GB2458327A - Ladder stabilising device with four adjustable feet - Google Patents

Abstract

A ladder stabilising device has a main frame 1 of a substantially H shape. Located upon a central cross bar is a fixed cylindrical shaft 3. A pair of metal sleeves 8 are slidably located on said shaft and pivot about said shaft. Jaws 2 are attached to said sleeves and serve to locate the lower portion of a ladder 5 therein. A tie rod 4 may be passed through the lower tread of said ladder and clamps said ladder in place. A base portion 6 of said ladder contacts a wedge portion 7 which acts to restrict movement between said ladder and said jaws. Extending perpendicular to said crossbar are a pair of cross arms at the ends of which height adjustable feet may be provided.

Description

1 2458327 Ladder Stabiliser This invention relates to a device for stabilising a ladder.

Ladders are an essential piece of equipment, used in many commercial and domestic situations and particularly throughout the construction industry.

However, they are also the cause of a high number of accidents resulting in serious, and sometimes fatal, injuries. Either sideways movement at the top of the ladder or the ladder slipping away at the foot may cause these accidents and irregular surface conditions are often a contributing factor.

To overcome these problems the present invention proposes a ladder stabiliser consisting of a steel H frame supporting a pair of adjustable, fixed sleeve jaws wh,ch hold the base of a ladder secure, fastened with a tie-bar passing through the bottom ladder tread, and having four adjustable feet which enable the frame to be set in a firm horizontal position, whatever the surface conditions.

The secure clamping of the ladder eliminates the requirement for a third party to hold the base of the ladder in a firm position.

The adjustable Jaws can accommodate an enormous range of conventional ladders of differing heights, widths and thickness of side rails.

Fixed to the lower section of the jaws are sleeves which rotate on a fixed bar.

This allows a ladder to be loaded into the stabiliser from either a horizontal or vertical position and enables the ladder to be stationed at the required angle.

The stabiliser is compact for easy storage and light enough for a single person to carry.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows the ladder stabilizer and all of its constituent parts, Figure 2 shows a ladder in position in the adjustable jaw of the invention.

Figure 3 shows the adjustable feet of the invention positioned for use on a set of steps.

Figure 4 shows a ladder locked into the stabilizer with the tie bar passing through the bottom tread.

In figure 1 a stabiliser consists of a steel constructed H frame I with a fixedcylindrical shaft 3 attached to the central bar. A pair of metal sleeves 8 is positioned on the shaft and each bears a movable jaw 2 in the form of a channel, into which a ladder is loaded. A tie bar 4 passes through the vertical slot 10 in the outer side of each jaw (and through the hollow bottom tread of a ladder loaded into the stabiliser). The tie bar has a square washer 12 and a wing nut 13 at each end, which are tightened to clamp a loaded ladder firmly in place.

Figure 2 details the metal wedge 7, which is positioned at the bottom of the channel of each law so that when the ladder strikes the wedge movement within the jaw is prevented. The stop 9 beneath the jaw encounters the H frame when the jaw sleeve rotates on the shaft and prevents the ladder exceeding the safe maximum angle of use.

Figures 3 & 4 show the four adjustable screw jacks 14, attached through each corner of the H frame, and the tilting polyamide feet 15 with non-slip rubber insoles at the base of each screw jack. The screw jacks can be adjusted by hand to cope with changes in ground levels while the tilting feet compensate for irregular surface conditions.

Claims (4)

1. Claims 1. A ladder stabiliser consisting of a steel H frame supporting a pair of adjustable, fixed sleeve jaws which hold the base of a ladder secure, fastened with a tie-bar passing through the bottom ladder tread, and having four adjustable feet which enable the frame to be set in a firm horizonta' position, whatever the surface conditions.
2. 2. A ladder stabiliser according to claim I in which a locking wedge is positioned at the bottom of each securing jaw to prevent movement of the ladder within the ladder housing of the stabiliser.
3. 3. A ladder stabiliser according to claim i in which the adjustable feet are tilting and have non-slip rubber insoles to provide greater stability on uneven surfaces.
4. 4. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1 in Which a metal stop prevents rotation of the ladder further past the vertical than the maximum angle at which the ladder should be used.