GB2390391A

GB2390391A - Ladder stabiliser

Info

Publication number: GB2390391A
Application number: GB0215610A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Dennis Newton-Shimpe; Christopher Perrin
Original assignee: BURWAY
Current assignee: BURWAY
Priority date: 2002-07-05
Filing date: 2002-07-05
Publication date: 2004-01-07
Also published as: GB0215610D0

Abstract

A ladder stabilizer 10 comprises a base plate 12 and two upstanding portions 14, 16 with a recess 12b defined therebetween to retain the ladder L. Two members 18a, 18b extend between the upstanding portions 14, 16 and have securing means (124, figure 8) to further limit the movement of the ladder L. The lower face of the base plate 12 has frictional material thereon and may also have studs protruding from it to be pressed in the ground to restrict movement of the stabilizer 10.

Description

LADDER STABILITY DEVICE

The invention relates to a stabilizer for a ladder.

5 The dangers associated with the use of ladders have been recognised and received attention for many years. Accidents have occurred due to sideways slip of the upper end of the ladder and by the feet of the ladder slipping away from the structure upon which the ladder is supported. lO Several known devices have been used to support the upper end of the ladder; and the lower end stability, an example of which is GB 2 216 168. This document illustrates a ladder stabilizer comprising a base plate and a projection extending upwardly from the base plate and extending throughout the length of the base plate. The base of the ladder rests against the projection and the base plate is provided with high friction material to reduce the movement 15 of the ladder stabilizer. However, such a stabilizer will only support the feet in one direction.

It is still possible for the ladder feet to move in a lateral direction or in a direction away from the projection; or indeed to become separated from the ladder base plate.

The present invention in its preferred embodiments seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the 20 problems of the prior art.

A first aspect of the invention provides a ladder stabilizer comprising a base plate and a pair of upstanding portions extending upwardly from the base plate in a spaced arrangement to define a recess therebetween for receiving the feet of the ladder thereby to restrict movement 25 of the ladder in a first plane. Preferably, each upstanding portion may be a corrugation which lies between the lateral margin of the base plate and a central region of the same.

Alternatively, the corrugations may have a highest point at least 4 cm above the area of the base plate.

30 According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention there may further comprise means to restrict movement of the ladder in a second plane. Preferably the means to restrict movement in a second plane may comprise one or more members connecting the opposed upstanding portions intermediate the ladder feet.

There may funkier comprise securing means to restrain the upward movement of the ladder.

Preferably the securing means may comprise a pair of engaging elements interconnected by a member to secure the stabilizer to the ladder. More preferably the securing means may be resiliently biased.

According to a another optional feature of this aspect of the present invention the ladder stabilizer may have a frictional material secured to of the base plate in such a way as to restrict movement of the stabilizer.

10 According to a yet optional feature of this aspect of the present invention there may further comprise one or more studs protruding from the lower face of the base plate to be pressed into the ground thereby to restrict movement of the stabilizer.

The ladder stabilizer may be made in one piece. Preferably, the ladder stabilizer may be 15 made of plastics material, steel or aluminium.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the arrangements illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I is a top plan view of a first, preferred embodiment of the ladder stabilizer according to the present invention; FIGURES 2 and 3 are side and end elevations of the base plate illustrated in Figure 1; FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate side and end views of the ladder stabilizer and ladder according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate the position ol the ladder in situ with and without the ladder 30 stabilizers respectively; and FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a second, preferred embodiment of the ladder stabilizer according to the present invention;

FIGURES 9 and 10 are side and end elevations of the base plate illustrated in Figure 8.

The ladder stabilizer 10 as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is formed from one or more sheets of suitable material, for example steel, aluminium or plastics material selected for strength, 5 durability and light weight. The stabilizer 10 comprises a base plate 12a, 12b, 12c and a pair of upstanding portions 14, 16 which extend upwardly from the base plate. Each upstanding portion 14, 16 is spaced to define a recess R for receiving the feet of the ladder to restrict movement of the ladder in a first plane "X" (Figure I) 10 In this embodiment, the ladder stabilizer is formed from a single piece of sheet material and the upstanding portions 14, 16 are formed as corrugations therein. Preferably, each corrugation 14, 16 comprises a substantially vertical face 20, 22, positioned inwardly towards the recess R. which face is adapted to allow abutment with a portion of the ladder feet. More preferably, the corrugation further comprises a second wall angled outwardly with respect t 15 the inner walls 20, 22 to impart rigidity to the upstanding portions. In one class of embodiments, each upstanding portion 14, 16 is adapted to receive the feet of the ladder so that the stabilizer can be used either way round.

One advantage of providing a pair of upstanding portions is that the feet of the ladder are 20 restricted from moving in a first plane "X". The central portion of the base plate 1 2b, is wide enough to receive ladder feet of various sizes but is preferably in the range of 100 to 150 mm.

