CA1300578C - Ladder stabilizer - Google Patents
Ladder stabilizerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1300578C CA1300578C CA000527185A CA527185A CA1300578C CA 1300578 C CA1300578 C CA 1300578C CA 000527185 A CA000527185 A CA 000527185A CA 527185 A CA527185 A CA 527185A CA 1300578 C CA1300578 C CA 1300578C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ladder
- buttressing
- attached
- support member
- vertical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C7/00—Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories
- E06C7/42—Ladder feet; Supports therefor
- E06C7/423—Ladder stabilising struts
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C7/00—Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories
- E06C7/42—Ladder feet; Supports therefor
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ladders (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In a device for levelling and providing lateral stability for portable upright ladders, a rigid movable member is laterally buttressed against the ground and a rigid member which is securely fastened on the bottom outside section of each ladder beam. The rigid members attached to the ladder rails act as the main supports and serve also to hold and lock the movable buttressing members along a section of their length. The movable lateral buttressing members which have flexible foot pads are attached to the main supports by means of braces with movable joints at both ends of these braces. The buttressing members can be locked securely to the main supports by inserting them into serrated sections of the main supports. The ladder is levelled on sloping or undulating ground by adjusting the movable lateral buttressing members up or own and locking them to the main supports when the foot pads are wholly in contact with the ground and the ladder is in a safe vertical position. A ladder with such a device installed to it can be quickly and easily levelled and will have significantly increased lateral stability vis a vis it and the ground it is positioned on.
In a device for levelling and providing lateral stability for portable upright ladders, a rigid movable member is laterally buttressed against the ground and a rigid member which is securely fastened on the bottom outside section of each ladder beam. The rigid members attached to the ladder rails act as the main supports and serve also to hold and lock the movable buttressing members along a section of their length. The movable lateral buttressing members which have flexible foot pads are attached to the main supports by means of braces with movable joints at both ends of these braces. The buttressing members can be locked securely to the main supports by inserting them into serrated sections of the main supports. The ladder is levelled on sloping or undulating ground by adjusting the movable lateral buttressing members up or own and locking them to the main supports when the foot pads are wholly in contact with the ground and the ladder is in a safe vertical position. A ladder with such a device installed to it can be quickly and easily levelled and will have significantly increased lateral stability vis a vis it and the ground it is positioned on.
Description
~3~15~3 LADDER STABILIZER
This invention relates to a hand operated device for the levelling and lateral stabilization of portable upright ladders. There have been many attempts in the past to provide for an adequate ladder supporting device. Take, for example, the following which the inventor is familiar with: U.S. Patent Nos. 1,251,761 (Enke, Jan. 1, 1918); 1,385,319 (Enke, July 19, 1921);
3,508,628 ~Conrad, April 2~, 1970); 3,95~,112 (Steward, Dec. 24, 197~); 3,878,917 ~McBride, April 22, 1975);
4,147,231 (Chantler, April 3, 1979); and 4,244,446 (Mair, Jan. 13, 1981). All previously known ladcler stabilizing devices utilize solid vertical members that are ~astened to the ladder rail. Attached to the vertical. members are other movable members that extend laterally downward and outward which assist in levelling the ladder under conditions of slope. The problem with all of these previous devices lies in the relatively complex structure of the locking mechanism used to hold the laterally extending members to the vertical member.
These existing locking mechanisms essentially incorporate a complex assortment of moving parts, mechanical fasteners, springs etc. Besides being complex, these mechanisms are susceptible to higher rate of failure due to vibration, chemical corrosion and housing dirt and other foreign matter that would decrease their proper and efficient function.
- 30 The proposed ladder stabilizing device of the present invention compensates for the shortcomings in the designs of the previous inventions. Lateral ladder stability and levelling ability are provided by buttressing rigid movable members against the ground and vertical rigid members which are ~astened to each ladder f ~
~3~57~
rail. The buttressing members are attached to the main vertical support members by a third movable member or brace. This confi~uration allows for the extension and positioning of the laterally buttressing members with their foot pads, laterally from the ladder rails. The lateral buttressing members are easily and positively locked to the vertical support members by the simple yet unique and effective locking method employed in this device. The vertical support members are notched along a section of their lengths, resembling coarse sawteeth.
There are also holes drilled into the vertical support members that align each hole with each notch.
