AU2016201569B2

AU2016201569B2 - A Levelling Platform

Info

Publication number: AU2016201569B2
Application number: AU2016201569A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kerry Rundle
Original assignee: Ladder Levellers Nz Ltd
Current assignee: Ladder Levellers Nz Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-13
Filing date: 2016-03-10
Publication date: 2018-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-10
Also published as: GB201604255D0; GB2538354A; AU2016201569A1; NZ705988A; GB2538354B

Abstract

A levelling platform for levelling a ladder or the like, including a pair of laterally spaced apart uprights and an upper support arrangement arranged to engage with the uprights such that the ladder or the like can be placed on and supported by the upper support arrangement so as to be spaced from the ground, the arrangement being such that one part of the upper support arrangement is engaged by one upright, with a second part of the upper support arrangement being selectively engageable with one of a plurality of engagement points provided on the other upright to control/determine the vertical position of the second part relative to the first part, the plurality of engagement points being vertically spaced along the other upright such that the second part of the upper support arrangement can be positioned higher and lower than the first part of the upper support arrangement. - 2V

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a levelling platform for levelling a ladder or the like on a sloping or uneven surface.

Background

Most ladders, and other supportive frames, are designed to rest on the ground at one lower end and lean up against, or be secured to, a structure at an upper end, thus providing access to the sides of a structure which may be too high for a person to reach from the ground. The supportive frame is generally held in place by frictional grip between the lower end of the supportive frame and the ground.

However, resting the lower end of a supportive frame on sloping or uneven ground may present a safety hazard to a user of the frame because the weight of the supportive frame is unevenly distributed. Consequently, the supportive frame may become less stable, more likely to become unbalanced and possibly topple or slip.

Typically, such a supportive frame may be propped up underneath part of the lower end of the frame when it is used on sloping or uneven ground so as to provide a level supporting surface. These props may often be rudimentary in nature, and jammed under one or more parts of the lower end of the supportive frame, such as under a leg of the supportive frame for example. This arrangement may be dangerous as the supportive frame may slip from the prop, or the prop may not provide a sufficiently level surface for the frame. It may also be difficult to find the size of prop required to level the supportive frame on the slope or uneven surface in question. Thus, the supportive frame may not be held in the desired vertical condition; that is, with the longitudinal axis of the supportive frame vertical.

Known apparatus for levelling supportive frames such as ladders on sloping or uneven ground include:

• struts or props of adjustable height for attachment to one or both frame legs;

2016201569 10 Mar 2016 • standing arcs, wherein a supportive frame may be adjustably fixed to the standing arc at any number of points, movement of the frame along the arc adjusting the angle of the supportive frame relative to the ground; and • a levelling tray hingeably attached at one end to a base tray, wherein a distal end of the levelling tray may be raised or lowered by winding a screw supporting the distal end on the base tray.

However, such apparatus may be unwieldy and generally inconvenient to use and/or transport. Such apparatus may also lack the flexibility and/or adjustability to make the apparatus convenient to use, particularly if the slope of the surface in question changes.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to address, overcome or at least ameliorate some of the aforementioned disadvantages, or to at least provide a useful alternative to known levelling platforms.

Summary of Invention

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description.

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a levelling platform for levelling a ladder or the like, including a pair of laterally spaced apart uprights and an upper support arrangement arranged to engage with the uprights such that the ladder or the like can be placed on and supported by the upper support arrangement so as to be spaced from the ground, the arrangement being such that one part of the upper support arrangement is engaged by one upright, with a second part of the upper support arrangement being selectively engageable with one of a plurality of engagement points provided on the other upright to control/determine the vertical position of the second part relative to the first part, the plurality of engagement points being vertically spaced along the other upright such that the second part of the upper support arrangement can be positioned higher and lower than the first part of the upper support arrangement.

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

Preferably, the pair of uprights are fixed to opposing ends of an elongate cross piece which laterally spaces the uprights apart.

Preferably, the elongate cross piece comprises a base of the platform. More preferably, the base comprises a base plate.

Preferably, the upper support arrangement comprises a substantially rigid elongate member the first and second parts of which are distal ends, each end being configured to engage with a respective upright so as to extend laterally across the space between the uprights.

Preferably, both uprights are provided with a plurality of engagement points, such that the vertical position of both the first and the second parts of the upper support arrangement can be adjusted relative to the respective upright with which the first and second parts are engaged.

Preferably, the plurality of engagement points are arranged such that the first and second parts of the upper support arrangement can be positioned on their respective uprights at the same height/vertical position.

