GB2487754A - Adjustable device for supporting working platform between two ladders - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable device of a ladder jack type is adapted to be attached to each of a pair of roof or general ladders to provide a stable base on which a working platform may be attached. The device comprises a linkage of three pivoted bars. The device can be adjusted to the pitch of the roof or angle of the ladders, preferably by moving a support bracket 9 along a back bracket 8. The device may also be attached to two ladders secured against a wall. A working platform, i.e. scaffold, may then be attached to the devices. The device may be attached to the ladder by a hook 5. For low pitches the support bracket may be replaced with a shorter one 13 to allow the device to adjust to the pitch.

Description

An invention which provides support for an access platform The object of this invention is to provide a support to which a working platform can be attached when working at height. Work on pitched roofs often requires two people to work side-by-side whilst manipulating large or cumbersome equipment (for example when installing roof windows, dormer windows, solar panels or painting and repairing roofs). Normal scaffolding may not provide close enough access to the roof and it may not be safe to work from roof ladders alone.

This invention provides a means by which a working platform can be attached to two or more ladders hanging from the ridge of the roof or otherwise attached to the roof in a safe and suitable way. The working platform can then be used by one or more persons to access the necessary part of the roof and carry out the work safely. The device is infinitely adjustable to any pitch of roof and does not have to be attached to a specific size of ladder. The device is supplied as a pair and can be fitted to each of any two suitable ladders to enable them to support a working platform (with handrails) between them. The distance between the ladders is adjusted to suit the length of the working platform. Two or more working platforms can also be set up next to each other to allow access to a longer stretch of roof. This is achieved by attaching a device to each side of one ladder placed in the middle of where the platform is to be, and attaching a further device to each ladder at the either end of where the platform is to be. This can be duplicated along the length of the roof as far as needed.

Each device consists of three metal bars with a central grooved channel, linked by pivot hinges which are bolted onto the bars using channel nuts and bolts. The invention is shown in situ in figure 4 of the accompanying diagrams.

An example of the device will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows the device in profile and interchangeable part 13.

* Figure 2 shows the device in profile and part 12.

* Figure 3 shows the position of part 8 on a ladder, damped with part 11.

* Figure 4 shows a pair of devices being used to support a working platform on a roof and on a pair of ladders against a wall below the roof.

* Figure 5 shows a pivot base (parts 1, 2 and 3).

In the diagrams, part 8is a metal bracket with a central grooved channel which is hooked onto the rung of a ladder with part 5. The device can be positioned at either side of the ladder. By positioning it at the side of the ladder which will be nearest the opposite ladder, the ladder can still be used to access the working platform. Alternatively, a third ladder could be used to access the working platform and the device could be positioned at either side of the ladder. Part 8 is then bolted into position using part 11 or other suitable clamps (fig 3). Part 11 (or another suitable clamp) damps around part 8 and the rung of the ladder. Part 8 is clamped onto the ladder in a minimum of two positions along the length of part 8 to provide stability. By clamping the device to the ladder in this manner, the weight of the working platform is distributed across a few rungs and not solely on one or two rungs.

Part 10 is the platform bracket upon which the working platform rests and parts 9 and 13 are interchangeable as support brackets. Parts 8, 9, 10 and 13 are metal bars with a grooved channel along their entire length. The grooved channel, and the nuts and bolts which slot into them, allow parts 8, and 9 or 13 to be connected via pivot brackets (parts 1, 2 & 3) anywhere along their length. This allows the support bracket (9 or 13) and the platform bracket (10) to be positioned in such a way as to make the platform bracket (10) level to enable a working platform to be placed upon it. The pivot bases allow for infinite adjustment of the device to suit the gradient of the roof. Once the required position is achieved the pivot bases are securely locked in place using the channel bolts tightened through parts 8 and 10 into the channel nuts. The channel nut locks into the groove along the brackets (8 and 10) and hold the pivot bases in position once the bolts are tightened.

The bolts which hold pivot bases 1, 2 and 3 to parts 8 and 10 are unique in that they can be slackened and depressed to unlock them. This allows the pivot bases to be slid along parts 8 and 10 to the locations which allow the platform bracket (10) to be level. The angle of the platform bracket (10) is adjusted by moving pivot base 1 along part 8, and pivot base 2 along the platform bracket (10) to achieve the desired angle. Once this is achieved, the bolts are released and lock into place, preventing the pivot bases from moving. The bolts are then tightened to secure the bases in place. Parts 7 are stops to prevent brackets from coming off the end of part 8 whilst the device is being adjusted. The level of the working platform (10) can be checked using an ordinary spirit level. Once the desired angle is achieved, a metal plate (part 6) is bolted behind the pivot bases to further secure them to part 8 and the platform bracket (10). A working platform can be attached to the platform bracket (10) by bolting or tying it on or by some other suitable and secure means. Part 4 is an L-shaped metal bracket which can be bolted to part 10 behind the working platform as a stop to prevent it from slipping.

