GB2432872A

GB2432872A - A Safety Ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2432872A
Application number: GB0509976A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Philip Gould
Original assignee: VP PLC
Current assignee: VP PLC
Priority date: 2005-05-17
Filing date: 2005-05-17
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-17
Also published as: GB0509976D0; GB2432872B

Abstract

A safety ladder for connection to a trench box with a ladder access panel and connectors for connecting the panel to the trench box and a starter ladder integrally connected to the panel.

Description

A Safety Ladder The present invention relates to a safety ladder. More

particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a safety ladder comprising an access panel with a starter ladder integrally connected thereto.

It is now a legal requirement to have barriers along the edges of trenches on a building site. The barriers prevent workers on the site from falling in to the trench possibly sustaining serious injury.

In order to descent in to the trench it is usual to pass a ladder over the barrier and in to the trench. One then ties the ladder to the barrier. This has a number of drawbacks.

If the barrier is high it can be difficult to pass the ladder over it safely. It can also be difficult to get on the ladder as one has to first climb over the barrier. In addition, if the ladder is not safely tied to the barrier it can slip in use possibly resulting in an accident.

The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of

the prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a safety ladder for connection to a trench box, the safety ladder comprising a ladder access panel having connection means for connecting the panel to the trench box; and, a starter ladder integrally connected to the panel.

The safety ladder according to the invention has the advantage that it allows easy access to the ladder. The connection between the ladder and the panel is also more secure than tying the ladder to the panel, improving safety. There is also no need to pass the ladder over the panel before use.

Preferably, the starter ladder is integrally connected to an edge of the ladder access panel.

Preferably, the safety ladder comprises two ladder access panels having an access gap therebetween, the starter ladder being integrally connected to the two panels in the access gap.

The access panels can be co-planar.

Alternatively the access panels can be at an angle to each other, preferably a right angle.

The connection means can comprise a spigot adapted to be received in a aperture in the trench box.

The ladder access panel can include a handrail.

The starter ladder can be connected to the ladder access panel by means of a platform.

Preferably, the platform is arranged to be parallel to the top of the trench box when the ladder access panel is connected to the trench box.

The platform can extend on either side of the ladder access panel.

Preferably, the platform further comprises a U shaped flange on its underside for receiving the top wall of the trench box.

The safety ladder preferably further comprises a stabiliser extending from the ladder and arranged to abut against the trench box wall when the ladder access panel is connected to the trench box.

The safety ladder can further comprise an extension ladder for connection to the starter ladder.

The integral connection can be by means of welding.

Alternatively, the integral connection can be by means of a bolt, a pin or a hook.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which figure 1 shows a safety ladder according to the invention in perspective view; and figure 2 shows the safety ladder according to the invention in use.

Figure 1 shows a safety ladder according to the invention.

The safety ladder (1) comprises first and second ladder access panels (2,3) . Each ladder access panel (2,3) has a handrail (4,5) along its upper edge. Each of the access panels (2,3) is approximately waist height.

Extending from the bottom of the access panels (2,3) are connection plates (6,7) . Spigots (not shown) extend downwardly from the connection plates (6,7) . The spigots are adapted to be received within corresponding apertures in a trench box (not shown) , so connecting the panels (2,3) to the trench box.

In this embodiment the spigots are maintained within the apertures by bolts. In alternative embodiments other connection means are possible such as by pins or hooks.

The ladder access panels (2,3) are co-planar and are spaced apart. Between the panels is an access gap (8) . Within the access gap (8) is a horizontal platform (9) . The platform (9) is integrally connected by weld joints to the edges of the two panels (2,3) . On the underside of the platform (9) is a U shaped flange (10). The flange (10) is arranged such that when the access panels (2,3) are connected to the trench box the upper edge of the trench box is received by the flange (10). Detachable safety chains (not shown) extend across the access gap preventing entry onto the platform (9) when the safety ladder (1) is not to be used.

Integrally connected to the platform (9) is a starter ladder (11) . The starter ladder (11) is arranged such that when the safety ladder (1) is connected to the trench box it extends downwardly from the platform (9), parallel to the trench box wall. A stabiliser (12) extends from the starter ladder (11) and in use abuts against the internal face of the trench box so preventing the starter ladder (11) from oscillating when in use. Handrails (13,14) extend from the starter ladder (11) to the handrails (4,5) on the access panels (2,3) The integral connection between starter ladder (11) and platform (9) is by way of weld joints. In an alternative embodiment the starter ladder (11) is bolted to the platform (9) The starter ladder (9) is relatively short. This makes the safety ladder (1) easy to manipulate and store. An extension ladder (15) is detachably connected to the starter ladder (9) This can be attached either before or after the safety ladder (1) is connected to the trench box wall. A number of different extension ladders (15) of different lengths are available for trenches of different depths.

Shown in figure 2 is the safety ladder (1) according to the invention in use. The safety ladder (1) is shown connected to one panel (16) of the trench box (17) . Struts (18) abut opposite panels (16) of the trench to keep it in shape.

Generally speaking, an integral connection is one which cannot be made or unmade by hand alone and for which tools are required.

Integral connections can include weld joints, rivets and also nuts, bolts and hooks. Inclusion of an integral connection reduces the risk of the starter ladder (11) being repeatedly connected and disconnected from the access panels (2,3) resulting in an unsafe connection.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. A safety ladder for connection to a trench box, the safety ladder comprising a ladder access panel having connection means for connecting the panel to the trench box; and, a starter ladder integrally connected to the panel.

2. A safety ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the starter ladder is integrally connected to an edge of the ladder access panel.

3. A safety ladder as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, comprising two ladder access panels having an access gap therebetween, the starter ladder being integrally connected to the two panels in the access gap.

4. A safety ladder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the access panels are co-planar.

5. A safety ladder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the access panels are at an angle to each other, preferably a right angle.

6. A safety ladder as claimed in an one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connection means comprises a spigot adapted to be received in an aperture in the trench box.

7. A safety ladder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ladder access panel includes a handrail.

8. A safety ladder as claimed in an one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the starter ladder is connected to the ladder access panel by means of a platform.

9. A safety ladder as claimed in claim 8, wherein the platform is arranged to be parallel to the top of the trench box when the ladder access panel is connected to the trench box.

10. A safety ladder as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9, wherein the platform extends on either side of the ladder access panel.

11. A safety ladder as claimed in any or claims 8 to 10, wherein the platform further comprises a U shaped flange on its underside for receiving the top wall of the trench box.

12. A safety ladder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a stabiliser extending from the ladder and arranged to abut against the trench box wall when the ladder access panel is connected to the trench box.

13. A safety ladder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an extension ladder for connection to the starter ladder.

14. A safety ladder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the integral connection is by means of welding.

15. A safety ladder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the integral connection is by means of a bolt.

16. A safety ladder substantially as hereinbefore described.

17. A safety ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.