GB2480890A

GB2480890A - Ladder support with jaws

Info

Publication number: GB2480890A
Application number: GB1014439A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Harry Atyeo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-16
Filing date: 2010-08-31
Publication date: 2011-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-31
Also published as: GB201011964D0; GB2480890B; GB201014439D0

Abstract

An attachment for a ladder 11 includes a main body 10, an operating member 12 arranged for sliding movement relative to the main body, and a pair of levers `b' pivotally mounted on the main body 10. A clamping pad `a' is mounted on the end of the operating member distal from the main body and a clamping pad `c' is mounted on the distal end of each lever (b). Links 13, 14 connect the operating member and the levers such that sliding movement of the operating member relative to the main body results in pivotal movement of the levers relative to the main body. The levers act as jaws and their movement acts to grab an object, such as a tree, post or pole. An alternative corner clamp (17, fig 3) can be provided on the operating member.

Description

ATTACHMENTS FOR LADDERS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to attachments for ladders and an object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a ladder that can provide a secure anchor for the top of the ladder when it is leaning against a tree, post, pole or flat surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a ladder that can provide a secure anchor for the top of the ladder when it is leaning against a corner of a building.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an attachment for a ladder which includes a main body, an operating member arranged for sliding movement relative to the main body, a clamping pad mounted on the free end of the operating member, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the main body, a clamping pad mounted on the free end of each lever and links connecting the operating member and the levers such that sliding movement of the operating member relative to the main body results in pivotal movement of the levers relative to the main body.

The clamping pads mounted on the levers preferably have arcuate clamping surfaces.

The clamping pad at the free end of the operating member preferably also has an arcuate clamping surface.

An alternative clamping pad is preferably mounted at the free end of the operating member and arranged for rotation into an operating position when required, the alternative clamping pad having clamping surfaces that extend at right angles to each other.

Means may be provided for exerting a gripping action on the operating member restraining it from sliding movement relative to the main body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the attachment secured to the top of a ladder, Figure 2 shows the attachment in clamping engagement with a vertical pole, and Figure 3 is a detail view showing the configuration of a corner clamp.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The ladder attachment shown in the drawings includes a main body 10 that can be fastened to the top of the rails of a ladder 11 via a pivot pin and lock. The arrangement is thus such as to permit a small angular adjustment of the position of the main body relative to the rails of the ladder 11 either side of the safe operating angle of the ladder 11.

A slidable slotted operating member 12 is mounted on the main body 10 and terminates in a generally arcuate clamping pad a. The operating member 12 is connected by a pair of links 13 and 14 to two levers b at the ends of which further arcuate clamping pads c are pivotally mounted. A shaft 15, at the free end of which there is a knurled knob d, passes through the slot in the operating member 12.

In use, the main body 10 of the attachment is secured to the top of the ladder 11 and the ladder 11 is then positioned with the clamp pad a in engagement with, for example, a telegraph pole 16 and the main body 10 is then urged towards the pole 16. This results in sliding movement of the operating member 12 relative to the main body 10 and linear movement of the operating member 12 is converted to pivotal movement of the levers b via the links 13 and 14. Pivotal movement of the levers b urges the clamping pads c into engagement with the pole 16 thus providing a clamping force acting on the pole 16 at positions equally spaced from the clamping pad a.

As the user climbs the ladder, the force applied to the operating member 12 will increase in proportion to the distance of the user's weight from the ground, i.e. the torque around the pivot point provided by engagement of the feet of the ladder 11 with the ground will increase, thus increasing the clamping force applied to the pole 16 by the clamping pads a and c.

If the user wishes to fix the ladder 11 in position without a load being applied, he can turn the knob d so as to exert a clamping action on the operating member 12 and thus provide a frictional brake.

A spring (not shown) may be provided for returning the levers b into the positions shown in Figure 1 when the attachment is moved away from the pole 16. The rating of the spring is low thus providing minimal resistance to movement of the levers b from the positions shown in Figure 1 into the positions shown in Figure 2.

The corner clamp 17 shown in Figure 3 is pivotally mounted on the operating member 12 at the position indicated and, as shown, the corner clamp 17 has clamping surfaces that are disposed at right angles to one another and extend upwardly relative to the axis of the operating member 12 whereas the arcuate clamping pad a has clamping surfaces that extend downwardly relative to the axis of the operating member 12. The corner clamp 17 is used when it is desired to position the top of the ladder against a corner of a building or other square construction.

Claims

Claims:- 1. An attachment for a ladder which includes a main body, an operating member arranged for sliding movement relative to the main body, a clamping pad mounted on the free end of the operating member, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the main body, a clamping pad mounted on the free end of each lever and links connecting the operating member and the levers such that sliding movement of the operating member relative to the main body results in pivotal movement of the levers relative to the main body.
2. An attachment as claimed in Claim 1, in which the clamping pads mounted on the levers have arcuate clamping surfaces.
3. An attachment as claimed in Claim 2, in which the clamping pad at the free end of the operating member also has an arcuate clamping surface.
4. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which an alternative clamping pad is mounted at the free end of the operating member and is arranged for rotation into an operating position when required.
5. An attachment as claimed in Claim 4, in which the alternative clamping pad has clamping surfaces that extend at right angles to each other.
6. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which means are provided for exerting a gripping action on the operating member restraining it from sliding movement relative to the main body.
7. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes spring means for effecting return movement of the levers.
8. An attachment for a ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.Claims:- 1. An attachment for a ladder which includes a main body, an operating member arranged for sliding movement relative to the main body, a clamping pad mounted on a free end of the operating member, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the main body, a clamping pad mounted on the free end of each lever, links connecting the operating member and the levers such that sliding movement of the operating member relative to the main body results in pivotal movement of the levers relative to the main body, and an alternative clamping pad mounted at the free end of the operating member and arranged for rotation into an operating position when required.2. An attachment as claimed in Claim 1, in which the clamping pads mounted on the levers have arcuate clamping surfaces.p.....S3. An attachment as claimed in Claim 2, in which the clamping pad at the free end of the operating member also has an arcuate clamping surface. * * *4. An attachment as claimed in Claim 1, in which the alternative clamping pad has clamping surfaces that extend at right angles to each other.5. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which means are provided for exerting a gripping action on the operating member restraining it from sliding movement relative to the main body.6. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes spring means acting on the levers.7. An attachment for a ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. S...' a* S*.*. * t * * S S. * * . * * S. S..