EP2627849B1 - Appareil de support et échelle pliable, escabeau ou échafaudage avec un tel appareil de support - Google Patents

Appareil de support et échelle pliable, escabeau ou échafaudage avec un tel appareil de support Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2627849B1
EP2627849B1 EP10771223.4A EP10771223A EP2627849B1 EP 2627849 B1 EP2627849 B1 EP 2627849B1 EP 10771223 A EP10771223 A EP 10771223A EP 2627849 B1 EP2627849 B1 EP 2627849B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
leg
legs
support apparatus
control
swivel member
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP10771223.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2627849A1 (fr
Inventor
Karolus Theodorus Wilhelmina Maria Bus
Arnaldo Roberto Vonk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SMART LEVEL CO BV
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SMART LEVEL CO BV
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2627849A1 publication Critical patent/EP2627849A1/fr
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Publication of EP2627849B1 publication Critical patent/EP2627849B1/fr
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • 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
    • E06C1/32—Ladders with a strut which is formed as a ladder and can be secured in line with the ladder
    • 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
    • E06C7/44—Means for mounting ladders on uneven ground
    • 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
    • E06C1/14—Ladders capable of standing by themselves
    • E06C1/16—Ladders capable of standing by themselves with hinged struts which rest on the ground
    • E06C1/20—Ladders capable of standing by themselves with hinged struts which rest on the ground with supporting struts formed as poles
    • E06C1/22—Ladders capable of standing by themselves with hinged struts which rest on the ground with supporting struts formed as poles with extensible, e.g. telescopic, ladder parts or struts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a support apparatus, comprising legs which at one end thereof are connected to each other by means of a hinge arrangement and which at the other end thereof comprise respective support feet, said legs each comprising leg sections which are adjustable with respect to each other for providing an adjustable leg length, a control arrangement being provided comprising a locking mechanism for locking respectively unlocking the leg sections of each leg as well as an operating mechanism allowing simultaneous operation of the locking mechanisms of respective legs.
  • a support apparatus is for example known from US 3 016 103 .
  • Support structures comprising a frame having adjustable legs comprising a control arrangement with a locking mechanism and an operating mechanism as mentioned above have been described in yet unpublished patent applications by the inventor. Simultaneously unlocking the leg sections of each leg enables easy and careful stable positioning of a support structure such as a ladder or stepladder on uneven surfaces by individual adjustment of the leg sections with respect to each other. Furthermore, the adjustable leg sections may be used for level positioning of for example a bucket tray on the ladder or stepladder.
  • a ladder comprises adjustable legs that are hingedly connected with respect to each other and the operating mechanisms of which are interconnected by two rods that are rotatably connected to the frame of the ladder.
  • the rods are interconnected by two elements that are hingedly connected with respect to each other.
  • By displacing a manual-operating element one of the rods is rotated.
  • rotation of the one rod causes an axial displacement of the hingedly connected beam elements resulting in a rotation of the other rod.
  • This causes simultaneous unlocking of the locking mechanisms of all adjustable legs by the operating mechanisms.
  • the leg sections of all legs can individually be adjusted with respect to each other to enable stable positioning of the ladder on a surface.
  • a support apparatus wherein elements of the operating mechanism are at least partly integrated in, or are at least partly located at, the hinge arrangement.
  • the hinge arrangement can have a double function.
  • the hinge arrangement such as a commonly known rotary hinge, can also displace other elements of the operating mechanisms, which are not integrated in the hinge arrangement, for unlocking and locking the locking mechanisms of the connected adjustable legs.
  • such hinge arrangement can enable a reduction of the number of moving parts of the operating mechanism.
  • the elements of the operating mechanism that are integrated in the hinge arrangement are less vulnerable for getting polluted and/or damaged.
  • the operating mechanism comprises at least one swivel member which is rotatable with respect to a hinge axis, as well as a transmission element which cooperates with said swivel member and with the locking mechanism of one of the legs providing control of said locking mechanism upon rotation of the swivel member.
  • the double function of the hinge arrangement can be obtained by integrating the swivel member, e.g. a disc-shaped element that is rotatable around a hinge axis.
  • Rotation of the swivel member results in an axial displacement of a cooperating transmission element, such as a rod or a bar, which is hingedly connected to the swivel member for example rotatable around a pivot point of the swivel member.
  • Axial displacement of the cooperating transmission element leads to unlocking and locking of the locking mechanism of one of the hingedly connected legs of the support apparatus.
  • a control element for controlling the at least one swivel member, as well as with a manual operator, said control element providing rotation of the swivel member upon operation of the manual operator, said control element and manual operator being located at the other of the legs.
  • the control element which for example also is a rod or a bar, can axially be displaced in the direction of the at least one swivel member by manually operating the manual operator such as a lever.
  • Such axial displacement of the control element can cause a rotation of the at least one swivel member around the hinge axis and consequently an axial displacement of the abovementioned transmission element, which results in unlocking of the locking mechanism of the one leg of the support apparatus.
  • an axial displacement of the control element that is located at the other leg leads to an axial displacement of the transmission element that is located at the hingedly connected one leg.
  • a further transmission element is provided at said other leg, said further transmission element being operable by the manual operator and providing control of the locking mechanism of the other leg.
  • the further transmission element such as a rod or a bar, can be axially displaced. This axial displacement of the further transmission element can unlock and lock the locking mechanism of the other leg of the support apparatus.
  • the manual operator also cooperates with the control element.
  • the control element and the further transmission element can be axially displaced simultaneously.
  • the operating mechanism has to be arranged such that the control element and the further transmission element are axially displaced in opposite directions.
  • the transmission element of said one leg is hingedly connected to the at least one swivel member.