Preferably, each engagement point comprises a recess in the upright. More preferably, the recess comprises a slot extending through the upright. More preferably, each recess is elongate.

Preferably, the first and/or second parts of the upper support arrangement are slidably engageable with each recess in the respective uprights.

In one embodiment of the upper support arrangement, there is provided a pair of separate stages, each stage being configured to engage with a respective upright.

In a preferred embodiment of the upper support arrangement there is provided a substantially planar support plate on which the ladder or the like rests in use.

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

Preferably, the support plate further comprises at least one upwardly directed lip extending along at least a portion of an edge of the support plate to engage part of the ladder or the like in use to resist the ladder from sliding from the levelling platform.

Preferably, the platform further comprises one or more feet protruding from an underside of the platform.

Preferably, the platform further comprises bracing extending from each upright and arranged to support the uprights in the upright condition. More preferably, the bracing extends between one or both uprights and a base of the platform. More preferably, the bracing extends between the uprights.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a platform substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the Figures thereof.

Drawing Description

A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a levelling platform in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the levelling platform of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of an upper support arrangement of the levelling platform of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a front view of a levelling platform in accordance with the present invention in use with a ladder;

Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the levelling platform of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged front view corresponding to Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a front view of two levelling platforms of different sizes, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a levelling platform in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

Figure 9 is a side perspective view of the levelling platform of Figure 8.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Throughout the description like reference numerals will be used to refer to like features in different embodiments.

Referring to the Figures, the present invention provides a levelling platform 10 for levelling a ladder or other supportive frame such as scaffolding, for example. The platform 10 in this example comprises a planar, elongate base 1 for resting on a surface, such as a sloping or uneven surface, the base 1 having a plurality of feet 2 on the underside thereof.

A pair of uprights 3 are disposed on distal opposing ends of the base 1 so as to be spaced apart from one another. Each upright 3 is provided with a plurality of engagement points 4 for engaging with an upper support arrangement which in this example comprises an upper, generally planar, elongate tray 5 having opposed distal ends 7. The uprights 3 are arranged to be parallel to each other in an upright (orthogonal) orientation relative to the base 1 and are fixed in this relationship by their connection to the base 1. They may alternatively be fixed in this relationship by a connection to each other. However, in this example, braces are provided comprising generally triangular reinforcing brackets 6, one per upright 3, which strengthen the connection between the uprights 3 and the base 1 and assist in maintaining the orientation of the uprights 3 relative to the base 1.

The engagement points 4 on each upright 3 in this example comprise a set of equispaced, parallel recesses in the form of slots formed in each upright 3, each slot 4 configured to receive an end 7 of the tray 5. Tray 5 is thus supported by the attachment points 4 of the uprights 3 and extends across the space between the uprights 3. Each set of slots 4 extend up the respective upright 3, away from the base 1 and are thus vertically spaced along each upright 3.

In use, the ends 7 of tray 5 constitute first and second parts of the tray which may be attached to any one of the slots 4 in each upright 3, thus enabling the gradient of tray 5 relative to the gradient of base 1 to be varied and selected as required. The vertical position of each end 7 of the tray on the respective upright 3 can therefore be adjusted by inserting each end 7 in a different slot 4. Thus the vertical position of one end 7 of the tray 5 relative

2016201569 10 Mar 2016 to the other end 7 can be adjusted. By selecting particular attachment points 4 on each upright 3, a user may substantially cancel out, or at least alleviate, sloping gradients on the ground on which the base 1 rests in use. By selecting in which slot 4 of each upright 3 the ends 7 of the tray 5 are inserted, the angle of the ladder or the like supported on the platform 10 relative to the uprights 3, and the ground, may be adjusted.

In one example, with reference to Figure 9, a locking pin 8 fits through a hole 9 in one end 7 of tray 5 to prevent the movement of the end 7 from sliding out of slot 4. Locking pins 8 may be used on one or both ends 7 of tray 5. Where one locking pin 8 is used, it would be most effective to engage with the hole 9 at the side of the higher end 7 of the tray 5 to help prevent the upper end 7 from inadvertently sliding out of the slot 4.

Referring to Figure 3 in particular, the upper support arrangement in this example comprises a tray 5 being a substantially rigid elongate member configured, that is of a width and length, to support a ladder or other supportive frame. The tray 5 is of a material and/or thickness which is sufficiently strong to support the combination of a ladder, a person on the ladder, and the equipment the person may be carrying.

