GB2166793A - Stabilizing means for ladders - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention consists of a stabilizer for ladders, the device is fitted to the base of a ladder, effectively increasing the base area and thereby greatly increasing the safety factor in ladder use. The important feature of the device is the two self locking brackets, each having two hook parts which lock onto the ladder side rails using a revolving motion. The brackets are welded to two box section leg parts which extend forward and are mutually inclined outwards at the forward ends to prevent the ladder slipping or tilting. Due to the self locking brackets the stabilizer can be fitted or removed quickly. The forward ends of the leg parts are connected pivotally by a rod which is flexible and allow one leg to be relatively higher on the ladder side rail to allow for uneven ground. The rod also enables the stabilizer to be folded. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Stabilizing means for ladders The invention consists of a stabilizing means for the lower part of a ladder.

The term ladder used herein is to be construed as comprising two side pieces or stiles, connected by rungs placed at a suitable distance apart.

The purpose of the stabilizer is to provide the ladder with a greatly increased base area so as to afford infinitley greater stability in use on level or uneven ground surfaces.

The invention provides protection against the ladder base from slipping in a direction away from the supporting wall and also against the ladder tilting sideways from the vertical plane.

Unlike previous proposed ladder stabilizing devices, this invention can be fitted and removed quickly.

This leaves to the operator, the choice of use according to the prevailing conditions on site.

In this invention the stabilizing means is provided by two leg parts, each connected to the ladder side rails by a self locking bracket.

The leg parts when fitted extend in a forward direction towards the supporting wall, while being mutually inclined outwards providing a substantially wider base area.

The forward ends of the leg parts are connected by a rod which is of a pivoting nature in relation to each leg. The rod provides a bracing link between the leg parts and also enables the device to be folded when not in use.

At the tip of each leg part is provided a rubber cap to further reduce the likelihood of slipping.

An embodyment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the stabilizing means attached to a ladder.

Figure 2 shows the self locking bracket in detail.

Refering now to the drawing, stabilizing means for increasing the base area of ladder is mounted on te ladder by a pair of self locking brackets 2 attached to the side rails 5.

The metal box section leg parts 1 are welded to the metal self locking brackets 2 forming a rigid structure.

The forward ends of the leg parts 1 are pivotaily attached by a rod 3 which passes through a suitably sized hole 6 in each leg part. The ends of the rod 3 are inclined inwards to secure the rod 3 to the leg parts 1.

The flexible nature of the rod 3 enables one leg to take a higher position on the ladder side rail than the other when the device is used on uneven ground surfaces.

To attach the stabilizer to the ladder, the two self locking brackets 2 are held in a position adjacent to the ladder side rails 5 with the leg parts 1 inclined downwards towards the ground.

The two self locking brackets 2 are then moved inwards untill the inner surface of the brackets come into contact with the ladder side rails 5.

The forward ends of the leg parts 1 are then raised untill the hook parts of the self locking brackets 2 lock into position on opposite sides of each side rail 5.

The operator then slides the stabilizer down the side rails 5 untill the rubber end caps 4 come into contact with the ground. In this position, any movement of the ladder base in a direction away from the supporting wall will serve to further tighten the self locking brackets 2 onto the side rails 5.

Due to the mutual outward inclination of the leg parts 1 the ladder will not be able to tilt sideways.

The stabilizer would be manufactured as a seperate item, in sizes to suit variations in design and dimensions of differing ladder types.

1. A stabilizing means for connectng to the lower end of a ladder comprising supplementary leg means and self locking brackets for connecting said leg means to ladder side rails to prevent the ladder from slipping or tilting, said leg means comprising two box section members which extend forward and away from the ladder and the bases of which are mutually inclined outwards and are pivotally interconnected by a rod.

2. A stabilizing means for a ladder as claimed in claim 1, in which said self locking brackets each comprises two hook parts for locking onto ladder side rails by means of a semi rotating action.

3. A stabilizing means for a ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Stabilizing means for ladders The invention consists of a stabilizing means for the lower part of a ladder. The term ladder used herein is to be construed as comprising two side pieces or stiles, connected by rungs placed at a suitable distance apart. The purpose of the stabilizer is to provide the ladder with a greatly increased base area so as to afford infinitley greater stability in use on level or uneven ground surfaces. The invention provides protection against the ladder base from slipping in a direction away from the supporting wall and also against the ladder tilting sideways from the vertical plane. Unlike previous proposed ladder stabilizing devices, this invention can be fitted and removed quickly. This leaves to the operator, the choice of use according to the prevailing conditions on site. In this invention the stabilizing means is provided by two leg parts, each connected to the ladder side rails by a self locking bracket. The leg parts when fitted extend in a forward direction towards the supporting wall, while being mutually inclined outwards providing a substantially wider base area. The forward ends of the leg parts are connected by a rod which is of a pivoting nature in relation to each leg. The rod provides a bracing link between the leg parts and also enables the device to be folded when not in use. At the tip of each leg part is provided a rubber cap to further reduce the likelihood of slipping. An embodyment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows the stabilizing means attached to a ladder. Figure 2 shows the self locking bracket in detail. Refering now to the drawing, stabilizing means for increasing the base area of ladder is mounted on te ladder by a pair of self locking brackets 2 attached to the side rails 5. The metal box section leg parts 1 are welded to the metal self locking brackets 2 forming a rigid structure. The forward ends of the leg parts 1 are pivotaily attached by a rod 3 which passes through a suitably sized hole 6 in each leg part. The ends of the rod 3 are inclined inwards to secure the rod 3 to the leg parts 1. The flexible nature of the rod 3 enables one leg to take a higher position on the ladder side rail than the other when the device is used on uneven ground surfaces. To attach the stabilizer to the ladder, the two self locking brackets 2 are held in a position adjacent to the ladder side rails 5 with the leg parts 1 inclined downwards towards the ground. The two self locking brackets 2 are then moved inwards untill the inner surface of the brackets come into contact with the ladder side rails 5. The forward ends of the leg parts 1 are then raised untill the hook parts of the self locking brackets 2 lock into position on opposite sides of each side rail 5. The operator then slides the stabilizer down the side rails 5 untill the rubber end caps 4 come into contact with the ground. In this position, any movement of the ladder base in a direction away from the supporting wall will serve to further tighten the self locking brackets 2 onto the side rails 5. Due to the mutual outward inclination of the leg parts 1 the ladder will not be able to tilt sideways. The stabilizer would be manufactured as a seperate item, in sizes to suit variations in design and dimensions of differing ladder types. CLAIMS

1. A stabilizing means for connectng to the lower end of a ladder comprising supplementary leg means and self locking brackets for connecting said leg means to ladder side rails to prevent the ladder from slipping or tilting, said leg means comprising two box section members which extend forward and away from the ladder and the bases of which are mutually inclined outwards and are pivotally interconnected by a rod.

2. A stabilizing means for a ladder as claimed in claim 1, in which said self locking brackets each comprises two hook parts for locking onto ladder side rails by means of a semi rotating action.

3. A stabilizing means for a ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.