GB2130281A

GB2130281A - Ladder attachment bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2130281A
Application number: GB08229201A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samuel David Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-10-13
Filing date: 1982-10-13
Publication date: 1984-05-31

Abstract

A bracket for mounting a cross bar on a ladder is provided for use in pairs. Each bracket comprises a plate having a pair of limbs 10, 11 in right-angled spaced relation for engaging two faces of a rectangular- section ladder stile 16, and a securing bar 12 having members in L-shaped disposition to engage the other two faces of the stile 16 and connect adjustably with the limbs of the plate to secure the bracket to the ladder stile. The plate 10, 11 has an extension 20 to carry the elongate cross bar 17 transversely across the ladder between and extending laterally beyond the brackets. Thus, the bracket can be attached to the ladder stile 16 firstly by placing the limbs 10, 11 of the plate against two faces of the stile, then locating the bar 12, through slots 14 of the limbs 10, 11, and tightening the wing nuts. The slots 14 allow the bar to draw towards the junction of the limbs as it comes into firm engagement with the other two sides of the ladder stile 16. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ladder attachment bracket This invention relates to attachments for ladders.

It is known to attach an elongate cross bar to a ladder, wall engaging means, such as wheels being located at the ends of the cross bar to engage a wall against which the ladder is placed to hold the ladder off the wall and stabilize it.

An object of this invention is to provide a means for mounting the cross bar on the ladder.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bracket for use in pairs, comprising a pair of limbs in rightangled spaced relation for engaging two faces of a rectangular-section ladder stile and an L shaped securing bar to engage the other two faces of the stile and connect with the pair of limbs to secure the bracket to the ladder stile, and means on the bracket to carry an elongate cross bar transversely across the ladder between and extending laterally beyond the brackets.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a ladder attachment comprising a cross bar means on which is mounted in parallel spaced relation a pair of brackets for engaging the ladder stiles, said brackets being as defined in the proceding paragraph.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a perspective view of a bracket according to one aspect of the invention and a plan of brackets on a ladder.

The bracket is made of metal and has a pair of limbs 10, 11 spaced at right angles and an L shaped bar 1 2 threaded at both ends 13, slots 14 are provided in both limbs and the ends 1 3 pass through the slots 14. Wing nuts 1 5 or the like are threaded on to the bar ends and tightened to draw the bar towards the limb 10, 11. Thus, the bracket can be attached to a ladder stile 1 6 of rectangular cross section, firstly by placing the limbs 10, 11 against two faces of the stile, then locating the bar 12, through the slots 14 of the limbs 10, 11, mounting the wing nuts and tightening them. The slots 14 allow the bar to draw towards the junction of the limbs as it comes into firm engagement with the other two sides of the ladder stile 16.

A bracket is mounted on each stile in transversly aligned relationship. Each bracket includes means for carrying an elongate cross bar 1 7 to lie across the ladder and extend beyond the brackets. The carrying means on each bracket may comprise a box or U-shaped extension 20 welded to and projecting from the shorter limb 11 in a direction away from the longer limb 10, the web 21 of the extension being secured to the shorter limb 11 and the sides 22 of the extension having transversely aligned holes 23 to receive the cross bar, or the central portion of a multiple bar having extension pieces for telescopic location in the central portion.

In a modified carrying means, only one side 22' is provided, formed for example from an L-shaped extension, as shown by the left-hand bracket in Fig. 2; the right hand bracket has two sides 22, and it will be noted that the inner side is positioned such that it does not foul with the wing nut 1 5.

Any suitable means is provided to secure the bar 1 7 against movement relative to the brackets once mounted therein; for example a flange or plate 25 extends at right angles to the plate 22' or between the plates 22 parallel to the shorter limb 11 of the bracket and a screw 26 is mounted in said flange/plate 25 to engage in a hole in the cross bar 1 7 to lock the bar 1 7 against both lateral and rotational movement. The cross bar 1 7 may be a single bar or a multiple bar having a centre portion and a pair of extension pieces for telescopic location in the centre portion.The ends of the cross bar carry wall engageable members such as wheels 30; these may be mounted directly on to the cross bar 1 7 so that the cross bar forms the axle and can have a rotational movement in the brackets without affecting the efficiency of the wheels. However, if the wheels 30 are carried on arms 31 which engage sockets 32 at the ends of the cross bar 1 7 at right angles to the bar 1 7 as generally illustrated in Fig. 2 and more fully described in my co-pending application No.

8203492, it is necessary to prevent rotational movement of the cross bar by for example the screw flange/plate herein before described.

The carrying means may also be a solid block welded to the shorter limb 11 and having a transverse through hole to receive the cross bar with holes in the bar and block to pin the bar against lateral and rotational movement.

When rotation of the cross bar is permissible lateral movement of the bar can be checked by locating a pin in the bar between the two plates 22 or on one side of each of the plates 22' of each bracket.

The brackets and bar are preferably mounted on the ladder when the ladder is flat and on its back, i.e. so that its cross bar is located above the ladder as it is mounted on the brackets.

