GB2155090A

GB2155090A - Attachment for ladders

Info

Publication number: GB2155090A
Application number: GB08405169A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sammuel David Smith
Original assignee: SMITH LADDER LIMPIT Ltd
Current assignee: SMITH LADDER LIMPIT Ltd
Priority date: 1984-02-28
Filing date: 1984-02-28
Publication date: 1985-09-18
Also published as: GB8405169D0

Abstract

An attachment for ladders for the purpose of stabilizing the ladder against a wall or other upright surface comprises an elongate cross bar (10) of width greater than the width of the ladder and wheels (24) at the end of the cross bar for engaging a wall. Attachment means is mounted on the cross bar for securing the cross bar to at least two rungs of the ladder, and comprising a J shaped hook (11) which extends diametrically through the cross bar (10) and is axially adjustable therein to alter the distance between the hook end and the cross bar, and an S shaped hook (12) rotatably mounted on the cross bar. Each hook (11, 12) engages different rungs of the ladder and the J shaped hook is axially adjustable to draw the hooks (13, 20) of both hook means closer to secure the cross bar on the ladder. There are preferably two of each type of hook and each S hook is located between a J hook and the wheel (24) at the respective end of the cross bar. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Attachment for Ladders This invention relates to an attachment for ladders for the purpose of stabilizing the ladder against a wall or other upright surface.

According to the present invention there is provided an attachment for ladders, comprising an elongate cross bar of width greater than the width of the ladder and means at the end of the cross bar for engaging a surface, and attachment means mounted on the cross bar for securing the cross bar to at least two rungs of the ladder, said attachment means comprising first hook means which extends diametrically through the cross bar and is axially adjustable therein to alter the distance between the hook end of said means and the cross bar and second hook means rotatably mounted on the cross bar whereby each hook means engages different rungs of the ladder and the first hook means is axially adjustable to draw the hooks of both hook means closer to secure the cross bar on the ladder.

Preferably, the hooks of each hook means extend in opposite directions to form an overall S-shape.

Preferably also the first hook means comprises two hook shaped members having elongate shanks extending through the cross bar and with threaded ends engaged by wing nuts for axial adjustability.

Preferably also, the second hook means comprises two hook shaped members having shanks formed in substantially closed loops and located around the periphery of the cross bar.

Preferably also, each hook member of the second hook means is located between a hook of the first hook means and the surface engageable means at the respective end of the cross bar.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is an elevation of a ladder attachment according to the invention.

The attachment includes an elongate tubular cross bar 10 of length substantially greater than the width of a ladder, and hook means 11, 12 mounted on the cross bar for attachmentto two rungs of the ladder.

First hook means 11, comprises two J-shaped members, each having a hook 13 at one end and an elongate shank 14 which extends diametrically through the cross bar. The shank 14 terminates in a threaded end 15 which carries a wing nut 16 by which the shank is axially adjustable in the cross bar to alter the distance between the hook 13 and the cross bar.

The second hook means 12 corriprises two substantially S-shaped members, each having a hook 20 and a shank 21 formed into a substantially closed loop and located around the cross bar for free mpvement thereon. The members20, 21 of the second hook means 12 are located between a member 12-16 of the first hook means 11 and a surface engageable member 24 at the respective end of the cross bar 10 and thus have limited movement along the cross bar as well as free rotational movement thereon.

The hooks 13 of the first hook means 11 and the hooks 20 of the second hook means 12 preferably face in opposite directions to form an overall S formation; e.g. the hooks 13 face towards that side of the ladder away from the wall or like against which it is to rest, and the hooks 20 face towards that face.

The surface engageable members 24 in this embodiment are two rubber rimmed wheels each of which is located on the cross bar from one end to abut a stop 25 and it is then heid against removal by a linch pin 26. In use, the wheels abut a wall or other upstanding surface. However, the surface to be engaged may be the ground, paving or the like, in which case the surface engageable member may be a foot, pad or the like.

In use, the cross bar is mounted on a ladder at a selected location which in the present embodiment is at or adjacent to the top of the ladder.

The cross bar is so positioned that the hooks 20 engage around one rung and the hooks 13 engage loosely around another rung. Preferably the hooks 20 are above the hooks 13. The wing nuts are then turned to draw the hooks 13 towards the cross bar so that distance between the two sets of hooks is decreased and the rungs firmly gripped.

When the cross bar is to be located at the lower end of a ladderthe rotatable hooks 20 are preferably located below the axially adjustable hooks 13.

Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention; for example only three hooks may be provided of which only a single hook 20 or a single hook 13 is provided in combination with the other pair 13 or 20 respectively, the single hook being located between the other two; also the hooks 13, 20 of each means 11, 12 can face the same direction, either towards or away from the wall.

