GB2467138A

GB2467138A - A clamp for securing a device such as a ladder to a box structure

Info

Publication number: GB2467138A
Application number: GB0901064A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Spear
Original assignee: Youngman Group Ltd
Current assignee: Youngman Group Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-22
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2010-07-28
Also published as: GB0901037D0; GB0901064D0

Abstract

A safety device 1 is suitable for securing to a box structure 3 such as a freight container or portable cabin that is devoid of secure mounts. The safety device includes two parts 6, 7, together having an adjustable length, each part having an engagement mechanism, such as an L-shaped plate (14, 15, fig 2) for engaging the box structure. The two mechanisms are brought together by a clamping mechanism 11 thereby securing the safety device to the box structure. An access device such as a ladder 2 is attached to the safety device. The engagement mechanisms may include an elastomeric layer. The clamping mechanism may be an over dead centre locking mechanism.

Description

Title: A Safety Device

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a safety device and more particularly to a safety device for use with an access structure such as a ladder.

When access is required to the tops of box structures such as portable cabins, ISO freight containers, electrical sub-stations/transformers, typically a ladder is used which is secured to a stable floor surface and then lent against the top of the box structure. On occasions it may also be possible to secure the top of the ladder to the top of the box structure.

There are problems with this approach in that a stable floor surface may not always be available. Likewise, there may be no point of attachment on the box structure to which the ladder may be secured.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to overcome the above difficulties and provide a safety device embodying the invention.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety device embodying the present invention combined with a ladder and attached to a box structure; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the two ends of a safety device embodying the invention, the ladder is not shown.

Referring to figure 1 a safety device embodying the present invention 1 is shown in combination with a ladder 2 attached to a box structure 3 which in this case is a side wall of a portable cabin.

The box structure 3 has a top surface which is devoid of any means for attaching the top of the ladder 2. This is in common with many box structures such as portable cabins, ISO freight containers, electrical substations/transformers and the like. The sidewall 3 of the box structure does have a bottom edge and a top edge 5 corresponding substantially to the respective floor and ceiling of the box structure.

There may be further structure such as skirting, kick boards or the like below the bottom edge 4 of the box structure 3 and likewise there may be further structure in the form of a pelmet or the like above the top edge 5 of the box structure 3. Nevertheless, the box structure 3 presents a bottom edge 4 and a top edge 5.

The safety device 1 embodying the present invention comprises two parts 6,7 which extend in length with respect to one another and which are preferably telescoped, one part 6 within the other part 7. In this embodiment, the one part 7 is a base 7 which telescopically receives the other part 6 which is in the form of a pair of parallel sliders 6.

The parallel sliders 6 are received in channels 8 in the sides of the base 7. The detail of the channels 8 is best seen in figure 2 in which the bottom of one of the sliders 6 is identified by reference numeral 9.

A plate 10 extends between the two sides of the base 7 and a strap ratchet 11 is mounted in the middle of the plate 10. The sliders 6 have a number of cross members 12 extending between them and strap 13 is fixed at one end to a cross member 12 to provide a flexible connection between the sliders 6 and the base 7. The other end of the strap 13 passes through the strap ratchet 11 so that the strap 13 is fixed to the base although the length of the flexible connection comprising the strap between the strap ratchet and the cross member 12 can be adjusted by operating the strap ratchet. The strap 13 is shown in figure 1 extending further to the bottom of the base 7 but the strap is not fixed at this end.

The base 7 is provided at one end with an L-shaped plate 14 which is welded or integrally formed with the base 7. The L-shaped plate 14 is preferably coated with an elastomer or an elastomer layer is provided on the two "inner" surfaces of the L-shaped plate 14. These contact surfaces are to come in contact with the bottom edge 4 of the box structure 3.

Likewise, one end of the sliders 6 is provided with another L-shaped plate 15 again preferably having its inner surfaces coated with an elastomer or with an elastomer layer adhered thereto. The contact surfaces of the L-shaped plate are intended to come into contact with the top edge 5 of the box structure 3.

Also at the top end of the sliders 6, adjacent the L-shaped plate 15, a pair of lugs 16 are mounted or integrally formed with the top of the sliders 6 which project in the opposite direction to the L-shaped plate 15. The lugs 16 are provided with holes and the ladder 2 is mounted on the lugs 16. For clarity purposes the ladder 2 is not shown in figure 2. Likewise the strap 13 and the plate 10 with strap ratchet 11 are not shown in figure 2.

In use, the strap ratchet ills released and the top L-shaped plate 15 is placed on the upper edge 5 of the box structure 3 so that the safety device 1 and the ladder 2 hang from the L-shaped plate 15.

The safety device 1 naturally swings into contact with the sidewall of the box structure 3 where it is held loosely in position as the bottom L-shaped plate 14 is manoeuvred so it is directly under the bottom edge 4 of the sidewall of the box structure 3. Whilst being held loosely in place, the strap ratchet 11 is worked so as to shorten the length of strap 13 between the two parts of the safety device thereby collapsing the length of the safety device 1 between the upper and lower L-shaped plate 15, 14 until the L-shaped plates 14, 15 clamp firmly the sidewall 3 of the box structure.

In this manner the safety device provides an excellent attachment to a box structure which is otherwise extremely difficult to secure a ladder or other access structure.

The two parts need not necessarily be telescopically mounted with respect to one another but could lie side by side or be interlocked in some other way which allows sliding engagement of the two parts. The two parts are shown in the figures as having square or rectangular cross sections. The cross sections may be of any shape.

