GB2244506A

GB2244506A - Support for the foot of a ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2244506A
Application number: GB9012035A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Constance Norma Veal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-30
Filing date: 1990-05-30
Publication date: 1991-12-04
Also published as: GB9012035D0

Abstract

The support for a ladder enables its use on an inclined surface or on a stepped surface. A substantially horizontal, in use, member (1) is adapted to rest at one end on a first portion of the surface. A support member (3) is connected to the horizontal member at or adjacent its other end and extends in a generally vertical downward direction. The support member (3) is of variable length and is adapted to rest on a portion of the surface at a lower level than the first surface portion. A pair of cups (2) are connected to the horizontal member (1) to receive the feet of a ladder. <IMAGE>

Description

LADDER SUPPORT The present invention relates to a support for a ladder to enable its use on an inclined surface or on a stepped surface. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a ladder support for use on a stairway.

It is known that, in domestic and other properties, stairways are generally located in a stairwell with a ceiling height sufficient to accommodate an upper end of a stair. Thus, at points further down the stairway, the ceiling is very high and, in order to carry out redecoration or repair work, a ladder is necessary to reach upper part of the walls or ceiling. The bases of ladders are generally too wide to be accommodated on a single step except where a ladder is aligned with the general direction of the staircase. By this means, certain areas of the upper walls may be reached, but by no means all. In order to reach other areas, it is usual to rest a plank from a rung of the ladder across to an upper stair or some other support at a higher level. This is a complicated arrangement and not always safe since the plank may slip or bend.

As an alternative, scaffolding may be erected, but this is even more complicated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ladder support for use on an inclined or stepped surface which overcomes the above disadvantages and allows the ladder to be used at any desired point on the stairway or other surface.

According to the present invention there is provided a support for a ladder to enable its use on an inclined surface or on a stepped surface, comprising a substantially horizontal, in use, member adapted to rest at one end on a first portion of the surface, a support member connected to the horizontal member at or adjacent its other end and extending in a generally vertical direction, said support member being of variable length and being adapted to rest on a portion of the surface at a lower level than said first surface portion, and a pair of cup means connected to said horizontal member and adapted to receive the feet of a ladder.

Preferably the support member includes a foot connected at the lower end thereof, advantageously by means of a screw thread to be longitudinally moveable with respect to the remainder of the support member.

The pair of cup means may be fixed to the horizontal member and spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Alternatively, at least one of the pair of cup means may be movable longitudinally along the horizontal member, whereby the distance between them may be varied.

The cup means may be disposed to face transversely to a longitudinally extending plain passing through the horizontal member and the support member.

An additional support member may be provided at or adjacent said one end of said horizontal member and adapted to rest on a third portion of said surface at a higher level than said first portion.

Means may be provided projecting laterally from said support and adapted to bear against a vertical surface, such as a wall or banisters of the stairway.

Alternatively, the horizontal member may be adapted to abut directly such a vertical surface.

The support member, horizontal member and, when present, the additional support member may be disposed in a longitudinally extending plane and each comprise a tetragonal scross-section metal tube.

The support member may be inclined, in use, outwardly at an angle in the region of 100 to the vertical.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows a schematic side elevation of the ladder support.

Referring now to the drawing, the support comprises a number of lengths of square section metal tube.

A first member 1 is adapted, in use, to be disposed substantially horizontally. On its upper surface are disposed a pair of cups 2, each adapted to receive a respective foot of the ladder to be supported by the ladder support. If desired, one of the cups 2 may be moveable longitudinally of the first member 1 so as to accommodate ladders of different widths.

Attached at one end of the first member 1 is a second member 3 which extends downwardly and outwardly at an angle of about 100 from the vertical. At its lower end is attached a foot 4 by means of a screw thread, whereby the length of the second member 3, 4 may be lengthened or shortened.

At the other end of the first member 1 is provided a third member 5 which is generally L shaped, having a vertical member the height of a standard step and a horizontal member the width of a standard step.

In order to use the ladder support, it is placed against one edge of the stairway, abutting the bannister or a vertical wall and with one end of the first member 1 resting on a step and the third member 5 resting on the step above. The second member 3, 4 is then adjusted so that the foot rests on a lower step. A ladder can then be placed with its feet in the cups 2 and leaned against an opposite wall of the stairway. Provided that the first member 1 has been levelled by use of the foot 4, the ladder will extend vertically and transverse to the axis of the stairway. When it is desired to reach a different part of the wall of the stairway, the whole assembly can be moved up or down a number of steps.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A support for a ladder to enable its use on an inclined surface or on a stepped surface, comprising a substantially horizontal, in use, member adapted to rest at one end on a first portion of the surface, a support member connected to the horizontal member at or adjacent its other end and extending in a generally vertical, in use, direction, said support member being of variahle length and being adapted to rest on a portion of the surface at a lower level than said first surface portion, and a pair of cup means connected to said horizontal member and adapted to receive the feet of a ladder.

2. A ladder support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member includes a foot connected at the lower end thereof, by means of a screw thread to be longitudinally moveable with respect to the remainder of the support member.

3. A ladder support as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pair of cup means are fixed to the horizontal member and spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

4. A ladder support as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the pair of cup means is movable longitudinally along the horizontal member, whereby the distance between them may be varied.

5. A ladder support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup means are disposed to face transversely to a longitudinally extending plane passing through the horizontal member and the support member.

6. A ladder support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an additional support member is provided at or adjacent said one end of said horizontal member and adapted to rest on a third portion of said surface at a higher level than said first portion.

7. A ladder support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to project laterally from said support and adapted to bear against a vertical surface such as a wall or banisters of a stairway.

8. A ladder support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the horizontal member is adapted to abut directly a vertical surface, such as a wall or hanister of a stairway.

9. A ladder support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member, horizontal member and, when present, the additional support member are disposed in a longitudinally extending plane and each comprise a tetrayonal cross-section metal tube.

10. A ladder support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is inclined, in use, outwardly at an angle in the region of 100 to the vertical.

11. A support for a ladder substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.