1. An attachment for ladders, comprising an elongate cross bar of width greater than the width of the ladder and means at the end of the cross bar for engaging a surface, and attachment means mounted on the cross bar for securing the cross bar to at least two rungs of the ladder, said attachment means comprising first hook means which extends diametrically through the cross bar and is axially adjustable therein to alter the distance between the hook end of said means and the cross bar and second hook means rotatably mounted on the cross bar whereby each hook means engages different rungs of the ladder and the first hook means is axially adjustable to draw the hooks of both hook means closer to secure the cross bar on the ladder.

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, in which the hooks of each hook means extend in opposite directions to form an overall S-shape.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the first hookmeans comprises two hook shaped members having elongate shanks extending through the-cross bar and with threaded ends engaged by wing nuts for axial adjustability.

4. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the second hook means comprises two hook

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Attachment for Ladders This invention relates to an attachment for ladders for the purpose of stabilizing the ladder against a wall or other upright surface. According to the present invention there is provided an attachment for ladders, comprising an elongate cross bar of width greater than the width of the ladder and means at the end of the cross bar for engaging a surface, and attachment means mounted on the cross bar for securing the cross bar to at least two rungs of the ladder, said attachment means comprising first hook means which extends diametrically through the cross bar and is axially adjustable therein to alter the distance between the hook end of said means and the cross bar and second hook means rotatably mounted on the cross bar whereby each hook means engages different rungs of the ladder and the first hook means is axially adjustable to draw the hooks of both hook means closer to secure the cross bar on the ladder. Preferably, the hooks of each hook means extend in opposite directions to form an overall S-shape. Preferably also the first hook means comprises two hook shaped members having elongate shanks extending through the cross bar and with threaded ends engaged by wing nuts for axial adjustability. Preferably also, the second hook means comprises two hook shaped members having shanks formed in substantially closed loops and located around the periphery of the cross bar. Preferably also, each hook member of the second hook means is located between a hook of the first hook means and the surface engageable means at the respective end of the cross bar. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is an elevation of a ladder attachment according to the invention. The attachment includes an elongate tubular cross bar 10 of length substantially greater than the width of a ladder, and hook means 11, 12 mounted on the cross bar for attachmentto two rungs of the ladder. First hook means 11, comprises two J-shaped members, each having a hook 13 at one end and an elongate shank 14 which extends diametrically through the cross bar. The shank 14 terminates in a threaded end 15 which carries a wing nut 16 by which the shank is axially adjustable in the cross bar to alter the distance between the hook 13 and the cross bar. The second hook means 12 corriprises two substantially S-shaped members, each having a hook 20 and a shank 21 formed into a substantially closed loop and located around the cross bar for free mpvement thereon. The members20, 21 of the second hook means 12 are located between a member 12-16 of the first hook means 11 and a surface engageable member 24 at the respective end of the cross bar 10 and thus have limited movement along the cross bar as well as free rotational movement thereon. The hooks 13 of the first hook means 11 and the hooks 20 of the second hook means 12 preferably face in opposite directions to form an overall S formation; e.g. the hooks 13 face towards that side of the ladder away from the wall or like against which it is to rest, and the hooks 20 face towards that face. The surface engageable members 24 in this embodiment are two rubber rimmed wheels each of which is located on the cross bar from one end to abut a stop 25 and it is then heid against removal by a linch pin 26. In use, the wheels abut a wall or other upstanding surface. However, the surface to be engaged may be the ground, paving or the like, in which case the surface engageable member may be a foot, pad or the like. In use, the cross bar is mounted on a ladder at a selected location which in the present embodiment is at or adjacent to the top of the ladder. The cross bar is so positioned that the hooks 20 engage around one rung and the hooks 13 engage loosely around another rung. Preferably the hooks 20 are above the hooks 13. The wing nuts are then turned to draw the hooks 13 towards the cross bar so that distance between the two sets of hooks is decreased and the rungs firmly gripped. When the cross bar is to be located at the lower end of a ladderthe rotatable hooks 20 are preferably located below the axially adjustable hooks 13. Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention; for example only three hooks may be provided of which only a single hook 20 or a single hook 13 is provided in combination with the other pair 13 or 20 respectively, the single hook being located between the other two; also the hooks 13, 20 of each means 11, 12 can face the same direction, either towards or away from the wall. CLAIMS

4. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the second hook means comprises two hook shaped members having shanks formed in substantially closed loops and located around the periphery of the cross bar.

5. An attachment as claimed in claim 4 in which each hook member of the second hook means is located between a hook of the first hook means and the surface engageable means at the respective end of the cross bar.

6. An attachment for ladders substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.