GB2428730A

GB2428730A - Stabiliser for ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2428730A
Application number: GB0516032A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Vint
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-04
Filing date: 2005-08-04
Publication date: 2007-02-07
Also published as: GB0516032D0; WO2007015110A1

Abstract

A ladder has a pair of elongate uprights interconnected along their length by a plurality of stiles. It is characterised by a stabilising device having a reel 11 with extendable line 13, connected to the ladder, and locking means 15 to lock the line when extended. The stabiliser may be connected to the ladder adjacent an end. The reel may have means, preferably a spring and spool with rotational bias, which retract the line. The lock preferably prevents rotational movement of the spool. A fastener, such as a suction device or clamp 14, may be provided at the free end of the line of attachment to a structure. Preferably a pair of line members extend from respective reels disposed adjacent respective uprights. The reels may be connected to opposite ends of a rod 10 extending through a tubular stile. The stabiliser may be fastened to the ladder, preferably with each reel being secured to an upright by a c-shaped element which closes around the upright.

Description

LADDER ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a ladder assembly and more particularly to a ladder assembly including a stabilising device.

Devices for stabilising ladders are well known. GB 2 366 829 discloses one such device comprising a telescopic strut, which can be fastened between the foot of a ladder and a wall. GB 2 372 532 discloses another such device which comprises a pair of legs for attaching to a ladder A disadvantage of known devices for stabilising ladders is that they are expensive in construction and often do not stabilise the ladder satisfactorily. Another disadvantage of known devices is that they are often bulky and complicated to use and as such are often used incorrectly or are not used at all.

I have now devised a ladder assembly which alleviates the above-mentioned problems In accordance with this invention there is provided a ladder assembly comprising a ladder having a pair of elongate uprights interconnected along their length by a plurality of stiles, the assembly further comprising a stabilising device having a reel connected to the ladder, an extendable elongate line wound on the reel and means for locking the extension of the line.

In use, the ladder is positioned against an object and the line is extended from the reel and connected to apoint on the object The extension of the line is then locked to prevent movement of ladder away from the object, thereby stabilising the ladder.

The device is simple and inexpensive in construction yet can reliably stabilise the ladder Preferably the device is connected to the ladder adjacent one end thereof. In use, the end of the ladder having the device is positioned uppermost against the object.

Preferably the locking means is arranged to lock the line against extension from the reel.

Preferably the reel comprises means for retracting the line. Preferably the reel comprises a spool and a spring which applies a rotational bias to the spool to retract the line.

Preferably the locking means is arranged to lock the spool against rotational movement.

The line may comprise a rope, a wire or a strap. Preferably a fastening is provided at the free end of the line for attaching to the structure The fastening may comprise a clamp or a suction device.

Preferably the assembly comprises a pair of lines. In use, the lines are extended in opposite lateral directions from the ladder and secured to respective points on the objects This arrangement helps to alleviate the risk of the ladder falling sideways.

Preferably the lines extend form respective reels connected to the ladder.

Preferably the reels are connected to opposite ends of an elongate rod which extends through a tubular stile of the ladder.

In an alternative embodiment, the or each stabilising device comprises a fastening which secures it to the ladder. The fastening preferably comprises a c-shaped element having a mouth for receiving an upright of the ladder, means being provided for closing the mouth.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stabilising device of a first embodiment of ladder assembly in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the ladder assembly of Figure 1 when in use; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a stabilising device of a second embodiment of ladder assembly in accordance with this invention; and Figure 4 is a front view of the ladder assembly of Figure 3 when in use.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a stabilising device for fitting to a ladder comprises an elongate rod 10 for passing through a hollow tubular rung of the ladder.

Grooves 16 extend circumferentially around the opposite ends of the rod 10. A pair of cylindrical reels 11 are provided for connecting to respective opposite ends of the rod Each reel 11 comprises a channel 12 extending across its rear face from a side edge thereof. A pair of opposed flanges extend along respective opposite longitudinal sides of the mouth of the channel 12. Each reel 11 is connected to the rod 10 by sliding its channel 12 onto a respective end of the rod 10, such that the flanges thereon engage into the groove 16 The reels 11 lock in place once they have been fully slid onto the ends of the rod 10.