  • the rotation of the at least one swivel member can be translated into an axial displacement of the transmission element, such as a rod or a bar in the one leg of the support apparatus.
  • the transmission element can for example be rotatable around a pivot point of the at least one swivel member.
  • a swivel member has a control abutment that is located opposite the control element of said other leg in a first rotated position or in a first set of rotated positions of the legs with respect to each other and which is remote or removed from said control abutment in other rotated positions of the legs, so as to bring the control element in abutting relationship with the control abutment of said swivel member while the latter is in the first rotated position or in the first set of rotated positions.
  • the control abutment can for example be a recess in a circumferential rim of the swivel member.
  • Axial displacement of the control element in the direction of the swivel member can bring the control element in abutting relationship with the control abutment if the latter is positioned opposite the control element of the other leg. This can be done by rotating the one and other legs of the support apparatus with respect to each other such that a first rotated position is obtained. When in a first rotated position the control element can be brought in abutting relationship with the control abutment by an axial displacement of the former. As a result of the abutting relationship between the control element and the control abutment the swivel member is rotated around the hinge axis.
  • the one and other legs can be rotated with respect to each other such that a position out of a first set of rotated positions is obtained in which the control abutment is positioned opposite the control element. In each of such positions simultaneous control of the locking mechanisms in the one and other legs of the support apparatus can be achieved.
  • control abutment In other rotated positions the control abutment is not positioned opposite and proximate the control element. As a result the control element cannot engage with the control abutment of the swivel member and the swivel member cannot be rotated around the hinge axis. In such cases, operating the manual operator only leads to controlling the locking mechanism of the other leg of the support apparatus.
  • the legs are directly connected to each other through a hinge arrangement, the transmission element of said one leg and the control abutment for cooperation with the control element of the other leg being associated with one and the same swivel member.
  • Such support apparatus can be applied in for example a ladder or stepladder.
  • an intermediate section is provided and the legs are connected to opposite ends of said intermediate section through respective hinge arrangements, said hinge arrangements each being provided with a swivel member, said swivel members being interconnected through a coupling element allowing simultaneous and coupled rotation of said swivel members, the transmission element of said one leg being connected to the respective swivel member and the control abutment being arranged on the other swivel member.
  • Such support apparatus can for example be applied in scaffolding and/or a platform ladder.
  • the intermediate section is positioned substantially horizontally to enable level support e.g. of a person and/or of equipment.
  • Simultaneously controlling the locking mechanisms in the one and other legs of the support apparatus can be achieved by operating the manual operator that is located at the other leg. As described above, operating the manual operator results in an axial displacement in opposite directions of the control and transmission elements in the other leg.
  • the control element which is axially displaced in the direction of the abovementioned other swivel member can be brought into abutting relationship with the control abutment of the other swivel member when the one and other legs are positioned with respect to each other such that a first rotated position or a position out of a first set of rotated positions is obtained.
  • blocking elements are provided which are displaceable between an active position in which the legs are blocked against rotation with respect to each other at a sharp angle, and an inactive position allowing rotation of the legs with respect to each other.
  • the blocking elements enable fixation of the hinge arrangement such that in the active position the one and other legs of the support apparatus cannot be rotated with respect to each other. In this way a first rotated position or a position out of a first set of rotated positions in which the one and other legs are positioned at a sharp angle with respect to each other can be maintained. In this first rotated position the abovementioned simultaneous unlocking and locking of the locking mechanism can be achieved as the control abutment of the swivel member is positioned opposite the control element of the other leg.
  • the blocking elements are in the inactive position, the one and other legs of the support apparatus can be rotated freely with respect to each other. This for example allows for adjusting the angle between the one and other legs in any desired manner.
  • the first rotated position or the first set of rotated positions is defined by said sharp angle.
  • a sharp angle between the one and other legs allows the support apparatus to be used for example in a ladder and/or in scaffolding and/or in a platform ladder.
  • the locking mechanisms of the one and other legs can be unlocked and locked simultaneously when the control abutment is in a first rotated position or in a position out of a first set of rotated positions, which are defined by a sharp angle between the one and other legs.
  • the blocking elements have a second active position in which the legs are aligned with respect to each other. In the second active position the hinge arrangement is blocked when the angle between the one and other legs of the support apparatus is 180°.
  • the support apparatus can for example be used in a so-called lean-to ladder and/or in a stepladder.
  • the first rotated position or the first set of rotated positions is defined by a sharp angle. This means that when the blocking elements are in the second active position the control abutment of the swivel member is not positioned opposite the control element of the other leg.
  • the locking mechanism of the one leg cannot be unlocked or locked by operating the manual operator. In this case, operating the manual operator only results in unlocking or locking the locking mechanism of the other leg.
  • the hinge arrangement comprises essentially flat and parallel hinge plates which are rotatable with respect to each other around a hinge axis perpendicular with respect to said plates which are each connected to a respective leg, the swivel member being rotatable around said hinge axis as well.
  • At least one of the hinge plates has a circumferential rim within which the swivel member is contained.
  • the swivel member is at least partly integrated such that it is at least not entirely accessible from the outside and is less vulnerable for getting polluted and/or damaged.
  • the operating mechanism comprises a pulling member that extends between a locking mechanism located on the one leg and a manual operator located on the other leg and/or between a locking mechanism and a manual operator both located on the other leg.
  • pulling members are provided between the locking mechanisms located on both the one and other legs and the manual operator located on the other leg, it is possible to simultaneously unlock and lock the locking mechanisms on both the one and other legs by moving the pulling member using the manual operator that is located on the other leg when the one and other legs are in a first rotated position or in a first set of rotated positions with respect to each other.
  • the support apparatus can be configured without rods to implement a transmission element between the swivel member and the locking mechanism on the one leg, a control element between the manual operator and the swivel member and a further transmission element between the manual operator and the locking mechanism on the other leg.
  • An advantage of this embodiment of the support apparatus according to the present invention is that the support apparatus can be configured without many movable rods for simultaneously operating the locking mechanisms on the one and other legs. This leads to a simplified configuration of at least the operating mechanism and a reduction of possible failure of its operation. As a result, reliable operation of the support apparatus as a whole is improved.
  • a further transmission element still has to be applied between said manual operator and the locking mechanism on the other leg in order to enable simultaneous operation of the locking mechanisms on the one and other legs when these legs are in a first rotated position or in a first set of rotated positions with respect to each other.
  • a control element between the manual operator and the control abutment of the swivel member and a transmission element between the swivel member and the locking mechanism on the one leg still have to be applied to enable simultaneous operation of the locking mechanisms on the one and other legs when these legs are in a first rotated position or in a first set of rotated positions with respect to each other.
  • the pulling member is movable around a hinge axis of the hinge arrangement.
  • the pulling member can thereby be supported and/or guided by a swivel member. It is also possible that the pulling member is supported and/or guided by the axis of the hinge arrangement.
  • the pulling member is a cable or a chain or a belt. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that more alternatives can be envisaged for implementation of the pulling member.
  • a tensioning device is provided that is arranged for tensioning the pulling members such that operating the manual operator allows simultaneous operation of the locking mechanisms of the respective legs when these legs are in a first rotated position or in a first set of rotated positions with respect to each other.
  • the tensioning device is not able to adjust the length of the pulling members such that simultaneous locking and unlocking can occur.
  • the locking mechanisms located on the one legs remain locked while the locking mechanisms located on the other legs can be unlocked and locked by operating the manual operator.
  • a foldable ladder or stepladder or scaffolding comprising a first as well as a second support apparatus which are arranged parallel to each other and which are interconnected by means of parallel and evenly spaced beams, wherein the control arrangements of both support apparatuses are interconnected allowing simultaneous control of all four legs.
  • the control arrangements of the first and second support apparatuses can be interconnected by a rod or a bar.
  • the rod cooperates with the manual operator of at least one of the support apparatuses.
  • the rod rotates and causes a simultaneous activation of the control arrangements of both support apparatuses.
  • the length of all four legs can be adjusted simultaneously.
  • the rod that interconnects the control arrangements can for example be arranged below and/or behind one of the parallel beams that interconnect the first and second support apparatuses.
  • the rod could also be integrated in one of these parallel beams. In that case the rod would not be accessible from the outside and less vulnerable for getting obstructed and/or damaged.
  • activating elements are provided which are operable to manually activate the control arrangement of at least one of the support apparatuses.
  • the activating elements can be levers that upon manual operation as described above allow simultaneous unlocking and locking of the locking mechanisms.
  • FIG. 1 shows a partly exploded view in perspective of a ladder 2 comprising a first support apparatus 1a and a second support apparatus 1b according to the present invention.
  • the first and second support apparatuses 1a, 1b are arranged parallel to each other and are interconnected by means of parallel and evenly spaced beams 3.
  • Each support apparatus 1a, 1b of the ladder 2 comprises two legs 4, 5 which in the remainder of this text will be indicated as the one leg 4 and the other leg 5, respectively.
  • the one leg 4 and other leg 5 are connected to each other at a sharp angle ( ⁇ ) by means of a hinge arrangement 6.
  • the one leg 4 and other leg 5 comprise respective support feet 7.
  • the legs 4, 5 each comprise leg sections 8, 9 which are axially adjustable with respect to each other for providing an adjustable leg length.
  • the length, over which movement is possible may for instance be 20 cm. Other lengths are possible.
  • Each support apparatus 1a, 1b is provided with a control arrangement which comprises a locking mechanism 11 for locking respectively unlocking the leg sections 8 of each leg 4, 5 as well as an operating mechanism allowing simultaneous operation of the locking mechanisms 11 of the one 4 and other 5 legs.
  • the operating mechanism comprises a swivel member 13which is integrated in the hinge arrangement 6 and is rotatable with respect to a hinge axis 14.
  • the operating mechanism also comprises a transmission element 15 such as a rod or a bar which cooperates with swivel member 13 and with locking mechanism 11 of the one leg 4.
  • a swivel member 13 e.g. a disc-shaped element
  • the hinge arrangement 6 has a double function. Besides its function to hingedly connect the adjustable legs 4, 5 with respect to each other, it can displace the transmission element 15 resulting in unlocking and locking of the locking mechanism 11 of the one leg 4.
  • a manual operator 16 e.g. a lever, and a control element 17, e.g. a rod or a bar, are provided.
  • the manual operator 16 With the manual operator 16 in its initial position all locking mechanisms 11 are locked and the leg sections 8 can at least not axially be moved.
  • the control element 17 is axially displaced in the direction of the swivel member 13.
  • transmission element 15 is axially displaced in the direction of locking mechanism 11 of the one leg 4. In this way locking mechanism 11 of the one leg 4 can be unlocked by operating the manual operator 16.
  • a further transmission element 18, e.g. a rod or a bar, is provided which is axially displaceable at the same time as control element 17 by operating the manual operator 16.
  • the operating mechanism has to be arranged such that control element 17 and further transmission element 18 are axially displaced in opposite directions. This can be achieved by using a pushing block 19 that cooperates with the manual operator 16 and is located between control element 17 and further transmission element 18.