1. A bracket for use in pairs, each bracket comprising a plate having a pair of limbs in right-angled spaced relation for engaging two faces of a rectangular-section ladder stile and securing bar having members in L-shaped disposition to engage the other two faces of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ladder attachment bracket This invention relates to attachments for ladders. It is known to attach an elongate cross bar to a ladder, wall engaging means, such as wheels being located at the ends of the cross bar to engage a wall against which the ladder is placed to hold the ladder off the wall and stabilize it. An object of this invention is to provide a means for mounting the cross bar on the ladder. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bracket for use in pairs, comprising a pair of limbs in rightangled spaced relation for engaging two faces of a rectangular-section ladder stile and an L shaped securing bar to engage the other two faces of the stile and connect with the pair of limbs to secure the bracket to the ladder stile, and means on the bracket to carry an elongate cross bar transversely across the ladder between and extending laterally beyond the brackets. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a ladder attachment comprising a cross bar means on which is mounted in parallel spaced relation a pair of brackets for engaging the ladder stiles, said brackets being as defined in the proceding paragraph. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a perspective view of a bracket according to one aspect of the invention and a plan of brackets on a ladder. The bracket is made of metal and has a pair of limbs 10, 11 spaced at right angles and an L shaped bar 1 2 threaded at both ends 13, slots 14 are provided in both limbs and the ends 1 3 pass through the slots 14. Wing nuts 1 5 or the like are threaded on to the bar ends and tightened to draw the bar towards the limb 10, 11. Thus, the bracket can be attached to a ladder stile 1 6 of rectangular cross section, firstly by placing the limbs 10, 11 against two faces of the stile, then locating the bar 12, through the slots 14 of the limbs 10, 11, mounting the wing nuts and tightening them. The slots 14 allow the bar to draw towards the junction of the limbs as it comes into firm engagement with the other two sides of the ladder stile 16. A bracket is mounted on each stile in transversly aligned relationship. Each bracket includes means for carrying an elongate cross bar 1 7 to lie across the ladder and extend beyond the brackets. The carrying means on each bracket may comprise a box or U-shaped extension 20 welded to and projecting from the shorter limb 11 in a direction away from the longer limb 10, the web 21 of the extension being secured to the shorter limb 11 and the sides 22 of the extension having transversely aligned holes 23 to receive the cross bar, or the central portion of a multiple bar having extension pieces for telescopic location in the central portion. In a modified carrying means, only one side 22' is provided, formed for example from an L-shaped extension, as shown by the left-hand bracket in Fig. 2; the right hand bracket has two sides 22, and it will be noted that the inner side is positioned such that it does not foul with the wing nut 1 5. Any suitable means is provided to secure the bar 1 7 against movement relative to the brackets once mounted therein; for example a flange or plate 25 extends at right angles to the plate 22' or between the plates 22 parallel to the shorter limb 11 of the bracket and a screw 26 is mounted in said flange/plate 25 to engage in a hole in the cross bar 1 7 to lock the bar 1 7 against both lateral and rotational movement. The cross bar 1 7 may be a single bar or a multiple bar having a centre portion and a pair of extension pieces for telescopic location in the centre portion.The ends of the cross bar carry wall engageable members such as wheels 30; these may be mounted directly on to the cross bar 1 7 so that the cross bar forms the axle and can have a rotational movement in the brackets without affecting the efficiency of the wheels. However, if the wheels 30 are carried on arms 31 which engage sockets 32 at the ends of the cross bar 1 7 at right angles to the bar 1 7 as generally illustrated in Fig. 2 and more fully described in my co-pending application No. 8203492, it is necessary to prevent rotational movement of the cross bar by for example the screw flange/plate herein before described. The carrying means may also be a solid block welded to the shorter limb 11 and having a transverse through hole to receive the cross bar with holes in the bar and block to pin the bar against lateral and rotational movement. When rotation of the cross bar is permissible lateral movement of the bar can be checked by locating a pin in the bar between the two plates 22 or on one side of each of the plates 22' of each bracket. The brackets and bar are preferably mounted on the ladder when the ladder is flat and on its back, i.e. so that its cross bar is located above the ladder as it is mounted on the brackets. CLAIMS

1. A bracket for use in pairs, each bracket comprising a plate having a pair of limbs in right-angled spaced relation for engaging two faces of a rectangular-section ladder stile and securing bar having members in L-shaped disposition to engage the other two faces of the stile and connect adjustably with the pair of limbs to secure the bracket to the ladder stile, and means on the bracket to carry an elongate cross bar transversely across the ladder between and extending laterally beyond the brackets.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, in which the limbs of the plate are slotted to receive the members of the securing bar whereby said members are adjustably connectable to the plate.

3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the end of each member of the securing bar which locates in the slots of the plate are threaded and carry nuts by which the securing bar and the plate can be tightened against the ladder stile.

4. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the securing bar is an L-shaped bolt.

5. A ladder attachment comprising a cross bar means on which is mounted in parallel spaced relation a pair of brackets for engaging the ladder stiles, said brackets being as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A bracket for use in pairs substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A ladder attachment as claimed in claim 5 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.