AU2003236600B2

AU2003236600B2 - Ladder accessory

Info

Publication number: AU2003236600B2
Application number: AU2003236600A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Grima
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-09
Filing date: 2003-07-09
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-09
Also published as: AU2003236600A1

Description

WO 2004/005659 PCTiAU2003/000889 "Ladder Accessory" Field of the Invention This invention relates to a ladder support Throughout the specification the term "ladder" shall be taken to include any form of ladder or similar means which is utilised to gain access to an elevated position.

Throughout this specification the term "structure" will be taken to include tree, post pole, scaffolding or like structure wherein, when a ladder is in position against the structure, the structure can be encircled.

Throughout the specification the terms "rope" and "cord" shall be taken to include any form of flexible elongate element including a rope, cable, cord, chain or the like.

Background The use of ladders to gain access to an elevated position on a structure can create a potentially hazardous situation due to the potential for the upper end of the ladder to shift transversely on the structure and/or for the upper end of the ladder to move outwardly from the structure and/or the base of the ladder to move outwardly from the structure which can each cause the occupant of the ladder to fall. In the past it has been conventional practice for persons using a ladder to place the ladder in position against a structure, then climb the ladder and tie a rope around the structure to hold the ladder in position against the structure. This action requires the operator to initially climb the ladder which in itself can be hazardous due to the circumstance where at the initial stage the ladder is not retained in position.

PO /AQ' 0 03 joo& -2- It is an object of this invention to provide a ladder support which can enable a ladder to be fixed in position without the operator having to climb the ladder to do s0.

Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly the invention resides in a ladder support comprising a rope guide adapted to be supported from the upper end of a ladder, the rope guide having two opposed ends which are intended to be located transversely across the ladder, a rope received In the guide and extending form each end, the rope having a length sufficient to enable both ends of the rope to be accessible from the ground when the ladder is in position against a structure, one end of the rope adapted to be able to receive and slidably engage the rope inwardly of the other end to define a loop which can be varied in its dimensions.

According to a preferred feature of the invention a cord is fixed to the one end of the rope, the cord having a length such that the cord is accessible from the ground when the one end of the rope is located adjacent the upper end of the ladder According to a preferred feature of the invention the one end of the rope is Provided with a wedging means which is adapted to be able to be wedgingly received in the guide when the rope is tightened around the structure.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the 'wedging means comprises a resilient tubular member received over the rope at the one end.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the resilient tubular member is divergent in diameter towards the one end, According to a preferred feature of the invention the rope guide includes an elongate member and a sheave block supported at each end of the guide and wherein said rope passes thrciugh the sheave blocks.

AMENDE

IPEAAUD

WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU2003/000889 -3- According to a preferred feature of the invention the elongate member comprises a channel section and the portion of the rope received between the ends is received in the channel section.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the rope guide is formed with an engaging element which is adapted to engage with the structure to limit transverse and/or vertical movement of the upper end of the ladder relative to the structure. According to one embodiment the engaging element comprises a set of spike elements.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the spike elements extend laterally from one flange of the channel section. According to one embodiment the spike elements are integral with the one flange.

According to a further aspect the invention resides in a ladder having a ladder support of the form as described above applied thereto.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the ladder support is incorporated as a part of the ladder.

According to a further aspect the invention resides in a method of locating a ladder in position against a structure comprises fixing a rope to the upper end of a ladder to be slidable with respect to the other end, the rope having a length such that both ends are accessible from the ground when the ladder is in position, engaging the one end of the rope with the other end of the rope to define a loop encircling the structure pulling on the other end of the rope to tighten the loop around the structure and retain the ladder in position on the structure, tying the rope around a lower portion of the structure and to the base of the ladder.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the method further comprises fixing a cord to the one end of the rope whereby the cord is accessible from the ground when the one end is adjacent the upper end of the ladder, said cord WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU2003/000889 -4enabling the one end to be moved along the rope on a downward force being applied to the cord.

The invention will be more fully understood in light of the following description of several specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view a ladder support according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 is a schematic view of one end of the rope guide of the ladder support according to the first embodiment illustrating the one end of the rope and its affixation to the remainder of the rope and cord; Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of a ladder in position against a structure with a ladder support according to first the embodiment in use; and Figure 4 is an isometric view a ladder support according to the second embodiment.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments The first embodiment as shown at Figures 1 to 3 comprises a ladder support 11 which is intended to be used with a ladder 13 in order to locate and positively retain the ladder in position against a tree 15 as illustrated in Figure 3.

The ladder support 11 according to the first embodiment comprises a rope guide 17 which comprises an elongate channel element 19 which pivotally supports a pair of sheave blocks 21 at each end. In addition the channel member 19 is provided with a set of retention loops 23 at spaced intervals along the inner face of the web of the channel member 19. The ends of the channel support a roller 24 which is supported from the flanges of the channel and is spaced outwardly WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU2003/000889 from the web of the channel to be rotatably accommodated within the channel.