An elongate strap 13 extends radially from each reel 11. Each strap 13 is wound around a spool (not shown) mounted inside its reel 11 A spring (not shown) applies a rotational bias to the spool, which retracts the strap 13 into the reel 11. An actuator is provided for locking the spool against rotational movement. The free end of the strap 13 is connected to a clamp 14 comprising a pair of jaws which are spring biased together.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, in use a rod 10 is passed through the uppermost rung 22 of a ladder 20 and reels 11 are connected to the opposite ends of the rod 10 as hereinbefore described. Another pair of reels 11 may be mounted adjacent the bottom of the ladder. The straps 13 are extended in opposite lateral directions from the ladder 20 and the clamps 14 are secured to respective points on the structure against which the ladder is leaning. The actuators 15 on the reels are then actuated to lock the straps 13 against further extension.

The upper pair of straps 13 securely hold the ladder in place and prevent it from falling sideways or away from the structure against which the ladder is leaning. The optional lower pair of straps prevent the foot of the ladder from slipping away from the structure against which the ladder is leaning.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, in an alternative embodiment, the reel 11 is engaged with a cylindrical formation 42 which projects from a c-shaped bracket 40.

The outer end of the formation 42 is provided with a circumferential groove in a similar manner to the groove 16 on the rod 10 in Figure 1, such that the reel 11 can be engaged with the formation by sliding its channel 12 onto the formation 42 as hereinbefore described. The c-shaped bracket 40 comprises a flat and straight central portion provided with outwardly projecting arms at its opposite ends. A hook- shaped portion 41 extends upwardly from the central portion of the bracket 40.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, in use the bracket 40 is engaged with an upright 21 of a ladder 20 by positioning the upright 21 between the two arms of the bracket. Also, the hook-shaped portion 41 of the bracket 40 is engaged over the uppermost rung 22. A rod or bar 43 is then inserted through a pair of aligned apertures on the ends of the arms to captively retain the upright 21. A locking element is then attached to the rod or bar 43 to securely lock it in place to the bracket A similar bracket 40 is attached to the opposite upright 21, with the hook-shaped portion 41 thereof being engaged with the same rung as the other bracket 40. A pair of brackets may also be connected to the ladder adjacent the lower end thereof.

Reels 11 are connected to each bracket 40 and the straps 13 thereof are secured to respective points on the structure against which the ladder is leaning. The actuators on the reels are then actuated to lock the straps 13 against further extension.

A stabilising device in accordance with this invention is simple and inexpensive in construction yet can reliably stabilise a ladder.

Claims

1. A ladder assembly comprising a ladder having a pair of elongate uprights interconnected along their length by a plurality of stiles, the assembly further comprising a stabilising device having a reel connected to the ladder, an extendable elongate line member wound on the reel and means for locking the extension of said line member.

2. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the device is connected to the ladder adjacent one end thereof.

3. A ladder assembly as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which said reel comprises means for retracting said line member.

4. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which said reel comprises a spool and a spring which applies a rotational bias to the spool to retract the line member. ai'. 0S*S

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5. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which the locking means is * . 20 arranged to lock the spool against rotational movement. * *

6. A ladder assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which line member comprises a rope, a wire or a strap. S...

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7. A ladder assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a fastening is provided at the free end of the line member for attaching to a structure. :

8. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which the fastening comprises a S...

suction device. *I. *5S*

9. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which the fastening comprises a clamp.

10. A ladder assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the assembly comprises a pair of line members.

11. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 10, in which the line members extend from respective reels connected to the ladder.

12. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 11, in which the reels are disposed adjacent respective uprights.

13. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 12, in which the reels are connected to opposite ends of an elongate rod which extends through a tubular stile of the ladder.

14. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the stabilising device comprises a fastening which secures the stabilising device to the ladder

15. A ladder assembly as claimed in claim 12, in which the reels each comprise a fastening which secures the reels to respective uprights of the ladder. I,,.

16. A ladder assembly as claimed in claims 14 or 15, in which the fastening

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*: : : comprises a c-shaped element having a mouth for receiving an upright of the ladder, means being provided for closing the mouth. 0ss*

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17. A ladder assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings. * , * S...

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