GB2445359A

GB2445359A - Ladder stabiliser

Info

Publication number: GB2445359A
Application number: GB0700101A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Carter Hopkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-04
Filing date: 2007-01-04
Publication date: 2008-07-09
Also published as: GB0700101D0

Abstract

A ladder stabilising device comprises a generally flat ground engaging bottom surface 2 and a elevated top surface having a "V" shaped linear rebate or channel having two bevelled surface 4, 5 offset to each other. The rebate is aligned at an angle suitable to engage the feet 13 of a ladder that is adjusted to the correct angle for safe use. The front and back surface 6, 7 may be chamfered. The device may be attached to a ladder rung 17 by means of flexible supports 9 connected via adjustable locking mechanism 10 and retaining devices 11. The surfaces of the channel may have non-slip surfaces.

Description

2445359

i

LADDER STABILISER

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a device for stabilising the base of a ladder. According to the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry (D.T.I), accidents involving leaning ladders account for over 50 deaths and 12000 injuries requiring hospital treatment a year.

The Health and Safety Executive (H.S.E) has established that there are four modes of failure for leaning ladders: Base slip, Flip, Fall back and Top slide.

Safety organisations such as the H.S.E. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (C.P.S.C), recommend that the safest angle for a leaning ladder is 1:4 or 75 degrees.

Several devices have been proposed to solve the stability problems inherent with leaning ladders.

Some tackle the problem by a combination of increasing the surface area of the base of a ladder and enhancing the friction between the ladder and the ground. An example of this is G.B. 2216168.

A disadvantage of this device is that it has to be removed and repositioned eveiy time the ladder is required in a different place.

Other devices solve this problem by the use of complicated attachments that require time and skill to fit safely. An example of this is U.S. 6655497.

To overcome these problems and account for safety recommendations, the present invention proposes a ground engaging ladder stabilisation device with attachment means to the lower end of a ladder.

The device being generally oblong in plan and comprising a rigid base with a flat bottom surface and an elevated top surface enabling a 'V' shaped linear rebate or channel to extend along its widest axis. The rebate comprises two bevelled surfaces offset to each other at equal but opposite angles from a common intersection point along the length of its axis. The rebate is preferably aligned to an angle of 75 degrees to the perpendicular from the common intersection point enabling the device to receive the feet of a suitable ladder at its safest angle.

The device also comprises a chamfered front and back surface along its widest axis.

2

For the purpose of application the device is placed upon the ground or other surface upon which the ladder is to be positioned. The device is placed with its linear rebate aligned transversely to the intended direction of the ladder.

The ladder is then placed on top of the device with its feet securely located within the rebate, engaging its two surfaces at four points of contact along its axis.

The device may then be temporarily secured to the ladder by means of flexible supports with adjustable locking mechanisms and retaining devices.

The device supports a suitable ladder at its safest recommended angle of 75 degrees to the perpendicular, while converting the downward and outward force exerted by the ladder via the two points of contact on the forward bevel of the rebate to downward and inward, thereby reducing the risk of back-slip.

An advantage of this invention is that it does not rely entirely on increasing the surface area of the base of a ladder and enhancing its friction to stabilise it.

The angle of the forward bevel shifts the point of contact between the ladder feet and the ground inwards, redirecting more of the downward force of the ladder in the direction it is leaning. The steeper the angle of the forward bevel, the further inwards the force is directed.

The more weight on the ladder, the more stable it becomes.

The shape of the rebate is also intended to restrict movement of the ladder feet. The backward leaning bevel of the rebate not only supports part of the weight of the ladder, but also acts as a backstop, preventing the ladder from rotating laterally about its base.

When a ladder is positioned at its recommended angle of 75 degrees to the perpendicular, any ladder flip can be expected to occur at an angle of 165 degrees. It is therefore preferable that the angle of the backwards facing bevel is steep enough to the perpendicular from the common intersection point to act as an effective wedge and prevent the risk of flip. This is done by redirecting the force down through the device, effectively locking any lateral movement of the feet.

Another advantage of the device is that it will stabilise a ladder placed on a backward sloping surface. The H.S.E. recommends that the maximum angle of a back-slope on which to use a leaning ladder is 6 degrees. The rebate enables rotational adjustment to the perpendicular between the

3

ladder and the device so that the correct angle for the safe use of a ladder is maintained.

Preferably the width of the device exceeds the width of most suitable ladders. When secured to the base of a ladder by means of restraining devices, the width of the device may act to inhibit any sideways tilting movement caused by misuse or uneven loading on the ladder. This may reduce the risk of top-slide.

A further advantage of the device is that it may reduce the amount of wear on the ladder feet which could eventually compromise its safe use and lead to the expense of replacement.

Preferably, the device is constructed from a suitable lightweight, climate and chemical resistant material, such as an alloy, plastic or aluminium which may be produced by extrusion or moulding processes. The device may be of hollow construction with means of reinforcement to maintain rigidity and reduce weight.

Preferably, the angle of the forward bevel is set between 5-15 degrees to the perpendicular from the intersection point. Variations of design may account for different ladder types and practices.

Preferably, the device is secured to the lower end of a ladder by means of flexible supports such as straps connected via adjustable locking mechanisms such as ratchets to retaining devices such as hooks. Alternatively other means of attachment such as clamps, chains, wires, brackets, rope, or elastic bungee may be considered suitable for purpose. These attachment methods may increase the safety of the ladder and allow for the quick and easy attachment and release of the device from the ladder. It also enables transportation of the ladder without having to remove the device.

Preferably, the front surface of the device is chamfered to reduce the weight of the device and ease the application and removal of the ladder.

Preferably, the back surface of the device is chamfered at a right angle to that of the backward bevel in order to maintain stability and reduce the weight of the device.

Preferably the retaining devices can be designed to securely attach to a ladder rung or other part of a ladder, without inhibiting normal use and compromising safety.

4

A permanent means of attachment of the stabiliser to a ladder may be considered for commercial as well as safety purposes.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are not necessarily to scale.

• Figure 1. is a perspective view of the stabilising device showing a means of securing to a ladder.

• Figure 2. is an end view of the stabilising device showing a preferred angle of rebate in profile.

• Figure 3. is a perspective view of the stabiliser in use, temporarily secured to, and supporting the lower end of a suitable ladder.

• Figure 4. is a perspective view of a preferred second embodiment of the stabiliser comprising two shorter bases connected together by means of a rigid bracket/ handle.

• Figure 5. is an end view of the device showing how the flexible supports may be secured to the device.

• Figure 6. is an end view of the device showing an alternative way in which the flexible supports can be secured to the device.

• Figure 7. is an end view of the device showing an alternative way in which the flexible supports can be secured to the device.

• Figure 8. is a front view of the device showing an alternative way in which the flexible supports can be secured to the device.

• Figure 9. is an end view of the device showing an alternative way in which the flexible supports can be secured to the device.

Figure 1. Illustrates a first embodiment of the ladder stabiliser with secure attachment means(9,10,l 1) to the lower end of a suitable ladder. The device(l) comprises a generally flat ground engaging bottom surface enhanced for friction(2), two chamfered front and back surfaces(6,7) and an elevated top surface enabling a lV' shaped rebate or channel to extend along its widest axis and which comprises two bevelled surfaces(4,5) offset to each other at equal but opposite angles from a common intersection point(3) that extends the length of the rebate axis. The two rebate surfaces are enhanced for friction(8).

5

Figure 2. Illustrates in profile how the rebate comprising two bevelled surfaces(4,5) is rotated from the common intersection point(3) to an angle(16) best suited to securely receive the feet(13) of a correctly positioned ladder(12).Each ladder foot securely engages the device at two points of contact(14,15) within the rebate.

Figure 3. Illustrates in perspective the device in use.

The ladder(12) is adjusted to a recommended angle of 75 degrees against a wall or other support and the device(l) is placed with its rebate comprising two bevelled surfaces(4,5) aligned transversely to the direction the ladder is leaning. The ladder is placed on top of the device with its feet(13) securely located within the rebate. The device may then be securely attached to the ladder via a rung(17) by means of flexible supports(9) adjusting and locking mechanisms(lO) and retaining devices(l 1).

Figure 4. Illustrates in perspective, a second preferred embodiment in which the device comprises of two shorter bases(18,19) of similar dimensions.

The bases are connected to each other by means of a rigid bracket(20) which may also serve as a handle. The device is secured to a suitable ladder in a similar manner to that stated in fig.3.

Figure 5. Illustrates an end view of the stabiliser whereby a flexible support(9) is secured inside the device(l) by means of looping it around a fixed anchor point(22) inside a hollow section(21) of the device.

Figure 6. Illustrates an end view of the stabiliser in which the lower end of a flexible support(9) is securely adhered(23) between two sections of the device(l,2).

Figure 7. Illustrates an end view of the stabiliser in which the lower end of a flexible support(9) is secured to the device(l) by means of looping it through a hollow recess(25) around a bracket(24)

Figure 8. Illustrates a front view of the stabiliser in which a middle length of flexible support(9) is secured between two sections of the device( 1,2). Each end of the support is connected via an adjustment and locking mechanism( 10) to a retaining device(l 1).

6

Figure 9. Illustrates an end view of the stabiliser in which the lower end of a flexible support(9) is secured between two sections of the device(l,2) by means of countersunk retaining devices(26) and locating holes(27).

7

Claims

1. A ladder stabiliser with attachment means to the lower end of a ladder, comprising a rigid base with a generally flat ground engaging bottom surface and an elevated top surface enabling a 'V' shaped linear rebate or channel to extend along its widest axis comprising two bevelled surfaces offset to each other at equal but opposite angles that project from a common intersection point along the widest axis of the device and which is of sufficient dimensions to engage the feet of a suitable ladder at four points of contact along its axis, the rebate being aligned from the intersection point to an angle best suited to receive the feet of a ladder that has been adjusted to the correct angle for safe use.

2. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the axis of the forward bevel is sufficiently angled to the perpendicular from the common intersection point to effectively redirect any weight placed on it inwards to the direction the ladder is leaning.

3. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the axis of the backward bevel of the rebate is sufficiently angled to the perpendicular from the common intersection point to prevent the ladder rotating laterally about its base.

4. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the linear rebate allows rotational adjustment to the perpendicular between the ladder and the device.

5. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the width of the device is sufficient to exceed the width of most conventional ladders.

6. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the length of the rebate(s) is sufficient to accommodate the width of most conventional ladders.

7. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the front surface is chamfered.

8

8. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the back surface is chamfered at a right angle to that of the backward bevel of the rebate.

9. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the surfaces of the rebate may be enhanced for friction by means of regular horizontal lines of rigid projections, grooves or tread patterns capable of engaging and interlocking with the tread on the feet of a suitable ladder.

10. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the ground engaging surface of the device may be enhanced for friction by means of a tread or other profiled surface.

1 l.A ladder stabiliser according to claims 9,10, in which a suitable material for enhancing friction may be secured to the engaging surfaces of the device.

12. A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the device is generally rectangular in plan.

13.A ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, in which the device may be temporarily secured to a ladder by means of a flexible support(s) that may be connected via an adjusting and locking mechanism(s) to a retaining device(s) which may be attached to a rung or other suitable feature of said ladder.

14.A ladder stabiliser according to claims land 13, in which the lower end(s) of the flexible supports) is/are secured to the stabiliser by suitable means for purpose.

15. A ladder stabiliser according to claims 1,13,14, in which the lower end(s) of the flexible support(s) is/are secured to the stabiliser in a suitable location(s) for purpose.

16.A ladder stabiliser according to the previous claims in which a second embodiment of the device comprises two short bases of similar dimensions connected by a rigid bracket which may also serve as a carrying handle and which is capable of receiving and securing the feet of a suitable ladder as described in the previous claims.