GB2345720A

GB2345720A - Ladder stabiliser that engages a ceiling

Info

Publication number: GB2345720A
Application number: GB9922028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Sloan; Martine Suzie Benson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-16
Filing date: 1999-09-20
Publication date: 2000-07-19
Also published as: GB9922028D0; GB9822489D0

Abstract

A ladder stabiliser (1) which has a shaft (3) that is attached to a ladder (2) with a bracket (8) and a plate (4) at the end of the shaft (3) that contacts a building surface. The building surface can be a ceiling. The plate (4) may be connected to the shaft (3) by a universal joint and be formed from resilient and/or non-slip material (5a). Preferably the shaft (3) is telescopic, the length of which may be varied by a lever.

Description

Title : Stabiliser for ladder The present invention relates to a stabiliser for a ladder, particularly for a step ladder.

Step ladders are often used to reach areas above head height. When standing on or near the top of such step ladders there is no hand rail to hold on to, and persons, can feel somewhat unstable, particularly the elderly or people with disabilities. The ladder itself can also have a tendency to topple over.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a stabiliser for a ladder comprising: a) a shaft, b) a plate at one end of the shaft to engage with a surface such as a ceiling, and c) a bracket to secure the shaft to a ladder at variable points along its length, whereby, in use of the ladder, the shaft is supported by the plate against the surface and the ladder so that it can be used as a handrail by a person on the ladder.

Preferably the plate is connected to the shaft by means of a universal joint, such as a ball joint.

Preferably the plate has a pad formed of resilient and/or non-slip material to form a face to engage with the surface. The material may be neoprene or a rubber.

Preferably the shaft is extendible so as to wedge itself when extended between the bracket and the plate. The shaft may be formed from two telescoping parts which may be extended by means of a lever.

The bracket may include a clamp to secure the bracket to a ladder and a sleeve incorporating a clamp to embrace and secure the shaft at variable points along its length.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a stabiliser 1 for a step ladder 2. Stabiliser 1 includes a shaft in the form of an elongate cylindrical pole 3 having a plate 4 at one end of the shaft to engage with a surface such as a ceiling. Plate 4 includes a pad 5 made of non-slip and resilient material such as neoprene or rubber (natural or synthetic) to provide a face 5A to engage with the ceiling. The plate 4 is connected to the pole 3 through a universal joint 6 formed from a ball 6A in a socket 6B. The universal joint allows the face 5A to mate with the ceiling (or other surface) regardless of the angle of the pole 3.

A bracket 7 is provided to secure the pole 3 to ladder 2 at variable points along its length.

Bracket 7 includes a clamp 8 operated by wing nut 8A to secure the bracket to the sides of ladder 2. Bracket 7 also includes a sleeve 9 incorporating a clamp in the form of a bolt 9A operated by wing nut 9B to embrace and secure the shaft at variable points along its length.

In use, ladder 2 is placed in a desired position on the floor or ground. The bracket 7 is mounted on the side of the ladder by means of clamp 8. The pole is then pushed upwards through the sleeve 9 until the pad 5 is firmly pressed against the ceiling (or other surface) and the shaft is secured in the sleeve by rotation of wing nut 9B. The pole is then firmly wedged between the ladder and the ceiling and may be used as a handrail to stabilise persons on the ladder. The pole also serves to keep the feet of the ladder firmly on the floor or ground so it cannot topple over.

The stabiliser can be removed from the ladder for storage.

In order to wedge the shaft more fully between the ladder and the ceiling (or other surface), the shaft may be extendible so as to wedge itself more fully when extended between the bracket and the plate. The shaft may be formed from two telescoping parts which may be extended by means of a lever. In use, the shaft is first erected (in its contracted form) as described above and the lever then operated to extend it. The shaft may be designed to extend say around 1 cm.

The invention may be used on ladders other than step ladders, and indeed could be used on a chair or table as a stabiliser for people wishing to stand on the chair or table.

The invention may be made of any suitable material such as light metal, e. g. an alloy or aluminium.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A stabilizer for a ladder comprising, a) a shaft, b) a plate at an end of the shaft adapted to engage a building surface, and

c) a bracket adapted to secure a shaft to the ladder at a point along its length, whereby in use of the ladder and stabilizer, the plate is supported by the shaft against the surface thereby to stabilize the ladder.
2. A stabilizer according to claim 1 wherein the plate is connected to the shaft by means of a universal joint.
3. A stabilizer according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the plate comprises a pad formed of a resilient and/or non-slip material for engagement with the surface.
4. A stabilizer according to any preceding claim wherein the shaft is telescopic and wherein its length is variable by means of a lever.
5. A stabilizer according to any preceding claim wherein the bracket comprises a clamp to secure the same to a ladder, and a sleeve incorporating a secondary clamp to secure the shaft along its length to the ladder.
6. A stabilizer substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to, and/or as illustrated in the drawing accompanying this application.