GB2274673A

GB2274673A - Step ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2274673A
Application number: GB9301849A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Walsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-28
Filing date: 1993-01-28
Publication date: 1994-08-03
Also published as: GB9301849D0

Abstract

A step ladder (10) particularly but not exclusively for use in gaining access to articles stowed on racking, comprises a pair of uprights (11, 12) with rungs (13) extending therebetween, a platform means (15) connected adjacent a foot end of the ladder (10) and being movable from an operative position in which the platform means (15) extend generally outwardly of a plane containing the uprights (11, 12) and a stowed position in which the platform means (15) lies alongside the uprights (11, 12) and extends generally parallel to the plane of the uprights (11, 12). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Step Ladder Description of Invention This invention relates to a step ladder and more particularly but not exclusively to a step ladder for use in gaining access to articles stowed on racking.

According to one aspect of the invention I provide a step ladder comprising a pair of uprights with rungs extending therebetween, a platform means connected adjacent a foot end of the ladder and being movable from an operative position in which the platform means extend generally outwardly of a plane containing the uprights and a stowed position in which the platform means lies alongside the uprights and extends generally parallel to the plane of the uprights.

Thus a step ladder in accordance with the first aspect of the invention provides means whereby in use a user can mount the stepladder or alight therefrom at a position to the side of the ladder, and when stowed, the step ladder is substantially flat, i.e. the platform means does not extend significantly out of the plane of the uprights.

The platform means may comprise a platform hinged or otherwise connected to each of the uprights for movement, and the platform means may be movable such that an outward edge of the platform moves downwardly towards the foot end of the ladder to its stowed position.

The platform means may include a support which is movable relative to the platform between operative and stowed positions.

For example only, the support may comprise one or more legs hinged to the platform and the or each leg may co-operate with an upright of the platform when in an operative position, to maintain the support in its operative position. For example, the or each leg may be received in a recess of the or a respective upright to maintain the support in the operative position.

Where the step ladder is particularly but not exclusively for use in a warehouse environment where racking, storage shelves or another frame structure is provided (hereinafter called "racking") for supporting articles for storage, the step ladder may include a support structure to engage with the racking such as a generally horizontally extending racking element e.g. a shelf or framework member thereof to enable the step ladder temporarily to be secured relative to the racking for added safety.

For example, the uprights of the step ladder may be interconnected at a top end of the ladder by a generally U-shaped connecting member which, with at least the base of the "U" being adapted to rest upon a shelf or other generally horizontally extending racking element. Preferably the connecting member is detachably connected to each of the uprights. For example in a preferred arrangement, each upright may have at or towards the upper end thereof, a socket a mouth of which opens transversely to the plane of the uprights, or the upper end of each upright may include a transversely extending lug, and the connecting member may have respective lugs or sockets at the free ends of the "U" for engagement with the sockets or lugs respectively of the uprights.

Thus the U shaped connecting member is detachably connectable to the uprights but cannot be detached inadvertently by relative movement between the uprights and connecting member in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the uprights.

The support structure may comprise additional support means to engage with the racking for example beneath the generally horizontally extending racking element. For example, a second generally U shaped member may be provided, with the free ends of the U having formations engageable beneath the generally horizontal racking element.

The second U shaped member may be connected to the remainder of the step ladder for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the uprights, to permit the formations at the free ends of the U to be engaged beneath the generally horizontally extending racking element.

Locking means may be provided to lock the second U shaped member in an operative position, such as for example, means which co-operate with a selected rung, such as a rotatable latch.

The second generally U shaped member may be readily detachable from the remainder of the step ladder for stowage.

The step ladder may include a guard structure which is adjustable so as to extend generally alongside either one of the uprights as desired, and permit a user to steady himself by grasping the guard structure, for right or left hand use.

For example the guard structure may comprise an elongate element which is carried on one or more brackets which co-operate with a rung so as to permit the guard structure to be moved along the rung from one side to the other.

At each end of the rung adjacent the respective upright, there may be provided a pin or other formation which co-operates with the bracket or other elongate member to retain the guard structure in its selected right or left hand position as desired.

The guard structure may be rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the plane of the uprights between an in use position in which a hand engageable rail of the guard structure lies outwardly of the plane of the uprights for use, and a stowed position in which the hand engageable rail lies generally in or close to the plane of the uprights between the upright members. Means may be provided to lock the guard structure in its in use and/or stowed position.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a step ladder comprising a pair of uprights and rungs extending therebetween, and a support structure detachably connected to the uprights at or adjacent a top end of the ladder, the support structure comprising a generally U-shaped member providing at the free end of the limbs of the U, either a respective lug or a socket, the lugs or the sockets being co-operable with respective sockets or lugs provided at or adjacent the ends of the uprights, the sockets opening transversely to a plane of the uprights or the lugs extending transversely of the plane of the uprights.

The support structure may comprise a second generally U-shaped member connectable relative to the uprights and rungs for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the uprights, the free ends of the U of the second generally U-shaped member having formations to engage with a generally horizontally extending element.

Locking means may be provided to lock the second generally U-shaped member in an operative position relative to the rungs and uprights, such as means which co-operate with a selected rung, e.g. a rotatable latch.

According to a third aspect of the invention I provide a step ladder comprising a pair of uprights and rungs extending therebetween, there being provided a guard structure which is adjustable so as to extend generally alongside either one of the uprights as desired for right hand or left hand use, at least one rung of the step ladder carrying a bracket connected to the guard structure, the bracket being slidable along the rung from one side to the other to effect adjustment.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a step ladder in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is an illustrative view of a step ladder in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, FIGURE 2a is an enlarged perspective illustrative view of part of the ladder of Figure 2.

FIGURE 2b is an illustrative plan view arrangement of Figure 2A.

FIGURES 2c-2f are illustrative plan views of the step ladder of Figure 2 showing a guard structure in alternative positions.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a step ladder 10 comprising a pair of uprights 11 and 12, with a plurality of rungs 13, comprising in this example steps, extending between and being rigidly connected to the uprights 11 and 12.

In this arrangement the uprights 11 and 12 each comprise generally box section members which are conveniently fabricated from or extruded in metal, and the steps or rungs 13 may be bolted, welded or otherwise rigidly connected to the uprights 11,12.

Adjacent a foot end 14 of the ladder 10 there is provided a platform means 15 including a platform 16, and a pair of supports 17,18, each comprising legs. The platform 16 is hinged relative to each of the uprights 11,12, for hinged movement about an axis A between an operative position as shown in figure 1 in which the platform 16 extends transversely outwardly of a plane containing the uprights 11,12, and a stowed position in which the platform 16 extends generally parallel to the plane containing the uprights 11,12, and lying closely adjacent to this plane.

Each support leg 17,18, is hinged relative to the platform 16 for movement about a further axis 19 between an operative position as shown in figure 1, and a stowed position in which the legs 17,18, extend generally parallel to the platform 16.

When the legs 17,18, are in their operative positions as shown in figure 1, the free ends of each of the legs 17,18, are received in respective recesses 19,20 in the uprights 11,12. Preferably the recesses 19,20, comprise through openings dimensioned so as to receive the legs 17,18, therein with the free ends of the legs resting on the ground G. Hence when the ladder 10 is in use as hereinafter described, with the platform 16 in its operative position as shown, the platform 16 is supported in this position by the legs 17 and 18 resting on the ground G.

Thus a user may conveniently mount the stepladder or alight therefrom from a position to the side of the stepladder 10 if desired. Thus particularly where the step ladder 10 is intended for use between racking structures which are closely spaced, mounting the ladder 10 is made considerably easier.

The step ladder 10 further comprises a support structure 25 at the top end thereof which is adapted to engage with e.g. racking against which the step ladder 10 is supported. The support structure 25 comprises a first generally U shaped member 26, at least the base 27 of which is adapted in use to rest upon a shelf, or other generally horizontally extending element of the racking. The Ushaped member 26 is detachably connected to the uprights 11,12, by virtue of the free ends of the limbs 28,29, of the U-shaped member 26 comprising lugs which are receivable in corresponding sockets of the uprights 11,12,, the mouths of which open transversely from a plane containing the uprights 11,12.

Thus there is no risk of the U-shaped member 26 becoming detached from the remainder of the step ladder 10 by inadvertent relative movement between the uprights 11,12, and the member 26 in a direction D generally parallel to the plane containing the uprights 11 and 12.

The support structure 25 comprises a second generally U-shaped member 30, the free ends of the limbs 31,32, thereof becoming upwardly turned, and comprising formations 33,34, which are engageable beneath a shelf or other generally horizontally extending racking element. The limbs 31,32, of the second generally U-shaped member 30 are cranked such that first regions 35,36, of the limbs 31,32, extend outwardly transversely of the plane containing the uprights 11,12, generally parallel to a plane containing the limbs 28,29, of the first generally U-shaped member 26, and second regions 37,38, which extend generally parallel to and alongside a respective upright 11,12.The uprights 11,12, each carry U-shaped brackets (not shown) in which the second regions 37,38, of the second generally U-shaped member 30 are received, such that the second generally Ushaped member 30 can slide as a whole in the direction D so as to change the spacing between the formations 33 and 34 at the free ends of the limbs 31 and 32, and the first generally U-shaped member 26.

Thus the ladder 10 can be positioned with the first generally U-shaped member 26 above a shelf or other generally horizontally extending racking element and the formations 33,34, moved upwardly into engagement beneath the shelf or other generally horizontally extending racking element.

The second generally U-shaped member 30 can be locked in a selected position by means of a locking means 40 carried on a base 41 of the U, the locking means 40 comprising a rotatable latch engageable with a selected rung 13, for example rung 13a shown in the drawings.

Thus the step ladder 10 can be secured as a whole relative to a racking structure for safety.

The step ladder 10 further comprises a guard structure 50 which comprises a frame having a generally elongate element 51 which lies adjacent to the rungs 13, and a hand engageable rail 52. The guard structure 50 is adjustable so as to position the guard structure 50 adjacent either one of the uprights 11,12, as desired, and foldable from an in use position as shown in the drawings in which the hand engageable rail 52 is spaced outwardly of the plane containing the uprights 11,12, and a stowed position in which the hand engageable rail 52 lies closely adjacent to the rungs 13 in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the uprights 11,12.

Referring to the remaining figures, a stepladder 10a is shown in which corresponding parts to the stepladder of figure 1 have been labelled with the same reference numerals.

The generally elongate element 51 of the gaurd structure 50 is mounted at each end preferably, although if desired, only at the upper end, on a bracket 53 which is slidable along a rung 13b from one side to the other, so that the elongate element 51 can be positioned adjacent either one of the uprights 11,12.

The elongate element 51 has a recess formation 54, and the rung 13b has adjacent each end thereof, a pin 55,56 for engagement in the recess 54 to lock the guard structure 50 in an operative position at either side of the step ladder as desired, for right or left hand use.

Figures 2d to 2f show how the guard structure 50, can be moved to a left hand position by sliding along the respective rung 13h rotated to the figure 2e position about an axis C, to a position intermediate its in use and stowed positions, and then moved back to an in use position with the hand engageable rail 52 spaced from the rungs 13 to a maximum extent, when the pin 55 will be received in the recess 54.

Of course, if the guard structure 50 were to be positioned adjacent upright 12 at the right hand side of the step ladder, the guard structure 50 would be rotatable about axis C in an opposite sense to that shown in figure 2e to enable the pin 56 to be engaged in the recess 54.

For clarity, it is explained that the guard structure 50 of the stepladder of figure 1 is identical in configuration and operation to that described with reference to figures 2 and 2a to 2f. The stepladder shown in figures 2 and 2a to 2f may have any of the features of the stepladder 10 shown in figure 1, such as the platform means 15 at the front end 14 of the stepladder and the support structure 25 at the top end of the stepladder 10 if desired.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A step ladder comprising a pair of uprights with rungs extending therebetween, a platform means connected adjacent a foot end of the ladder and being movable from an operative position in which the platform means extend generally outwardly of a plane containing the uprights and a stowed position in which the platform means lies alongside the uprights and extends generally parallel to the plane of the uprights.

2. A step ladder according to claim 1 wherein the platform means does not extend significantly out of the plane of the uprights.

3. A step ladder according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the platform means comprises a platform hinged or otherwise connected to each of the uprights for movement.

4. A step ladder according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the platform means is movable such that an outward edge of the platform moves downwardly towards the foot end of the ladder to its stowed position.

5. A step ladder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the platform means includes a support which is movable relative to the platform between operative and stowed positions.

6. A step ladder according to claim 6 wherein the support comprises one or more legs hinged to the platform and the or each leg and adapted to cooperate with an upright of the platform when in an operative position, to maintain the support in its operative position.

7. A step ladder according to claim 6 wherein the or each leg is received in a recess of the or a respective upright to maintain the support in the operative position.

8. A step ladder according to any one of the preceding claims which includes a support structure to engage with a generally horizontally extending element to enable the step ladder temporarily to be secured relative to the element.

9. A step ladder according to claim 8 wherein the uprights of the step ladder are interconnected at a top end of the ladder by a generally U-shaped connecting member which, with at least the base of the "U" being adapted to rest upon the generally horizontally extending element.

10. A step ladder according to claim 9 wherein the connecting member is detachably connected to each of the uprights.

11. A step ladder according to any one of the preceding claims which includes support means to engage beneath a generally horizontally extending element, comprising a generally U shaped member, the free ends of the U shaped formations being engageable beneath the generally horizontal element.

12. A step ladder according to claim 11 wherein the U shaped member is connected to the remainder of the step ladder for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the uprights, to permit the formations at the free ends of the U to be engaged beneath the generally horizontally extending element.

13. A step ladder according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein locking means are provided to lock the U shaped member in an operative position.

14. A step ladder according to claim 13 wherein the locking means cooperates with a selected rung of the ladder and comprises a latch.

15. A step ladder according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the generally U shaped member is readily detachable from the remainder of the step ladder for stowage.

16. A step ladder according to any one of the preceding claims which includes a guard structure which is adjustable so as to extend generally alongside either one of the uprights as desired, and permit a user to steady himself by grasping the guard structure, for right or left hand use.

17. A step ladder according to claim 16 wherein the guard structure comprises an elongate element which is carried on one or more brackets each of which co-operates with a rung so as to permit the guard structure to be moved along the rungs from one side to the other.

18. A step ladder according to claim 17 wherein means are provided to retain the guard structure in its selected right or left hand position as desired.

19. A step ladder according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the guard structure is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the plane of the uprights between an in use position in which a hand engageable rail of the guard structure lies outwardly of the plane of the uprights for use, and a stowed position in which the hand engageable rail lies generally in or close to the plane of the uprights between the upright members.

20. A step ladder according to claim 19 wherein means are provided to lock the guard structure in its in use and/or stowed position.

21. A step ladder comprising a pair of uprights and rungs extending therebetween, there being provided a guard structure which is adjustable so as to extend generally alongside either one of the uprights as desired for right hand or left hand use, at least one rung of the step ladder carrying a bracket connected to the guard structure, the bracket slidable along the rung from one side to the other to effect adjustment.

22. A step ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.