CA2322717A1 - Method and apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2322717A1 CA2322717A1 CA 2322717 CA2322717A CA2322717A1 CA 2322717 A1 CA2322717 A1 CA 2322717A1 CA 2322717 CA2322717 CA 2322717 CA 2322717 A CA2322717 A CA 2322717A CA 2322717 A1 CA2322717 A1 CA 2322717A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ladder
- confining
- projections
- confining projections
- roof
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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
- E06C7/48—Ladder heads; Supports for heads of ladders for resting against objects
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C1/00—Ladders in general
- E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
- E06C1/34—Ladders attached to structures, such as windows, cornices, poles, or the like
Abstract
A method and apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder includes a body having spaced apart ladder confining projections that project outwardly from the body. The body is secured to an edge of a roof. When a top portion of a ladder is positioned between the ladder confining projections, lateral movement of the top portion of the ladder is limited by the ladder confining projections.
Description
~___,-_ TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Method And Apparatus For Stabilizing An Extension Ladder FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Accidents involving extension ladders occur when there is unexpected lateral movement. Such movement is most often caused by one leg of the ladder sinking into the soil. There are, however, various other causes such as a gust of wind, or a strong sideways force being applied when someone climbing the ladder stumbles.
In order to prevent lateral movement, ladder stabilizers have been developed. United States Patent 5,868,222, illustrates a known configuration of ladder stabilizer which consists of a pair of outrigger style legs.
SU'L~IARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alternative method of stabilizing an extension ladder and an alternative ladder stabilizer configuration.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for stabilizing an extension ladder. A first step involves securing a body to an edge of a roof. The body has spaced apart outwardly projecting ladder confining projections. A second step involves positioning a top portion of a ladder between the ladder confining projections. Lateral movement of the top portion of the ladder is, thereby, limited by the ladder confining projections.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder which includes a body having spaced apart ladder confining projections that project outwardly from the body. Means is provided for securing the body to an edge of a roof.
The present invention advances the proposition that existing ladder stabilizers have been focusing upon the wrong end of the ladder. It is believed that the required stability can best be obtained by securing a top portion of a ladder against movement, instead of attempting to stabilize the bottom portion of the ladder. Once the basic teachings of the invention are understood, there are various features that can be added to enhance the operation of the apparatus.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the ladder stabilizer, as described above, ladders presently are sold in varying widths. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when means are provided for adjusting the relative spacing of the ladder confining projections. A preferred construction that permits such adjustment involves providing the body with a transversely oriented female receptacle and one of the ladder confining projections with a male member. The male member can then be inserted into the female receptacle and means provided for securing the male member within the female receptacle in a selected telescopic position.
There are various configurations of ladder confining projections that are workable. Beneficial results have been obtained when the ladder confining projections are parallel, as this provides a close fitting space into which a ladder may be inserted. It is preferred that the ladder confining projections extend upwardly, as this serves best to confine the ladder without getting in the way of persons when they ascend or descend the ladder. If the projects extended straight out from the body, they might tend to get in the way, especially for heavy set persons whose girth is greater than the distance between the ladder confining projections.
Method And Apparatus For Stabilizing An Extension Ladder FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Accidents involving extension ladders occur when there is unexpected lateral movement. Such movement is most often caused by one leg of the ladder sinking into the soil. There are, however, various other causes such as a gust of wind, or a strong sideways force being applied when someone climbing the ladder stumbles.
In order to prevent lateral movement, ladder stabilizers have been developed. United States Patent 5,868,222, illustrates a known configuration of ladder stabilizer which consists of a pair of outrigger style legs.
SU'L~IARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alternative method of stabilizing an extension ladder and an alternative ladder stabilizer configuration.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for stabilizing an extension ladder. A first step involves securing a body to an edge of a roof. The body has spaced apart outwardly projecting ladder confining projections. A second step involves positioning a top portion of a ladder between the ladder confining projections. Lateral movement of the top portion of the ladder is, thereby, limited by the ladder confining projections.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder which includes a body having spaced apart ladder confining projections that project outwardly from the body. Means is provided for securing the body to an edge of a roof.
The present invention advances the proposition that existing ladder stabilizers have been focusing upon the wrong end of the ladder. It is believed that the required stability can best be obtained by securing a top portion of a ladder against movement, instead of attempting to stabilize the bottom portion of the ladder. Once the basic teachings of the invention are understood, there are various features that can be added to enhance the operation of the apparatus.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the ladder stabilizer, as described above, ladders presently are sold in varying widths. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when means are provided for adjusting the relative spacing of the ladder confining projections. A preferred construction that permits such adjustment involves providing the body with a transversely oriented female receptacle and one of the ladder confining projections with a male member. The male member can then be inserted into the female receptacle and means provided for securing the male member within the female receptacle in a selected telescopic position.
