder in position for use in one particular disposition and in the store configuration; Fig. 8b is a similar view but showing the ladder in a deployed configuration; and Fig. 8c is a view showing the side of a house but with a ladder in a second disposition, the view being either of the ladder in its store or its deployed configuration.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a preferred ladder (10) of the invention comprises a first stile 11 and a second stile 12. Each stile 11, 12, is of inwardly open channel section. Secured to the respective base 13, 14, of each stile 11, 12 are respective pluralities of pivot brackets 15, 16 which are each connected pivotally to respective ends of rungs 17. The pivotal connection of the rungs 17 and stiles 11, 12, mean that the ladderlO can be moved between a first configuration (Fig.la) (a store configuration) wherein the two channel section stiles 11, 12 mate and the rungs 17 and associated connections are shrouded within the container formed by the two mating channel section stiles 11,12. In this configuration it is difficult for any potential entrant, such as a vandal or burglar to climb the ladder.Although the ladder does provide a potential route of entry, it is no more susceptible to entry (and indeed, it may be less susceptible) than a common drain or other pipe. In the deployed condition (Fig.lb) the ladder (10) can be used as a means of escape from a high place such as a first storey via a window or similar exit 18. The two stiles (11,12) are connected together (adjacent the exit 18) by means of a locking mechanism which is best shown in Fig. 7 and which includes a pivoted hook 19 on the stile 12 and a complementary pin 20 on the stile 11. A handle 21 connected to the hook 19 allows release of the interconnection between the two stiles 11, 12.The lock mechanism can be provided with a split pin (not shown) or a comparable safety device to prevent a person on the ground throwing a rope or other object to the locking device to dislodge and release the ladder (10) in an attempt to gain entry. Of course, it is always possible for this mechanism to be replaced by a comparable mechanism operable only from within the high place, such as from within a bedroom or the like.

Fig. 2 shows a single rung in considerable detail there will be seen that the two channel section stiles 11 and 12 each have a plurality of brackets 15,16 secured to their bases 13, 14. As best shown in Fig. 3, each support bracket has a body 22 and a pair of spaced apart limbs 23. Between the limbs 23 are disposed a pair of flanges 24 provided on the ends of rungs 17. A pin 25 pivotally interconnects the limbs 23 and flanges 24.

As an alternative construction, each stile could have an offset, upstanding, intermediate web to make it of general E shape, a single flange extending from the end of a rung 17 could be bolted to such intermediate web of the stile or (otherwise secured) to be pivotal relative thereto.

Fig. 5 shows how the stile 11 can be secured to brickwork 26 by means of masonry bolts 27 passing through its base 13.

Fig.4 shows a rung 17 in cross-section and it will be noted that the edges of the top of the rung (17) are rounded so as to provide a comfortable handhold as well as a firm support for the foot.

It will be appreciated that the bottom end of the stile 12 moves from an upper to a lower position during pivoting from the store to the deployed configuration. To improve stability when the lower end of stile 12 contacts the ground or other structure, there is provided a formation on the end of the stile 12 which can engage with the ground'or with a specially provided socket 29. In the illustrated embodiment formation 28 is in the formation of a spike and the socket 29 is in the form of a body 30 embedded in the ground and having a central recess 31 for the receiving the spike 28. To prevent the recess 31 being blocked, for example by dirt or debris, the top thereof is closed by a pierceable cover 32.

It will be appreciated that in the foregoing the ladder has been described with both its stiles remaining vertical at all times.

Fig. 8a illustrates, (in a generally schematic manner) how a ladder 33 can be arranged in relation to a house 34 having an upper exit 35 so that the rungs 36 (Fig 8b) extend horizontally outwardly from the house wall, but the stiles are inclined relative to the vertical to make the ladder 33 easier to use by a person leaving the window.

Fig. 8b shows an end view of the ladder 33.

Fig. 8c shows a similar view but, but of an alternative disposition of a ladder 39. Here both stiles slope towards an exit such as a window 37 in a house 38. The ladder 39 normally has its two stiles closed as in the foregoing description, but remains slanting and after deployment its rungs (not shown) become horizontal but remain parallel to the house wall.

As a further possibility it could be arranged that the upper part of the stiles are mounted so as to be pivotal between a store position wherein the two stiles are together and vertically disposed against the wall but can be lifted away from the wall and opened as aforesaid to form a ladder leaning against the wall in conventional manner. To facilitate this action from the high place, an outwardly extending lever or the like could be provided enabling the user to push the ladder out.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a safe and convenient means for exit from a high place for example an upper storey of a dwelling house. In effect, there is provided a ladder which is always in position, but (because of its collapsible nature) cannot readily be climbed from below. The closed ladder presents a barrier to the potential entrant which is probably as hard to climb (if not harder to climb) than a conventional drainpipe. Thus, the security of a building is not significantly decreased by the provision of such a unit. Naturally, any householder installing such unit would be urged to protect the upper exit, such as the window of a bedroom with an appropriately entry proof lock to deter any potential thief.

The invention is not limited to the foregoing and variations can be made thereto within the scope of the invention.

For example, instead of the two channel sections being of identical cross-section (albeit that this cheapens the construction) there can be a single channel section stile, the other stile being relatively flat and simply acting to close the one stile. Alternatively, the one stile could be a flat plate secured to the wall, and the second stile could be a channel section member which wholly embrace the first member and itself has its edges of its flanges in close disposition relative to the wall. Any alternative different sizes between these two extremes is possible.

Many other variations are possible.

Claims (18)

1. A ladder comprising a pair of stiles and rungs extending between the stiles, characterised in that the rungs are pivotally attached to the stiles and the stiles are relatively movable between a first, deployed, configuration wherein the stiles are spaced apart and the ladder can be climbed, and a second, store, configuration wherein the stiles are closer together and the ladder cannot easily be climbed.

2. A ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the stiles is of channel section and in the store configuration the adjacent stiles embrace and enclose the rungs.

3. A ladder as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein one of the stiles is secured to a wall and has its upper end at or adjacent an exit from a high place.

4. A ladder as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein a lock mechanism secures the stiles together at the top and is releasable by a person in the high place.

5. A ladder as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the ladder is vertically attached to a wall.

6. A ladder as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the ladder is angled with the one stile against the wall.

7. A ladder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein both stiles slant.

8. A ladder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the other stile is adapted to engage a complementary ground mounted formation.

9. A ladder as claimed in claim 8, wherein the formations are a pin and socket.

10. A ladder as claimed in claim 8, wherein a spike on the other stile is provided to penetrate soft ground.

11. A fire escape in the form of a ladder having a pair of stiles; rungs pivoted to the stiles, the stiles being movable between a first, deployed, configuration wherein the stiles are spaced apart and the ladder is climbable and a second, store configuration wherein the stiles are close together and the ladder cannot easily be climbed, the upper end of the ladder being disposed adjacent an exit from a high place; and locking means for retaining the ladder in its store configuration and actuable,only from said high place, to release the ladder to its deployed condition.

12. A fire escape as claimed in claim 11, wherein the high place is an upper storey and the exit is a door or a window.

13. A fire escape as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein one stile is secured at its top to structure adjacent the exit.

14. A fire escape as claimed in claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein a lower part of the stile is secured close against a wall.

15. A fire escape as claimed in claim 14, -wherein the wall is vertical and the stile slopes sideways to facilitate descent.

16. A fire escape as claimed in claims 13 or 14, wherein the stile has its upper end secured at said exit.

17. A ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A fire escape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.