Part 4 can be bolted on anywhere along the platform bracket (10), allowing for varying widths of working platform.

Pivot base 3 should be positioned near the top of the part 8. Pivot base 3 only needs adjusting, if necessary, on the second or other subsequent ladders to line it up with part 3 on the first ladder. The line of tiles on a roof can be used to aid with lining the devices up on separate ladders or the devices can be set up next to each other and the ladders then moved to the appropriate position on the roof.

Part 9 is interchangeable with a shorter version (part 13) for use with very low pitched roofs. This is done by first loosening the bolts which lix pivot bases I and 2 to the support bracket (9). Part 9 can then be removed and replaced with part 13 by attaching part 13 to pivot bases 1 and 2 and tightening the previously loosened bolts at either end of the shorter support bracket (13).

When not in use, either part 9 or 13 is attached to part 4 using channel nuts and bolts. Doing so prevents the 0spare" support bracket (9 or 13) from becoming lost.

Once the correct angle is achieved for the roof, the devices are easily moved up and down the ladders to the required height on the roof or wall by simply unscrewing the clamps holding part 8 to the ladder, and moving the device to the required position, hooking it onto a rung with part 5 before clamping part 8 in the new position. Any adjustments which need to be made to the angle of the platform bracket (10) would be slight and can be achieved using the method previously described. A good guess at the angle required can be made on the ground and the platform bracket can be set up before taking the devices up to the roof ladders and bolting them into position. Minor adjustments to the level of the platform bracket can then be made by depressing the bolts holding the pivot bases I and 2 to part 8 and platform bracket (10) and sliding the bases to the new position as previously described.

Figure 2 shows u-shaped bracket with fixing holes (12) which allows the device to be fixed to walls or other structures and their positions on the device. The invention can be attached directly to walls using suitable and safe boils or other means and used to hold a working platform accessed by a ladder. A number of devices can be secured along the wall to allow for a longer platform to be attached.

The versatility of the invention can be further exploited as the device may also be used on a pair of ladders securely footed and tied off, bolted or otherwise secured to a wall below a roof. In this instance the device may hold a working platform which acts as an access point to the roof or as an additional safety device to prevent the fall of tools or persons from the roof. Scaffold poles would be attached to the rear of the working platform to provide extra stability.

It would be possible to allow for more than one platform to be set up adjacent to each other by placing two devices at either side of a central ladder to support the ends of two platforms.

Claims (7)

1. SClairs 1. A pair of devices, each comprising of 3 bars joined by pivot bases, which are attached to ladders to provide a stable and level base onto which a working platform may be attached between the two ladders.
2. 2. A device as in claim 1 which can be adjusted to suit any pitch or angle.
3. 3. An adjustable device as claimed in claim I and 2 which can be further adjusted for extremely pitched roofs by replacing one of the bars with a bar of a different length.
4. 4. An adjustable device as claimed in claim 1 and 2 or 3 which can be fixed to walls or other structures by means of a suitable bracket and fixing.
5. 5. An adjustable device as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 3 which can be attached to two ladders secured against a wall to support a platform.
6. 6. An adjustable device as described herein with reference to figures 1-3 of the drawings.* *.*** * SS* S.. S. * S *$ * * . *.* S. * * 5 0 * S Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 A pair of devices, infinitely adjustable to suit any pitch or angle and each comprising of 3 grooved bars joined by pivot bases, which are attached to ladders or a vertical wall to provide a stable and level base onto which a working platform may be attached.2. An infinitely adjustable device as in claim 1 in which the grooved channel along the length of the bars and the pivot bases and bolts which fit into them, allow for the pivot bases to be secured at any point along the length of the bars.3. An infinitely adjustable device as claimed in claim I and 2 which can be further adjusted for extremely pitched angles by replacing the support bracket bar with an interchangeable bar of a different length.4. An infinitely adjustable device as claimed in claims 1 to 3 Which can be attached 3 to roof ladders and adjusted to support a working platform.* r 5. An infinitely adjustable device as claimed in claim 1 to 3 which can be fixed to vertical walls or other structures by means of a suitable bracket and fixing. * * S6. An adjustable device as claimed in claims I to 3 which can be attached to two ladders secured vertically or at an angle against a wall to support a platform.
7. 7. An adjustable device as described herein with reference to figures 1-5 of the drawings.