EP0940556B1

EP0940556B1 - Arrangement on a ladder

Info

Publication number: EP0940556B1
Application number: EP19990850031
Authority: EP
Inventors: Elon Persson
Original assignee: Scando AB
Current assignee: Scando AB
Priority date: 1998-03-06
Filing date: 1999-03-05
Publication date: 2006-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-05
Also published as: DE69929302T2; DE69929302D1; EP0940556A3; SE9800737L; SE521300C2; EP0940556A2; SE9800737D0

Description

The present invention relates to an arrangement on a ladder according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention specifically relates to a hand rail, adapted to be mounted on a ladder, a step ladder or the like.
When working on ladders, step ladders, foot stools and similar climbing aids, a feeling of non-security may occur when climbing up the ladder and also during work from the top step or top steps. The same non-security may occur when climbing off a roof, e.g., onto the ladder which may be resting with an upper section thereof towards the roof edge, or towards the edge of a working platform, etc. Said feeling of non-security may at least partly be overcome when the ladder is provided with a hand rail, attached to a side member of the ladder.
Previous efforts for providing a support to be used when working or climbing up a ladder, step ladder or the like include a hand rail disclosed in GB 2,274,673. This hand rail is attached to a top step of the ladder to be laterally displaceable between the side members thereof. This hand rail is not adjustable in a longitudinal direction, as is the hand rail of the present invention. The hand rail of GB 2,274,673 is disclosed to be folded from an operative position to a resting position, wherein the hand rail is extended in parallel with the general plane of the ladder. In the operative position, a pin projecting from a step of the ladder is inserted into a groove formed in the rail, whereby the hand rail is projecting substantially transversally from the general plane of the ladder. Accordingly, the hand rail of GB 2,274,673 is not, contrary to the hand rail of the present invention, adjustable in the operative position to assume various inclinations in respect of the longitudinal direction of the ladder, but merely to be folded to a rest position to facilitate transport or storage thereof.
U.S. 2,640,641 discloses a step ladder having a bar, which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the ladder, and which may be raised from a resting position wherein the bar is extended alongside the ladder, to an operative position wherein the ladder is extended in parallel with, and slightly above, a side member of the ladder. In the operative position, the bar is longitudinally adjustable to extend beyond and above the top step of the ladder, more or less to function as an extension of the side member of the ladder. The bar is locked in the raised, and eventually extended, operative position by means of two latches which are pivotally attached to the side member of the ladder and to the bar, respectively. In the raised position, the latches engage the bar to prevent it from sliding down towards the bottom end of the ladder. Contrary to the present invention, the bar is not capable of adjustment into various and desired inclinations relative to the longitudinal direction of the ladder, or provides a similar free and unhindered grip by the hand when climbing the ladder, as is provided by the hand rail of the present invention through the freely supported, outer rail member. Further, the attachment of the bar of U.S. 2,640,641 is not, contrary to the attachment of the present invention, displaceable on the side member of the ladder, and the cited bar does not provide the desired security upon climbing because a downwardly directed load, from the hand gripping the bar, would seemingly cause the latches to lose the engagement with the bar, thereby releasing the bar from its position.
DE 33 16 839 A discloses a guard structure for a vertical ladder. A circular cage is mounted to the vertical posts of the ladder. The cage comprises longitudinal bars interconnected by means of arcuate horizontal members, the ends of which are clamped to the vertical posts of the ladder. Though mountable at a desired height, the cage is not disclosed to be extendable, neither would it be possible to attach the cage in alternative inclined positions relative to the ladder.
The present invention has for its object to provide a hand rail which offers a support for the user, not only upon climbing the ladder but also in work operations from the ladder, and specifically when working from the upper or top steps of the ladder.
This object is met in a hand rail according to the invention, comprising the features of claim 1, wherein according to a first aspect of the invention, the hand rail is designed to be longitudinally adjustable in relation to the ladder and on desire to extend beyond the upper end of the ladder.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is also provided a hand rail which is adjustable to assume various inclined positions in relation to the side member of the ladder, thereby to provide more space when climbing the ladder, and to save space during transport, resp.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a hand rail, wherein the guide rail is freely suspended without hindering fastening means, whereby the hand of the user may be guided along the entire length of the rail without having to shift the grip upon climbing the ladder.
Thus, the invention provides:

a hand rail having a guide rail which is freely suspended in its entire length;
a hand rail which is axially adjustable to a desired position where it may extend beyond the end of the ladder;
a hand rail which may be adjusted to an inclined position alongside the ladder, so as not to consume on the space available for climbing or working from the ladder;
a hand rail which alternatively may be attached to either side of the ladder, or on both sides thereof, and
a hand rail which during transport may be shifted to an inclined position where it is extended in parallel to the general plane of the ladder.

It is realized that the above listed advantages are made possible in a hand rail designed in accordance with the invention, and by a two-piece fastening element where the two pieces are designed to provide a clamping attachment of the side member of the ladder and of the hand rail, respectively, when the two pieces are mutually connected. The use of a clamping force in each attachment provides great flexibility and many options for the position of the hand rail.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention will be defined in the dependant claims.
The invention is described more in detail below, reference being made to the attached, diagrammatic drawings wherein

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of the hand rail of the invention, showing an example thereof;
Fig. 2 is an end view showing the two-piece fastening element;
Fig. 3 is an end view showing an alternative fastening element in the inventive hand rail, and
Fig. 4 is an end view showing yet another alternative fastening element.

Reference being made to fig. 1, showing an elevation view of an embodiment of the inventive hand rail and assigned reference figure 1. The hand rail 1 comprises a pair of elongated elements running in parallel. A first or inner element 2 is designed and adapted to be attached, by fastening means 3, to a side member 4 of a ladder. A second or outer element 5 is designed to provide a guide rail 5.
In a preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1, the inner element 2 is connected to the outer element 5 through arch shaped sections, formed in the ends of the elements 2 and 5, respectively, so that the elements 2 and 5 are preferably integrally formed by bending a single work-piece.
Alternatively, the elements 2 and 5 may be connected in the ends, e.g. by welding or bolting a separately formed brace (not shown). In yet another alternative embodiment the elements 2 and 5 are formed in an endless loop.
As illustrated in fig. 1, a plane extended between the elements 2 and 5 is totally free from transverse connections in the entire length of the hand rail.
Therefore, the outer element or guide rail 5 is unhindered to be grasped by a hand in its entire length between the arch shaped end sections of the hand rail. The elements 2 and 5 preferably have a circular or otherwise rounded cross section, see fig.2, and may be produced from a tube work piece. However, work pieces of other cross sectional shape may also be considered.
Fig. 2 shows the end view of a fastening means 3 incorporated in the hand rail. The fastening means 3 is designed to cooperate with a hand rail having an inner element 2 of circular cross section. In fig. 2, the fastening means 3 is shown separated and before mounting the hand rail to a ladder.
The fastening means 3 comprises a brace piece 6 and a clamp piece 7, mutually connectable through a connection means 8. The clamp 7 and brace 6 are formed in one end to be clamped to the side member 4 of the ladder, and in the other end to be clamped to the inner element 2 when the clamp 7 and brace 6 are mutually connected. The connection means 8 may include, as illustrated in the drawing, a bolt and nut connection, and may alternatively include a threaded bolt engaging a bore in the clamp or brace, respectively. The connection means 8 may also alternatively include a lever lock, having e.g. an eccentric lock arm.
In an alternative embodiment, not specifically shown in the drawings, a fastening means may comprise separate connection means for individually clamping to the ladder and hand rail, respectively, wherein a clamp piece in such case would be provided as two separate details.
When the hand rail is attached to the side member of the ladder by clamping through the fastening means 3, individual positioning of the hand rail 1 is possible and includes a longitudinally adjustable attachment alongside the ladder, and also an inclined attachment in respect of the side member as seen in the longitudinal direction of the ladder.
Thus, there is achieved the advantage of folding the guide rail 5 towards the steps of the ladder for a space-saving transport, and the advantage of folding the guide rail outwardly to facilitate climbing of the ladder when carrying tools or bulky goods and equipment.
By the axial adjustment, there is achieved the advantage of sliding the hand rail 1 to be positioned within the ends of the ladder, as shown in dotted lines in fig. 1, for transport or in a working situation as desired. Alternatively, there is achieved the advantage of sliding the hand rail to be fixed in an extended position, as shown in solid lines in the drawing, where the guide rail is extended beyond the upper end of the ladder for providing a support to the hand or body when working in a high position from the ladder, or when climbing a roof which can be reached from the ladder.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in fig. 3, at least two fastening means 9 are clamped to the side member of a ladder. In its free upper end, the fastening means 9 comprises a bore for accommodation of an inner element 2' having a circular cross section. A radial slit opening 10 is formed to cover the width of the fastening means 9. At least one side of the fastening means 9, directed towards an end of the ladder, has one or more notches 11 formed to open in radial direction into the bore. Heels 12 are formed on the inner element 2' and designed to cooperate with the notches 11, thereby providing a bayonet lock for alternative attachment of a hand rail to a ladder.
The alternative fastening means 3' of fig. 4 comprises a brace 6' and a clamp 7', substantially designed as corresponding elements of the first fastening means 3. The fastening means 3' is formed with a heel 13 to accommodate an inner element 2". Said heel 13 is designed to cooperate with one or more longitudinal grooves 14, formed on the outside of the inner element 2". The grooves 14 are preferably extended in the entire length of the inner element 2". By positioning the heel 13 and grooves 14, predetermined inclinations of the hand rail may be provided when clamping the hand rail in the fastening means 3'.
The invention is shown by way of examples, from which modifications may be performed without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the attached claims. Accordingly, the clamping fastening means may be designed to cooperate with side members of varying cross sectional profiles, or include spacing elements or inserts e.g. made of rubber or other elastic material, so as to be attachable to ladder sides of varying shapes.

Claims

A hand-rail (1) for a step-ladder, the hand-rail comprising two longitudinal elements running in parallel, one of said elements (2") being an inner element attachable to a side member (4) of a ladder, and the other element (5) being an outer element operating as a guide for a user's hand, the hand-rail being integrally formed and providing an open space between the elements from end to end of the hand-rail (1), two-piece fastening means (3') each comprising a brace piece (6') and a clamp piece (7') that are inter-connectable and formed in one end to be clamped to a side member of a ladder and in the opposite end to be clamped about the inner element of the hand-rail, characterized in that said inner element being formed with several grooves (14) running longitudinally on the exterior of the inner element, and said fastening means being formed with a heel (13) receivable in one of said grooves, the hand rail thus being attachable at predetermined inclined positions relative to a ladder and at desired longitudinal positions including an extension of the hand-rail beyond the end of a ladder.
The hand rail of claim 1, wherein inserts are provided between the fastening means (3') and the side member (4) of a ladder, said inserts being supplementary formed with respect to the cross sectional profile of the side member (4).