GB2245303A

GB2245303A - Accessory for ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2245303A
Application number: GB9013651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Kevin Waring
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-06-19
Filing date: 1990-06-19
Publication date: 1992-01-02
Also published as: GB9013651D0

Abstract

An accessory for a ladder 12 comprising rungs 13 extending between supports 14 comprises one or more step 15a, 15b, 15c extending between side members 17. Hooks 16 are associated with each step. These are hooked over corresponding rungs of the ladder to attach the accessory to the ladder and stabilize it with respect to the ladder, thus providing a stable more comfortable platform to stand and work on than is available from the rungs themselves. <IMAGE>

Description

ACCESSORY FOR LADDER This invention relates to ladders and provides an accessory for use with a ladder which comprises rungs extending between supports.

The invention is essentially concerned with runged ladders as compared to step ladders, the difference of course being that rungs are relatively thin, usually cylindrical metal or wooden members, while steps have an extended flat surface for the foot. Long ladders and ladders which extend to long lengths such as are used in the building and associated trades are usually runged. They have the disadvantage, however, that the rungs are uncomfortable to stand on for any length of time. This makes such jobs as house painting, pointing brickwork, installing aerials and burglar alarms, cleaning gutters and installing windows, which require considerable periods of time spent aloft, painful and indeed injurious.

The present invention provides an accessory for ladders which ameliorates that problem.

The invention comprises an accessory for a ladder comprising rungs extending between supports, the accessory comprising a step member adapted to be mounted on a rung and/or on the supports in any position along the ladder.

The accessory may comprise a single step, or two or more steps.

The accessory may comprise hook means adapted to engage a rung, and may comprise stabiliser means maintaining the step (or steps) in position with regard to the ladder.

Each step, if more than one, may have an associated hook.

The accessory may comprise side members connected by the step or steps and adapted to rest against the supports or another step or other steps.

The accessory may be of lightweight but strong construction out of for example aluminium. In use, the accessory is carried aloft to the position where the user wishes to stand and simply hooked on thus providing one or more extended-tread steps which will be much easier to stand on for long periods of time.

Embodiments of accessories according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1 in place on a ladder; Figure 3 is a view on arrow 3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation like Figure 2 of a similar embodiment in place on a different ladder; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment.

The figures illustrate accessories 11 for ladders 12 comprising rungs 13 extending between supports 14. The accessories 11 comprise a step member 15 adapted to be mounted on a rung and/or on the supports in any position along the ladder.

Figure 5 illustrates an accessory 11 comprising a single step, while Figures 1 to 4 show an accessory having three steps 15a, b, c, connecting side members 17.

The accessories comprise hook means 16 adapted to engage a rung 13. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, each step 15a, 15b, 15c has an associated hook 16.

While ladders have generally similar inter-rung distances, they are not standard and unless an accessory 11 is custom-made for a particular ladder it may not quite match a ladder with which it is to be used.

Figure 2 shows the case where there is a good match, and each of the three hooks 16 rests on its rung 13. Figure 4, however, shows an arrangement where there is not a perfect match - this is accommodated by making the hooks 16 of such length that even if they do not sit on a rung, they at least fit over it to act as a stabilising influence. An alternative would be to attach steps below the top step adjustably.

Figure 5 shows another arrangement in which there is only one step but the side members 17 are slotted at their lower ends 17a to fit over the next adjacent rung 13 down from the one to which the accessory 11 is hooked.

The steps 15 are so arranged with respect to the side members 17 that when in position on a ladder raised against a wall or other structure they are horizontal or substantially so - it will be recognised that ladders may be raised at different angles, but generally speaking the range of angles is limited for safety's sake and general convenience.

A carrying slot 18 is provided in the uppermost step in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4.

The hooks 16 may be on the steps 15 or on the side members 17.

Whilst rigid structures have been described it will be recognised that the accessory can be made so as to knock down or fold up for ease of storage and transportation.

In use, it is a simple matter to place the accessory in a desired position while standing on a lower rung and to adjust such position by climbing down to a lower rung.

Claims

1. An accessory for a ladder comprising rungs extending between supports, the accessory comprising a step member adapted to be mounted on a rung and/or on the supports in any position along the ladder.

2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1, in which there is one step member.

3. An accessory as claimed in claim 1, in which there are two or more step members.

4. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising hook means adapted to engage a rung.

5. An accessory as claimed in claim 4, in which the hook means comprises respective hooks for the or each rung.

6. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising side members connected by the step or steps and adapted to rest against the ladder supports.

7. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim made of a lightweight material.

8. An accessory as claimed in claim 7, in which the material is aluminium.

9. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising stabiliser means.

10. An accessory as claimed in claim 9, when appendant to claim 3, in which where there are two or more step members the stabiliser means comprise the or each hook below the uppermost hook.

11. An accessory as claimed in claim 9, when appendant to claim 6, in which the stabilising means comprises slots in the side members at their lower end.

12. An accessory as claimed in claim 3, in which the or each step member below the top step member is adjustable.

13. An accessory for a ladder comprising rungs extending between supports substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.