CA2115752A1 - Ladder, kit and leaning support for ladders - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Ladders (1) are equipped with a leaning support (20) during production or as an accessory, so that according to the use of the ladder (1), they may be set up and used with a leaning element for flat walls (5), for example even for glass surfaces or inner (21) and outer (22) corners of walls, as well as for large columns, in a safe and non-damaging manner.
The invention allows people to work on a ladder with a safety against accidents which was hitherto impossible to achieve, and without damaging building components, vehicles, aircraft, ships and furniture.

Description

~ 1 .5 ~' ~ 2 Ladder, kit, and positioning support for ladder Technical field:

The invention relates to ladders with two stringers or stiles which are connected by rungs and which form a foot end and an opposite upper application end, and are adapted to be leaned against wall surfaces.
Ladders are probably amongst ~he oldest aids for work-men, and more and more for domestic and leisure use as well, for carrying out quickly small tasks at heights which the average person cannot reach.

State of the art:

Very many different kinds of ladder are produced.
From for example very simple wooden ladders, aluminium ladders, stepladders, to complicated ladders for example combined extension and step ladders. Simple lean-on ladders have the advantage that positioning them at an inclination against the wall results in putting the user at a certain distance from the wall, so that, depending on the length of the ladder, articles of furniture, or some body, or for e~ample a strip of garden in a loweI-corner region between ground and wall are bridged and do not cause trouble. For lean-on ladders there i9 an opti-mum angle of lean of about 70, this corresponding to safety-technology standards and regulations.
The accident risk rises with the height to ~hich the person using the ladder has to climb, but there are more particularly especial risks with smooth ground surfaces and walls, since in such cases there is often only slight 2 ~ 3 2 adhesion, because the contact surfaces on the ladder are very small and hard. The predominantly vertically acting forces emanating from the ladder user divide of course into a vertical force normal to the ground and a horizontal sli-ding force which, in the event of insufficient adhesion between ladder end and ground, on for example polished floors, can result in the ladder slipping away which can be prevented only by a second person exerting counter-pressure on the foot end. When carrying out cleaning work on glass surfaces the risk of ladders slipping off is often obviated by using pairs of steps, or step ladders, which are inde-pendent of walls. But on the other hand a step ladder also has considerable other disadvantages, in fact, since it has only limited stability, and the working distances when carrying out work on walls are usually disadvantageous as well.
Slipping-away~of a ladder at the foot end can be pre-vented by additional safety measures; on the other hand, ;
sideways slipping-a~ay of the upper application end of a ladder on the wall is a further danger. Ho~ever the general experience is that going up ladders does not present great risks provided that regulations for use are observed: for example correct angle of lean, examination of ground friction conditions, considering the nature of the ~.~all surface sa-tisfactory application of the upper ladder application ends against vertical surfaces and the lo~er foot ends against the ground.
Thus, dangers when using ladders result not only from weight loads but more particularly from the lateral actions of forces emanating from the activity of the person on the ladder. The stiles of a ladder are usually of slightly elastic construction, so that small unevennesses, or where floor and wall do not precisely form two surfaces at right 21 ~ ~i r~ 3 2 angles, are equalised-out elastically by ladder torsion.
But in many cases it is not possible to eliminate relatively large deviations in that way. In actual practice, theref-ore, desirable ideal conditions for the positioning of ladders are unfortunately not provided, so that the user often makes risky compromises. For example he or she goes up the ladder even when only the more or less hard, point-contact application ena of one stile is bearing against the wall. The other application end is then constrained by slight twisting of the ladder, though unsafely, to abut on the wall. Then especially if the user does not have a good natural technical sense, an unstable situation develops, since the action of the user's force co-operates with the internal~preload of the ladder, with an only limited pressure-application adhesion. In addition, when such stresses occur the two foot ends also receive destabilising unfavou-~/ --o~ls rable force effects, resulting in danger/ accident situ-ations.
Further sources of danger lie in the fact that con-ditions may be disadvantageous to virtually impossible for positioning ladders in certain space circumstances such as external and/or internal corners formed by ~alls, and this is often neglected by ladder users.
A normal ladder also cannot, wi~llout additional secu-ring arrangements, be leaned on posts or columns of less than 40 cm diameter. Many acciden~-pre~ention authorities -and ladder manufacturers issue instruction literature indi-cating that such risky uses are forbidden, to avoid corr-esponding considerable risks of accident.
Besides known accident risks, ladder users come up against a further large problem area, that of damage to wall and ground or floor surfaces by scratching, rubbing and pressure marks, for example in the case of delicate colour coatings, glass, stone, wood surfaces, etc.

