GB2410525A

GB2410525A - Platform attachment for a stepladder

Info

Publication number: GB2410525A
Application number: GB0401659A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Alexander Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-27
Filing date: 2004-01-27
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-27
Also published as: GB0401659D0; GB2410525B

Abstract

A trestle attachment 1 that in use attaches to a stepladder 6 either by attachment to a step or to the sides of a stepladder. The attachment comprises a platform 2 and telescopic legs 3 hingedly connected to the ends of the platform. Struts 4 brace the legs when they are folded outwardly to support the platform. The platform may be extendable. Means for attaching the platform to the stepladder also lock the platform in its extended position and said means also lock the attachment in a folded configuration for storage.

Description

24 1 0525

STEPLADDER ATTACHMENT

The invention relates to an attachment for a stepladder.

There are many occasions when it is desirable to have an elevated platform in order to perform tasks over a wider reach than is possible from a stepladder, for example when decorating or performing other maintenance work both inside and outside of a building, or for trimming hedges. One way of providing a platform is to attach a plank between a pair of stepladders. However, while this may be a satisfactory solution for professional decorators or those with storage space, it is inconvenient for individual householders who may not wish to invest in two stepladders nor have sufficient storage space for them and the plank.

The present invention is directed towards providing a platform that is attachable to a single stepladder According to the invention there is provided a trestle attachment for a stepladder; the attachment comprising an elongate platform, a pair of telescopic legs hingedly connected to opposite ends of the platform and having means for bracing the legs in an open configuration supporting the platform, and means for attaching a portion of the platform to the stepladder.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure I is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention shown in use at a first height; Figure 2 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention shown in use at a second height; - 2 Figure 4 is a side view ofthe arrangement shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of a clamping arrangement for use in an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a side view of an alternative clamping arrangement; Figure 7 shows a further clamping arrangement; lO Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the invention in a folded configuration for storage; and Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a platform of an embodiment of the invention in an extended configuration, and showing a clamping arrangement.

Referring to Figure 1, a trestle attachment l for a stepladder is shown. The trestle attachment comprises a platform 2 and a pair of legs 3 which are hingedly connected to the ends of the platform. A pair of locking braces or struts 4 are provided which extend from the legs to the platform. Any suitable means of attachment for the struts may be provided, for example they may be secured at each end and hinged in the centre with a stay over the hinge to lock them in a rigid position, or they may be hinged at one end with the other engaging against an abutment.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the mid portion of platform 2 engages with one of the steps 5 of a stepladder 6. The legs 3 are telescopic so that the platform height may be selected to correspond with a range of different step heights. Figures 3 and 4 show the trestle attachment extended to a height corresponding to the top step of the step ladder 6. It will be appreciated that any height, subject to the minimum and maximum extensions of the legs, may be selected.

The platform can be attached to the step by any suitable means. In some instances cooperative mechanisms may be provided on a stepladder that is customised to use with the trestle attachment, but it is more generally envisaged that the platform will be provided with a fixing mechanism or in some instances more than one fixing mechanism, that can be used on different configurations of stepladder.

One clamping arrangement is shown in Figure 5 in which there is an Lshaped clamp 7, one end of which extends over the step 5 The clamp may have a significant width, say of 0.1 metres in the side-to-side direction of the step The other end of the clamp is locked to the platform, by lock 8 which may be a twist and lock mechanism.

Other clamping mechanisms may use flexible straps of webbing with adjustable fastenings. For example the webbing may extend around the step and through slots or attachment points on the platform. Any suitable lock mechanism for the strap or webbing can be used. For example a seat-belt type of clasp or a twist and lock clamp.

The strap or web is adjustable to permit it to extend over different sizes of step or be fastened in different configurations. Figure 6 shows webbing extending from the platform secured by a lock 9 beneath a top step of a stepladder. Multiple clamping may be used, including a pair of clamps that engage with the sides of the stepladder where the step is attached. Figure 7 shows a side engaging strap Two such straps may be provided. Some assemblies may be provided with alternative means of attachment, for example a clamp and straps, to enable versatile combination with different types of step ladders.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform is also extendable, for example from 1.3 to 2 metros. Conveniently the clamping mechanism for securing the platform to the step may also lock the platform into the extended configuration.

Figure 9 shows a platform in an extended form and also the L-shaped bracket 7. Slots on the long side of the platform allow the L-shaped bracket to slot into a locking position under the platform where lock 8 engages through a slot 11 in the bracket.

The slot 11 enables the bracket to be adjusted to extend over different step sizes. Slots 12 in the top of the platform are also provided for passage of the lock 8. It will be appreciated that when closed the slots 10 all align, as do slots 12. Hence the bracket 7 and lock 8 can be inserted and secured for storage in the closed position. The platform may in some instances also be used in the closed or one side closed configuration. In the open configuration the inner ends of the platform wings may also be secured by virtue of the bracket and/or lock passing through other corresponding slots For added stability the telescopic legs have extended feet which may be serrated or otherwise configured to increase grip. Although the figures show the telescopic legs extended to the same length, as if the ground were level, it is also possible for one leg to be more extended or contracted and located on ground of a different level to the other leg and the stepladder For storage the trestle assembly folds flat as shown in Figure 8. From this it can be seen that the legs fold offset from one another. Conveniently this also means the hinge and leg assembly can be made as identical units irrespective of which end of the platform they are to be connected. - 5

Claims

1. A trestle attachment for a stepladder, the attachment comprising an elongate platform (2), a pair of telescopic legs (3) hingedly connected to opposite ends of the platform and having means for bracing (4) the legs in an open configuration supporting the platform, and means for attaching a portion of the platform to the stepladder.

2. A trestle attachment according to claim l in which the platform is extendable.

3. A trestle attachment according to claim 2 in which the means for attaching also locks the platform in its extended position

4. A trestle attachment according to any preceding claim in which the means for attaching also locks the attachment in a folded configuration for storage.

5. A trestle attachment according to any preceding claim in which the means for attaching attaches to a step of the stepladder.

6. A trestle attachment according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which the means for attaching attaches to sides of the stepladder.

7. A trestle attachment according to claim 5 in which the means for attachment comprises an adjustable clamp (7) for extending over a step.

8. A trestle attachment according to any preceding claim comprising a kit of parts including at least one means for attaching.

9. A trestle attachment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.

Amenaments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A trestle attachment for a stepladder, the attachment comprising an elongate platform (2), a pair of ground engaging telescopic legs (3) hingedly connected to opposite ends of the platform and having means for bracing (4) the legs in an open configuration supportingthe platform, and means for attaching a mid portion of the elongate platform to the stepladder.

2. A trestle attachment according to claim 1 in which the platform is extendable.

3. A trestle attachment according to claim 2 in which the means for attaching also locks the platform in its extended position.