GB2053334A

GB2053334A - Ladder struts

Info

Publication number: GB2053334A
Application number: GB8022090A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SACOME INT SA
Current assignee: SACOME INT SA
Priority date: 1979-07-18
Filing date: 1980-07-04
Publication date: 1981-02-04
Also published as: FR2461802A4; FR2461802B4; GB2053334B; DE3026156A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ladder with detachable stabilising struts enabling its use on uneven ground. The invention is characterised in that one end of each strut 3 is attached to a stile 1 via a bracket 4, the attachment comprising a cylindrical component 25, Fig. 2, having opposing spring loaded retractable studs 24 which engage in recesses 22 in said bracket. Conveniently, each bracket 4 is of U-shaped cross section with a series of mutually parallel sloping slots 9 and circular holes defining said recesses 22, and the studs have small diameter extensions 26 corresponding to the width of the slots 9. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ladder with detachable stabilising stays The present invention relates to a ladder of the kind having detachable stabilising stays. Such a ladder is described in the French Certificate of Utility Application No. 78/36409, in the name of the Applicants.

However, the present invention constitutes an improvement of this latter arrangement, insofar as it facilitates adjustment of the position of the stays and ensures, by simple means, that they are locked in a position selected from a series of predetermined positions.

According to the invention such a ladder is characterised in that the top of each stay comprises a cylindrical element equipped with two opposing retractable studs designed to engage in the receiving recesses in the bracket which is attached to the upright of the ladder.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bracket is formed by a section of metal profile with a U-shaped cross-section, the lateral shanks of this profile comprising a series of mutually parallel sloping slots, each of which comprises a straight elongated passage which terminates at the free end of the lateral shanks of the profile, and a circular hole disposed at the opposite end to the entrance into the slot.

The present invention will be readily understood with reference to the following description of one preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a preferred ladder according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a retractable stud mounted on the stabilising stay of the ladder shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section through the stud shown in Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 1, the ladder shown comprises essentially two uprights 1, rungs 2 and a stay 3 attached to each of the uprights 1. The stay 3 is actually made up of three parts which coact to fulfil their function, which is to ensure that the ladder stands firmly, even on uneven ground.

The three parts are the bracket 4, a strut 5 and a strap 6.

The bracket is formed by a section of metal profile with a U-shaped cross-section, the lateral shanks 7 and 8 of which comprise a series of sloping slots 9 which will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2. The strut 5 is a metal part with, for example, a rectangular or Ushaped cross-section, the width of which, at least at its upper end 10, is slightly less than the distance between the two lateral shanks 7 and 8 of the bracket so that it may be introduced with slight friction into the U of the bracket. The upper end 10 has two retractable studs 11 and 1 2 on opposite sides, arranged along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strut 5. These studs are designed as described below, so that they may enter into the slots 9 in the bracket 4.The strap 6 comprises two lateral arms 13 and 14 which are connected to each other, for example, by a plate (not shown) or lateral cross bars 1 5 and 16, and the free ends of which are attached in pairs to the upright 1 of the ladder and to the lateral edges of the strut 5 respectively, by means of two through-pins 17 and 18.

Figure 2 shows the shape of the sloping slots 9 in the bracket 4 in more detail. Each of these slots comprises an elongated straight passage 21 which terminates at the free end of the lateral shanks 7 and 8 of the bracket 4, and a circular hole 22 disposed at the end of the passage 21 opposite its entrance. The diameter of the circular hole 22 corresponds to the external diameter of a first cylindrical part 23 of the stud designated by the general reference numeral 24, which is provided on the end of the cylindrical element 25.

The width of the straight passage 21 corresponds to the external diameter of a second cylindrical part 26 which forms an extension of the section 23 of the stud 24. As described below in more detail, the stud 24 is retractable and may be pushed back inside the cylindrical element 25.

During introduction of the stud 24 in one of the slots in the bracket, the user pushes back the stud 24 into the cylindrical element 25 until all of the first cylindrical part 23 is inside the said com ponent. At this moment the second cylindrical component 26 can slide freely in the passage 21.

When the said component 26 reaches the circular hole 22 the stud is freed and the second part 23 becomes latched in the said hole 22, which has the effect of locking the stud 24 and therefore the strut 5 and the entire stay 3 in the position chosen by the user.

To obtain this effect, the stud 30 shown in longitudinal section in Figure 3 is made up of three cylindrical parts arranged in an extension of each other. The inner part 31 has an external diameter which is substantially equal to or slightly less than the internal diameter of the cylindrical component 32. Its inner end is partially hollowed out and has a cavity 33 which enables a spring 34 to be accommodated, being braced on the bottom 35 of the cavity 33 and tending to push the stud towards the outside of the cylindrical component 32, resting against a stop 36 formed by a toroidal section or the like mounted in an internal peripheral groove in the cylindrical component 32.

The part continues into a solid cylindrical section 37, followed by a solid cylindrical section 38 corresponding respectively to the elements 23 and 26 described with reference to Figure 2. The cylindrical component 32 is held in place in the associated strut by means of two clips 39, or by any other equivalent means.

The arrangement described is particularly useful in that it enables the stabilising stays of the ladder to be put in place rapidly and securely. The invention is not limited to the embodiment described, but may be modified in numerous ways and may be endowed with various improvements which are obvious to a worker skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A ladder of the kind having detachable stabilising stays, characterised in that the end of each stay which connects to the ladder comprises a cylindrical component equipped with two opposing retractable studs designed to engage in the receiving recesses in a bracket which is attached to an upright of the ladder.

2. A ladder according to Claim 1, characterised in that the bracket is formed by a section of metal profile with a U-shaped cross-section, the lateral shanks of this profile comprising a series of mutually parallel sloping slots, each of which comprises a straight elongated passage which terminates at the free end of the lateral shanks of the profile, and a circular hole disposed at the opposite end of the passage to the entrance into the slot.

3. A ladder according to Claim 2, characterised in that the said circular hole has a diameter which is greater than the width of the said straight passage.

4. A ladder according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cylindrical component comprises a central tubular body with two studs partially housed in the said central body, the two studs being pushed out towards the exterior by a spring housed in the inner cavity in the central body against stopping means which are integral with the said body.

5. Bladder according to Claims 2 and 4, characterised in that each stud comprises a first cylindrical section, the external diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the circular hole in the slots in the bracket, and a second cylindrical part, the diameter of which corresponds to the width of the said straight passage.

6. A ladder of the kind having detachable stabilising stays constructed, arranged and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.