Representation of the invention :

The invention had as its object more particularly to improve safety for ladder users, so that accidents con-nected therewith can be prevented as far as possible, also to considerably widen the safe range of possible uses for lean-on ladders and also to obviate damaging buildings, without complicating the work carried out standing on lad-ders or complicating the use of ladders. The in~ention had a further part-object to make it possible for e~isting lad-ders to be provided with subsequent equipment, or refitted, in a simple and safe manner, and for use-specific various ladder application systems to be interchanged in seconds within the context of a modular system.
The solution according to the invention is characteri-sed in that the two upper application ends have pairwise-arranged bearing contact surfaces which can be effective in ~ -or brought into two spatial directions.
The inventor perceived that hitherto the problem of ladders was so to speak seen only in one plane, or in two, as far as the manufacturer was concerned.
In normal use a lean-on ladder is placed on the ground and positioned against the wall at an angle of 70. The ladder is dimensioned in accordance with given loads. The rest is up to the user.
For special uses it is known to provide at the appli-cation ends for example screw connections for example accor-ding to US PS No. 4 143 743. For normal lean-on ladders the manufacturers did not take into their considerations the third plane, a transverse plane perpendicular to the walll although it is precisely in this plane that the most problems can be eliminated, such as:
- risks of accidents to users, - damage to objects and articles.
To ensure safe support of the upper application ends against wall surfaces, simply bearing contact zones acting - 211 a ~ j ~

perpendicularly against the wall are not adequate. It is more particularly preferred according to the inven~ion to arrange the bearing contact surfaces such that they contact the wall over a full surface and are constructed for example as interchangeable intensive-adhesion studs with circular bearing contact surfaces.
If additional bearing contact surfaces are arranged to act in other spatial directions it is also possible to counteract the various forces acting from the work being performed. It is proposed to arrange the individual bea-ring contact surfaces in paired/mirror-image situations re-latively to a plane wall surface and/or to the two surfaces of an internal and/or external corner, and especially pre-ferably the bearing contact surfaces are constructed as adhesion elements whose directionsof action are situated in a common plane of action - for multifunctional usability for plane wall surfaces and for internal and external corners.
It has been found, surprisingly, that according to the invention not only is great additional safety achieved in normal cases of use against plane wall surfaces but for the first time, contrary to what is prescribed in the state of the art hitherto, the use of ladders on internal ~`
and external corners is made possible, and even offers greater safety than when using ladders on a straight wall.
Many tests have shown a positioning safety even in many extreme situations such as could not be achieved hitherto by means of lean-on ladders of known type.
Advanta~eously the common piane of action of the bea-ring contact surfaces is situated transversely to the two stiles, or it is adapted to be brought into a transverse plane which forms an angle of preferably about 110 re-latively to the stiles. The application ends can be con-structed as angled-over fixed extensions of the two stiles and ~he bearing contact surfaces arranged on the application ends.