There are various configurations of ladder confining projections that are workable. Beneficial results have been obtained when the ladder confining projections are parallel, as this provides a close fitting space into which a ladder may be inserted. It is preferred that the ladder confining projections extend upwardly, as this serves best to confine the ladder without getting in the way of persons when they ascend or descend the ladder. If the projects extended straight out from the body, they might tend to get in the way, especially for heavy set persons whose girth is greater than the distance between the ladder confining projections.
There are various means that can be used to secure the body to an edge of a roof. It is preferred that the body have fastener receiving apertures. This enables a fastener to be extended through the fastener receiving apertures and driven into the roof. For this reason it is also preferred that the body or at least a portion of the body be in the from of a mounting plate.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the ladder stabilizer, as described above, ladders resting upon an edge of a roof have been known to cause damage to shingles. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when ladder engaging members are carried by the ladder confining projections. The ladder engaging members serve to support the ladder so the ladder does not rest upon the shingles of the roof.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the ladder stabilizer, as described above, it is possible that a ladder could escape the ladder confining projections if a person pulled the ladder directly backward.
while in the process of falling. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when ties are provided on the body.
The ties, which may be in the form of chains, ropes, wire, or the like, tie the top portion of the ladder to the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a ladder stabilizer constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention with ladder confining projection in a first position.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the ladder stabilizer illustrated in FIGURE l, with one ladder confining projection in an extended position.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the ladder stabilizer illustrated in FIGURE l, in use with a ladder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, an apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder, hereinafter referred to as a ladder stabilizer and generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 3.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE l, ladder stabilizer 10 has a body 12 with a mounting plate 14 and a pair of parallel spaced apart ladder confining projections 16 that project upwardly and outwardly from body 12. Body 12 also has a transversely oriented female receptacle 18 with a male member 20 telescopically inserted into female receptacle 18. One of ladder confining projections 16 is secured to male member 20.
A clamp 22 is provided for clamping male member 20 within female receptacle 18 in a selected telescopic position, thereby providing means for adjusting the relative spacing of ladder confining projections 16. Ladder engaging members 24 are carried by ladder confining projections 16. Mounting plate 14 has fastener receiving apertures 26. Referring to FIGURE 3, fasteners 28 are inserted through fastener receiving apertures 26 and driven into a roof 30 to secure body 12 to an edge 32 of roof 30. Ties 34 are provided on body 12, whereby a top portion 36 of a ladder 38 is tied to body 12.
Operation:
The use and operation of ladder stabilizer 10 will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 3. Referring to FIGURE 3, body 12 of ladder stabilizer 10 is secured to edge 32 of roof 30 with ladder confining projections 16 extending upwardly so that ladder confining projection will not get in the way when a user ascends or descends ladder 38. In order to secure ladder stabilizer 10 to edge 32 of roof 30, fasteners 28 such as nails are inserted through fastener receiving apertures 26 and driven into roof 30. Top portion 36 of ladder 38 is positioned between ladder confining projections 16, so 5 that lateral movement of top portion 36 of ladder 38 is limited by ladder confining projections 16. Damage to shingles 40 on roof 30 is prevented by ladder engaging members 24 which support ladder 38 so that ladder 38 will not rest upon shingles 40 of roof 30. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the spacing between ladder confining projections 16 is adjusted to accommodate the width of ladders 38. In order to adjust the width between ladder confining projections 16, clamp 22 must be loosened so that male member 20 can be moved outwardly relative to female receptacle 18 as illustrated in FIGURE 2 or inwardly as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Once male member 20 and attached ladder confining projection 16 are in the appropriate position to accommodate ladder 38, clamp 22 is then tightened to maintain male member 20 and attached ladder confining projection 16 in position relative to female receptacle 18 and other ladder confining projection 16. Referring to FIGURE 3, once top portion 36 of ladder 38 is properly placed between ladder confining projections 16, ties 34 can be used to tie top portion 36 of ladder 38 to body 12 of ladder stabilizer 10 so as to prevent ladder 38 from escaping from ladder confining projections 16 should ladder 38 be pulled back during use. It will be appreciated that while ties 34 are illustrated as being chains, ties 34 could also be ropes, wires, or the like.
Variations and Alternative Embodiments:
Although the illustrated embodiment includes means for adjusting the relative spacing between the ladder confining projections, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this feature is not necessary if the widths of the ladders used do not vary. It will also be appreciated that different types of clamping mechanisms could be used.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in ~i its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the ladder stabilizer, as described above, ladders resting upon an edge of a roof have been known to cause damage to shingles. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when ladder engaging members are carried by the ladder confining projections. The ladder engaging members serve to support the ladder so the ladder does not rest upon the shingles of the roof.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the ladder stabilizer, as described above, it is possible that a ladder could escape the ladder confining projections if a person pulled the ladder directly backward.
while in the process of falling. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when ties are provided on the body.
The ties, which may be in the form of chains, ropes, wire, or the like, tie the top portion of the ladder to the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a ladder stabilizer constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention with ladder confining projection in a first position.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the ladder stabilizer illustrated in FIGURE l, with one ladder confining projection in an extended position.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the ladder stabilizer illustrated in FIGURE l, in use with a ladder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, an apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder, hereinafter referred to as a ladder stabilizer and generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 3.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE l, ladder stabilizer 10 has a body 12 with a mounting plate 14 and a pair of parallel spaced apart ladder confining projections 16 that project upwardly and outwardly from body 12. Body 12 also has a transversely oriented female receptacle 18 with a male member 20 telescopically inserted into female receptacle 18. One of ladder confining projections 16 is secured to male member 20.
A clamp 22 is provided for clamping male member 20 within female receptacle 18 in a selected telescopic position, thereby providing means for adjusting the relative spacing of ladder confining projections 16. Ladder engaging members 24 are carried by ladder confining projections 16. Mounting plate 14 has fastener receiving apertures 26. Referring to FIGURE 3, fasteners 28 are inserted through fastener receiving apertures 26 and driven into a roof 30 to secure body 12 to an edge 32 of roof 30. Ties 34 are provided on body 12, whereby a top portion 36 of a ladder 38 is tied to body 12.
Operation:
The use and operation of ladder stabilizer 10 will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 3. Referring to FIGURE 3, body 12 of ladder stabilizer 10 is secured to edge 32 of roof 30 with ladder confining projections 16 extending upwardly so that ladder confining projection will not get in the way when a user ascends or descends ladder 38. In order to secure ladder stabilizer 10 to edge 32 of roof 30, fasteners 28 such as nails are inserted through fastener receiving apertures 26 and driven into roof 30. Top portion 36 of ladder 38 is positioned between ladder confining projections 16, so 5 that lateral movement of top portion 36 of ladder 38 is limited by ladder confining projections 16. Damage to shingles 40 on roof 30 is prevented by ladder engaging members 24 which support ladder 38 so that ladder 38 will not rest upon shingles 40 of roof 30. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the spacing between ladder confining projections 16 is adjusted to accommodate the width of ladders 38. In order to adjust the width between ladder confining projections 16, clamp 22 must be loosened so that male member 20 can be moved outwardly relative to female receptacle 18 as illustrated in FIGURE 2 or inwardly as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Once male member 20 and attached ladder confining projection 16 are in the appropriate position to accommodate ladder 38, clamp 22 is then tightened to maintain male member 20 and attached ladder confining projection 16 in position relative to female receptacle 18 and other ladder confining projection 16. Referring to FIGURE 3, once top portion 36 of ladder 38 is properly placed between ladder confining projections 16, ties 34 can be used to tie top portion 36 of ladder 38 to body 12 of ladder stabilizer 10 so as to prevent ladder 38 from escaping from ladder confining projections 16 should ladder 38 be pulled back during use. It will be appreciated that while ties 34 are illustrated as being chains, ties 34 could also be ropes, wires, or the like.
Variations and Alternative Embodiments:
Although the illustrated embodiment includes means for adjusting the relative spacing between the ladder confining projections, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this feature is not necessary if the widths of the ladders used do not vary. It will also be appreciated that different types of clamping mechanisms could be used.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in ~i its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Claims (14)
1. A method for stabilizing an extension ladder, comprising the steps of:
securing a body to an edge of a roof, the body having spaced apart outwardly projecting ladder confining projections;
positioning a top portion of a ladder between the ladder confining projections, such that lateral movement of the top portion of the ladder is limited by the ladder confining projections.
securing a body to an edge of a roof, the body having spaced apart outwardly projecting ladder confining projections;
positioning a top portion of a ladder between the ladder confining projections, such that lateral movement of the top portion of the ladder is limited by the ladder confining projections.
2. An apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder, comprising:
a body having spaced apart ladder confining projections that project outwardly from the body; and means for securing the body to an edge of a roof.
a body having spaced apart ladder confining projections that project outwardly from the body; and means for securing the body to an edge of a roof.
3. The apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein means are provided for adjusting the relative spacing of the ladder confining projections.
4. The apparatus as defined in Claim 3, wherein the body had a transversely oriented female receptacle, one of the ladder confining projections is secured to a male member, and means are provided for securing the male member within the female receptacle in a selected telescopic position.
5. The apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein the ladder confining projections are parallel.
6. The apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein the ladder confining projections extend upwardly.
7. The apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein the body is a mounting plate.
8. The apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein ladder engaging members are carried by the ladder confining projections.
9. The apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein ties are provided on the body, whereby the top portion of the ladder is tied to the body.
10. The apparatus as defined in Claim 2, wherein the body has fastener receiving apertures, whereby a fastener is driven through the fastener receiving apertures into the roof.
11. An apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder, comprising:
a body having a mounting plate and a pair of parallel spaced apart ladder confining projections that project upwardly and outwardly from the body;
the mounting plate having fastener receiving apertures, whereby fasteners are extended through the fastener receiving apertures and driven into the roof to secure the body to an edge of a roof; and ties on the body, whereby a top portion of a ladder is tied to the body.
a body having a mounting plate and a pair of parallel spaced apart ladder confining projections that project upwardly and outwardly from the body;
the mounting plate having fastener receiving apertures, whereby fasteners are extended through the fastener receiving apertures and driven into the roof to secure the body to an edge of a roof; and ties on the body, whereby a top portion of a ladder is tied to the body.
12. The apparatus as defined in Claim 11, wherein the body had a transversely oriented female receptacle, one of the ladder confining projections is secured to a male member, and a clamp is provided for clamping the male member within the female receptacle in a selected telescopic position, thereby providing means for adjusting the relative spacing of the ladder confining projections.
13. The apparatus as defined in Claim 11, wherein ladder engaging members are carried by the ladder confining projections.
14. An apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder, comprising:
a body having a mounting plate and a pair of parallel spaced apart ladder confining projections that project upwardly and outwardly from the body;
the body having a transversely oriented female receptacle, one of the ladder confining projections being secured to a male member, and a clamp being provided for c:Lamping the male member within the female receptacle in a selected telescopic position, thereby providing means for adjusting the relative spacing of the ladder confining projections;
ladder engaging members carried by the ladder confining projections;
the mounting plate having fastener receiving apertures, whereby fasteners are extended through the fastener receiving apertures and driven into the roof to secure the body to an edge of a roof; and ties on the body, whereby a top portion of a ladder is tied to the body.
a body having a mounting plate and a pair of parallel spaced apart ladder confining projections that project upwardly and outwardly from the body;
the body having a transversely oriented female receptacle, one of the ladder confining projections being secured to a male member, and a clamp being provided for c:Lamping the male member within the female receptacle in a selected telescopic position, thereby providing means for adjusting the relative spacing of the ladder confining projections;
ladder engaging members carried by the ladder confining projections;
the mounting plate having fastener receiving apertures, whereby fasteners are extended through the fastener receiving apertures and driven into the roof to secure the body to an edge of a roof; and ties on the body, whereby a top portion of a ladder is tied to the body.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA 2322717 CA2322717A1 (en) | 2000-10-10 | 2000-10-10 | Method and apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA 2322717 CA2322717A1 (en) | 2000-10-10 | 2000-10-10 | Method and apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2322717A1 true CA2322717A1 (en) | 2002-04-10 |
Family
ID=4167347
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA 2322717 Abandoned CA2322717A1 (en) | 2000-10-10 | 2000-10-10 | Method and apparatus for stabilizing an extension ladder |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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CA (1) | CA2322717A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007092862A2 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2007-08-16 | Gaines Robert G | Ladder docking device |
EP3749826A4 (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2021-12-15 | Jeffrey L. Sanders | An apparatus for restraining movement of a ladder |
-
2000
- 2000-10-10 CA CA 2322717 patent/CA2322717A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090000868A1 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2009-01-01 | Gaines Robert G | Ladder Docking Device |
US11180956B2 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2021-11-23 | Robert G Gaines | Ladder docking device |
WO2007092862A2 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2007-08-16 | Gaines Robert G | Ladder docking device |
WO2007092862A3 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2007-12-21 | Robert G Gaines | Ladder docking device |
EP3749826A4 (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2021-12-15 | Jeffrey L. Sanders | An apparatus for restraining movement of a ladder |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FZDE | Dead |