GB2231611A

GB2231611A - Self-levelling attachment for ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2231611A
Application number: GB8900833A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Randolph Wray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-01-16
Filing date: 1989-01-16
Publication date: 1990-11-21
Also published as: GB8900833D0

Abstract

An attachment for a ladder has extendable feet connected by a flexible member which can be clamped when the feet are correctly disposed. <IMAGE>

Description

Self Leveling Ladder Attachment This is a device for leveling a pair of legs such as a ladder. This is managed by the use of the to piston sleeves as drawn on sheet 1/6, (lettered A). They are designed to slide over the uprights on a ladder, as can be seen on sheet 1/6. Part of the inner face has been cut away to allow free movement past the ladder rungs. The sleeves also have an additional box channel on the inside face to mount a nylon, or other flexible plastic, or plastic and metal bar, shown on sheet 2/6 (letter ed D). Finally feet slide into the bottom of the piston sleeves. They can be of varying design such as swiveling or suction cup, although those shown in sheet 2/6 are of basic design, and lettered B.

Sheet 2/6 shows the compensating srch (lettered C). This consists of an arch which has a channel going up and over so that a flexible bar, pushed through in one direction (e.g.) up, would make a complete reversal and come dozen the opposite side channel. It has on itIs top flat edge a channel to locate under the lowest ladder rung, (sheet 2/6 shows this channel for a flat or square runged ladder) obviously on a round or other shaped rung this design would have to be changed. Also it will be seen that an additional rung is built in, this gives strength and alsokeeps the uniform step sequence of the original ladder.

Sheet 3/6 shows the method of assembling the component parts. As can be seen the nylon bar seats into the channel of the compensating arch.

Theneach end of the nylon bar seats into the box channels of the piston sleeves. When the band is fully seated into the box section a self tapping screw or rivet or any other means of locking can be used to fix the nylon bar.

Also, on sheet 3/6 will be seen the ladder on which have been mounted 4 plastic guides (lettered) to reduce wear of the ladder and sleeves by the movement necessary to adjust the device. It may be found that on a wooden ladder these guides may not be needed, or alternately it may be found more expedient to use a plastic coating on the inside of the sleeves.

We now have both sleeves connected to the nylon bar which in turn is located through the channel on the compensating arch. Slide the sleeves over the ladder uprights taking care that the nylon bar runs true.

When the arch (C) is fully located under the first rung, the fixing and locking bracket (lettered E) can be put in position.

Sheet 4/6 shows the fixing/locking bracket (lettered E). To fit bracket it is necessary to remove thu:--Th bolt (lettered F) (as the bolt goes through a hole see sheet 4/6 fig 2 which then the thui b bolt F, is put through and scree into the captive nut (fig 2) it then holds the fixing from conking apart). When the thun:b bolt is reroved it is possible to open up the bracket (fig 2 sheet 4/6) thereby allowing bracket to slip over the lower ladder rung and the arch (C) where uòn the locking plate can be put in position, the bracket (E) can be squeezed together, the thumb bolt inserted and the ladder is ready to use.

Sheet 5/6 shows the ladder fitted with attachment in level osition.

To set ladder on uneven ground simply release thumb bolt (F) then ladder in position. The piston sleeves trill slide up and don (ue to their being fixed together via nylon bar). As one sleeve IS forced up by the weight of the ladder te other sleeve is forced don an equal amount, thereby halving the movement e,g. a step of 24cm in height would push one sleeve up 12cm which in turn pushes the other sleeve down 12cm giving a difference of 24cm. The thumb bolt (F) is then tightened and the ladder is ready to use.

Claims

1. A self leveling attachment to level a pair of legs e.g. a ladder.

2. A self leveling attachment as claimed in claim 1 that uses the legs of the (ladder) as a part of the structure.

3. A self leveling attachment as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2. Using a compensating arch that mounts on the lowest rung of a (ladder), and in itself incorporates an additional rung.

4. A self leveling attachment as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, and claim 3, that uses a flexible plastic or plastic and metal bar to sit inside a channel of the compensating arch.

5. A self leveling attachment as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 and claim 4 that uses two piston-sleeves that ride over the upright legs and are connected to each other by means of the plastic bar in claim 4.

6. A self leveling attachment as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4 and claim 5, where the whole system is held and locked by means of a single unit.