Furthermore, there is a hole drilled through the top part of the movable buttressing member. In order for the buttressing member to be locked into the vertical supporting member the top and a buttressing member is easily and ~uicXly posikioned into an appropriate notch in the vertical support member and a contoured pin is inserted through the holes in both member to ensure that both members are held securely together.
The disadvantages of the previous inventions are overcome by the proposed ladder supporting device which is easy to manufacture, easy to install, which enhances the usage of ladders. Moreover it is simple to use, effective and safe. The proposed ladder stabilizing device has numerous advantages. First~ it provides the ladder with a wider base at the bottom which helps to stabilize the ladder and drastically reduces lateral movement. Second the device allows for the ladder to be levelled on a sloping or a stepped surface. Third, the device does not interfere with the normal operation or function of the ladder. Fourth, when not being used, the device stores neatly and compactly on the side of the ladder rails. Fifth, it is very simple to install ~L3()Q~i71~
. . .
with very few and common tools required. Sixth, the device can also be used with other ladders, such as stepladders, to improve their stability. Seventh, the simple but very effective locking mechanism o~ this device assures quick and positive locking of the critical parts every time it is usecl. Eighth, the device makes a ladder safer to use.
Thereforer in accordance with the present invention there is provided a ladder stabilizer and levelling device for attachment to at least one vertical member of a ladder, the device comprising a support member adapted to be attached adjacent the lower end o~
one vertical member of the ladder, a buttressing member having a first end releaseably attached to the support member and a second end angularly displaced from the support member and a brace ~lember pivotally joined between the support member and the buttressing member.
20The invention will now be described in greater detail in conjunction with the attached figures wherein:
FIGU~E 1 is a perspective view of the stabilizer and levelling device of the present invention; and FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the levelling and stabilizing device of FIGURE 1.
Referring now to Figure 1 there is illustrated a conventional ladder illustrated generally at 10. Ladder 10 has vertical member 12 and horizontal members 13 and foot pad 14 as is well known ladders of this type. The ladder levelling and stabilizing device shown generally at 20 comprises a vertical member 22 secured to vertical member 1~ by means of suitable fasteners such as metal screws 24 or bolts and nuts as is well known in the ~3~57~
art. As illustrated, support member 22 is in the form of a channel member having side members 26 and 27.
Channel side members 26 and 27 are provided with notches 28 which, as illustrated in Figure 1, slope downwardly~
Adjacent each notch is a hole 29 to receive locking pin 30.
Buttressing member 40 has an upper end 42 and a lower end 4~. As best seen in Figure 2, buttressing membex 40 is also a channel which is preferably of a larger dimension than the channel of support member 22 so that the side members 45 and 46 lie on either side of side members 26 and 27 of support member 22. As illustrated, upper end 42 of buttressing member 43 slides into and is secured in notches 28 in support member 22. Hole 47 in buttres~ing member 40 is also designed to receive locking pin 30 in order to retain the upper end 42 o~ buttressing member 40 securely locked within notch 28.
The end 44 of buttressing member 40 is provided with a foot member generally shown at 50. Foot 50 comprises plate 52 having attached thereto by any suitable means U-shaped member 54. Extension arm 56 is pivotally connected to U-shaped member 54 by means of pin 58 as best seen in Figure 2. The upper end of extension arm 56 is similarly pivoted to end 44 of buttressing member 40 by means of pin 59.
In this way, plate 50 is permitted to pivot in both laterally and perpendicularly with respect to the ladder so as to accommodate uneven ground surfaces.
Also attached to support member 22 is brace member 70.
Brace member 70 is pivotaIly connected to support member ~ r~
~3~0~
22 by pin 72 as best seen in Figure 2. As channel member 40 is of greater dimension than support member 22, a U-shaped filler me~ber 74 is located within channel 40 and brace arm 70 is pivotally connected to filler member 74 and buttressing member 40 by means of pin 76. Pin 76 is located in hole 7~ of buttressing arm ~0 .
In operation stabilizing and levelling device 20 is attached to one or both legs of a ladder 10 as shown in Figure 1. Buttressing a~m 40 is pivoted about its fulcrum which is located approximately at hole 78 so that the plate 52 is resting on the uneven ground surface and upper end 42 is positioned within t:he appropriate notch 28. Locking pin 30 is inserted through the holes in buttressiny member 40 and support member 22 in order to lock the two members together.
