GB2344611A

GB2344611A - Ladder stabiliser

Info

Publication number: GB2344611A
Application number: GB0007450A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Parker; Melvyn George Henderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-28
Filing date: 2000-03-28
Publication date: 2000-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-28
Also published as: GB0007450D0; GB0014593D0; GB2344611B

Abstract

A ladder stabiliser comprises a telescopic frame 3, 4, whose length is adjusted by spring loaded bolts 6A, 6B, co-operating with holes 5 , and having rubber feet 4D, the frame having U - section members 8A, 8B, which engage ladder rung 2A as shown, and having engagement means 9 which clips over rung 2B and is fixed to frame 4 by a chain 10 passing through an eye 11 and doubling back on itself to point 12 for length adjustment.

Description

Title : Ladder Stabiliser The present invention relates to a stabiliser for ladders.

When using a ladder, there is sometimes a tendency for the bottom of the ladder to slide away from the object against which it is leaning, e. g. a wall of a building. This can be dangerous and can even lead to fatalities. Furthermore when using a long ladder, or using an extending ladder in an extended position, the ladder will tend to flex or"bounce"which can again be dangerous and unnerving for the person climbing the ladder.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to these difficulties.

According to the present invention there is provided a stabiliser for ladders comprising: a) an elongate\strutXf variable length, b) upper engagement means at one first end of the strut to releasably engage a point on a ladder remote from the bottom of the ladder, b) a foot at the other second end of theWtrut toyengage the ground, c) a fixture to engage the bottom of the ladder, and d) link means to link the fixture to the strut, in use said stabiliser, when fitted to a ladder, preventing the bottom of the ladder from sliding away from the object against which it is leaning.

Preferably the upper engagement means includes at least one U-shaped EAR to engage the rung of a ladder such that the strut can rotate about said rung.

Preferably the strut is telescopic and may include a lock to lock it at any desired length. In one embodiment the telescopic strut is formed from an inner elongate rectangular frame which telescopes in and out of a pair of opposing recesses in an outer elongate rectangular frame. Preferably the upper engagement means is provided by a pair of U-shaped ears at one end of the said inner elongate frame to engage the rung of a ladder such that the strut can rotate about said rung. Feet may be of rubber at the base of the main frame.

The fixture may be in the form of a claw to engage a rung adjacent to the bottom of the ladder.

The link means may be a chain of variable length. The chain may be secured at one first end to the fixture, and the other second end may pass through an aperture adjacent the foot, said second end includes a releasable link to connect the end back onto itself at a point along it's length to make the chain of variable length.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a perspective view.

A fixture to engage the bottom of the ladder 2 is provided in the form of a U-shaped claw 9 which engages bottom rung 2B. Link means is provided by a chain 10 to link claw 9 to the strut.

Chain 10 passes through an aperture in the form of an eye 11 adjacent the foot of outer frame 4 of the strut. Chain 10 clips back on itself by means of releasable hook 12 so as to vary the length of the chain and hence its length between the bracket 9 and the eye 11.

In use the stabiliser 1, when fitted to a ladder, prevents the bottom of the ladder from sliding away from the object against which it is leaning, and also helps to reduce the"bounce"in a ladder.

In order to fit the stabiliser 1, the ladder is first erected up against an object such as a wall. The stabiliser is extended to a desired length to engage a suitable rung and the ground at an angle opposite to that of the ladder. The chain is then tensioned and its length adjusted to link the base of the ladder to the foot of the strut. After use the chain can be removed, or if under too much tension the bolts 6A, 6B can be used to reduce the length of the strut 1, and so free the strut for removal.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the link means could be other than a chain e. g. a rope. The strut could be other than telescoping frames, e. g. a telescoping pole. The upper engagement means could be other than EdE and could attach to the ladder other than onto a rung, e. g. on the sides of a ladder. The fixture could be other than a claw which engages a rung.

It is envisaged that the stabiliser of the invention may be made of metal, e. g. folded from metal sheet and suitable rivets.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) A SAFETY ATTACHMENT FOR A LADDER COMPRISING OF A) FIRSTLY SHOWN ON (fig 1) TELESCOPING MAIN FRAME TO RECEIVE AND ENGAGE A RUNG OF THE LADDER THE TELESCOPINE IS RELEASABL BY MEANS OF (fig 6a & 6b) SPRUNG LOADED BOLTS WHICH SLOT INTO (fig 5) INDEXING HOLES TO LOCK THE STRUT AT ANY DESIRED LENGTH B) SECONDLY SHOWN ON (fig 9) A U SHAPED CLAW AND (fig 10) IS LINK MEANS IS PROVIDED BY A CHAIN THE CLAW (fig 9) BEING ADAPTED TO HOOK OVER A LOWER RUNG OF THE LADDER AND (fig 10) THE CHAIN CLIPS BACK ON IT'S SELF BY MEANS OF A RELEASABLE HOOK (fig 12) SO AS TO VARY THE LENGTH OF THE CHAIN (fig 10) AND HENCE IT'S LENGTH BETWEEN THE CLAW (fig 9) AND THE EYE (fig 11) AND (fig 4d) ARE TWO RUBBER FEET WITCH WILL ENGAGE THE GROUND 2) AS IN CLAIM (1) THERE IS A SAFTEY ATTACHMENT MANUFACTURED OF STEEL OR ALUMINIUM AND AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING