GB2549070A

GB2549070A - A cover device for a ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2549070A
Application number: GB1604909.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Sheldon Watson Simon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-23
Filing date: 2016-03-23
Publication date: 2017-10-11
Also published as: GB201604909D0

Abstract

The device comprising a body 1 and an attachment means 2, wherein the attachment means is arranged to attach the body to at least one vehicular roof bar, and the body is arranged to receive at least a part of the ladder. Preferably, a securement mechanism secures the ladder in place and is part of the attachment means. The attachment means may also be elastic and comprise at least one buckle. Preferably the body of the device may be monolithic and have a rear entrance when in use and comprise a displaceable door.

Description

A COVER DEVICE FOR A LADDER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cover device for a ladder, in particular a cover for ladders carried on a vehicle; more particularly but not exclusively a cover to limit noise and increase aerodynamic performance.

Background

Increasing interest in and understanding of aesthetics and general property maintenance in many societies has led to an increase in work on buildings.

This may be internal or external to the buildings.

Particularly where external to the building users may be required to reach elevated heights. If the users are not local, they often have to travel in vehicles to the building or work and may need ladders. Ladders are not easy to transport on or in a vehicle, and when on the vehicle tend towards causing airflow or movement issues.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted United States patent US 9 010 842 (WEBSTER et al) discloses an aerodynamic drag and noise reduction device for a vehicle roof rack article carrier comprising: a hollow container having a smoothly rounded closed leading side, an open rear side, and an interior portion for accommodating the vehicle roof rack article carrier, notches for accommodating attachment members of the vehicle roof rack article carrier, and an attaching mechanism for attachment of the device to the vehicle roof rack, wherein the smoothly rounded closed leading side has a parabolic shape with an internal concave surface.

United States patent application US 2009 120 719 (FOULKE) discloses an aerodynamic ladder cover that provides an aerodynamic shape to the leading edges of a ladder while in transport. The cover includes a rigid curved forward-facing nosepiece. The nosepiece is substantially semi-cylindrical and its rigidity maintains a smooth-contoured convex surface facing the wind. In one embodiment of the invention, the rigid nosepiece is provided as an insert within layers of a soft cover overlying material. In this embodiment of the invention, the ladder cover is attached to the ladder by straps which extend from a back end of the cover. The construction of the ladder cover and straps permits the cover to be conveniently used as a contractor's tool bag.

Granted United States patent US 6 918 626 (MORIN) discloses a cover assembly for covering an object subjected to an airstream due to transportation of the object in open air. The cover comprises a flexible cover adapted to fit over the object so as to conceal a portion of the object. An aperture is provided in the cover. A deflector is provided on an exterior surface of the cover and forward of the aperture with respect to a direction of transportation. The deflector is positioned such that a low pressure zone is created proximate to the aperture during transportation of the object in the direction by an airstream being deflected by the deflector, whereby air located between an interior of the cover and the object being transported exhausts through the aperture to an exterior of the cover to cause the cover to at least partially conform to the object.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a cover device for a ladder, comprising a body and an attachment means, wherein the attachment means is arranged to attach the body to at least one vehicular roof bar, and the body is arranged to receive at least a part of the ladder.

The body may include an entrance for receipt of the ladder, wherein in use the ladder may be inserted into the entrance.

The device may further include a ladder securement mechanism. This mechanism may provide a flexible mechanism arranged to secure to a plurality of dimensions or number of ladders.

The entrance may comprise a fixed entrance, for example such that the body is not moved when the ladder is inserted.

The entrance in some embodiments may comprise a moveable part, such that the part is moved for receipt of the ladder. For example in such embodiments the part may comprise a door, such that the body may be closed using the door, potentially allowing the device to serve as a container when not used for ladders. The door may be wholly or partly displaceable, comprising a hinge.

The body may be formed to provide an aerodynamic front profile, wherein the ladder is inserted in use into a rear entrance of the body.

The body may comprise a top, bottom and two sides. The top and/or sides may be shaped or curved so as to allow smooth passage of air. The top and sides may form a continuous curvature for example.

In some embodiments the bottom may direct air below the device in use.

In some embodiments the bottom may be arranged to approximate the vehicle roof when installed, so as to limit updrafts on the bottom. In some embodiments the bottom may be envisaged to touch the roof.

In some embodiments the body may comprise a monolithic part, which part for example comprises injection moulded thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs). In other embodiments the body part may comprise an external shell.

In some embodiments the body may comprise a substantially rigid skeleton, which skeleton is internal to the body part.

The skeleton may be comprised by a different material. For example the skeleton may comprise metal or alloy.

In addition or alternatively the body may comprise raised and lowered parts, or braced or undulating forms, so as to provide integral strength, flat and/or rigid sections.

For example the bottom of the body may comprise a flat base for receipt of the ladder.

In some embodiments such base may provide at least one catch, which catch for example may comprise a raised lateral part which part accepts a rung of the ladder.

The catch may provide the user with feedback as to when the ladder is fully inserted, saving pressure against the body and damage to the body. Such catch may be accordingly spaced apart or rearwards from the body external elements or surface.

Such catch may comprise the ladder securement means. In some embodiments the device comprises a further ladder securement means in addition or the alternative.

Such ladder securement means may comprise at least one flexible securement means, for example arranged to pass around the ladder rung and/or side rails. Such flexible securement means may comprise a strap, band or rope or adjustable or hinged arm. Such flexible securement means may comprise elasticity and/or a closure mechanism, for example a buckle. Such closure mechanism may comprise a ratchet buckle or clip. In some embodiments the closure mechanism may comprise hook and eye or hook and loop closure such as Velcro (RTM) or ferromagnetic portions.

