GB2197377A - Ladder attachment - Google Patents

Abstract

An attachment device for holding an article on or adjacent to a rung to a ladder comprises a hook part 13 and an article support part 19, in which the hook part is engageable over the said ring and the support part is carried by the hook part at one side thereof. Preferably the device is adaptable to either left- or right-handed working. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Attachment for ladders and the like This invention relates to means for holding or suspending paint tins, tools and the like on or adjacent to ladders, step ladders, scaffolding towers and other such structures, having transverse members.

It is known to suspend paint tins and kettles from the rungs of a ladder by means of a simple S-shaped hook. It is also known to attach a device to the top of a ladder for the purpose of spacing it from the wall against which it is to rest, and such devices may include a tray for holding paint tins, tools and the like. However, the hook is in practice not particularly convenient, in that tins suspended therefrom are behind the ladder and therefore out of the direct reach of the user.

Furthermore, particularly when working at or close to the top of the ladder, the paint tin is suspended somewhat below the normal reach of the user and in any case is liable to be kicked, with potential danger to anybody below. Trays, on the other hand, may be above and out of reach of the user and do not provide any resistance to the contents thereof being knocked over or dropped.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for holding or suspending paint tins, tools and the like within easy and accessible reach and in a secure fashion when working at an elevated or exposed position.

According to the invention, an attachment device for holding an article on or adjacent to a transverse member comprises a hook part and an article support part, in which the hook part is engageable over the said member and the support part is carried by the hook part at one side thereof.

Attachment devices according to the invention are especially useful for holding an article on or adjacent to a ladder, in which the transverse member is constituted by a rung thereof, but may equally be used for holding an article on or adjacent to another structure inan elevated or exposed position.

Preferably, therefore, the hook part includes longitudinal side members or portions for location for example over a stile or between the stiles of a ladder and against the rungs thereof and is adapted for location over a selected rung. The support part, which may take various forms, for example a holding ring or frame, or a bracket for holding the article, but in any event is advantageously a suspension support, is preferably pivotably attached to the hook part so that in use the angle of the support part relative to the hook part can be adjusted so that it may be rendered substantially level irrespective of the angle of inclination of the ladder or other structure to the vertical.

The hook part may comprise a frame assembly, in one embodiment including longitudinal and transverse members with hook members attached thereto, or in another embodiment being formed as a moulding from plastics material or as a pressing from sheet material, for example aluminium or an alloy thereof, in which the side members or por- tions are formed as shoulders and a transverse inverted channel member is attached thereto or formed integrally therewith to constitute a hook member. The hook part may include a clamp device for engagement under or behind a or the transverse member for securing the hook part to the ladder or other structure. Alternatively, the hook part may comprise a channel member for location over or partially around a ladder stile, one side of the channel member being formed with a cut-away portion for engagement over the transverse member.

In a preferred embodiment, an attachment device according to the invention is adaptable to either left-or right-handed working. This may be achieved, for example, by reversing or inverting the hook member or members. Pre- ferably, however, the support part is attachable to the hook part on either side thereof via a detachable mounting bracket, which may be detached from one side, reversed or inverted and attached to the other side.

In use, an attachment device according to the invention may be mounted on a ladder or other structure at any desired position thereon and at either side thereof, and an article such as a paint tin or kettle, or a bucket or tray for tools, may be suspended or supported securely within easy reach, in terms of distance and angle and without obstruction by the structure itself, of the user.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of one form of attachment device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of another form of attachment device according to the invention; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a support part, not illustrated in either Figure 1 or Figure 2, for use with a hook part to form an attachment device according to the invention; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of yet a further form of support part; and Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a further attachment device according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, an attachment device is shown generally at 10 and consists of a frame assembly having longitudinal side members 11 joined by cross members 12. The side members terminate at their upper ends in hook members 13. A pair of holes 14 are formed in the left (as viewed) side member 11; corresponding holes (not shown) are formed in the right side member 11.

A channel-member mounting bracket 15 is detachably secured to the right side member 11 of the frame assembly by means of bolts (not shown) which are located in the pair of holes 14 formed therein and in corresponding holes formed in one side of the channel member. The free edge of this side of the channel member is adapted not to extend beyond the lower edge of the frame assembly, so that the assembly can rest flat against the rungs of a ladder, for example. The other side 16 of the channel member 15 is deeper and is formed with a pair of holes 17 (one only being shown). A threaded stud 18 is carried captive by the side 16 of the mounting bracket and protrudes outwardly therefrom.