Downward pressure on horizontal rail 13 as by an individual climbing the ladder forces ladder leg 12 and foot 50 downwardly which in turn forces buttressiny arm 40 upwardly to be more firmly seated in notch 28. It is to be understood, of course, that similar devices on both vertical members of the ladder 10 will be individually adjusted in order to support the ladder in a vertical orientation. It is also understood that the stabilizing and levelling device of the present invention may be installed on other forms of ladders such as stepladders.
When the ladder levelling and stabilizing device is no longer re~uired, the locking pin 30 is removed from hole 29 and the buttressing member is pivoted by means of pivot pins 72 and 76 so that brace arm 70 fits , v ~
, 13V~57~
~ 6 -within channel 22 and buttressing arm 40 fits outside of support member 22 so that it is neatly positioned beside the vertical member of ladder 10 so as not to interfere with normal transportation and storage of the ladder.
In describing the present invention, the preferred embodiment has been used for t:he purposes of illustration. It is to be understood, however, that other embodiments or modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after reading of this disclosure.
~he invention is, accordingly, not to be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated but only in accordance with the appended claims.
, .
This invention relates to a hand operated device for the levelling and lateral stabilization of portable upright ladders. There have been many attempts in the past to provide for an adequate ladder supporting device. Take, for example, the following which the inventor is familiar with: U.S. Patent Nos. 1,251,761 (Enke, Jan. 1, 1918); 1,385,319 (Enke, July 19, 1921);
3,508,628 ~Conrad, April 2~, 1970); 3,95~,112 (Steward, Dec. 24, 197~); 3,878,917 ~McBride, April 22, 1975);
4,147,231 (Chantler, April 3, 1979); and 4,244,446 (Mair, Jan. 13, 1981). All previously known ladcler stabilizing devices utilize solid vertical members that are ~astened to the ladder rail. Attached to the vertical. members are other movable members that extend laterally downward and outward which assist in levelling the ladder under conditions of slope. The problem with all of these previous devices lies in the relatively complex structure of the locking mechanism used to hold the laterally extending members to the vertical member.
These existing locking mechanisms essentially incorporate a complex assortment of moving parts, mechanical fasteners, springs etc. Besides being complex, these mechanisms are susceptible to higher rate of failure due to vibration, chemical corrosion and housing dirt and other foreign matter that would decrease their proper and efficient function.
- 30 The proposed ladder stabilizing device of the present invention compensates for the shortcomings in the designs of the previous inventions. Lateral ladder stability and levelling ability are provided by buttressing rigid movable members against the ground and vertical rigid members which are ~astened to each ladder f ~
~3~57~
rail. The buttressing members are attached to the main vertical support members by a third movable member or brace. This confi~uration allows for the extension and positioning of the laterally buttressing members with their foot pads, laterally from the ladder rails. The lateral buttressing members are easily and positively locked to the vertical support members by the simple yet unique and effective locking method employed in this device. The vertical support members are notched along a section of their lengths, resembling coarse sawteeth.
There are also holes drilled into the vertical support members that align each hole with each notch.
Furthermore, there is a hole drilled through the top part of the movable buttressing member. In order for the buttressing member to be locked into the vertical supporting member the top and a buttressing member is easily and ~uicXly posikioned into an appropriate notch in the vertical support member and a contoured pin is inserted through the holes in both member to ensure that both members are held securely together.
The disadvantages of the previous inventions are overcome by the proposed ladder supporting device which is easy to manufacture, easy to install, which enhances the usage of ladders. Moreover it is simple to use, effective and safe. The proposed ladder stabilizing device has numerous advantages. First~ it provides the ladder with a wider base at the bottom which helps to stabilize the ladder and drastically reduces lateral movement. Second the device allows for the ladder to be levelled on a sloping or a stepped surface. Third, the device does not interfere with the normal operation or function of the ladder. Fourth, when not being used, the device stores neatly and compactly on the side of the ladder rails. Fifth, it is very simple to install ~L3()Q~i71~
. . .
with very few and common tools required. Sixth, the device can also be used with other ladders, such as stepladders, to improve their stability. Seventh, the simple but very effective locking mechanism o~ this device assures quick and positive locking of the critical parts every time it is usecl. Eighth, the device makes a ladder safer to use.