The ends 7 of tray 5 are shaped so as to be slidably engagable with the slots 4 on each upright 3 and may for example be tapered and/or chamfered and/or narrowed to facilitate insertion into the slots 4. The tray 5 may thus be engaged with the uprights 3 by inserting a first end 7 into any slot 4 on a first upright 3, and subsequently inserting an opposing second end 7 into any slot 4 on a second upright 3. Ends 7 are sufficiently long to project beyond the uprights 3 when inserted in the slots 5 to allow some lateral sliding between the ends 7 and the slots 4. This facilitates both the subsequent insertion of the second end 7 into the slot 4 on the second upright 3, and accounts for the extra length of tray 5 required where the tray 5 is inclined by the ends 7 of the tray 5 being inserted into slots 4 that are diagonally opposed from one another.

In this example, base 1 serves to retain the fixed arrangement and orientation of the uprights 3 and to provide a point of contact between the platform and the ground.

However, an alternative embodiment provides for a platform supported on the ground by the lower ends of the uprights 3 directly, such that the uprights 3 function as legs of the platform.

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

The uprights 3 are held vertical, in their parallel, spaced apart arrangement by, for example, struts or bracing extending between and connecting the pair of uprights 3.

Although tray 5 is depicted as a unitary, single piece tray, alternative upper support arrangements may be provided.

One such alternative upper support arrangement provides for a pair of separate stages as an upper support, each stage comprising a ledge engageable with an engagement point 4 of a respective upright 3. Each stage is therefore arranged to engage with a respective leg or side of the ladder or the like. Each stage may be moved independently from the other. The relative vertical position of each of the pair of stages on each upright 3 therefore allows the ladder or other supportive frame to be supported in a substantially vertical orientation, or at least to be supported at a desired orientation, relative to the uprights 3 and the ground.

Another such alternative embodiment of the upper support arrangement comprises an elongate beam, or plurality of beams, which is/are configured to extend between the uprights 4.

In the illustrated example, tray 5 comprises a generally planar support plate having a pair of upwardly facing lips 8 extending along at least a portion of the long edges of the tray 5. The lips 8 assist in the prevention of a ladder or the like from slipping off the tray 5 when supported by the platform 10. Lips 8 also function as end stops to prevent the ends 7 of tray 5 from extending too far into any of the slots 4. In addition, lips 8 improve the rigidity of the tray 5. The tray 5 may be otherwise reinforced as required, for example by a rib or ribs, or any other suitable reinforcement.

The upper support arrangement may be provided with an anti-slip surface on which the ladder rests in use. For example, the anti-slip surface may comprise a textured, ribbed or grooved surface, or may comprise a region or regions of an anti-slip material which rests on the upper support, such as a rubber or plastic mat for example.

Platform 10 may be used simply to provide a substantially horizontal support surface for supporting a ladder or other supportive frame. The platform may therefore simply be used to

2016201569 10 Mar 2016 increase the height of the ladder or the like, or to provide a more secure engagement with the ground, when used on horizontal ground. When used in this way the ends 7 of the upper support arrangement 5 are engaged at the same vertical position on each upright 5, thus spacing the supper support arrangement 5 from the ground.

Platform 10 may be used to provide a substantially horizontal support surface when placed on sloping or uneven ground. For example, when the base 1 is rested on ground having a downward gradient, the tray 5 may be engaged with a slot 4 on the uppermost upright 3 having a position which is lower down said upright 3 than the slot 4 selected on the lowermost upright 3. The relative difference in slot position in each of the uprights 3 may incline the support tray 5 relative to the base 1 and the ground to substantially cancel out the downward gradient of the ground and thereby provide a substantially horizontal support tray

5. The tray 5 may be slidably disengaged from the slots 4 after use, or prior to the selection of a different slot or slots 4.

Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment of platform 10 wherein the uprights 3, and base 1 are made of aluminium and are integrally formed. Figure 9 shows the base 1 and uprights 3 being connected to the brackets 6 by fixings comprising metal rivets 12.

Different combinations of slots 4 may be used to compensate for ground surfaces of different gradients. Selecting a different combination of slots 4 is relatively quick, simple and fail safe. Additionally, the provision of slots 4 on both uprights 3 enables the support tray 5 to be parallel with the base 1, or to be inclined in one direction relative to the base 1, or to be inclined in the other direction relative to the base 1.

In an alternative arrangement, the plurality of engagement points may be provided on one upright only, with only one engagement point being provided on the other upright 3. In this example the plurality of engagement points on one upright 3 are positioned vertically higher and lower on that upright 3, relative to the single engagement point on the other upright 3. This enables the same range of orientations of the ladder or the like, as described above.

