GB2187165A

GB2187165A - Pedal action collapsible ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2187165A
Application number: GB08700478A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard William Keatch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-01-11
Filing date: 1987-01-09
Publication date: 1987-09-03
Also published as: GB8600625D0; GB8700478D0

Abstract

A foot elevatable height adjustable working platform (10) is described which consists of a supporting column (12) and a foot pedal actuated winch mechanism (18) coupled to the supporting column (12). The winch mechanism (18) can be actuated by the user pedalling the foot pedals to move the winch mechanism (18) up and down the column (12) to raise or to lower the user. Embodiments of the invention are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pedal action collapsible ladder The present invention relates to a pedal action col- lapsible ladder which is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use as a foot elevatable working platform.

In orderfor access to be gained to higher objects and the like such as windows, eaves and the like, it is normal to use ladders which generally consist to two upright with interconnecting rungs. However, such ladders are generally rather long, heavy, cumbersome and awkward to transport, and can be difficult to store. It is desirable to be able to provide a collapsible-type ladder which is lightweight, easily stored and transported.

Published British Patent Application No.21421 10A to Mastrogiannis discloses a foot elevatable working platform which consists of a single elongate column composed of a plurality of column sections which are connectable end to end, and which include a control system consisting of a rack and pawl mechanism for permitting lengthwise movement of foot support plates relative to the column so that the user can alternately move each plate and can climb or descend the column as desired. Such an arrangement requires considerable machining of parts and assembly of many parts and, in addition, the machin- ing and assembly is expensive. Furthermore, should the control system fail then it is possible for the user to slide down the column out ofcontrol which is possibly hazardous.

An object ofthe present invention is to obviate or to mitigate disadvantages associated with such aforedescribed systems.

This is achieved by providing a pedal action collapsible platform consisting of a supporting column and a foot pedal actuated winch mechanism coupled to the supporting column and which can be actuated by the user pedalling the foot pedals to move the climbing mechanisn up and down the column to raise or lower the user.

Accordingly, in one aspect ofthe invention there is provided a foot elevatable height adjustable working platform comprising an elongate support adapted to lean against a substantially upright surface, and an elevator mechanism mounted on said supportfor moving relative to said support, said elevator mechanism including a support guide meansforguiding the elevator mechanism on the guide and including pedal actuated winch means, cable means coupled between the top of the support and the winch means, the arrangement being such that, in use, actuation of said pedals in a desired direction causes the winch and a person mounted on said mechanism to move up or down said elongate column as desired.

Preferably, said winch mechanism includes ratchet means for permitting said mechanism to be retained at a predetermined position on said support column. Alternatively, this can be achieved by providing a plurality of apertures in said column adapted to registerwith an aperture in said winch mechanism so that art a particular height pin can be inserted through said aperturesto retain the mechanism art a predetermined height.

Preferably, said column comprises a plurality of interconnected tubes adapted to be slotted togetherto provide an extended column. Conveniently, said tubes are fabricated of tubular metal.

Preferably also, said elevator mechanism includes a plurality of runnerwheels proportioned and arranged to permit said elevator mechanism to run in said column, there being at least two runner wheels spaced apart on either side of said column at one level of the mechanism and at least one other wheel spaced apart from said two wheels lengthwise on said column.

Preferably, said cable means is a rope having one end secured to the top of the column and the other end secured to a reel drum of said winch mechanism so that by pedalling said pedaisthe rope is wound or unwound on said drum as the mechanism moves up and down the column.

Preferably also, said concave runner wheels incorporate rubber bands four minimising sideways slip of said elevator mechanism.

These and other aspect ofthe present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic view of an embodiment ofthe pedal actuatorwinch mechanism in accordance with the present invention; Figure2 is a partly exploded and enlarged view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative structure.

Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings which illustrates a foot elevatable working platform generally indicated by reference numeral 10 ofwhich consists of a elongate column 12 having ground and wall support members 14 and 16 respectively and a pedal actuated winch mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 18 which is coupled by a cable 20 to an anchor 22 located atthe top member 1 6 so that the user can pedal the mechanism 18 to move the user up or down the column 12 as desired, andaswill be explained.

Reference is now made to Figures 2 and 3 ofthe drawings which illustrates that the column 12 isfabricated using interslotting tubes of lightweight metal which may be steel or aluminium and which is generally circular in cross-section shown in Figure 3. The top portion 16 and bottom portion 14are generally U-shaped to provide a broader base and top to stabilisethe platform when in use. Bottom portion 14can be provided with non-slip feet as required to further increase the safety of the structure.

