GB2197016A

GB2197016A - Roof ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2197016A
Application number: GB08626674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Bodsworth
Original assignee: BODSWORTH STUART ANDREW
Current assignee: BODSWORTH STUART ANDREW
Priority date: 1986-11-07
Filing date: 1986-11-07
Publication date: 1988-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2006-11-07
Also published as: GB8626674D0; GB2197016B

Abstract

A ladder comprises a pair of longitudinal members (11) and a series of rungs (12) spaced parallel to one another across the longitudinal members (11), each rung (12) being pivotally attached at each end to one of the longitudinal members (11). A pair of hooks (15) are attached to and extend longitudinally of adjacent ends of the longitudinal members (11). Means (16) may also be provided intermediate of the ends of the longitudinal members (11) for attachment of a stabilising hook (17). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ladders The present invention relates to ladders and in particular to roof ladders.

Conventional roof ladders are formed from two or three longitudinal members with rungs secured at spaced intervals transversely to the longitudinal members. Hooks are secured at the ends of the longitudinal members, so that they may be hooked over the ridge of the roof to support the ladder.

Such ladders function adequately when working on vertical areas of the roof. However, difficulties arise with valley formations in the roof where it is not possible to position the ladder vertically, or with hip formations where it may be desirable to arrange the ladder parallel to the hip when for example working on the hip -ridge. In such situations, it has been necessary to remove roof tiles in certain areas, to expose the roof timbers, so that the ladder may be lashed in the desired position.

When used in such conditions, the rungs of the ladder will not be horizontal, thus creating a serious safety hazard.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a ladder comprises; a pair of longitudinal members; a series of rungs spaced parallel to one another across the longitudinal members, each rung being pivotally attached at each end to one of the longitudinal members; and a pair of hooks attached to and extending longitudinally of adjacent ends of the longitudinal members.

With this arrangement, the longitudinal members may be slewed relative to the rungs so that the ladder may be mounted at any desired angle on the roof, the hooks remaining horizontally aligned so that they will both engage the ridge of the roof and the rungs remaining horizontal.

Preferably a third longitudinal member is located between and parallel to the pair of longitudinal members and is pivotally attached to the rungs, in order to improve stability of the ladder and also spread the load applied to the roof.

Furthermore, means is preferably provided intermediate of the ends of the ladder, for attachment of a transversely extending stabilising hook which may be hooked over a hip ridge of the roof, to support the ladder in an inclined position. This means of attachment may be fixed or adjustable longitudinally of the ladder and also may be arranged to provide for adjustment of the stabilising hook transversely of the ladder. The stabilising hook is preferably arranged to give a straight pull on the hip ridge. Consequently cranked left and right hand hooks may be provided to support the ladder with respect to left and right hand hips. Alternatively, a pivotted hook formation which permits adjustment of the hook formation relative to the means for securing it to the ladder, could be used for either right or left hand hips.This pivotal arrangenent of the stabilising hook will also accommodate varying angles of inclination.

An embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates in front elevation, a roof ladder formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates in side elevation the roof ladder shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates on enlarged scale, a section along the line Ill-Ill in Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates on enlarged scale a section along the line IV-IV in Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates the ladder shown in Figures 1 to 4, in use on a vertical section of roof; Figure 6 illustrates the ladder shown in Figures 1 to 4, in a valley section of a roof; and Figure 7 illustrates the ladder shown in Figures 1 to 4, in use parallel to a hip ridge of a roof.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a roof ladder 10 comprises three longitudinal members 11 with a series of rungs 12 attached to the longitudinal members 11 parallel to one another at spaced locations.

As indicated in greater detail in Figure 3, the rungs 12 are pivotally attached to the longitudinal members 11, the pivot comprising a pair of top hat shaped members 13 which are secured together with their crowns abutting by means of a bolt 14 or other suitable fixing means. Other forms of pivotal attachment may however be used.

A hook formation 15 is attached to the upper end of each of the outer longitudinal members 11.

As indicated in greater detail in Figure 4, a tubular member 16 is secured to one of the rungs 12 intermediate of the ends of the ladder 10. A stabilising hook 17 has a shank portion 18 which engages in the bore of the tubular member 16 and is slidable axially thereof, and an offset hook portion 19.

Clamping means (not shown) is provided for clamping the shank 18 within the tubular member 16.

The ladder described above may be used in conventional manner on a vertical roof area as indicated in Figure 5. For use in this manner, the stabilising hook 17 is removed and the hooks 15 engage over the ridge 21 of the roof 20.

When working on a valley formation on a roof 20, as illustrated in Figure 6, longitudinal members 11 may be slewed relative to the rungs 12, so that when the hooks 15 engage over the ridge 21 the longitudinal members 11 will be inclined to the vertical, so that they are disposed parallel to the valley 22. In this position the rungs 21 remain horizontal. The lad der 10 may be supported against the valley 22. However, if it is desired to space the ladder 10 from the valley 22, a spacer element may be located in the tubular member 1 5 and clamped with respect thereto, to give the required clearance.

For work on roof hip formations, as illustrated in Figure 7, the ladder 10 may be slewed in the manner described above, so that the longitudinal members 11 are parallel to the hip ridge 23 and the rungs 12 are horizontal. The stabilising hook 17 is then clamped in the tubular member 16 and engaged over the hip ridge 23 to support the ladder in position. The offset hook formation 19 provides a straight pull against the hip ridge 23. The stabilising hook 17 may be adjusted by sliding the shank portion 18 relative to the tubular member 16 in order to position the ladder 10 at the required distance from the hip ridge 23. While Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the ladder used against a right hand valley and a left hand hip respectively, the ladder may equally well be used with a left hand valley or right hand hip. However, in the latter case a stabilising hook of opposite hand must be used.

The ladder may be made of conventional materials, for example the longitudinal members and rungs may be made of wood or aluminium tubular section and hooks 15 and stabilising hooks 17 may be made of any suitable metal.

Claims

1. A ladder comprising; a pair of longitudinal members; a series of rungs spaced parallel to one another across the longitudinal members, each rung being pivotally attached at each end to one of the longitudinal members; and a pair of hooks attached to and extending longitude nally of adjacent ends of the longitudinal members.

2. A ladder according to Claim 1 in which a third longitudinal member is pivotally attached to the rungs intermediate and parallel to said pair of longitudinal members.

3. A ladder according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the pivotal connection between the rungs and the longitudinal members comprises a pair of top-hat shaped members clamped together with their crowns abutting by means of suitable fastening means.

4. A ladder according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which means is provided intermediate of the ends of the ladder for attachment of a transversely extending stabilising hook.

5. A ladder according to Claim 4 in which the means for attachment of the stabilising hook is secured to one of the rungs of the ladder.

6. A ladder according to Claim 4 or 5 in which the means for attachment of the stabilising hook comprises a tubular member, the stabilising hook having a shank portion which slidably locates in the tubular member and clamping means is provided to clamp the stabilising hook in the tubular member.

7. A ladder according to any one of Claims 4 to 6 in which the stabilising hook is cranked.

8. A ladder according to Claim 7 in which right and left hand stabilising hooks are provided.

9. A ladder according to any one of Claims 4 to 6 in which the stabilising hook comprises a shank portion and a hook portion pivotally attached to the shank portion.

10. A ladder according to any one of Claims 4 to 9 in which the means for securing the stabilising hook is capable of securing the stabilising hook so that it extends to the left or to the right of the ladder.

11. A ladder substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.