A holding ring 19, for example for receiving for suspension therein a tin of paint, is secured between the opposed sides 20 of a channelled support structure the web 21 of which is formed with an arcuate slot 22 and a hole for a bolt 23. The bolt 23 attaches the support structure to the mounting bracket via the upper of holes 17 and the arcuate slot 22 locates over the stud 18. The support structure is pivotable about the bolt 23 within the limits imposed by the arcuate slot 22 and may be locked at a desired angle by means of a wing nut on the stud 18.

To change the attachment from right-handed to left-handed working, the mounting bracket 15, together with the holding ring 19, is detached from the frame assembly, inverted and re-attached to the frame assembly via the holes 14 formed in the left side member 11.

Bolt 23 is then removed, and the support structure is pivoted on stud 18 while still being retained by the wing nut. It is then secured through hole 17 by the holt 23.

Referring to Figure 2, an attachment device 20 similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 is shown as having longitudinal side members or portions 21 formed as shoulders for location between the stiles of a ladder and wing portions 22, to which may be attached at either side a holding ring 23, in a similar fashion to that described with reference to Figure 1. A transverse inverted channel member 24 constitutes the hook member. A clamp device is constituted by bolt 25 which is carried in vertical slot 26 formed in the central portion of the hook part and is threaded into a bracket 27, shown in dotted outline, for sliding up and securing under a transverse member. The bracket 27 has side portions bent back at an angle so that the upper edges thereof slope upwardly with respect to the rear face of the central portion of the hook part.

Figure 3 illustrates a support part in the form of a tool box holder for receiving and supporting a rectangular tray or tool box and for use with a hook part to form an alternative attachment device according to the invention, and Figure 4 illustrates an alternative form of support part for suspending a paint skuttle.

Figure 5 illustrates a further embodiment of an attachment device according to the invention. In Figure 5, a channel member hook part is shown at 51 and has formed in one side wall a cut-away portion 52 containing upper and lower sloping edges 53, 54. A ring support part 55 is rotatably secured to the other wall via mounting bracket 56 which is rivetted to the side wall to allow rotation thereon, the rivet providing resistance to free rotation. As viewed, edge 53 is supportable from a ladder rung at the right hand end thereof, the channel member fitting over the stile, but with the ring and device inverted the edge 54 is supportable from the left hand end of the rung.

Attachment devices according to the invention may be suspended from or located on ladders, stepladders, scaffolding members or on any other structure where it is desired to hold an item of equipment securely and within a convenient distance and reach of the user, by the use of a hook part adapted to the features of the particular structure. Optionally, the article support part may be adjustable in height and angle, for example by being attached to an arrangement of telescopic tubes which extend upwardly from the hook part.

Claims (11)

1. An attachment device for holding an article on or adjacent to a transverse member, the device comprising a hook part and an article support part, in which the hook part is engageable over the said member and the support part is carried by the hook part at one side thereof.

2. A device according to Claim 1, in which the transverse member is constituted by a rung of a ladder and the hook part comprises a frame assembly including longitudinal side members for location between the stiles of the ladder and against the rungs thereof.

3. A device according to Claim 1, in which the transverse member is constituted by a rung of a ladder and the hook part comprises a unitary moulding or pressing including shoulders for location between the stiles of the ladder and a transverse inverted channel section for location over a rung thereof.

4. A device according to Claim 1, in which the transverse member is constituted by a rung of a ladder and the hook part comprises a unitary moulding or pressing including a channel member for location over or partially around the ladder stile, one side of the channel member being formed with a cut-away portion for engagement over the rung.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the hook part includes a clamp device for engagement under or behind a or the transverse member.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the support part is pivotably attached to the hook part so that in use the angle of the support part relative to the hook part can be adjusted.

7. An attachment device according to any preceding claim and adaptable to either left- or right-handed working.

8. A device according to Claim 7, in which the support part is attachable to the hook part or either side thereof via a detachable mounting bracket.

9. A device according to Claim 7 as dependent upon Claim 4, in which the support part is invertibly mounted on the hook part and the cut-away portion of the channel member support part is invertible with respect to engagement over a rung.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the support part comprises a holding ring.

11. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.