The winch mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 18 consists of a frame 24 which is mounted to the column 12via a pairofconcave rollers 26 and 28. And the concave wheels 26 and 28 are fully rotatable relative to the frame and to the column 12. Athird concave roller 30 is provided for guiding the mechanism 18 along the column andto prevent skewing of the mechanism as it moves lengthwise ofthe column.

To the frame 24 is rotatably mounted a reel drum 32 by a spindle 34which passes through the drum and through the frame and which is coupled to pedals 36,38 disposed on opposite sides of the frame 24.

One end 40 of the cable 20 is coupled to the reel drum 32 and the other end ofthe cable is coupled to the anchor 22 at the top portion of the column.

In use ofthe device, the column 12 is positioned against a wall as shown in Figure 1 so thatthetop portion abuts the wall and the bottom portion 14 rests on the ground. In this position the winch mechanism 18 is in proximity to the portion 14, the cable being extended near to its maximum. In orderforthe userto climb up the column 12 he stands on the winch mechanism with one foot on each pedal and starts to rotate the pedals towards the wall. This causes the reel drum to rotate and to wind up the cable with the result that the mechanism 18together with the user climbs the column 12.When a desired height is obtained, tension in the legs of the user can preventfreewheeling of the pedal mechanism back down the column or else the pedal can be constrained from rotating by positioning a pin beneath one of the pedals so that the user remains at a predesired elevation.

If the user then wishes to descend the column,tension can be released so that the weight of the user causes the mechanism to unwind slowly, or tension is relieved so that a chock can be removed from underthe pedal and permit the device to descend slowly underthe weight of the user.

Reference is now made to Figure 4 Of the drawings which illustrates an alternative structure 10. An elongate frame 50 is provided which includes crossbar handles 52 which may incorporate control meansforthe braking system such as a pin locking mechanism, leverclamp or ratchet system asdescribed above.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiment hereinbefore described without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For example, other means may be provided to stop the winch mechanism at any location along the length of the column. For example, a pawl and ratchet mechanism may be used to achieve this or else the column could be provided with a plurality of spaced apertures at various heights and a corresponding aperture provided in the frame 24 so that when the aperture in the frame 24 registers with any desired aperture in the column 12 a pin can be inser tedto lockthe mechanism at that height. Alternativelytheframe 24 may be provided with a lever42 which can be moved to a position as shown in broken outline in Figure 3so that when the desired height is achieved, the pedals are unable to rotate in the opposite direction preventing descent ofthe winch mechanism. In addition, concave runner wheels may be constructed to incorporate rubber bands to minimise any sideways slip and the parts can be made of any other suitable material consistantwith giving structural likeness and which are inexpensive.

Advantages ofthe invention are that the structure is lightweight, collapsible and it can be easily stored and transported. In addition, it can be easily used and can be adjusted to remain stationary at a predetermined heightwithout undue effort on the partof the user.

Claims

1. Afoot elevatable height adjustable working platform comprising an elongate support adapted to lean against a substantially upright surface, and an elevator mechanism mounted on said supportfor moving relative to said support, said elevator mechanism including a support guide means for guiding the elevator mechanism on the guide and including pedal actuated winch means, cable means coupled between the top of the support and the winch means, the arrangement being such that, in use, actuation of said pedals in a desired direction causes the winch and a person mounted on said mechanism to move up or down said elongate column as desired.

2. Afoot elevatable height adjustable working platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein said winch mechanism includes ratchet means for permitting said mechanism to be retained at a predetermined position on said support column.

3. Afoot elevatable height adjustable working platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein said winch mechanism is provided by a plurality of apertures in said column adapted to registerwith an aperture in said winch mechanism so that at a particular height a pin is inserted through said apertures to retain the mechanism art a predetermined height.

4. Afootelevatable height adjustable working platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said column comprises a plurality of interconnected tubes adapted to be slotted together to provide an extended column.

5. Afoot elevatable height adjustable working platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said tubes are fabricated of tubular metal.

6. Afootelevatable heightadjustableworking platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said elevator mechanism includes a plurality of runner wheels proportioned and arranged to permit said elevator mechanism to run in said column,there being at leasttwo runnerwheelsspaced apart on either side of said column at one level ofthe mechanism and at least one other wheel spaced apart from said two wheels lengthwise on said column.

7. Afootelevatable height adjustable working platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said cable means is a rope having one end secured to thetop ofthe column and the other end securedto a reel drum of said winch mechanism so that by pedalling said pedals the rope is wound or unwound on said drum as the mechanism moves up and down the column.

8. Afootelevatable height adjustable working platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said concave runner wheels incorporate rubber bands for minimising sideways slip of said elevator mechanism.

9. Afootelevatable height adjustable working platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 orto Figure 4 ofthe accompanying drawings.