2~7~2 The invention also relates to a ladder with two stiles which form a foot end and an upper lean-on or application end, and is characterised in that the two stiles comprise an articulation for a pivot pin in the region of the upper application ends.
In a further especially advantageous feature of the invention the application end is constructed as a positio-ning prop or support which is connectable via the articu- ~
lations to the stiles, the articulations forming preferably -an axis of rotation parallel to the rungs of the ladder.
In the fitted state the positioning support is angled at about 110 relatively to the stiles, and is so limited in both directions of rotation by abutments that it can be `
lifted and lowered readily about the axis of rotation. Tests have shown that by means of an articulated connection the user-caused vertical spring moment of a lean on ladder is oscillated-out, and instead of an adhesion-reducing slip-ping of the bearing contact surfaces an adhesion-intensive permanent pressing-on of the bearing contact surfaces is ensured. As a result, risks of accident or damage to wall surfaces are reduced or excluded. The bearing contact surfaces are constructed from individual, preferably inter-changeable, rubber or plastics-type adhesion elements, for example as rubber studs. The bearing contact surfaces can be constructed as round or multi-face shaped elements, the bearing contact surfaces consisting of individual surface ~
elements directed in various spatial directions. ~ -According to a further feature it is proposed to con-struct the application ends as continuations of the two stiles, which are adjus~able by means of hinge-type arti-culations into a position angled relatively to the stiles, -and preferably the two application ends are positioning supports forming a rotatable unit.
~:':. ',' ~ r~ ~ 2 The invention further relates to a kit for a ladder having two stiles constituting a foot end and an upper app-lication end, and is characterised in that the kit compr-ises at least two transition pieces which in the region of the application end are connectable to the two stiles, and preferably have articulations.
Often, new inventions bring actual progress in the sense that, with an insignificant outlay, considerable damage, accident risks, trouble etc. could be avoided and/or rational and economic aspects are massively im-proved. But since an invention is connected fundamen-tally with products, all previous old products not having the new inventiYe quality should be replaced or discar-ded. Bùt, on rational grounds, in actual practice this is only done to a small extent, which hinders real technical progress. In the case of ladders this problem could be solved in a surprisingly simple way with the idea accor-ding to the invention of the kit with the central element comprising two transition pieces which are fixable to the stiles, assemblable with force-locking connections with lean-on ladders by means of a pin and hole pattern sys-tem even over ranges of many different rung spacingsand rung dimensions. Each transition piece can be of two-part construction; an articulation head part securely attachable on or to the stile end, and a second clamping part adapted to be connected to said articulation head part and adapted to be clamped fast along the stiles preferably with respect to a rung. 80 to 90 % of all existing ladders, or lean-on ladders, can be refitted in this way. Thus existing ladders retain their material ~alue entirely, and canberefitted with the new ladder addition system according to the invention by means of small holes at the two stile ends.

7 ~ 2 For the basic application function the kit has paired protective caps made preferably of rubber-type or syn- , thetic plastic material type material, these being connec-table at the articulations by means of rapid-action fas tenings to the transition pieces and thus the lean-on ladder.
As a further main element it comprises a positioning support for a multifunctionally extended ladder use range, this being connectable via the articulations to the tran-sition pieces and being constru,cted as a positioning ele-ment against internal wall corners and ex~ernal wall cor--ners and also as an application element for normal walls.
A se,curing element, preferably a rapid clamping ele-ment, for rapid assembly or disassembly and/or inter-changing of various positioning supports or protective caps. ~' The interchangeable modular-type multifunctional positioning supports usually have preferably for both stiles pivot pins with surplus length for assembly with ladders of differing widths.
In an especially advantageous feature of the invention in the form of a positioning support this is characterised in that it has a plurality of elastic bearing contact sur-faces which are arranged on two supporting'arms pairwise in each case. Preferably there are arranged on each sup-porting arm at least three elastic b,earing contact surfaces whose directions of action fo'rm an angle, preferably of ''' twice 45 in each case, constructed as a 3-function head.
It has been found that a lean-on ladder with a posi-tioning suppo~rt not only provides greater safety for the user but affords also the quite special advantage of grea-ter/optimum spacing between ladder and wall in the uppermost region even with the greater safety achieved.
It is also proposed that the positioning support has a pivot pin or two pivot pins arranged on the opposite side 7 ~ 2 g from the bearing contact surfaces, and preferably situ-ated in a common plane with the bearing contact surfaces.
Advantageously the bearing contact surfaces are con-structed with variously orientated bearing contact sur-faces, or as individual studs with an annular bearing con-tact surface.
In a further advantageous feature the positioning support, secured movably on a central pivot pin, has four pivotably secured supporting arms. The four supporting arms can be brought each by means of 90 locating arrange-ments integral with the pivot pin into three different po-sitions and used fivefold-functionally through 45-angled bearing studs. The preferably soft individual bearing contact studs are made of rubber and/or soft synthetic plastic material, so that together with up to 8-fold po-sitioning surfaces only optimum-reduced and careful press-ure application forces result against highly vulnerable backgrounds such as for example glass. Especially prefe-rably the supporting arms are arranged to be individually pivotable for a multifunctional use capability on plane surfaces and/or internal and external wall corners.
In the following the invention will now be described with the use of a plurality of examples of embodiment with further details.