In this way a plurality of different styles and/or sizes of ladders may be accommodated within the body.

In some embodiments the body may be adjustable in dimensions, for example extendable or enlargeable. For example the body may be arranged to adjust telescopically, so as to accommodate larger, or a plurality of, ladders.

In some embodiments the device may comprise vents, for passage of air through the device, the vents arranged to limit buffeting and/or problematic currents of airflow.

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 show isometric views of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figures 2 show reverse isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figures 1;

Figures 3 show plan and side views of the embodiment shown in Figures 1;

Figures 4 show sketch views of an isometric view of the second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, a detail thereof, and the embodiment in use, respectively;

Figure 5 shows a sketch of an isometric exploded view of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figures 6 show a rear view, a side view and a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, respectively;

And

Figures 7 show sketches of a fourth embodiment of the device.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising a monolithic body 1 formed in injection moulded thermoplastics, and a flexible attachment means 2 also comprising the securement mechanism.

Thermoplastics allows for the body to display colour or pictorial elements, so as to advertise branding or other information.

The body has a rounded nose 74 with substantially parallel sides 72 leading to a linear rear edge 77.

The body has a substantially flat bottom comprising of corrugations comprising raised parts 16 and lowered parts 7, the two opposing sides extending upwards parallel from the bottom 71, and leading in a curvature towards each other so as to form a continuous curvature top 73.

The top depends towards a foremost part of the device, such that the front of the body comprises a truncated and curved triangular form in section, with the curved and truncated nose foremost.

The sides being substantially parallel aids in insertion of the ladder in use.

The entrance 60 is situated at the opposing end of the body, wherein the entrance comprises a substantially vertical line in section to form the rear edge.

The base of the body comprises a corrugated base both for receipt of the ladder without excessive contact, advantageously minimising dirt, friction and damage, and for maintenance of a robust and flat surface for the ladder. The corrugation comprise raised and lowered parts centrally situated and running axially with the ladder, wherein the ladder rungs are consequently enabled to lie and the rails slide perpendicularly on the corrugations.

The base further provides a catch 15, which catch comprises a part comprising a lateral ridge, which ridge is elevated above the corrugations of the bottom, stops the ladders pressing against the interior of the nose and causing damage.

The device comprises a securement mechanism comprising two straps and buckles 10, which straps may be passed around the ladder and the buckles fastened at an appropriate length. The straps comprise a length, but may be subdivided for description purposes to tails 8 beyond the buckles, having loop controllers 9, and main section 11.

The straps have anchors comprising slots in the bottom, comprising two slots in raised corrugations, and two in the catch. In some embodiments the anchors may further comprise enlarged, knotted or bonded stops, which do not pass through the slots. In the pictured embodiment the slots 6 are in the top of the catch, and the straps then travel through the lacuna 12 formed by the shape of the raised hollow catch to pass through slots 14 in the catch. The slots may be reinforced, such that the anchors are less likely to come apart.

The nose depends lower than the base’s lower face, wherein the nose comprises the lowest part 3 of the body in use, arranged to approximate the vehicle roof and deflect air and limit air flowing under the device.

In this way the device comprises a lacuna below the base when in use and installed on a vehicle. The straps pass through this lacuna and may pass under roof bars, but are kept by the anchors to have two ends joined by the buckles above the ladder in use. The strap below the lacuna is flexible and long enough to pass under two roof bars to limit tipping.

The buckles comprise ratchets, such that the straps may be easily tightened for securement of the ladder in use. In this way the straps may be fed through the buckles, passed around the ladder and pulled tight, advantageously regardless of the size or shape of the ladder.

The body comprises scoops 13, set behind the nose to encourage airflow.

With reference to the second embodiment there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising a metallic base plate 39, bolted through the body to metallic strips 42 by bolts 41, and including an axial slot 43, through which the securement mechanism means passes.

In this way the mechanism may be moved axially according to ladder dimensions, preference or securement stage.

The mechanism comprises a clamp part 47, substantially parallel to the base and comprising a perpendicular hook 48, which part is provided on a screw threaded bolt 45, with a collar 46 to prevent passage through the slot.

The clamp comprises inner padding 49, and a lowermost flap 44 hinged at a hinge 50 and opposing the clamp part.

The catch is provided by an arm 40, which is bolted to the base and extends upwards, in a stepped profile to accommodate stacked ladders 80, and limit damage to the body interior.

With reference to the third embodiment there is shown an embodiment having a base plate 54, bolted to base strips 58 through the body, having a slot 53 through which passes a securement mechanism bolt 55 with a handle 56 to aid in turning, which interacts with a thermoplastics collar 52 on a thermoplastics arm catch 51, stepped to accommodate multiple or stacked ladders.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A cover device for a ladder, comprising a body and an attachment means, wherein the attachment means is arranged to attach the body to at least one vehicular roof bar, and the body is arranged to receive at least a part of the ladder.

2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a ladder securement mechanism to secure the ladder or part thereof in the body.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the attachment means comprises the securement mechanism.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means is flexible.

5. A device according to claim 4 comprises at least one strap.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the attachment means comprises at least one buckle.

7. A device according to claim 5 wherein the attachment means comprises elasticity.

8. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a monolithic body.

9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body comprises a rearmost entrance in use.

10. A device according to claim 9 comprising a displaceable door.

11. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.