The height of the inner walls 20, 26 is sufficient that at least part of the ladder feet may abut therewith. In one class of embodiment, the height of the corrugation should be in excess of 4 cm. In a further optional feature, to restrict movement in the second plane "Y" (Figure I), there is provided one or more bracing members 1 8a, 1 8b connecting the opposed upstanding portions 14, 16. Preferably, the bracing members 1 8a, 1 8b are spaced to be positioned intermediate to the ladder feet. In the event the ladder moves in plane "Y" it is restricted from doing so by 30 the ladder feet abutting one or other of the bracing members 18a, lab. Beneficially, the bracing members may help in imparting rigidity to the structure.

The central portion 12b of base plate includes portions 26, 28 extending outwardly beyond the upstanding portions to increase the lower surface area of the central base plate. It is

desirable to have a large surface area in order to improve stability of the stabiliser.

Beneficially, this central portion 12b may further act to aid to the securing means, according to a later optional feature.

5 PrcLerably, the lower surface of the base plate has a layer 34 of material with a high coefficient of friction, for example rubber or synthetic plastics material, applied to it, to reduce slippage during use. In some embodiments there may also comprise one or more pegs 32 detachably secured to the base plate 12, which pegs protrude below the base plate. In use1 the pegs are used for softer surfaces, for example grass, to provide additional protection 10 against slippage.

In order to secure the ladder stabiliser 10 to the ladder there further comprises securing means. The securing means, in this embodiment comprises a spring 24 with hooks on the opposing ends which is attached to the bracing member 18a. Of course, other forms of 15 resiliently biasing means can be used without departing from the scope of invention. Indeed, the securing means may be provided by a combination of clips, straps and/or elastic shock cord. Figure I illustrates two springs mounted to each of the bracing members 18.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the ladder stabiliser 10 in use, whereby the ladder feet are inserted 20 into the recess R and the securing means is secured to a rung of the ladder. The ladder feet abut against one of the upstanding portions 14 to retain the ladder in the position of use. The ladder securing means can flex to allow the ladder to pivot about its feet according to the desired angle of incline. The stabiliser 10 is inhibited from sliding along the ground on which it is placed due to the weight of the stabiliser and the frictional material on the lower 25 surface of the base plate. One advantage of using the stabiliser is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 whereby the angle of incline a (Figure 6) can be increased to a larger angle b (Figure 7) by using the ladder stabiliser.

A second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 which is similar to the first 30 embodiment described above so like reference numerals have been used with the prefix '1'.

Therefore only the differences will now be described in any greater detail. In this embodiment, the recess R. the bracing members 118 and the securing means are identical.

However, the pegs 132 are provided to pass through corresponding apertures in the outer wall of the corrugation, which is angled outwardly with respect to the inner wall. Thus the peg

s will be pressed in to the ground at an angle to provide a stronger anchor position. Of course it is envisaged that the apparatus could be provided with apertures in the base plate 112a to allow additional pegs to be inserted through the base plate in like manner as the first embodiment. The ladder stabiliser 10 has wide application and can be used for step and leaning ladders.

The large area of the base plate also evens out irregularities in the type of ground typically encountered in places such as building sites.

10 It is envisaged that modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection. In particular, it is envisaged the securing means and upstanding portions can be altered according to the style of ladder, which may include styles of stepladder apparatus.

Claims

1. A ladder stabilizer comprising a base plate and a pair of upstanding portions extending upwardly from the base plate in a spaced arrangement to define a recess 5 therebetween for receiving the feet of the ladder thereby to restrict movement of the ladder in a first plane.

2. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each upstanding portion is a corrugation which lies between the lateral margin and a central region.

3. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in claim 2 wherein each corrugation has a highest point at least 4 cm above the highest area of the base plate.

4. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein there further comprises 15 means to restrict movement of the ladder in a second plane.

5. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means to restrict movement in a second plane comprises one or more members connecting the opposed upstanding portions arranged intermediate the ladder feet.

6. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in any preceding claim, there further comprising securing means to restrain the upward movement of the ladder.

7. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the securing means comprises a pair 25 of engaging elements interconnected by a member to secure the stabilizer to the ladder.

8. A ladder as claimed in claim 7 wherein the securing means is resilient biased.

30

9. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in any preceding claim having a frictional material secured to the lower face of the base plate to restrict movement of the stabilizer.

10. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there further comprises one or more studs protruding from the base plate to be pressed into the ground thereby to restrict movement of the stabilizer.

5

11. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in any preceding claim which is made in one piece.

12. A ladder stabilizer as claimed in any preceding claim which is made of plastics material, steel or aluminium.

lO

13. A ladder stabilizer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 or Figures 4 and 5 or Figures 8, 9, 10 of the . accompanying drawings.

14. A ladder stabilizer substantially as hereinbefore described.