Many length adjustment mechanisms may be implemented and the invention is not restricted to the use of telescopic parts. Many clamping mechanisms may be used instead of the strap and strap ratchet combination. If the side wall 3 of the box structure is of a standard height such as four ISO containers, then bespoke safety devices 1 can be provided where the length of the safety device 1 is predetermined and is only adjustable to accommodate clamping in such circumstances, only a small distance is required for clamping -an adjustment of 3cm or less is possible. Such clamping adjustment can be achieved using over dead centre matches, using a worm drive or replacing the strap 13 with an elastic strap fixed at both ends to the respective two parts of the safety device.

The elastomeric layer on the L-shaped plate 14, 15 says to increase friction between the L-plates and the respective top and bottom edges 4,5 of the side wall 3 of the box structure. Thus, grip between the safety device 1 and the box structure is improved.

The L-shaped plates 14,15 may be provided with locating pins or apertures to correspond to pins or apertures provided on the box structure 3. The L-shaped plate 14,15 may be provided with further lips or flanges to co-operate with corresponding grooves or channels formed in the floor and ceiling surfaces of the box structure 3.

The two parts of the safety device may be spring loaded with respect to one another and by biased to a minor length. The two parts may be extended to the full extent manually and spring biased back into a clamping condition with a side wall of the box structure.

In one embodiment, the box structure may be a void having no upstanding side wall, just top and bottom, floor and ceiling surfaces or floor and ceiling beams which present two parallel surfaces at opposed ends of the box structure. The safety device embodying the invention is operable to secure to the box structure by contact with the two parallel surfaces at opposed ends of the box structure alone. This is the only means by which the safety device is secured to the box structure.

The present invention provides a safety device for securing to a box structure having two parallel surfaces at opposed ends of the box structure, the safety device comprising: two parts together having an adjustable length, each part having an engagement mechanism for engaging one of the end surfaces of the box structure, the two engagement mechanisms being spaced apart by a predetermined distance; a clamping mechanism to bring the two engagement mechanisms towards one another thereby securing the safety device to the box structure; and an access device attached to the safety device.

The present invention also provides a safety device for securing to a main surface of a box structure, which main surface is substantially devoid of secure mounts, the safety device comprising: two parts together having an adjustable length, each part having an engagement mechanism for engaging the box structure, the two mechanisms being spaced apart by a predetermined distance; a clamping mechanism to bring the two engagement mechanisms towards one another thereby securing the safety device to the box structure; and an access device attached to the safety device.

Embodiments of the invention also provide: A safety device, wherein the engagement mechanisms are L-shaped plates. A safety device, wherein the L-shaped plates have contact surfaces for contacting the respective upper or lower edges of the box structure. A safety device, wherein the or each engagement mechanism has a contact surface with an elastomeric layer.

A safety device, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a strap interconnecting the two parts and a lock to secure the strap under tension. A safety device, wherein the interconnection between the two parts is elastic.

A safety device, wherein the access device is a ladder. A safety device, wherein the access device is hingedly mounted to one of the parts of the safety device. A safety device, wherein the engagement mechanisms are provided at the ends of the respective parts of the safety device.

A safety device, wherein a lock is provided to secure the engagement mechanisms the predetermined distance apart from one another. A safety device, wherein the predetermined distance is greater than one metre. A safety device, wherein the predetermined distance is greater than two metres.

A safety device, wherein the clamping mechanism is an over dead centre locking mechanism between the two parts. A safety device, wherein a lever is used to shorten the overall length of the safety device and lock the safety device at a respective length.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims: 1. A safety device for securing to a main surface of a box structure, which main surface is substantially devoid of secure mounts, the safety device comprising: two parts together having an adjustable length, each part having an engagement mechanism for engaging the box structure, the two mechanisms being spaced apart by a predetermined distance; a clamping mechanism to bring the two engagement mechanisms towards one another thereby securing the safety device to the box structure; and an access device attached to the safety device.
2. A safety device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement mechanisms are L-shaped plates.
3. A safety device according to claim 2, wherein the L-shaped plates have contact surfaces for contacting the respective upper or lower edges of the box structure.
4. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each engagement mechanism has a contact surface with an elastomeric layer.
5. A safety device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a strap interconnecting the two parts and a lock to secure the strap under tension.
6. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the interconnection between the two parts is elastic.
7. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the access device is a ladder
8. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the access device is hingedly mounted to one of the parts of the safety device.
9. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement mechanisms are provided at the ends of the respective parts of the safety device.
10. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein a lock is provided to secure the engagement mechanisms the predetermined distance apart from one another.
11. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined distance is greater than one metre.
12. A safety device according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined distance is greater than two metres.
13. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein the clamping mechanism is an over dead centre locking mechanism between the two parts.
14. A safety device according to any preceding claim, wherein a lever is used to shorten the overall length of the safety device and lock the safety device at a respective length.
15. A safety device for securing to a box structure having two parallel surfaces at opposed ends of the box structure, the safety device comprising: two parts together having an adjustable length, each part having an engagement mechanism for engaging one of the end surfaces of the box structure, the two engagement mechanisms being spaced apart by a predetermined distance; a clamping mechanism to bring the two engagement mechanisms towards one another thereby securing the safety device to the box structure; and -10 -an access device attached to the safety device.
16. A safety device according to claim 15 including the features of any one of claims 2 to 14.
17. A method of operating a safety device and attaching the safety device to a side wall of a box structure.
18. A safety device substantially is herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
19. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.