GB2298568A - Ladder storage - Google Patents

Description

Ladder storage This invention relates to the storage of ladders.

Ladders, especially long extension-ladders, are commonly stored by hanging them on hooks to lie horizontally lengthwise along a wall. This method of storage is generally satisfactory, but has the disadvantage of requiring the availability of a wall that is uninterrupted throughout a significant length. It also generally precludes the use of the wall for other purposes, in particular for the storage of other items for which ready access is normally of greater priority.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a method of ladder storage that can be used as an alternative to wall-storage.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of storing a ladder wherein the ladder is rested at one end on a cradle that hangs beneath a ceiling or roof structure and is then pushed lengthwise further onto the cradle with pivotal movement about the cradle to adopt an inclined attitude in which said one end of the ladder bears upwardly against said structure under the weight of the ladder such as to retain the ladder at rest in that attitude.

The method of the present invention enables storage of the ladder to be achieved in a simple manner without occupying wall-area, and utilising a region that is generally not otherwise used for storage.

The cradle may comprise a horizontally-mounted shaft or bar that is supported directly from the ceiling or roof structure, and may involve one or more rollers to facilitate the pushing of the ladder lengthwise further onto the cradle.

A tether in the form of a chain or tie hanging from the ceiling or roof structure may be attached to the ladder to hold it in the event that there is any tendency to slip lengthwise over the cradle out of its stored, rest condition.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cradle for ladder-storage hung from a ceiling or roof structure, the cradle comprising a horizontal member spaced below said structure to receive the ladder pushed lengthwise onto said member with pivotal movement about the cradle so that the ladder adopts an inclined attitude in which one of its ends bears upwardly against said structure under the weight of the ladder for retaining the ladder at rest in that attitude.

A ladder-storage cradle and a method of storing a ladder, all in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the ladder-storage cradle used in the method of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show the cradle of Figure 1 hung from roof-joists, in the case of Figure 2 where the joistpitch is large, and in the case of Figure 3 where it is small; and Figures 4 to 6 represent the cradle in side elevation and show successive stages in the storage of a ladder on the cradle using the method of the present invention, Figures 4 and 6 including insets to illustrate detail.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the ladder-storage cradle 1 involves a shaft 2 that is secured at its two ends between respective supporters 3. The supporters 3 are bolted to a cross-bar 4 and extend down from this to hold the shaft 2 parallel to, but spaced from the bar 4.

Rollers 5, which are mounted at either end of the shaft 2 spaced slightly from the supporters 3, are free to turn on the shaft 2.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cradle 1 is hung from two roof-joists 6, specifically joists 6a and 6b, of a roof structure (for example of a garage or shed) with the shaft 2 spaced below and extending transversely of them.

In this respect, the cross-bar 4 is screwed to the two joists 6a and 6b bridging them both with the shaft 2 horizontal.

The bolting of the supporters 3 to the cross-bar 4 is adjustable to ensure that whether the pitch of the joists 6 is large (Figure 2) or small (Figure 3), the cradle 1 straddles at least part of the width of one of the two joists 6. In the case of Figure 2, it straddles part of the joist 6a, whereas in the case of Figure 3 it straddles both joists 6a and 6b.

A ladder 7 is stored on the cradle 1 by first locating one end 8 of the ladder 7 on the shaft 2 with its two stiles 9 resting on the spaced rollers 5 respectively, in the manner illustrated generally in Figure 4. The opposite end 10 of the ladder 7 is then lifted and the whole pushed lengthwise on the rollers 5, further onto the cradle 1. The ladder 7 is pivoted about the shaft 2 to keep the end 8 clear of the roof structure until about one-third of the ladder-length has been inserted through the cradle 1 as illustrated in Figure 5.

Once about one-third of the ladder 7 is inserted through the cradle 1, the end 10 is allowed to pivot downwardly about the shaft 2 so that the end 8 turns upwardly to bear on one of the joists 6; in the case illustrated in Figure 2 it will bear on the joist 6a, whereas in the case illustrated in Figure 3 it will bear on both joists 6a and 6b. The end 8 bears hard on the relevant joist or joists 6 under the weight of the ladder 7 such that the ladder 7 remains at rest in the inclined attitude through the cradle 1, by the frictional restraint at the end 8.

A chain 11 hanging from the joist 6a is used to tether the ladder 7 at the end 10, as a safeguard against any tendency for the ladder 7 to slide downwardly from this rest condition.

The ladder 7 is removed from storage for use, simply by releasing the chain 11 and sliding the ladder lengthwise from the cradle 1.

Although the cradle 1 is described above as secured with the cross-bar 4 transversely of the joists 6, it will be appreciated that it may alternatively be secured to extend lengthwise of one of them. In this case the end 8 will bear upwardly across another of the joists.

Claims (10)

Claims:

1. A method of storing a ladder wherein the ladder is rested at one end on a cradle that hangs beneath a ceiling or roof structure and is then pushed lengthwise further onto the cradle with pivotal movement about the cradle to adopt an inclined attitude in which said one end of the ladder bears upwardly against said structure under the weight of the ladder such as to retain the ladder at rest in that attitude.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the cradle comprises a horizontally-mounted shaft or bar that is supported directly from the ceiling or roof structure.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the cradle involves one or more rollers to facilitate said pushing of the ladder lengthwise further onto the cradle.

4. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein a tether is used to hold the ladder against any tendency to slip lengthwise over the cradle out of its stored, rest condition.

5. A cradle for ladder-storage hung from a ceiling or roof structure, the cradle comprising a horizontal member spaced below said structure to receive the ladder pushed lengthwise onto said member with pivotal movement about the cradle so that the ladder adopts an inclined attitude in which one of its ends bears upwardly against said structure under the weight of the ladder for retaining the ladder at rest in that attitude.

6. A cradle according to Claim 5 wherein the cradle comprises a shaft or bar and means to support the shaft or bar in a substantially horizontal attitude, from the ceiling or roof structure.

7. A cradle according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the cradle involves one or more rollers to facilitate the pushing of the ladder lengthwise on the cradle.

8. A cradle according to any one of Claims 5 to 7 in combination with a chain or tie hanging from the ceiling or roof structure for attachment to the ladder to hold it in the event that there is any tendency to slip lengthwise over the cradle out of its stored, rest condition.

9. A method of storing a ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A cradle for ladder-storage hung from a ceiling or roof structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.