  • the rod 20 that interconnects the two control arrangements can for example be arranged below and/or behind one of the parallel beams 3 that interconnect the first and second support apparatuses 1a, 1b.
  • the rod 20 can also be integrated in one of these parallel beams 3 as is shown in figure 1 . In this case the rod 20 is not accessible from the outside and is therefore less vulnerable for getting obstructed and/or damaged.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a lean-to ladder or a stepladder 21 comprising a first support apparatus 1a and a second support apparatus 1b according to the present invention.
  • a lean-to ladder 21 the one leg 4 and the other leg 5 are aligned with respect to each other.
  • the swivel member 13 is arranged such that the when the angle ( ⁇ ) between the one and other legs 4, 5 is substantially 180°, operating the manual operator 16 only allows controlling the locking mechanisms 11 of the other legs 5 of the first and the second support apparatuses 1a, 1b.
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a scaffolding or platform ladder 22 comprising a first and a second support apparatus 1a, 1b according to the present invention.
  • the support apparatuses 1a, 1b each comprise an intermediate section 23.
  • the one and other legs 4, 5 are connected to opposite ends of said intermediate section 23 through respective hinge arrangements 6.
  • Each of these hinge arrangements 6 comprises a swivel member 13.
  • the swivel members 13 are interconnected through a coupling element 24 that is integrated in the intermediate section 23.
  • the coupling element 24 allows simultaneous and coupled rotation of the swivel members 13.
  • the transmission element 15 of the one leg 4 of the support apparatus 1a is connected to the one swivel member 13.
  • the control element 17 of the other leg 5 can be brought into contact with the other swivel member 13 for making it rotate. This will be explained in more detail below.
  • FIG 4 shows a side elevation of a hinge arrangement 6 according to the present invention wherein a swivel member 13 has been integrated in the hinge arrangement 6.
  • the hinge arrangement is rotatably connected to a hinge axis 14 and has a control abutment 25, which for example is a recess in a circumferential rim of the swivel member 13.
  • the control abutment 25 is located opposite the control element 17 of the other leg 5 in a first rotated position or in a position out of a first set of rotated positions that can be obtained by rotating the one and other legs 4, 5 with respect to each other.
  • control abutment can be implemented as a single abutment or as multiple abutments 25 that are arranged at different positions along the circumferential rim of the swivel member 13.
  • the locking mechanisms 11 of the one and other legs 4,5 can be unlocked and locked simultaneously when the control abutment 25 is in a first rotated position or in a position out of a first set of rotated positions, which are defined by a sharp angle ( ⁇ ) between the one and other legs 4, 5.
  • control abutment 25 In other rotated positions the control abutment 25 is not positioned opposite the control element 17. As a result the control element 17 cannot engage with the control abutment 25 of the swivel member 13 and the swivel member cannot be rotated around the hinge axis 14. In such cases, operating the manual operator 16 only leads to controlling the locking mechanism 11 of the other leg 5 of the support apparatus 1a; 1b.
  • the hinge arrangement 6 furthermore comprises a blocking element 26 which is displaceable between an active position and inactive position by a lever 27.
  • a blocking element 26 which is displaceable between an active position and inactive position by a lever 27.
  • the one and other legs 4, 5 are blocked against rotation with respect to each other at a sharp angle ( ⁇ ).
  • the inactive position the one and other legs 4,5 are allowed to rotate freely with respect to each other. This for example allows adjustment of the angle ( ⁇ ) between the one and other legs 4, 5.
  • Figure 4 shows the active position in which the blocking element 26 fastens the hinge arrangement 6 such that the one and other legs 4, 5 of the support apparatus 1a; 1b cannot be rotated with respect to each other.
  • a first rotated position or a position out of a first set of rotated positions in which the one and other legs 4, 5 are positioned at a sharp angle ( ⁇ ) with respect to each other can be maintained.
  • Figure 4 also shows auxiliary elements 28 that are used for fastening the blocking element 26 and/or guiding the control element 17 and the transmission element 15.
  • the transmission element 15 is connected to a pivot point 29 of the swivel member 13. In this way the rotation of the swivel member 13 can be translated into an axial displacement of the transmission element 15.
  • swivel member 13 can be arranged to comprise a further control abutment.
  • the further control abutment can be arranged to axially displace transmission element 15 in the direction of the locking mechanisms when the transmission element 15 and the control abutment are brought into abutting contact as a result of the rotation of swivel member 13.
  • the rotation of swivel member 13 is caused by operating the manual operator 16 such that control element 17 is axially displaced in the direction of control abutment 25 and abutting contact of these elements occurs.
  • FIG. 5 shows a side elevation of the hinge arrangement, wherein the control element 17 is in abutting relationship with the control abutment 25 of the swivel member 13.
  • the control element 17 is axially displaced in the direction indicated by arrow 30
  • the swivel member 13 is rotated around the hinge axis 14 in the direction on arrow 31, and the transmission element 15 is axially displaced in the direction of arrow 32.
  • Leg section 8 can now be moved in an axial direction with respect to leg section 9 for adjusting the length of the one leg 4.
  • leg section 8 is then fastened and cannot be moved any more in an axial direction with respect to leg section 9.
  • Figure 6 shows a side elevation of the hinge arrangement, wherein the one leg 4 and the other leg 5 are aligned with respect to each other.
  • the blocking element 26 is in a second active position in which the hinge arrangement 6 is blocked such that the angle ( ⁇ ) between the one and other legs 4, 5 of the support apparatus 1a; 1b is substantially 180°.
  • the first rotated position or the first set of rotated positions is defined by a sharp angle ( ⁇ ).
  • ⁇ the control abutment 25 of the swivel member 13 is not positioned opposite the control element 17 of the other leg 5.
