GB2262130A

GB2262130A - Ladder stabilising apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2262130A
Application number: GB9225166A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Cecil Keilty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-06
Filing date: 1992-12-02
Publication date: 1993-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-12-02
Also published as: GB9225166D0; GB9125955D0; GB2262130B

Abstract

A stabilising apparatus for a ladder (18) comprises a unit (10) having a base plate (12) and an upstanding surround (14). The surround (14) forms a well into which a bottom of a ladder (18) can be placed. The base plate (12) has on its undersurface one or more surface gripping members (20). Two anchorages (22) are provided at opposite locations on the surround (14). Securing means to secure the ladder (18) to the unit (10) comprises, for each anchorage (22), a flexible element (24) anchored to the respective anchorage (22) and available to be secured to the ladder (18). <IMAGE>

Description

STABILISING APPARATUS FOR LADDERS.

This invention relates to a stabilising apparatus for a ladder particularly, but not only, to prevent movement of the bottom of the ladder. Primarily, but not exclusively, the apparatus is for use in facilitating DIY tasks at a height, for example cleaniny or replacing guttering, and requiring the use of a ladder. The apparatus is to particularly allow the tasks to be completed by one person without requiring a second person to hold the ladder.

Accordingly, the present invention is a stabilising apparatus for a ladder comprising a unit having a base plate and an upstanding surround, the surround forming a well into which a bottom of a ladder can be placed, the base plate having on its undersurface one or more surface gripping members, and means to secure the ladder to the unit.

Preferably, at least one anchorage is provided on the surround and the securing means comprises, for the or each anchorage, a flexible element anchored to the respective anchorage and available to be secured to a ladder.

Preferably also, the surround is rectangular, desirably square, with four walls, one of which, ie.

that intended to be the front wall, being of lesser depth than the other walls. A top wall desirably projects inwardly partially over the well from the back wall, opposed to the front wall, the top wall, being secured to both lateral walls.

Preferably further, the one or more gripping members consist of one or more pads of non-slip material respectively.

Means are preferably provided to level the unit on an uneven surface, the means comprising four heightadjustable feet positioned one at or near to each corner of the surround. Four gripping members are desirably provided as shoe members, one for each foot.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accolnpanging drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a stabilising apparatus according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus with a ladder positioned therein, part of a surround of the apparatus being cut-awag for clarity.

Referring to the drawiny, a stabilising apparatus for a ladder comprises a unit 10 having a square base plate 12 and an upstanding surround 14. The surround 14 is square, with four walls 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D. One of the walls 16A, ie. that intended to be the front wall, is of lesser depth than the other walls as shown. The walls of the surround 14 form a well into which a bottom of a ladder 18 can be placed as shown with the bottom of the ladder 18 abutting against the inside of wall 16A. A top wall 28 extends from the back wall 16C and lell9-thwise between the top of opposed lateral walls 16B, 16D to partially overlie the well as shown. The ladder 18, placed in the well, abuts against the inner lateral edge of the top wall 28.The base plate 12 has on its undersurface one or more, four in this embodiment, surface griping members 20.

An anchorage 22, ie. a mounting plate 22A with an upstanding apertured lug 22B, is secured to the outside of each wall 16B, 16D. Means are provided to secure the ladder 18 to the unit 10, the securing means comprising a flexible element 24, such as a chain, anchored to an apertured lug 22B of each anchorage 22 and available to be secured to an anchorage 32 provided on ladder 18 as shown. A turnbuckle 30 is interposed in each flexible element 24 to tighten or loosen the tension in the element 24 after attaching the element 24 to or before removing the element 24 from the ladder 18 respectively.

The surface gripping members 20 each consists of a pad of non-slip material.

Means are provided to level the unit 10 on an uneven surface, the means comprising four heightadjustable feet 26 positioned one at or near to each corner of the surround 14 with the gripping members 20 serving as shoe members, one for each foot 26. The feet 26 are separately height adjustable.

In use, a unit 10 described above is laid on a ground surface, levelled and a ladder 18 is located in the well thereof. The elements 24 are then each secured to a respective anchorage 32 on a stile of the ladder 18 and each element 24 tensioned as required using the turnbuckle 30.

In a first modification, other types of anchorage may be provided and the shape of the base plate may be circular and the surround may be other than square.

Also, the two opposed lateral walls of the surround may be of increasiny height from the height of the front wall to a height level with the back wall a distance remote from the back wall to accommodate the top wall 28. The walls 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D may be inclined upwardly to form a frusto-pyramidical outer shape.

In a second modification, if only one pad is provided it extends fully or substantially across the undersurface of the base plate 12.

Variations and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above and as claimed hereinafter.

Claims

1. A stabilising apparatus for a ladder comprising a unit having a base plate and an upstanding surround, the surround forminy a well into which a bottom of a ladder can be placed, the base plate having on its undersurface one or more surface gripping members, and means to secure the ladder to the unit.

2. A stabilising apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein at least one anchorage is provided on the surround and the securing means comprises, for the or each anchorage, a flexible element anchored to the respective anchorage and available to be secured to a ladder.

3. A stabilising apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surround is rectangular with four walls.

4. A stabilising apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein one of the walls intended to be the front wall, is of lesser depth than the other walls.

5. A stabilising apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a top wall projects inwardly partially over the well from the back wall opposed to the front wall, the top wall being secured to both lateral walls.

6. A stabilising apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the one or more gripping members consist of one or more pads of non-slip material respectively.

7. A stabilising apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein means are provided to level the unit on an uneven surface, the means comprising four height-adjustable feet positioned one at or near to each corner of the surround.

8. A stabilising apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein four gripping members are provided as shoe members, one for each foot.

9. A stabilising apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawinys.