GB2343215A

GB2343215A - Safety device for the foot of a ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2343215A
Application number: GB9822050A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Dickinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-10
Filing date: 1998-10-10
Publication date: 2000-05-03
Also published as: GB9822050D0

Abstract

A safety device for preventing the foot of a ladder from slipping comprises a base [10], a support surface [12] on the base for engagement with the foot [64] of a ladder and securing means for retaining the base in position. The securing means may comprise a rope [60] passing through securing eyes [58] attached to the base, one or more pins [48] passing through the apertures [46] in the base or a plate [54] passing through a slot [52] in the base. Wedges [28, 30] are slidably mounted on the base and are adjustable using the bolts [36] and wing nuts [44] in the slots [40, 42]. The feet of a ladder can be mounted on one or both of the wedges [28,30] to support the feet at the same height when the base is located on an incline.

Description

DESCRIPTION SAFETY PFVrrF FOR A TAPPER The present invention relates to safety devices for ladders, and in particular to safety devices for preventing the foot of the ladder from slipping.

When a ladder is in use, there is an ever present risk of the foot of the ladder slipping along the ground, with potentially serious consequences for a person on the ladder. The only reliable existing way of overcoming this problem is to have a second person holding the lower end of the ladder in position to ensue that it does not slip. Clearly this can be most inconvenient and is not always possible if a person is working alone.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety device for a ladder which reduces the likelihood of a ladder slipping in use.

In accordance with the present invention a safety device for a ladder comprises a base, a support surface on the base for engagement with the foot of a ladder and securing means for retaining the base in position on the ground.

By locating the ladder on the base whose position is fixed on the ground, the likelihood of slippage is greatly reduced.

The support surface may comprise one face of a member (e. g. a batten) projecting from the base, either alone or in combination with the base itself.

The face of the member may be inclined.

The securing means may comprise one or more retaining pins which can pass through apertures in the base and into the ground upon which the base is positioned.

Alternatively, or in addition, the securing means may comprise a generally planar retaining plate which passes through a slot in the base and which is intended for receipt between two adjacent paving stones.

Alternatively, or in addition, the securing means may comprise one or more connections (e. g. eyes) to which a securing rope or chain may be attached Preferably, the base is generally planar.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises one or more adjustable support surfaces to allow a ladder to be supported vertically when the base is located on inclined ground. The or each adjustable surface may comprise the upper face of a wedge member whose position is adjustable on the base.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of safety device for a ladder in accordance with the present invention ; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

The ladder safety device of the present invention comprises a planar, generally rectangular plywood base 10 having upper and lower planar surfaces 12, 14. A first wooden batten 16 of rectangular cross section is affixed to the upper surface 12 of the base, adjacent a front edge 18. A second batten 20 is also affixed to the upper surface 12 of the base 10 and is aligned parallel with the first batten 18. As illustrated in the Figures, the cross section of the second batten 20 is shaped as a trapezium, with the two front and rear parallel faces 22, 24 inclined to the upper surface 12 of the base 10.

A third batten 26, of rectangular cross section, is also fixedly secured to the upper surface 12 of the base 10 and is arranged parallel to the first and second battens. Each of the battens 16,20,26 extends across thewhole width of the base 10.

Two support wedges 28,30, are slidably disposed in the elongate gap defined between the central and rear battens 20,26. Each wedge 28,30 has a planar undersurface 32 in sliding contact with the upper surface 12 of the base 10 and a planar upper surface 34 which is inclined to the undersurface 32. The two wedges 28,30 are arranged such that the inclined upper support surface 34 of each wedge falls downwardly towards the centre.

A bolt 36 projects from the rearmost face 38 of each of the wedges 28,30 and passes through a respective slot 40,42, extending horizontally through the rearmost batten 26. The end of each bolt 36 projecting beyond the rearmost face of the rear batten 26 receives a butterfly nut 44 which can be screwed against the rear face of the rear batten 26 to hold the wedges 28, 30 in a desired position.

It will also be observed that the front batten 16 is provided with tw through apertures 46 which also extend through the base 10. Each aperture 46 is inclined to the vertical and is adapted to receive a respective one of two metal securing pins 48. The securing pins 48 are provided with an elongate head 50 to facilitate removal.

