GB2427432A - A conservatory roof ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

A lightweight roof ladder which is capable of being used on both Conservatory roofs and on the roofs of other buildings in order to allow ease of access to the places which are the most difficult to reach. These features include an arched top to fit over ridge tiles, extendable weight spreaders which will fit on the roof trusses of conservatories, ratchet sockets which allow it to be spread to whatever depth is needed. It has an aluminium sheet which runs the full length of the ladder to prevent slippage by the user, and it can be utilised with either a platform or hand rails by the use of receiver tubes which will run along recessed grooves on the outside of the ladder. It also has wheels attached to allow it to be pushed easily up a roof slope and a detachable leg which can be fitted when on the roof.

Description

2427432

Conservatory Roof Ladder Description Page 1

This invention relates to a ladder which can be used on conservatory roofs. It can also be used in a similar manner to a cat ladder on standard sloped roof building

When attempting to clean windows, carry out repairs to a house roof or building, or paint soffits for example it is difficult to reach the areas above a conservatory.

This ladder system will enable these areas to be reached with ease, without the need for expensive and ponderous scaffolding equipment.

It has a number of features which are designed for safe useage.

I have included three drawings of this invention which include an angled view of the conservatory roof ladder which shows different safety features, Reference SCB/KW1; a side shot of the conservatory roof ladder when being used without a platform, but with a hand rail, Reference SCB/KW2, and a side shot of the conservatory roof ladder being used with a platform. Reference SCB/KW3.

Guide to features of conservatory roof ladder.

SCB/KW1

Fig 1 - Curved top to fit over ridge

Fig 2 - No spaces in between rungs. Aluminium sheet to run the length of the ladder.

Fig 3 - Extendable weight spreaders.

Fig 4 - Internal side view of figure 3 Fig 5 - Handles attached to extendable weight spreaders

SCB/KW2

Fig 1 - Elevated ridge arch

Fig 2 - Ratchet socket

Fig 3 - Recessed groove

Fig 4 - Solid 'male' input tube

Fig 5 - Hollow 'female' receiver tube

Fig 6 - Hand rail

Fig 7 - Safety pin, standard split design.

SCB/KW3

Fig 1 - Platform top

Fig 2 - Extendable support tube

Fig 3 - Receiver tube

Fig 4 - Holes for safety pins

The basic shape of the conservatory roof ladder is the same as a standard step ladder. It will also be constructed of lightweight aluminium, which will allow for it to be easily lifted and manoeuvred by two people. However there the similarity ends.

Conservatory Roof Ladder Description Page 2

On top of the ladder is an elevated and exaggerated curved top which is designed to fit over the top of the ridge of a conservatory, many of which are ornamental, or over the top of a ridge tile on a standard roof. The curved top adjoins two pairs of swivel or ratchet sockets to each length of ladder. The swivel joints allow the ladder to be opened as wide or narrowly as required and allows for shallow or more severe dropped roofs.

The swivel sockets at the top of the ladders will allow the ladder to be stored or carried easily, e.g. on a roof rack .

The ladder has equal lengths of ladder on both sides which allow a greater spread of weight than cat ladders for example.

Extendable weight spreaders which are contained within two aluminium containers and which are bolted onto the underneath of the ladder. Each length of ladder has two weight spreaders to maximise the spread of weight in an even manner. The containers are divided inside to enable the spreaders to be made to fit the full width of the ladder. The spreaders also have a handle attached to the end in order to allow ease of access when pulling out of the container.

The ladder will have a solid sheet of aluminium running the length of the ladder on which the rungs are set, enabling a platform effect. This is a safely feature in order to prevent a users feet from slipping through the rungs of the ladder.

A recessed groove is a feature on the side of the ladder. This enables a hollow female receiver tube to run the length of the ladder and contain the existing platform support pole. By allowing the receiver tube to run the full length of the ladder this will enable it to be swivelled to the drop of the roof, and allows for both shallow and more severe drop roofs.

Two receiver tubes will be placed in the recess if a platform is not to be used in order that a hand rail can be used on the sides of the ladder in order to comply with current health and safety regulations.

Although once in place the platform pole will hold the receiver tube securely, as an additional safety feature the recessed groove has equally spaced holes in place which will receive a standard design split safety pin to additionally prevent any movement of the platform.

Conservatory Roof Ladder Description Page 3

The ladder will have wheels attached to the arch of the ladder in order to enable the user to easily push the ladder up a sloping roof, and one of the sides of the ladder will be detachable and can be attached by means of a stile spigot with a drop nose pin securing the two parts.

Reference SCB/KW4 will show the two parts when they are detached from each other.

Reference SCB/KW5 will show the two parts when they are attached by means of the stile spigot and drop nose pin.

SCB/KW4

Fig 1- Stile Spigot

Fig 2- Drop nose pin on chain

Fig 3- Detachable leg of ladder

Fig 4- Short end part of ladder into which stile spigot fits

Fig 5- Holes for drop nose pin

Fig 6- Bracket secured onto arch onto which wheel is attached Fig 7- Wheel attached to said bracket

SCB/KW5

Fig 1- Showing spigot and drop nose pin in place securing Fig 3 and Fig 4 from Previous drawing referenced as SCB/KW4.

The final drawing Reference SCB/KW6 will show the final ladder in its' totality.

SCB/KW6

Fig 1 - Curved top to fit over ridge

Fig 2 - No spaces in between rungs. Aluminium sheet to run the length of the ladder.

Fig 3 - Extendable weight spreaders.

Fig 4 - Internal side view of figure 3

Fig 5 - Handles attached to extendable weight spreaders.

Fig 6- Wheel attached to bracket.

Fig 7- Drop nose pin on chain

Fig 8 - Stile Spigot

Fig 9 - Recessed Groove

Fig 10 - Receiver Tube

Fig 11 - Holes for safety Pin

Fig 12 - Safety Rail

Figl3 — Safety Pin, standard split design

Claims (16)

Claims Page 4

1. The conservatory roof ladder will be constructed of a lightweight material to allow it to be more easily lifted and manoeuvred.

2. On top of the ladder is an elevated and exaggerated curved top which is designed to fit over the top of the ridge of a conservatory or the ridge tiles of a building

3. The curved top is attached to swivel or ratchet sockets at the top of the ladder which allow the ladder to be opened as wide or as narrowly as required and allows for shallow or more severe drops on roofs

4. The ladder can be stored or carried easily

5. The ladder has equal lengths of rungs on each side to allow for a better spread of weight

6. It has a minimum of one pair of extendable weight spreaders on each side of the ladder

7. The weight spreaders are contained within a lightweight compartment which is attached to the underneath of the ladder

8 The containers are divided inside to enable the spreaders to fit along the full width of the ladder

9. The spreaders have a small handle attached to the end to allow ease of access when pulling them out of the container

10. The ladder will have a solid sheet of lightweight material such as aluminium running the length of the ladder, on which the rungs are set

11. A recessed groove which features on the side of the ladder enables female receiver tubes to run the length of the ladder and it can then receive either platform support poles or handrails which can be attached to the ladder

12. By allowing the receiver tubes to run the length of the ladder it will enable the receiver tubes to be swivelled to the drop of the roof

13. The recessed groove has equally spaced holes in place which will receive a standard design split safety pin to additionally prevent any movement of the platform

14. An additional safety feature can be added if necessary by attaching a metal safety bar to each corner of the platform when the ladder is being used for that purpose

15. A pair of wheels will be fitted by means of a bracket the brackets will be connected to the arched curved top and will enable the ladderJ.o be wheeled up the slope of a roof

16. One side of the ladder will be detachable there will be a small length of ladder underneath one side of the swivel or ratchet socket into this will be inserted the length of ranged ladder which will be connected by means of a stile spigot and drop nose locking pins to enable a secure attachment.

4

Application No: GB0519017.8 Examiner: Philip J. Roe.

Claims searched: 1-16 Date of search: 18 November 2005

Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant:

Category

Relevant to claims

Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance

X

at least claim 1

US 4371055 A

(ASHTON et al) see whole document

X

at least claim 1

DE 29904718 U

(SCHARF) see WPI Abstract Accession No. 1999/328820-28 and all figures

X

at least claim 1

DE 9213523 U

(SCOZZARI) see all figures, especially figs 2 & 3

X

at least claim 1

DE 3719953 A

(MULLER) see WPI Abstract Accession No. 1989/008200-37 and all figures

X

at least claim 1

DE 2657985 A

(TELLENBACH) see WPI Abstract Accession No. 1978/F2066A-37 and all figures

X

at least claim 1

DE 2645438 A

(KUEMMERLIN) see WPI Abstract Accession No. 1978-D1254A-25 and all figures

X

at least claim 1

DE 2702169 A

(SPIEGELHAUER) see WPI Abstract Accession No. 1978/F9413A-31 and all figures

X

at least claim 1

DE 8322073 U (HOPER) see all figures

Categories:

X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state

&

step

Document indicating lack of inventive step if combined with one or more other documents of same category

Member of the same patent family of the art.

Document published on or after the declared priority date but before the filing date of this invention.

Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application

dti A DTI SERVICE

Field of Search:

Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKC :

E1S

07

Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC

E06C

The following online EPODOC & WPI