In addition the rope guide comprises a pair of clamping brackets 25 which enable the channel element 19 to be fixed to the upper end of the ladder 13. The clamping brackets 25 are located at the outer face of the web of the channel element. In addition one of the flanges of the channel element 19 is provided with a gripping member 27 which is formed with a number of spike elements whereby when the rope guide 17 is located in position on the upper end of the ladder the gripping member 27 is brought into engagement with the tree in order that the spikes can penetrate or engage with the trunk of the tree to limit transverse and/or vertical movement of the rope guide with respect to the tree.

The ladder support further comprises a rope 27 which is received through the sheave blocks 21, each of the retention loops 23 and between the roller 24 and the web of the channel. One end 29 of the rope 27 is provided with a clip member 31 which can be engaged with portion of the rope extending from the remote sheave block in order that the one end 29 is slidably received over that portion of the rope 27 to define a loop which can be varied in its dimension. The rope 27 has a length whereby when the ladder support is in position on the ladder and the ladder is in position against the tree as illustrated at Figure 3 both ends of the rope are accessible from the ground.

In addition the ladder support comprises a cord 33 which is fixed at one end to the one end 29 of the rope 27. The cord 33 has a length such that when the one end 25 is located adjacent the upper end of the ladder when in position against a structure the other end of the cord 33 is accessible from the ground.

In addition the one end 29 of the rope is associated with a wedging element 37 which is resilient and of a generally tubular configuration such that it extends along the rope 27 for a short distance away from the one end 29. The wedging element 27 has a divergent cross section in the direction of the one end 29 and is formed of a spirally wound length of resilient wire.

In order to use the ladder support according to the first embodiment the rope guide 17 is fixed to the upper end of the ladder 13 by the clamping brackets WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU2003/000889 -6- The rope 27 is then received through the sheave blocks 21 and each of the retention loops 23. The ladder is then raised such that its upper end is at the desired position on the tree 15 and in so doing both ends of the rope 27 are positioned to be accessible from the ground. The one end 29 of the rope is then engaged over the other portion of the rope 27 by utilisation of a clip 31 to define a loop which encircles the structure. The loop is then tightened around the structure and in so doing the wedging member 37 is brought into wedging engagement with the adjacent sheave block. On the loop having been tightened around the tree, the lower end of the rope is then passed around the base of the trunk of the tree and then to the lower end of the ladder 13 where it is tied to the lower end of the ladder. As a result the ladder is positively engaged in position in that the upper end of the ladder is fixed as a result of the presence of the loop around the structure at its upper end. Furthermore the lower end of the ladder is braced by the rope extending from the base of the trunk of the tree to the base of the ladder.

When it becomes necessary to disengage the ladder from the tree the rope 27 is untied from the base of the ladder 13 and is unwound from the base of the trunk of the tree 15. The cord 33 is then pulled which causes the wedging member 37 to disengage from the adjacent sheave block 21 to cause the one end 29 of the rope to move along the remaining portion of the rope until it can be accessed from the ground. Once the one end 29 of the rope can be accessed it is then disengaged from the remainder of the rope 27 and the ladder is disengaged from the structure.

The second embodiment as shown at Figure 4 is similar to the first embodiment and therefore the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding components. The ladder support 11 according to the second embodiment comprises a rope guide 17 which comprises an elongate channel element 19 which pivotally supports a pair of sheave blocks 21 at each end. In addition the channel member 19 is provided with a set of retention loops 23 at spaced intervals along the inner face of the web of the channel member 19. In addition the rope guide comprises a pair of clamping brackets 25 which enable the WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU2003/000889 -7channel element 19 to be fixed to the upper end of the ladder 13. The clamping brackets 25 are located at the outer face of the web of the channel element. In addition one of the flanges of the channel element 19 is formed at its outer edge to provide a gripping member 27 which comprises a set of spaced spiked elements whereby when the rope guide 17 is located in position on the upper end of the ladder the gripping member 27 is brought into engagement with the tree in order that the spikes can penetrate or engage with the trunk of the tree to restrain the upper end of the ladder from transverse andlor vertical movement with respect to the tree.

The ladder support of the second embodiment further comprises a rope 27 which is received through the sheave blocks 21 and each of the retention loops 23.

One end 29 of the rope 27 is provided with a clip member 31 which can be engaged with portion of the rope extending from the remote sheave block in order that the one end 29 is slidably received over that portion of the rope 27 to define a loop which can be varied in its dimension. The rope 27 has a length whereby when the ladder support is in position on the ladder and the ladder is in position against the tree both ends of the rope are accessible from the ground.