An elongate slot 52 is also formed in the central portion of the front batten 16, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the batten. The slot extends vertically through the batten and through the base 10 and is adapted to receive a metal securing plate 54 which can be received between adjacent paving stones. The upper end 56 of the securing plate 50 is angled perpendicularly to form a head which may be more easily hammered and which facilitates removal.

It will also be noted that two metal securing eyes 58 are screwed into the front face of the front batten 16, one adjacent each end of the batten. As shown, the securing eyes 58 receive a securing rope 60.

It will also be noted that a short block 62 is secured to the upper surface 12 of the base 10 in the central portion of the elongate gap between the front and central battens 16,20, to restrict movement of a ladder, as will be explained.

In use, the device is situated at an appropriate location with its planar undersurface 14 in contact with the ground. If the ground is soft (for example grass or soil) then the base is secured in position on the ground by hammering the metal securing pins 48 through the holes 46 extending through the front batten 16 and the base 10 and into the ground. Alternatively or in addition, the rope 60 may be passed through the securing eyes 58 and the free ends anchored in position.

If the device is being used on a paved surface then, as an alternative or in addition to securing the device using the securing eyes 58 and rope 60, the plate 54 may be hammered through the elongate slot 52 in the front batten 16 and into the gap between adjacent paving stones.

If the surface of the ground on which the device is placed is horizontal then the feet 64 of a ladder are placed in the elongate gap between the front and middle battens 16,20 (as illustrated in the Figures) with the feet engaging the upper surface 12 of the base 10 between the battens and also engaging the inclined front surface 22 of the central batten. In this arrangement the ladder rests on a firm base which is itself securely fixed against movement in a rearward direction indicated by arrow A in the drawings. Lateral movement of the base of the ladder is restricted by the block 62 in the gap between the front and middle battens 16,20.

If the surface of the ground on which the device is to be used is significantly inclined to the horizontal, then the feet of the ladder are position on one or both of the wedges 28,30 located between the central and rear battens 20, 26 (and additionally in engagement with the front face of the rear batten 26). By adjusting the relative positions of the two wedges, by loosening the butterfly nuts, moving the wedges and tightening the butterfly nuts to secure the wedges in position, the feet of the ladder can be supported at the sameheight, even though the base 10 is located on an inclined ground surface.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the aforegoing embodiment. For example, in the embodiment illustrated all of the components of the device (with the exception of the securing pins, securing plate, the securing eyes and the rope) comprise plywood or wood. However, other suitable materials may be used for all or some of the components, for example metal, plastics or a mixtlw of materials.

Moreover, although the device as described comprises two adjustable wedges 28,30, only one wedge need be provided, if it is possible to remove the wedge and reverse it to face the opposite direction.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A safety device for a ladder comprising a base, a support surface on the base for engagement with the foot of the ladder and securing means for retaining the base in position.
2. A safety device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support surface comprises one face of a member projecting from the base.
3. A safety device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the member projecting from the base comprises a batten.
4. A safety device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the face of the support member comprises an inclined surface.
5. A safety device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support surface comprises a portion of the base.
6. A safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means comprises one or more retaining pins.
7. A safety device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining pins pass through apertures in the base.
8. A safety device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the securing means comprises a generally planar retaining plate.
9. A safety device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the planar retaining plate passes through a slot in the base.
10. A safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means comprises one or more connections located on the base for attachment of a rope, chain or like securing member.
11. A safety device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more connections are located on a front edge of the base.
12. A safety device as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the connections comprise securing eyes.
13. A safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising one or more adjustable support surfaces to allow the feet of a ladder to be supported at substantially the same level when the base is positioned on an inclined surface.
14. A safety device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more adjustable surfaces comprises an inclined face of an abutment member.
15. A safety device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the portion of the abutment member is adjustable on the base.
16. A safety device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the abutment member is slidably mounted on the base.
17. A safety device as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the or each adjustable surface forms part of a wedge member.
18. A safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the support surface of the base is substantially planar.
19. A safety device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the base further comprises a substantially planar undersurface which is substantially parallel to the support surface.
20. A safety device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated, in the accompanying drawings.