The platform 10 may be used on various types of ground and the base 1 may be adapted or modified to compensate for different types of ground. For example, the ground may be a

2016201569 10 Mar 2016 hard surface (such as concrete, cobblestone or asphalt), a soft surface (such as turf), or uneven surface (such as gravel, stones, or rugged clay).

For additional grip and stability, the platform may comprise feet 2. Such feet 2 may be made from rubber, plastic or any other resilient or relatively high friction material(s) used the art. For soft or uneven ground, the platform 10 may further comprise pins or other protrusions extending from the underside of the base to at least partially embed in the surface and thus improve grip and stability of the platform 10 in use.

In a preferred embodiment, the platform 10 can support weight similar to or greater than the weight supported by typical supportive frames and ladders known in the art. For example, the platform 10 may be arranged to support a weight of around 140 kg.

The platform 10 may be provided with indicia, such as a spirit level or the like, to indicate whether the upper support 5 is an a horizontal orientation. Figures 8 and 9 show the platform 10 provided with a spirit level 11 on tray 5.

With reference to Figure 7, the platform 10 may be provided in a range of different sizes to support ladders or supportive frames of different sizes.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a support platform is provided which supports a ladder or the like and which comprises an adjustable upper support arrangement on which the ladder rests in use and the angle of which is adjustable to allow the ladder to be positioned in a substantially vertical orientation on inclined or uneven ground. The upper support arrangement is further arranged such that at least one part of the upper support arrangement may be raised and lowered to select the desired inclination or position of the upper support arrangement. The upper support arrangement is further arranged to allow the ladder or the like to be simply raised from the ground, with the first and second parts of the upper support arrangement being at the same vertical position and defining a notional support plane which is parallel with, rather than inclined relative to, the ground.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Furthermore, where reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

2016201569 26 Apr 2018

Claims

1. A levelling platform for levelling a ladder or the like, including a pair of laterally spaced apart uprights and an upper support arrangement arranged to engage with the uprights such that the ladder or the like can be placed on and supported by the upper support arrangement so as to be spaced from the ground, the arrangement being such that one part of the upper support arrangement is engaged by one upright, with a second part of the upper support arrangement being selectively engageable with one of a plurality of engagement points provided on the other upright to control/determine the vertical position of the second part relative to the first part, the plurality of engagement points being vertically spaced along the other upright such that the second part of the upper support arrangement can be positioned higher and lower than the first part of the upper support arrangement;

wherein the pair of uprights are fixed to opposing ends of an elongate cross piece which laterally spaces the uprights apart, and wherein the elongate cross piece comprises a base of the platform.

2. The platform of claim 1, wherein the uprights and cross piece are integrally formed.

3 The platform of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base comprises a base plate.

4. The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper support arrangement comprises a substantially rigid elongate member the first and second parts of which are distal ends, each end being configured to engage with a respective upright so as to extend laterally across the space between the uprights.

5. The platform of any one of the preceding claims wherein both uprights are provided with a plurality of engagement points, such that the vertical position of both the first and the second parts of the upper support arrangement can be adjusted relative to the respective upright with which the first and second parts are engaged.

2016201569 26 Apr 2018

6. The platform of any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of engagement points are arranged such that the first and second parts of the upper support arrangement can be positioned on their respective uprights at the same height/vertical position.

7. The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each engagement point comprises a recess in the upright.

8. The platform of claim 7 wherein the recess comprises a slot extending through the upright.

9. The platform of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein each recess is elongate.

10. The platform of claim 7, wherein the first and/or second parts of the upper support arrangement are slidably engageable with each recess in the respective uprights.

11. The platform of claim 1, wherein the upper support arrangement comprises a pair of separate stages, each stage being configured to engage with a respective upright.

12. The platform of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the upper support arrangement comprises a substantially planar support plate on which the ladder or the like rests in use.

13. The platform of claim 12, further comprising at least one upwardly directed lip extending along at least a portion of an edge of the support plate to engage part of the ladder or the like in use to resist the ladder from sliding from the levelling platform.

14. The platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more feet protruding from an underside of the platform.

15. The platform of any one of the preceding claims further comprising bracing extending from each upright and arranged to support the uprights in the upright condition.

2016201569 26 Apr 2018

16. The platform of claim 15 wherein the bracing extends between one or both uprights and a base of the platform.

17. The platform of claim 15 wherein the bracing extends between the uprights.

Ο

C\|

1/5 .10

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

2/5

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

FIGURE 4

3/5

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

FIGURE 5

4/5

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

FIGURE 6

FIGURE 7

5/5

2016201569 10 Mar 2016

FIGURE 8

FIGURE 9