Short descrip~,ion of the invention In the drawings:
; IFig. 1 shjows a classic simple lean-on ladder;
Fig. 2 is a side view of a refitted ladder according to the invention;
plan Fig. 2a is a/view thereo~,positioned against a straight wall;
Fig. 2b is a plan view when the ladder is positioned against an internal corner;
Fig. 2c is a plan view when the ladder is positioned against an external corner;

-Fig. 3 shows a flat positioning support;
Fig. 3a shows a rubber stud with an annular bearing contact surface;
Figs. 4, 4a, 4b, 4c show similarly to Figs. 2 a simple positioning support with fixed angled upper stile ends in the three basic forms of use;
Figs. 5 and 5a show angled supporting arms which are connectable securely to the stiles;
Figs. 6 and 6a correspond to Figs. 4, 4a, 4b;
Figs. 7 and 7a show angled supporting arms which are connected to the stiles by means of a hinge;
Figs. 8 and 8a show angled supporting arms which are connected to the transi~ion pieces/s~iles by means of a pivot pin;
Figs. 9, 9a, 9b and 9c show the use of pairwise-arranged one~piece supporting paws with variously orien-tated bearing contact surfaces in the three basic kinds of use;
Figs. 10, lOa, lOb and lOc show similarly to Fig. 9 -~
pairwise-arranged one-piece supporting paws but in cir-cular-disc form;
Figs. 11, lla, llb and llc show various elements of a modular system9 especially with a transition piece;
Figs. 12, 12a, 12b and 12c show various positions of protective caps;
Figs. 13, 13a, 13b9 13CI 13d and 13e show a positioning support with four supporting arms for surface support.
.': .
Ways!of carrying out the invention Fig.l shows a conventional simple lean-on ladder 1 which is supported~a a foot- end ,~on a floor 4 by means of a foot end 2 and is leaned against a flat wall 5 by means of an upperapplication end 3. The lean-on ladder l has ~wo stiles 6 and 6' respectively and a plurality of rungs 7. The stiles 6 and 6' of the lean-on ladder 1 are 7 i 2 leaned at an inclination against the wall 5 at an angle ~
of about 70 to the floor 4. Considered ideally a weight G
corresponding to the weight of a user divides into a vertical force V and a horizontal force H on the floor, and an application force AW against the wall 5. The lean-on ladder 1 is first placed vertically on the floor 4 and then leaned against the wall 5 parallel to the wall 8 through a vertical plane 8' through an imaginary central line 9.
The two application ends 3 of the stiles 6 and 6' bring about the application force AW, these forces acting in sub-stantially the same directions in a horizontal imaginary transverse plane 10. The corresponding angle ~ supple-ments the angle ~ being about 110 relatively to the two stiles 6 and 6'. When being positioned against and taken away from the wall 5 the lean-on ladder 1 basically carries out a movement according to arrow AB. It is assumed that at least during use the lean-on ladder 1 t or the upper applicatiOn end 3, carries out no lateral movement S within the transverse plane 10.
Fig. 2 should now be referred to t this showing an example of embodiment of the new invention, with the three most important varieties of use. Fig. 2 is a side view of a ladder 1 against a wall 5. The ladder 1 is leaned against the wall 5 via a positioning prop or support 20.
Fig. 2a is a plan view of Fig. 2 and shows the ladder 1 used at a flat vertical wall surface 5. Fig. 2b is also a plan view on to Fig. 2 but shows the use of the ladder 1 on an internal corner 21 formed by two corresponding wall surfaces 21' and 21" respectively situated at an angle of 90 to one another. Fig. 2c is a further plan view on to Fig- 2, showing the ladder 1 used at an external corner 22 which is again formed by two corresponding wall sur-faces 22' and 22" situated at an angle of 90 relatively 2 ~