Thereforer in accordance with the present invention there is provided a ladder stabilizer and levelling device for attachment to at least one vertical member of a ladder, the device comprising a support member adapted to be attached adjacent the lower end o~
one vertical member of the ladder, a buttressing member having a first end releaseably attached to the support member and a second end angularly displaced from the support member and a brace ~lember pivotally joined between the support member and the buttressing member.
20The invention will now be described in greater detail in conjunction with the attached figures wherein:
FIGU~E 1 is a perspective view of the stabilizer and levelling device of the present invention; and FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the levelling and stabilizing device of FIGURE 1.
Referring now to Figure 1 there is illustrated a conventional ladder illustrated generally at 10. Ladder 10 has vertical member 12 and horizontal members 13 and foot pad 14 as is well known ladders of this type. The ladder levelling and stabilizing device shown generally at 20 comprises a vertical member 22 secured to vertical member 1~ by means of suitable fasteners such as metal screws 24 or bolts and nuts as is well known in the ~3~57~
art. As illustrated, support member 22 is in the form of a channel member having side members 26 and 27.
Channel side members 26 and 27 are provided with notches 28 which, as illustrated in Figure 1, slope downwardly~
Adjacent each notch is a hole 29 to receive locking pin 30.
Buttressing member 40 has an upper end 42 and a lower end 4~. As best seen in Figure 2, buttressing membex 40 is also a channel which is preferably of a larger dimension than the channel of support member 22 so that the side members 45 and 46 lie on either side of side members 26 and 27 of support member 22. As illustrated, upper end 42 of buttressing member 43 slides into and is secured in notches 28 in support member 22. Hole 47 in buttres~ing member 40 is also designed to receive locking pin 30 in order to retain the upper end 42 o~ buttressing member 40 securely locked within notch 28.
The end 44 of buttressing member 40 is provided with a foot member generally shown at 50. Foot 50 comprises plate 52 having attached thereto by any suitable means U-shaped member 54. Extension arm 56 is pivotally connected to U-shaped member 54 by means of pin 58 as best seen in Figure 2. The upper end of extension arm 56 is similarly pivoted to end 44 of buttressing member 40 by means of pin 59.
In this way, plate 50 is permitted to pivot in both laterally and perpendicularly with respect to the ladder so as to accommodate uneven ground surfaces.
Also attached to support member 22 is brace member 70.
Brace member 70 is pivotaIly connected to support member ~ r~
~3~0~
22 by pin 72 as best seen in Figure 2. As channel member 40 is of greater dimension than support member 22, a U-shaped filler me~ber 74 is located within channel 40 and brace arm 70 is pivotally connected to filler member 74 and buttressing member 40 by means of pin 76. Pin 76 is located in hole 7~ of buttressing arm ~0 .
In operation stabilizing and levelling device 20 is attached to one or both legs of a ladder 10 as shown in Figure 1. Buttressing a~m 40 is pivoted about its fulcrum which is located approximately at hole 78 so that the plate 52 is resting on the uneven ground surface and upper end 42 is positioned within t:he appropriate notch 28. Locking pin 30 is inserted through the holes in buttressiny member 40 and support member 22 in order to lock the two members together.
Downward pressure on horizontal rail 13 as by an individual climbing the ladder forces ladder leg 12 and foot 50 downwardly which in turn forces buttressiny arm 40 upwardly to be more firmly seated in notch 28. It is to be understood, of course, that similar devices on both vertical members of the ladder 10 will be individually adjusted in order to support the ladder in a vertical orientation. It is also understood that the stabilizing and levelling device of the present invention may be installed on other forms of ladders such as stepladders.
When the ladder levelling and stabilizing device is no longer re~uired, the locking pin 30 is removed from hole 29 and the buttressing member is pivoted by means of pivot pins 72 and 76 so that brace arm 70 fits , v ~
, 13V~57~
~ 6 -within channel 22 and buttressing arm 40 fits outside of support member 22 so that it is neatly positioned beside the vertical member of ladder 10 so as not to interfere with normal transportation and storage of the ladder.
In describing the present invention, the preferred embodiment has been used for t:he purposes of illustration. It is to be understood, however, that other embodiments or modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after reading of this disclosure.
~he invention is, accordingly, not to be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated but only in accordance with the appended claims.
, .
Claims (10)
1. A ladder stabilizer and levelling device for attachment to at least one vertical member of a ladder, the device comprising a support member adapted to be attached adjacent the lower end of said vertical member, a buttressing member having a first end releaseably attached to the support member and a second end angularly displaced from the support member and a brace member pivotally connected to said support member and said buttressing member.
2. The ladder stabilizer and levelling device of Claim 1 wherein said first end of said buttressing member is releaseably attached to said support member by locking means.
3. The device of Claim 2 wherein the location of said brace member on said buttressing member is at the fulcrum of said buttressing member such that pressure exerted on the second end of said buttressing member causes said first end of said buttressing member to be locked by said locking means.
4. The device of Claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of notches in said support member, said notches configured so as to receive the first end of said buttressing member.
5. The device of Claim 4 wherein said support member comprises a channel section and said notches are on either side of said channel section.
6. The device of Claim 1 wherein said second end of said buttressing member has attached thereto a foot member.
7. The device of Claim 6 wherein said foot member is pivotally attached to said buttressing member.
8. A ladder levelling and stabilizer device attached to at least one vertical member of a ladder to be used on an uneven surface, the device comprising a support member attached near the lower end of the outer face of said vertical member, a buttressing member having a first and releaseably attached to the support member and a second end angularly displaced from the support member and configured so as to rest on the uneven surface when the ladder is in a vertical mode, and a brace member pivotally joined to said support member and said buttressing member.
9. The ladder levelling and stabilizer device of Claim 8 wherein said device is attached to both vertical members of said ladder.
10. The ladder levelling and stabilizer device of Claim 8 wherein said device may be folded adjacent said vertical member for storage.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000527185A CA1300578C (en) | 1987-01-13 | 1987-01-13 | Ladder stabilizer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000527185A CA1300578C (en) | 1987-01-13 | 1987-01-13 | Ladder stabilizer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1300578C true CA1300578C (en) | 1992-05-12 |
Family
ID=4134740
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000527185A Expired - Lifetime CA1300578C (en) | 1987-01-13 | 1987-01-13 | Ladder stabilizer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1300578C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2297961A1 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2008-05-01 | Escaleras Escalibur,S.L. | Portable ladder stabilizing accessories |
| GB2429686B (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2009-06-17 | Neil Ernest Baglin | Arrangements for facilitating safer usage of ladders |
-
1987
- 1987-01-13 CA CA000527185A patent/CA1300578C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2297961A1 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2008-05-01 | Escaleras Escalibur,S.L. | Portable ladder stabilizing accessories |
| GB2429686B (en) * | 2005-08-31 | 2009-06-17 | Neil Ernest Baglin | Arrangements for facilitating safer usage of ladders |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4941547A (en) | Safety featured ladder scaffolding | |
| EP0079893B1 (en) | Levelling device for ladders | |
| US8607932B2 (en) | Ladder stabilizing attachments | |
| US5335754A (en) | Self-levelling ladder | |
| US3028929A (en) | Ladder attachment | |
| US7222696B2 (en) | Independently adjustable extensions for leveling a ladder | |
| US6779632B1 (en) | Adjustable leveling stepladder | |
| US5020757A (en) | Ladder jack clamping devices | |
| US20020074187A1 (en) | Stabilizers for a step ladder and a step ladder equipped with stabilizers | |
| JPH116284A (en) | Expansion leg for working bench | |
| US4433754A (en) | Stepladder stabilizer assembly | |
| US4972923A (en) | Ladder platform | |
| US5325936A (en) | Ladder leveler | |
| US2971602A (en) | Ladder leg levelling device | |
| US6533071B1 (en) | Ladder with incorporated stabilizers | |
| US20060054398A1 (en) | Ladder stabilizer | |
| CA1300578C (en) | Ladder stabilizer | |
| US2574286A (en) | Ladder brace | |
| US2801886A (en) | Combination step and scaffold shelf for ladders | |
| US4896745A (en) | Adjustable base for ladders and like objects | |
| US718602A (en) | Roof-bracket. | |
| US5305851A (en) | Safety ladder | |
| US6681892B2 (en) | Ladder and associated method for securing same to object | |
| US3212606A (en) | Trestle structure | |
| US4823913A (en) | Simplified self supporting scaffold structure having safety features |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |