GB2325698A

GB2325698A - Anti-theft device for a ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2325698A
Application number: GB9810187A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Robert Madigan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-14
Filing date: 1998-05-13
Publication date: 1998-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-13
Also published as: GB2325698B; GB9709743D0; GB9810187D0

Abstract

A device for securing a ladder to a wall to prevent theft comprises a bracket 1 fixed to the wall has legs 2, 3 which fit either side of one or more rungs of a ladder placed against to the wall and projects beyond the rungs and the ends of the legs engage with a cap 11 which engages over the legs and can be locked so a to hold the ladder in place, the device can also be used to secure a ladder to a vehicle.

Description

Ladder Locking Device The present invention relates to a device for securing ladders when not in use.

Ladders which are left unsecured when not in use are liable to be stolen or used by unauthorised people and, if left near premises, can be used to gain access to upper windows, etc.

Ladders can be placed inside locked premises such as garages, sheds, etc. in order to secure them, but their security depends on the security of the premises and, in many situations, it is impractical or inconvenient to store ladders inside premises.

Alternatively, ladders can be secured by means of a padlock and chain, but this relies on the presence of a convenient post, drain pipe or other structure around which a chain can be secured. The use of a padlock and chain does not facilitate the storage of a ladder, which is likely to be left on the ground or against a wall in a haphazard way.

I have now devised equipment which can secure ladders in a convenient and safe way.

According to the invention there is provided a device for securing a ladder which comprises a bracket adapted to be attached to a wall or similar structure with a section adapted to fit either side of one or more rungs of a ladder placed adjacent to the wall, the ends of the bracket remote from the wall being formed into a lock engaging means, there being a cap adapted to fit over the end of the bracket remote from the cap which cap incorporates a locking means able to engage with the lock engaging means whereby when a ladder is placed with a rung in the bracket and the cap placed over the bracket the bracket can be locked in position and the ladder secured.

Optionally there are other retaining means positioned on the wall which can restrict movement of the ladder.

The other retaining means preferably are in the form of brackets into which the side of the ladder can fit, these brackets are shaped so as to prevent or hinder the movement of the ladder when the ladder is locked in place.

The brackets can be positioned so the ladder is held parallel or vertical to the ground.

Preferably the lock engaging means is formed by bending the ends of the bracket remote from the wall inwards and the locking means on the cap comprises a bar attached to a lock so that in the locked position the bar can be locked in contact the ends of the bracket and prevent the cap from being removed.

The lock can be any conventional lock.

The surface to which the ladder is secured is not critical and can be any surface of a size and strength able to support a ladder. For example the surface can be a supporting surface such as a wall or the like such as the wall of a house, garage, workshop etc. or it can be a free standing wall. The surface can also be a part of a vehicle such as car or van roof or side to enable easy transportation of the ladder and to provide security if the vehicle is left unattended It is a feature that when the ladder is locked in position it is not possible to get at any part of the device except via the lock, thus increasing security.

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the disassembled device Fig. 2 shows a view of the cap and Fig. 3 shows a side view of the support and fig. 4 is a plan view of the lock Referring to fig. 1 a bracket comprises a flat section (1) which is fixed against the wall or other supporting surface, the bracket has side sections (2) and (3) which are bent over at the ends to form sections (4a) and (4b).

The cap (12) comprises a back plate (9) which has a lock (10) centrally positioned in it, side sections (6) and (7) and top and bottom (11) and (14).

Referring to fig. 4 the locking means comprises a lock (10) attached to a bar (8) so that by turning the lock (10) the bar (8) is rotated.

In use the ladder (14) is placed in the bracket as shown in fig. 1 with a rung between the sections (6) and (7). The lock is in the unlocked position so that the cap (12) can be placed over placed over the bracket, completely enclosing the bracket, the lock is then turned to the locked position so the bar (8) engages with the sections (4a) and (4b) so the cap is locked in place and the ladder secured.

The brackets (15) are positioned on the wall at or near the ends of the ladder so that when the ladder (14) is locked in place the bracket (15) helps prevent the ladder from being pulled upward or outwards away from the wall. Thus the ladder is securely attached to the wall.

Claims

1. A device for securing a ladder which comprises a bracket adapted to be attached to a wall or similar structure with a section adapted to fit either side of one or more rungs of a ladder placed adjacent to the wall, the ends of the bracket remote from the wall being formed into a lock engaging means, there being a cap adapted to fit over the end of the bracket remote from the cap which cap incorporates a locking means able to engage with the lock engaging means whereby when a ladder is placed with a rung in the bracket and the cap placed over the bracket the bracket can be locked in position and the ladder secured.

2. A device for securing a ladder as claimed in claim 1 in which there are retaining means positioned on the wall which restrict movement of the ladder

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which there are brackets into which the side of the ladder can fit, these brackets being shaped so as to prevent or hinder the movement of the ladder when the ladder is locked in place.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the brackets are positioned so the ladder is held parallel or vertical to the ground.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the lock engaging means is formed by bending the ends of the bracket remote from the wall inwards and the locking means on the cap comprises a bar attached to a lock so that in the locked position the bar can be locked in contact the ends of the bracket and prevent the cap from being removed

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 when attached to the roof or side of a vehicle.

7. A device as claimed in claim 2 as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.