to one another.
The positioning support 20 is shown on a larger scaie in Fig. 3 and comprises two supporting arms 23, 23' res-pectively which are formed in mirror-image relationship with respect to a plane of symmetry 24 and are connected securely by means of screws 25 to form one unit. Arranged at the two supporting arms 23, 23' respectively are a plu-rality of bearing contact surfaces 26, which are formed by individual rubber studs 27. The rubber stud 27 has a di-rection of action Rl parallel to the vertical plane 8', and brings about substantially a perpendicular positioning force AW and is intended for positioning against a flat wall 5. An example of a rubber stud 27 is shown in per-spective in Fig. 3a and on a larger scale again. The po-sitioning force AW is transmitted to the wall 5 via an annular bearing contact surface 26. Here, normal forces -AN and friction forces AR resulting from the la~eral force actions AB, AB' respectively from the user are brought about, in accordance with the static friction between the material of the rubber stud 27 and the nature of the wall 5. Thus the stud 27 takes over very considerable lateral forces which emanate from the actions of force AB, AB' respect-iYely. The rubber stud 27 is pressed preferably inter-changeably into suitable holes 28 in the positioning sup~
port 20. The rubber stud 27' is directed to deviate at an angle of 45 from the direction of action of the positio-ning force AW, and is intended as a bearing contact sur-face 26 ~or an internal corner 21. Here the positionin~
force AW divides into a direction of action R2 and a di-rection of action R2' offset by 90, over the two sup-porting arms 23, 23' respectively. It will also be discer-ned from Fig. 3 that depending on the action of force AB, or AB' respectiYely by the rules of statics a greate normal force is exerted either on the left-hand rubber stud 27' or on the right-hand rubber stud 27'. As a result,in accordance with the increase in the normal force on the 21 ~ ~7~2 rubber stud 27' the friction force increases, and thus the static friction is increased through the corres-ponding surface 26. Thus within a normal working action an increase in the lateral sliding force when using the ladder in a corner results in increasing the safety level of the ladder supporting forces. Analogously the force ac-tions AB in the case of the rubber studs 27" result in an increase in the ladder supporting forces likewise when using the ladder at an external corner. To increase safety the studs 27" can be arranged double in each case.
The rubber studs 27"' come to be used when the ladder l is positioned against an upright o~ post. The effect in this case is identical to the action of the rubber studs 27".
In Fig. 3 an irregular line indicates a supporting paw 29 of the supporting arm 23'. At that side of the positioning supports 20 which is opposite from the rubber studs 27 there are rranged two pivot shafts 30, 30' respectively with a common axis of rotation 31, these being mounted ro-tatably by means of supporting bolts 32.
Figs. 4, 4a, 4b and 4c will now be referred to, these showing analogously to Figs. 2 to 2c the use of a ladder 1 on a flat wall 5 and on an internal corner 21 and external corner 22 respectively. Here the supporting paws 29 are identical to the construction shown in Fig. 3. But in Figs. 4, 4a, 4b, 4c the two supporting paws 29 constitute a prolongation of the stiles 6, 6' respectively, the app--lication end 3 being angled-over at an angle ~ of about 110. The transition arc 40 can be part of the stile pro-file itself. This solution is especially suitable for rather short, one-piece, very economically priced ladders~
Figs. 5 and 5a show a variant of Figs. 4, with a posi-tioning element 20'connected securely to the stiles for example by screwed connections.

7 5 ~

Figs. 6 and 6a correspond to Fig. 4.
Figs. 7 and 7a have a hinge 41 whicll establishes the connection of the positioning element 20" to the stiles 6, 6'. The hinge 41 can be put into an extended position (dashed line) when the ladder is not in use, so that only a small amount of space is required for storage. In the angled-over position (full-line position) a stop or abut-ment 42 secures in the working position.
Figs. 8 and 8a show the use of the positioning sup-ports 20 in the case of a ladder l with anarrangement faste-ning by means of the pivot pins 30, 30' respectively. Fig.
8 shows that various ladder widths LB can be connected with the pivot pins 30, 30', since the corresponding dimensions Spi and Spa respectively of the pivot pins 30, 30' are de-signed in accordance with the largest and smallest ladder widths.
Figs. 9, 9a, 9b and 9c show a simplified form of the supporting paws 29a, the supporting paw 29a being formed here of a single body made of rubber or synthetic plastic -~
material. The supporting paw 29a has an inside, front, and outside bearing contact surface 50, 51, 52 respectively, the inside bearing contact surface 50 forming an angle ~ of about 90 relatively to the outside bearing contact surface 52.
In Figs. 10, lOa, lOb and lOc a disc-shaped supporting paw 29b has been used.
Figs, 11 and lla show the upper application end 3 of a ladder 1. On each of the two stiles 6, 6' a transition piece 60 is mounted, at the head top and along the inside of the stiles 6, 6'. Each transition piece 60 consists of a joint head upper part 61 and a clamping part 62. The joint head upper part 61 is given a shape adapted to the head top, and can be secured by means of a cotter pin 63 in the stiles 6, 6' respectively. The clamping part is connected by means of dogs 64 to the joint head upper part 61, and is clamped by means of a clamping nut 65 to the joint head upper part 61 against a rung 7. The joint head upper part 61 has at the - 2~:~5752 end an articulation 66 which is constructed for securing for example the pivot pins 30, 30', in accordance with Figs.
2 and 3. Each pivot pin 3b, 30' (axis of rotation 31) is secured against the transition piece 60 by means of a rapid-action clamping element 67. Fig3. llb, llc and lld have ~three different forms of transition/9pieCciesn68, 68', 68" res-pectively so t~at the transition piece can also be adapted to various stile forms and/or types. A rubber abutment 69 is also securely mounted on the transition piece 6(). The rubber abutment 69 has a double function : firstly it consti-tutes a non~damaging bearing contact support on a flat wall S, and secondly the rubber abutment 69 serves as an abut~ent for the positioning support 20 also (Fig. 2, 2a, 2b, 2c).
Figs. 12, 12a, 12b and 12c show the use of protective caps 70 which can be mounted on each stile 6, 6' for example in place of the positioning supports 20, with the same kind of securing arrangement, by means of rapid-action clamping elements 67. The protective caps allow the application of the ladder against highly vulnerable surfaces such as to avoid damage and protect the transition pieces 60 from fou-ling.
Figs. 13, 13a to 13e show a face support 80 which in sn analogous manner to Figs. 2, 2a to 2c, is securable by means of an axis of rotation 31 or pivot pin 30,30' to the transition piece of a ladder 1. The face support 80 shows the double use of the supporting arms which here are arranged as a pair in each case offset vertically. The upper support part 81 and lower support part 82 are adjustable by means of in each case a spacing-pattern pivot 84/85 and secured on the connecting rod 83. Fig. 13a shows the use of the face support on a flat wall 5, Fig . 13b on an internal corner, and Fig. 13c on an external corner. The two support parts 81 and 82 according to a further feature are adapted to move pivotally about a vertical pivot point 84, 85 respec-tively outwardly and inwardly. Fig. 13d shows the support ~ ` 21~75~

parts 81 and 82 in the pivoted-in position on a strai&ht wall 5. Fig. 13e shows the swung-out position wherein the supporting surface is almost doubled as compared to Fig.
13d. The solutinns of Figs. 13d and 13e are suitable es-pecially for leaning the ladder directly against glass or other highly vulnerable surfaces.

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Claims (10)

1. AMENDED CLAIMS
   [Received by the International Bureau on November 3, 1993 (03.11-93); original claims 1 - 23 replaced by amended claims 1 - 10; (3 pages)]
   Claims l. Ladder with two stiles connected by rungs and forming a foot end and an opposite upper application end, which is adapted to be leaned by means of a positioning support free-ly against wall surfaces, characterised in that the posi-tioning support (20) has two supporting paws (29, 29a, 29b) on which shaped elements (27) are arranged (at least) pairwise in oppositely-identical situations, with (contact or) bea-ring contact surfaces (26, 50, 51, 52) directed to be effec-tive in at least two spatial directions each, for allowing multifunctional use of the ladder (l).
2. 2. Ladder according to claim l, characterised in that the shaped elements (27) are constructed as interchangeable ad-hesion elements of rubber stud type preferably, and their bearing contact surfaces (26, 50, 51, 52) are arranged con-gruently with respect to a plane wall surface (5) and/or to the two surfaces of an internal corner (21) and/or external corner (22).
3. 3. Ladder according to claim 1 or 2, charactertised in that the directions of action (R1, R2, R3) of the bearing contact surfaces (26, 50, 51, 52) are situated in a common plane of action or in parallel action planes, for three-functional usability of the ladder, for plane wall surfaces (5) as well as for internal corners (21) and external cor-ners (22).
4. 4. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 3, charac-terised in that the supporting paws (29, 29a, 29b) form angled-over extensions of the two stiles (6, 6'), such that the plane or planes of action of the bearing contact sur-faces is/are arranged transversely to the two stiles (6, 6') or bringable into a transverse plane (10) which forms with the stiles (6, 6') an angle in the range of about 100 to 120°, preferably about 110°.
5. 5. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 4, charac-terised in that the positioning support (20) is connec-table to the ladder (1) by means of articulations (30, 30', 41) arranged parallel to the rungs (7) and in the mounted state projects at an angle from the stiles (6, 6'), limited by abutments (42).
6. 6. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 8, charac-terised in that the bearing contact surfaces (26, 50, 51, 52) are formed on individual adhesion elements of rubber or synthetic plastic material type, for example on rubber studs (27), or as round or multi-surface shaped elements whose bearing contact surfaces (50, 51, 52) consist of in-dividual surface elements directed in various spatial di-rections.
7. 7. Kit for a ladder with two stiles which form a foot end and an upper application end with a positioning support, preferably according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the kit comprises at least two transition pieces (60) and has two supporting paws (29, 29a, 29b), adapted to be connected as a positioning support (20) with the transition pieces (60) and usable multi-functionally as a wall internal corner and wall external corner support and also as a face support.
8. 8. Kit according to claim 7, characterised in that it has securing elements, preferably rapid action clamping .
   elements (67) for rapid mounting or demounting with clam-ping parts which are adapted to be clamped fast prefer-ably opposite rungs (7).
9. 9. Kit according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the positioning support (20) has a securing arran-gement for example a pivot pin (30) having some overlength, for mounting on stiles/stile spacings of various widths.
10. 10. Positioning support for ladders, preferably accor-ding to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it has two supporting paws (29, 29a, 29b) with elastic shaped ele-ments or adhesion elements arranged thereon having at least three each bearing contact surfaces (26, 50, 51, 52) whose directions of action form an angle preferably of twice 45°
    each, and especially preferably are situated in a common plane, for use as a three-function head.