EP1989374B1

EP1989374B1 - Plastic platform for a foldable ladder and combination of a plastic platform and foldable ladder

Info

Publication number: EP1989374B1
Application number: EP07715831A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Caspar Bernard Lampe
Original assignee: LAMPE HOLDING BV
Current assignee: LAMPE HOLDING BV
Priority date: 2006-02-03
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2011-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-05
Also published as: EP1989374A2; WO2007089137A2; WO2007089137A3; ATE515607T1; NL1031512C1

Abstract

A platform for installation on a folding ladder in scaffolding position, which folding ladder is of the type comprising multiple folding ladder sections, which are connected to one another by hinges, in which, in the scaffolding position, outer folding ladder sections form a ground support and central folding ladder sections form a bridge. The platform is composed of one or more plastic panels. These one or more panels are preferably made using a plastic blow-moulding technique . Particularly preferably, the platform is composed of two panels and the panels are of different length, which is preferably chosen such that the connection of the two panels is situated above a rung of a folding ladder section, preferably the rung closest to a central hinge of the folding ladder.

Description

The application relates to a combination of a folding ladder and a platform and to a platform which can be used in combination with a folding ladder.
Folding ladders are generally known from the prior art. In a common embodiment, the ladder has four sections which are connected to one another by means of hinges. The hinges are provided with an (automatic) locking mechanism which ensures the position of the folding ladder sections with respect to one another in (preferably predetermined) positions..
As is generally known, such a folding ladder can be placed in a "scaffolding position", in which the central two folding ladder sections form an essentially horizontal bridge and the outer folding ladder sections form the "legs" of the bridge.
The known folding ladders have folding ladder sections comprising "uprights" with rungs between them, so that the "bridge", in the scaffolding position is made up of rungs..
It will be clear that walking over the bridge and standing on the bridge is dangerous, as one can miss the rungs.. Furthermore, it is not comfortable to sit on or easy to place equipment thereon..
For the above reason, it is known to combine the folding ladder with a platform which lies on the rungs of the "bridge section" when the folding ladder is being used in the scaffolding position.
Known platforms for this application are made from wood, steel and aluminum. These known platforms are not satisfactory in practice.
EP 0 135 757 discloses a work bench which is formed from a folding ladder, which workbench can be used to stand on when painting, papering, or otherwise working when a flat raised surface is required. The folding ladder comprises U-shaped modules that are connected to each other by hinges that permit each module when not in use to fold or slide within an adjacent wider module.
WO 2005/108733 discloses a ladder incorporating a platform. The ladder is provided with a bridge member such that both elements form the shape of a letter A, and a support member such that the three elements form the shape of a sideways letter Z when said ladder system is in an extended arrangement. In the extended arrangement this system can support the platform in a substantially horizontal position such that the elements form the shape of a sideways letter Z intersected by the platform.
WO 01/04437 discloses a scaffolding system, the system comprising scaffold planks and steel support frame structures which are selectively engageable to each other in a stacked fashion for achieving a desired overall height. The scaffold planks, are horizontally extendable between a respective pair of the support frame structures.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved platform for use with a folding ladder..
The invention achieves this object by providing a combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to claim 1.
By using one or more plastic panels to compose the platform, which panels are each made as a single plastic part using a plastic blow-moulding technique, and each are provided with a pattern of holes, considerable advantages can be achieved, as will be clear from the embodiments according to the subclaims and the following description.
The invention also relates to a platform for installation on a folding ladder according to claim 12.
In the drawings:

Fig. 1. shows a folding ladder- in scaffolding position provided with an exemplary embodiment of a platform according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows the folding ladder from Fig. 1 in the folded-away position,
Figs. 3a, b, c show a top view, side view and perspective view, respectively, of a panel of the platform from Fig. 1,
Figs. 4a, b, c show a top view, side view and perspective view, respectively, of another panel of the platform from Fig. 1,
Figs. 5a, b show a top view and side view of a variant embodiment of a panel of the platform from Fig. 1,
Figs. 6a, b show a top view and side view of the complementary panel of the platform from Fig. 5.

The invention will now be explained referring to figures 1-6.
Fig. 1 shows a folding ladder in scaffolding position with an accompanying exemplary embodiment of a platform according to the invention.
The folding ladder 1 is composed of four sections 2, 3, 4, 5 in the usual way, which are connected to one another by hinges 6, 7, 8. The outer folding ladder sections 2, 5 are provided at their free ends with a ground support, in this case a transverse beam 2a, 5a, having supporting feet.
Each of the hinges 6, 7, 8 is provided with an automatic locking mechanism (known per se) which ensures the position of the folding ladder sections with respect to one another in predefined positions.
In the illustrated "scaffolding position", the central two folding ladder sections 3, 4 form an essentially horizontal bridge and the outer folding ladder sections 2, 5 form the "legs" of the bridge.
As can be seen, the folding ladder sections comprise two "uprights" with rungs between them, so that, in the scaffolding position, the "bridge" consists of rungs.
The platform 10 is situated on the rungs of the "bridge section" when the folding ladder is being used in the scaffolding position.
Here, the platform 10 is composed of two panels 11, 12, which are of different lengths in this preferred embodiment. These different lengths have been chosen such that the adjoining position of the two panels 11, 12 is situated above a rung of a folding ladder section, preferably the rung closest to the central hinge of the folding ladder (in this case rung 13, but it,could thus also be rung 14 if the panels 11, 12 were positioned differently).
Preferably, the panels 11, 12 (as is the case here) are of a width which is adapted to the distance between the uprights of the central folding ladder sections, so that lateral displacement and undesirable openings are prevented.
On their underside, the panels 11, 12 have formations, preferably (as is the case here) formations which have been formed integrally from plastic as a single part during the production of the panels, which engage with the rungs underneath.
In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the panels 11, 12 are provided on the underside with projecting ribs 15, in each case one rung fitting between a pair of adjacent, parallel ribs 15.
At one end of a. panel 11, 12, there is a pair of ribs, while at the other end only a single nib is present. This arrangement is provided because this side is supposed to abut the other panel. Then, the "singe ribs" together form a pair of ribs with a slot between them into which the aforementioned rung 13 (or 14) fits.
Figs. 5, 6 show alternative panels 31', 12'. On their underside, these panels 11', 12' have slots 20 running transversely for accommodating the rungs of the folding ladder which are obtained by designing these slots 20 to be "recessed" relative to the bottom surface of the panels 11', 12'. In particular, this is achieved by designing the panels 11', 12' to be thicker than the panels 11, 12.
Preferably, the formations (in Figs. 3, 4 the ribs; in Figs.. 5, 6 the recessed slots) are of such a design that the panels clamp onto the rungs without any further action by the user. This may be effected, for example, by designing the ribs 15 or slots 20 to be tapering or otherwise clamping in combination with the design of the rungs. Due to the fact that clamping of the platform (or panels thereof) on the rugs is effected without additional action, there is no frisk of the user forgetting anything, making the platform very safe..
The panels 11, 12 and 11', 12' are provided with (small) through-holes in the panel surface, for example to improve the drainage of water.
In this case, the panels are each provided with a grip opening 16, 17 in order to be able to lift the panels easily. The grip opening is preferably located in the area between two rungs. Preferably, a grip opening is disposed along a longitudinal side of the panel.
It will be clear that one or more of the panels 11, 1.2; 11', 12' can also be used in other positions of the folding ladder.
The panels 11, 12 and 11', 12' can suitably be made from plastic as a single part and using a plastic blow-moulding technique. As a result, it is possible to keep the weight low while providing sufficient mechanical strength.
When using the blow-moulding technique, it is advantageous to provide a pattern of holes 18 in the panels, as the peripheral wall surrounding each hole (see partial sections in Figs. 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b of a hole 18) then forms a supporting column, as it were, between the wall which forms the top surface and the wall which forms the bottom surface of a panel..
It will be clear that a single-part design of the platform or, on the contrary, a design comprising more than two panels is also conceivable. However, the design comprising two panels is clearly preferred, partly due to the strength, ease of handling and transportation.
Fig. 2 shows that the panels 11, 12; 11', 12', in the folded-away position of the folding ladder, fit between the folded together central folding ladder sections 3, 4. This saves space and facilitates transportation of the folding ladder.

Claims

A combination of a folding ladder (1) and a platform (10) for installation on a folding ladder in scaffolding position, which folding ladder is of the type comprising multiple folding ladder sections (2, 3, 4, 5), which are connected to one another by hinges (6, 7, 8), in which, in the scaffolding position, outer folding ladder sections (2, 5) form a ground support and central folding ladder sections (3, 4) form a bridge, characterized in that the platform (10) is composed of one or more plastic panels (11, 12; 11', 12'), which are each made as a single plastic part using a plastic blow-moulding technique, each panel having a wall which forms the top surface and a wall which forms the bottom surface of the panel, and in that a pattern of holes (18) is provided in each of the panels, in which the peripheral wall surrounding each hole forms a supporting column between the wall which forms the top surface and the wall which forms the bottom surface of the panel.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to claim 1, in which the platform (10) is composed of two panels (11, 12; 11', 12').
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to claim 2, in which the two panels (11, 12; 11', 12') are of different lengths, which has preferably been chosen such that the adjoining position of the two panels is situated above a rung of a folding ladder section, preferably the rung closest to a central hinge of the folding ladder (1).
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the panels (11, 12; 11', 12') are of a width which is adapted to the distance between the uprights of the central folding ladder sections.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the one or more panels (11,12; 11', 12') have formations, for example ribs (15) or slots (20), on their underside, preferably formations which have been formed integrally from plastic as a single part during the production of the panels, which engage with the rungs underneath.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to claim 5, in which the one or more (11', 12') panels are provided with slots (20) on their underside in order to accommodate the rungs underneath.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to claim 5, in which the one or more panels (11, 12) are provided with projecting ribs (15) on the underside, in each case one rung fitting between a pair of adjacent, parallel ribs.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to claim 5, in which several, preferably two, panels (11,12) are provided and in which, at one end of a panel, there is a pair of ribs (15), while at the other end only a single rib (15) is present, which other side is supposed to abut the other panel, so that the single ribs together form a pair of ribs with a slot between them into which a rung then fits.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to claim 5, in which the formations (15; 20) are of such a design that the panels (11, 12; 11', 12') clamp onto the rungs without any further action by the user, for example by designing the ribs (15) to be tapering or otherwise clamping in combination with the design of the rungs.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which, in the folded-away position of the folding ladder (1), a platform (10) consisting of several, preferably two, panels (11, 12; 11', 12') fit between the central folding ladder sections.
A combination of a folding ladder and a platform according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the ladder has two outer sections and two central sections, said sections being interconnected by hinges, and wherein the outer sections are telescopic.
Platform for installation on a folding ladder (1) in scaffolding position, which folding ladder is of the type comprising multiple folding ladder sections (2, 3, 4, 5), which are connected to one another by hinges (6, 7, 8), in which, in the scaffolding position, outer folding ladder sections (2, 5) form a ground support and central folding ladder sections (3, 4) form a bridge, characterized in that the platform (10) is composed of one or more plastic panels (11, 12; 11', 12'), which are each made as a single plastic part using a plastic blow-moulding technique, each panel having a wall which forms the top surface and a wall which forms the bottom surface of the panel, and in that a pattern of holes (18) is provided in each of the panels, in which the peripheral wall surrounding each hole forms a supporting column between the wall which forms the top surface and the wall which forms the bottom surface of each panel.