In addition the ladder support comprises a cord 33 which is fixed at one end to the one end 29 of the rope 27. The cord 33 has a length such that when the one end 25 is located adjacent the upper end of the ladder when in position against a structure the other end of the cord 33 is accessible from the ground. In addition the one end 29 of the rope is associated with a wedging element 37 which is resilient and of a generally tubular configuration such that it extends along the rope 27 for a short distance away from the one end 29. The wedging element 27 has a divergent cross section in the direction of the one end 29 and is formed of a spirally wound length of resilient wire.

Use the ladder support according to the second embodiment is almost the same as is the case for the first embodiment. In use the rope guide 17 is fixed to the upper end of the ladder 13 by the clamping brackets 25. The rope 27 is then received through the sheave blocks 21 and each of the retention loops 23. The WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU2003/000889 -8ladder is then raised such that its upper end is at the desired position on the tree in so doing both ends of the rope 27 are positioned to be accessible from the ground. The one end 29 of the rope is then engaged over the other portion of the rope 27 by utilisation of a clip 31 to define a loop which encircles the structure. The loop is then tightened around the structure and in so doing the wedging member 37 is brought into wedging engagement with the adjacent sheave block. On the loop having been tightened around the tree, the lower end of the rope is then passed around the base of the trunk of the tree and then to the lower end of the ladder 13 where it is tied to the lower end of the ladder. As a result the ladder is positively engaged in position in that the upper end of the ladder is fixed as a result of the presence of the loop around the structure at its upper end. Furthermore the lower end of the ladder is braced by the rope extending from the base of the trunk of the tree to the base of the ladder.

When it becomes necessary to disengage the ladder from the tree the rope 27 is untied from the base of the ladder 13 and is unwound from the base of the trunk of the tree 15. The rope 27 is then agitated which causes the wedging member 37 to disengage from the adjacent sheave block 21 to cause the one end 29 of the rope to move along the remaining portion of the rope until it can be accessed from the ground. Once the one end 29 of the rope can be accessed it is then disengaged from the remainder of the rope 27 and the ladder is disengaged from the structure.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the wedging member is formed of a suitable resiliently flexible plastics or elastomeric type material.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the ladder support is incorporated into the structure of the ladder.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU20031000889 -9- It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A ladder support comprising a rope guide adapted to be supported from the upper end of a ladder, the rope guide having two opposed ends which are intended to be located transversely across the ladder, a rope received in the guide and extending form each end, the rope having a length sufficient to enable both ends of the rope to be accessible from the ground when the ladder is in position against a structure, one end of the rope adapted to be able to receive and slidably engage the rope inwardly of the other end to define a loop which can be varied in its dimensions.

2. A ladder support as claimed at claim 1 wherein a cord is fixed to the one end of the rope, the cord having a length such that the cord is accessible from the ground when the one end of the rope is located adjacent the upper end of the ladder

3. A ladder support as claimed at claim 1 or 2 wherein the one end of the rope is provided with a wedging means which is adapted to be able to be wedgingly received in the guide when the rope is tightened around the structure.

4. A ladder support as claimed at claim 3 wherein the wedging means comprises a resilient tubular member received over the rope at the one end.

A ladder support as claimed at claim 4 wherein the resilient tubular member is divergent in diameter towards the one end.

6. (amended) A ladder support as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the rope guide includes a pair of sheave blocks are supported at each end of an elongate member and said rope passes through the sheave blocks. AMENDED SHEE=T IPeVAU PcTrlA cos (ooot -11

7. (amended) A ladder support as claimed at claim 8 wherein the elongate member comprises a channel section and the portion of the rope received between the ends is received in the channel section.

8. A ladder support as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the rope guide is formed with an engaging element which is adapted to engage with the structure to limit transverse and/or vertical movement of the upper end of the ladder relative to the structure.

9. A ladder support as claimed at claim 8 wherein the engaging element comprises a set of spike elements.

10.A ladder support as claimed at claim 9 as dependant from claim 7 wherein the spike elements extend laterally from one flange of the channel section.

11. A ladder support as claimed at claim 10 wherein the spike elements are integral with the one flange.

12.A ladder support substantially as herein described.

13.A ladder having a ladder support of the form as claimed at any on of the preceding claims applied thereto.

14. A ladder as claimed at claim 13 wherein the ladder support is incorporated as a part of the ladder. method of locating a ladder in position against a structure comprises fixing a rope to the upper end of a ladder to be slidable with respect to the other end, the rope having a length such that both ends are accessible from the ground when the ladder is in position, engaging the one end of the rope with the other end of the rope to define a loop encircling the structure pulling on the other end of the rope to tighten the loop around the structure and retain the ladder in position on the structure, tying the rope around a lower portion of the structure and to the base of the ladder.

AMENDED SHEET I u A U WO 2004/005659 PCT/AU2003/000889 -12-

16.A method as claimed at claim 15 further comprising fixing a cord to the one end of the rope whereby the cord is accessible from the ground when the one end is adjacent the upper end of the ladder, said cord enabling the one end to be moved along the rope on a downward force being applied to the cord.

17.A method of locating a ladder in position against a structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.