  • the operating mechanism is also arranged such that in this case the control element 17 and the transmission element 15 cannot be brought into direct contact with each other.
  • the locking mechanism 11 of the one leg 4 cannot be unlocked or locked by operating the manual operator 16. In this case, operating the manual operator 16 only results in unlocking or locking the locking mechanism 11 of the other leg 5.
  • FIG. 7 shows a front view of the hinge arrangement 6.
  • the hinge arrangement 6 comprises essentially flat and parallel hinge plates 70, 71 which are rotatable with respect to each other around a hinge axis 14 that is arranged perpendicular with respect to side plates 72, 73 which are each connected to respectively the one leg 4 and the other leg 5.
  • Figure 7 also shows that the swivel member 13 is rotatable around the hinge axis 14 and that it is contained within a circumferential rim 74, 75 of the hinge plates 70, 71.
  • Figure 8a shows a perspective view of two interconnected control arrangements according to the present invention in the case that two support apparatuses 1a, 1b have been applied in for example a ladder 2.
  • the pushing blocks 19 that are positioned on the rod 20 that interconnects the first and second support apparatuses 1a, 1b, are rotated.
  • the one and other legs 4, 5 are in a first rotating position, the control elements 17 are brought into abutting contact with the control abutments 25 and the swivel members 13 are rotated around hinge axis 14.
  • FIG 8b shows a perspective view of two interconnected control arrangements according to the present invention in the case that two support apparatuses 1a, 1b have been applied in for example a scaffolding or platform ladder 22.
  • each support apparatus 1a; 1b comprises two swivel members 13 that are interconnected by an intermediate section 23 which in use of the scaffolding 22 is positioned substantially horizontally to enable level support e.g. of a person and/or of equipment.
  • Simultaneously controlling the locking mechanisms 11 in the one leg 4 and the other leg 5 of the support apparatus 1a; 1b can be achieved by operating the manual operator 16 that is located at the other leg 5.
  • operating the manual operator 16 results in simultaneous axial displacement in opposite directions of the control elements 17 and further transmission elements 18 in the other legs 5.
  • the control elements 17 which are axially displaceable in the direction of the other swivel members 13 can be brought into abutting relationship with the control abutments 25 of the other swivel members 13 when the one and other legs 4, 5 are positioned with respect to each other such that a first rotated position or a position out of a first set of rotated positions is obtained.
  • the other swivel members are rotated around the hinge axis 14.
  • the one swivel members 13' do not comprise control abutments 25, such as the other swivel members 13 do.
  • Figure 9a shows a detailed side elevation of an embodiment of the control arrangement of the other leg 5 of the support apparatus 1a; 1b according to the present invention wherein the locking mechanism 11 is in the locked position.
  • the house 60 is integrated in leg sections 9 of the one and other legs 4, 5.
  • a sliding bar 33 is slidably received.
  • the sliding bar 33 may slide in an axial direction.
  • a stop is provided, to limit the extension, i.e. downward movement, of the sliding bar 33.
  • the sliding bar 33 is connected to leg section 8 that has a foot part 7 for stable placement of the ladder 2 in a used position.
  • a spring 44 is positioned around the sliding bar 33 .
  • the spring extends between the outer side of the house 60 and the upper part of leg section 8.
  • a further transmission element 18, such as a rod or a bar is slidably received.
  • a spring 43 is provided, thereby contacting one end of the transmission rod 18.
  • the further transmission rod 18 is also slidably received in an auxiliary element, such as a guiding block 28.
  • An upper end of the transmission rod 31 engages a pushing block 19, that is connected to a rod 20 that interconnects the control arrangements of the support apparatuses 1a, 1b.
  • the pushing block 19 and rod 20 may rotate around the centre line of the rod 20.
  • a corner of the pushing block 19 rests on a surface in a locked position of the locking mechanism 11.
  • the lower right corner of the pushing block 19 rests on the guiding block 28, and/or that the upper right corner rests on the inner part of the leg section 9, in a locked position of the locking mechanism 11. In this way, rotation of the pushing block 19 in one direction is prevented. This ensures that only a small rotational movement of the pushing block 19, and thus a small rotational movement of the cooperating manual operator 16, is sufficient for unlocking the locking mechanism 11.
  • a cam 36 is connected to the further transmission rod 18 at a hinge point 51.
  • the cam 36 may engage two catches 34, 35.
  • One catch 34 is provided at an upper end of the cam, and one catch 35 is provided at a lower end of the cam 36.
  • An upper side 61 of the cam engages catch 34, and a lower side 62 of the cam 36 engages catch 35.
  • the cam 36 may be made in the shape of a butterfly, i.e. having two legs that extend round the sliding bar 33.
  • Each catch 34, 35 has one side thereof positioned in a groove 52, 53 of the house 60.
  • the catch 34, 35 may tilt, or rotate, in the house 60 around a rotation axis formed by the lengthwise direction of the groove 52, 53.
  • the catch 34, 35 has no fixed axis of rotation within the house 60.
  • the catch 34, 35 is not connected to the house 60, but may freely move in the house 60 and in the cavity 52, 53.
  • the outer end of the catch may move in a horizontal plane.
  • Figure 9b shows a perspective view of a catch 34 element of the locking mechanism 11.
  • the catch 34 has a cavity 40 formed therein.
  • the sliding bar 33 of leg section 8 is slidably received in the cavity 40 of the catch 34 as can be seen in figure 9a .
  • the cavity 40 may be cylindrical in shape, although other shapes are possible.
  • the catch 34 has a stopping surface 47.
  • the stopping surface 47 may comprise the inner shell of the cavity 40.
  • the stopping surface 47 includes the edge 45 of the cavity 40 with the outer surface 54 of the catch 34.
  • a second U-shaped cavity 49 is provided in the catch.
  • the further transmission rod 18 is in an upward position, wherein hinge point 51 of the cam 36 is also lifted upwards.
  • the outer surfaces of the cam 36 are designed to enable the catches 34, 35 to rotate or tilt towards the centre of the house 60.
  • different parts of the stopping surface 47 of the cavity 40 of a catch 34, 35 will engage the sliding bar 33.
  • at least the two edges 45 of the cavity 40 will engage the sliding bar 33.
  • parts of the two edges 45 on both sides of the cavity 40 will contact the sliding bar 33.
  • the edges may press into the sliding bar.
  • the edges may also cut into the sliding bar 33.
  • the additional catch 35 is positioned longitudinally from the first catch 34. This additional catch 35, in combination with the first catch 34 ensures a tight fix. It can be seen in figure 9a that the catches 34, 35 tilt in opposite directions. In this way, prevention of axial movement in both directions is ensured. Also, a tight fix is assured.
  • the springs 38, 39 that are provided next to the catches 34, 35 also ensure that the catches 34, 35 are rotated or tilted towards the centre of the house 60.
  • the springs 38, 39 ensure that the catches 34, 35 are pushed towards a locked position.
  • the springs 38, 39 also ensure an increased engagement of the stopping surfaces 47 on the sliding bar 33. In this way, a tight and safe fix of the sliding bar 33 in the locking mechanism 11 is achieved.
  • the springs are positioned parallel to, and around the sliding bar 33 of leg section 8. Other positions are possible however.
  • Other elements for biasing the catch towards a locking position are also possible.
  • a spring that is positioned near to the further transmission element 18, and connected to botch catches 34, 35 may be used to pull the two catches 34, 35 towards each other, thus biasing the two catches towards a locking position.
  • Figure 9c shows a detailed side elevation of the embodiment of the control arrangement of the other leg 5 of the support apparatus 1a; 1b according to the present invention wherein the locking mechanism 11 is in the unlocked position.
  • Unlocking the locking mechanism 11 may be done as follows. By operating the manual operator 16, the pushing block 19 and rod 20 rotate and the further transmission element 18 is axially displaced in a downward direction. As a result, the hinge point 51 of the cam 36 will also move down. The cam 36 and house 60 are arranged such that this downward movement will result in rotation of the cam 36 around rotation point 51. The cam 36 is arranged such that the combined movement results in simultaneously tilting the two catches 34, 35 from a locking position to an open position. The movement of the cam 36 will lead to movement of the upper and lower surfaces of the cam 36, resulting in a tilting movement of both catches 34, 35 towards an outside part of the house 60.
  • the stopping surface 47 of the cavity 40 will then be positioned at a certain distance from the sliding bar 33, enabling movement of the sliding bar 33 within the house 60.
  • the other leg 5 of the ladder 2 may be extended or shortened in an axial direction.
  • the cain 36 may freely rotate around hinge point 51. It is possible that the outer surfaces of the cam 36 are not in direct contact with the catches 34, 35. In that case, movement of the further transmission element 18 may be necessary to bring the outer surfaces of the cam 36 into contact with the catches 34, 35, enabling movement of the catches 34, 35 towards an open position. In this way, the locking mechanism 11 may only be brought to an open position by actual movement of the further transmission element 18. This ensures that the user has to unlock the locking mechanism 11 intentionally, and prevents accidental unlocking of the locking mechanism 11.
  • a longitudinal axis of the cavity 40 extends parallel to the sliding bar 33. This ensures that the area through which the sliding bar 33 may be slided is maximal, i.e. that there is a maximal aperture for the sliding bar 33. Accidental lock-ups may be prevented with this.
  • the spring 44 around the sliding bar 33 biases the extendible leg section 8 towards an extended position.
  • the force of the spring is designed such that it balances the weighing force of the object to be supported. This way, releasing the locking mechanism 11 will only result in the extendable leg being extendable, without actually sliding within the house 60. Releasing the locking mechanism 11 therefore does not result in an active shortening of the extendible leg due to gravitational forces.
  • the force of each spring is chosen such that the combined forces of the springs balance the weighing force of the object to be supported.
  • the multiple springs may each have a different spring force, dependent on the weight distribution of the object to be supported.
  • An object such as a ladder 2, provided with a number of support apparatuses according to this embodiment, is relatively easy to position in any desired fashion.
  • the effort needed to change the orientation of the object is relatively small, since the object is more or less self-supported by the biased springs.
  • Figure 10a shows a perspective view of two interconnected support apparatuses according to the present invention wherein the two operating mechanisms comprise pulling members 80 to lock and unlock the locking mechanisms 11' located on the one legs 4 of the support apparatuses.
  • the pulling members 80 are guided by swivel members 13" that are rotatable around a hinge axis 14 of the hinge arrangement 6. Contrary to swivel members 13, the swivel members 13" do not need to comprise a control abutment 25.
  • the one and other legs 4, 5 respectively of the support apparatuses are in a first rotated position or in a set of first rotated positions with respect to each other as is shown in this figure, operating the manual operator 16 will allow simultaneous unlocking and unlocking of the locking mechanisms 11, 11'.
  • locking mechanism 11' has to be constructed such that movement of the manual operator 16 out of its rest position results in the application of a pulling force on locking mechanism 11' by pulling member 80. As a result, locking mechanism 11' is unlocked and the length of the one leg 4 can be adjusted. When the manual operator 16 is returned to its rest position locking mechanism 11' is locked and the length of the one leg 4 is fixed.
  • Figure 10a furthermore shows a tensioning device 81 that is arranged for tensioning the pulling members 80 such that operating the manual operator 16 allows simultaneous operation of the locking mechanisms 11, 11' of the respective legs 4, 5 when these legs are in a first rotated position or in a first set of rotated positions with respect to each other.
  • the tensioning device 81 does not allow unlocking of the locking mechanisms 11' located at the one legs 4.
  • Figure 10b shows a perspective view of two interconnected support apparatuses comprising intermediate sections 23 that have been applied in a scaffolding or platform ladder, wherein the two operating mechanisms comprise pulling members 80 to lock and unlock the locking mechanisms 11' located on the one legs 4 of the support apparatuses.
  • Figure 11 shows a side elevation of a hinge arrangement 6 according to the present invention, showing a pulling member 80 that is arranged around a swivel member 13" that is rotatable around a hinge axis 14 of the hinge arrangement 6 when the one and other legs 4, 5 respectively of the support apparatus are in a first rotated position with respect to each other.
  • This figure shows that swivel member 13" does not have a control abutment 25 as swivel members 13 do.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ladders (AREA)

Claims (25)

  1. Appareil de support comprenant des montants (4, 5) qui, au niveau de l'une de leurs extrémités, sont raccordés entre eux au moyen d'un agencement de charnière (6) et qui, au niveau de leur autre extrémité, comprennent des pieds de support (7) respectifs, lesdits montants (4, 5) comprenant chacun des sections de montant (8, 9) qui sont ajustables les unes par rapport aux autres pour fournir une longueur de montant ajustable, un agencement de commande étant prévu, comprenant un mécanisme de verrouillage (11, 11') pour verrouiller, respectivement déverrouiller les sections de montant (8) de chaque montant (4, 5) ainsi qu'un mécanisme de commande permettant le fonctionnement simultané des mécanismes de verrouillage (11, 11') des montants (4, 5) respectifs, caractérisé en ce que des éléments du mécanisme de commande sont au moins partiellement intégrés dans l'agencement de charnière (6) ou sont au moins partiellement positionnés au niveau de ce dernier.
  2. Appareil de support selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le mécanisme de commande comprend au moins un élément pivotant (13) qui peut tourner par rapport à un axe de charnière (14), ainsi qu'un élément de transmission (15) qui coopère avec ledit élément pivotant (13) et avec le mécanisme de verrouillage (11) de l'un des montants (4, 5) fournissant la commande dudit mécanisme de verrouillage (11) suite à la rotation de l'élément pivotant (13).
  3. Appareil de support selon la revendication 2, dans lequel un élément de commande (17) est prévu pour commander le au moins un élément pivotant (13), ainsi qu'un opérateur manuel (16), ledit élément de commande (17) fournissant la rotation de l'élément pivotant (13) suite à l'actionnement de l'opérateur manuel (16), ledit élément de commande (17) et l'opérateur manuel (16) étant positionnés au niveau de l'autre (5) des montants.
  4. Appareil de support selon la revendication 3, dans lequel un autre élément de transmission (18) est prévu au niveau dudit autre montant (5), ledit autre élément de transmission (18) pouvant être actionné par l'opérateur manuel (16) et fournissant la commande du mécanisme de verrouillage (11) de l'autre montant (5).
  5. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans lequel l'élément de transmission (15) dudit un montant (4) est raccordé par charnière au au moins un élément pivotant (13).
  6. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 ou 4, dans lequel un élément pivotant (13) a une butée de commande (25) qui est positionnée à l'opposé de l'élément de commande (17) dudit autre montant (5) dans une première position entraînée en rotation ou dans un premier ensemble de positions entraînées en rotation des montants (4, 5) les uns par rapport aux autres et qui est à distance ou retiré de ladite butée de commande (25) dans les autres positions entraînées en rotation des montants (4, 5), afin d'amener l'élément de commande (17) en relation de butée avec la butée de commande (25) dudit élément pivotant (13) alors que cette dernière est dans la première position entraînée en rotation ou dans le premier ensemble de positions entraînées en rotation.
  7. Appareil de support selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les montants (4, 5) sont directement raccordés l'un à l'autre par un agencement de charnière (6), l'élément de transmission (15) dudit un montant (4) et la butée de commande (25) pour la coopération avec l'élément de commande (17) de l'autre montant (5) étant associés avec un seul et même élément pivotant (13).
  8. Appareil de support selon la revendication 6, dans lequel une section intermédiaire (23) est prévue et les montants (4, 5) sont raccordés aux extrémités opposées de ladite section intermédiaire (23) par des agencements de charnière (6) respectifs, lesdits agencements de charnière (6) étant chacun prévus avec un élément pivotant (13, 13'), lesdits éléments pivotants (13, 13') étant interconnectés par un élément de couplage (24) permettant la rotation simultanée et couplée desdits éléments pivotants (13, 13'), l'élément de transmission (15) dudit un montant (4) étant raccordé à l'élément pivotant respectif (13') et la butée de commande (25) étant agencée sur l'autre élément pivotant (13).
  9. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel on prévoit des éléments de blocage (26) qui sont déplaçables entre une position active dans laquelle les montants (4, 5) sont bloqués contre la rotation les unes par rapport aux autres selon un angle vif (α) et une position inactive permettant la rotation des montants (4, 5) les uns par rapport aux autres.
  10. Appareil de support selon la revendication 9, lorsqu'elle dépend de l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, dans lequel la première position entraînée en rotation ou le premier ensemble de positions entraînées en rotation est défini(e) par ledit angle vif (α).
  11. Appareil de support selon la revendication 9, lorsqu'elle dépend de l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, dans lequel les éléments de blocage (26) ont une seconde position active dans laquelle les montants (4, 5) sont alignés les unes par rapport aux autres.
  12. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chaque agencement de charnière (6) comprend des plaques de charnière essentiellement plates et parallèles qui peuvent tourner les unes par rapport aux autres autour d'un axe de charnière (14) perpendiculaire par rapport auxdites plaques qui sont chacune raccordées à un montant (4, 5) respectif, l'élément pivotant (13, 13', 13") pouvant également tourner autour dudit axe de charnière (14).
  13. Appareil de support selon la revendication 12, dans lequel au moins l'une des plaques de charnière a un rebord circonférentiel à l'intérieur duquel l'élément pivotant (13, 13', 13") est contenu.
  14. Appareil de support selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le mécanisme de commande comprend un élément de traction (80) qui s'étend entre un mécanisme de verrouillage (11') positionné sur l'un des montants (4) et un opérateur manuel (16) positionné sur l'autre montant (5) et/ou entre un mécanisme de verrouillage (11) et un opérateur manuel (16), les deux positionnés sur l'autre montant (5).
  15. Appareil de support selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le mécanisme de commande comprend un élément de traction (80) qui s'étend entre un mécanisme de verrouillage (11') positionné sur l'un des montants (4) et un opérateur manuel (16) positionné sur l'autre montant (5) et un autre élément de transmission (18) qui s'étend entre ledit opérateur manuel (16) et un mécanisme de verrouillage (11) positionné sur l'autre montant (5).
  16. Appareil de support selon la revendication 14 ou 15, dans lequel l'actionnement de l'opérateur manuel (16) permet le fonctionnement simultané des mécanismes de verrouillage (11, 11') des montants (4, 5) respectifs, via l'élément de traction (80) et éventuellement l'autre élément de transmission (18) lorsque ces montants sont dans une première position entraînée en rotation ou dans un premier ensemble de positions entraînées en rotation les uns par rapport aux autres.
  17. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 16, dans lequel l'élément de traction (80) est mobile autour d'un axe de charnière (14) de l'agencement de charnière (6).
  18. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 17, dans lequel l'élément de traction (80) est un câble.
  19. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 17, dans lequel l'élément de traction (80) est une chaîne.
  20. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 17, dans lequel l'élément de traction (80) est une courroie.
  21. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 20, dans lequel les montants (4, 5) sont directement raccordés entre eux par l'agencement de charnière (6).
  22. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 21, dans lequel une section intermédiaire (23) est prévue et les montants (4, 5) sont raccordés aux extrémités opposées de ladite section intermédiaire (23) par le biais d'agencements de charnière (6) respectifs.
  23. Appareil de support selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 22, dans lequel on prévoit un dispositif de tension (81) qui est agencé pour tendre les éléments de traction (80) de sorte que l'actionnement de l'opérateur manuel (16) permet le fonctionnement simultané des mécanismes de verrouillage (11, 11') des montants (4, 5) respectifs, lorsque ces montants sont dans une première position entraînée en rotation ou dans un premier ensemble de positions entraînées en rotation les unes par rapport aux autres.
  24. Echelle pliable ou escabeau ou échafaudage, comprenant un premier ainsi qu'un second appareil de support (1a, 1b) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui sont agencés parallèlement entre eux et qui sont interconnectés au moyen de poutres (3) parallèles et espacées à égale distance, dans laquelle (lequel) les agencements de commande des deux appareils de support (1a, 1b) sont interconnectés, permettant la commande simultanée des quatre montants (4, 5).
  25. Echelle pliable ou escabeau ou échafaudage selon la revendication 24, dans laquelle (lequel) on prévoit des éléments d'activation (16) qui peuvent fonctionner pour activer manuellement l'agencement de commande d'au moins l'un des appareils de support (1a, 1b).
EP10771223.4A 2010-10-13 2010-10-13 Appareil de support et échelle pliable, escabeau ou échafaudage avec un tel appareil de support Not-in-force EP2627849B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/NL2010/050676 WO2012050433A1 (fr) 2010-10-13 2010-10-13 Appareil de support

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2627849A1 EP2627849A1 (fr) 2013-08-21
EP2627849B1 true EP2627849B1 (fr) 2015-03-11

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EP10771223.4A Not-in-force EP2627849B1 (fr) 2010-10-13 2010-10-13 Appareil de support et échelle pliable, escabeau ou échafaudage avec un tel appareil de support

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2627849B1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2538821T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012050433A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105464582A (zh) * 2015-12-28 2016-04-06 国网河南禹州市供电公司 一种新型电力维修装置
EP4126732B1 (fr) * 2020-03-30 2024-05-01 Inventio Ag Dispositif de fixation d'un entraînement d'une installation d'ascenseur

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3016103A (en) * 1960-03-04 1962-01-09 Weather Seal Inc Stepladder having adjustable legs thereon
WO1997005359A1 (fr) * 1995-07-31 1997-02-13 Gregory John Schwarzel Montants extensibles servant a mettre a niveau des echelles et analogue
GB2375343A (en) * 2001-03-15 2002-11-13 Hydraulic Levelling Systems Lt Hydraulic levelling systems
US6902140B1 (en) * 2004-03-26 2005-06-07 Shih-Yi Huang Adjustable support foot
US20070295556A1 (en) * 2006-06-22 2007-12-27 Oded Grinberg Device system and method of adjustable telescopic legs
US20080078616A1 (en) * 2006-10-03 2008-04-03 Ursitti Mark A Self leveling ladder system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012050433A1 (fr) 2012-04-19
EP2627849A1 (fr) 2013-08-21
ES2538821T3 (es) 2015-06-24

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