GB2551348A

GB2551348A - Ladder safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2551348A
Application number: GB1610290.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Burkett Peter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-14
Filing date: 2016-06-14
Publication date: 2017-12-20
Also published as: GB201610290D0

Abstract

A ladder stabilising device comprises a platform A having an engagement surface A1 and a cradle B pivotable relative to the platform and engageable with this surface. The cradle B engages a lower end of a ladder to hold the ladder at an angle between 70 and 80 degrees to the horizontal for stability and safety, preferably at 76 degrees. The cradle may include an upper surface for the ladder to rest upon and a lower part to engage surface A1. There may be a clamp to hold the ladder in place with a hook B2 and a threaded bolt B3. There may also be feet A4 adjustable in height via screws A3 for use with steps (see figures 9 and 10), downward pointing blades A5 for soft ground (see figure 7), or side arms C extending from opposite sides of the platform with pads C2 to brace against other objects or extend the width of the tread (see figures 4 and 11). There may be an indicator including a spirit level A2, B1 to measure the angle of the ladder.

Description

LADDER SAFETY DEVICE Background to the Invention [0001] This invention relates to a device for stabilising a ladder.

[0002] A known ladder has issues of stability, with a danger of sliding at the base away from a wall, and toppling over either backwards or sideways. Many factors have to be considered, such as the type and evenness of the ground, the irregularity, wetting and hardness of the ground and wall surfaces, and the correct climbing angle.

[0003] Accidents involving minor and serious injuries and fatalities occur on a regular basis.

[0004] It is possible to have a person assisting the ladder user holding the ladder and/or standing on the bottom rung or to place an object on or against the bottom the ladder. These are not satisfactory solutions.

Summary of the Invention [0005] The present invention provides a ladder stabilising device comprising a platform having an engagement surface, and a cradle pivotable to the platform and engageable with said engagement surface, the cradle also being arranged to engage a lower end of a ladder so as to hold the ladder at an angle between 70° and 80° to the horizontal.

[0006] The cradle may in particular have an upper cradle surface on which stringers of a ladder may rest, and a lower part which comes to rest on the engagement surface of the platform, such that the upper cradle surface holds the ladder at said angle to the horizontal. The angle may be between 73° and 79° and preferably approximately 76°.

[0007] A clamping device may have a hook for securing a lowermost rung of the ladder to the cradle. The clamping device may include a threaded bolt screwable within a bore of the cable to clamp the ladder to the cradle.

[0008] The platform may include adjustable feet for ensuring that the upper surface of the platform is horizontal on uneven ground. The platform may have downward-pointing blades for engaging soft ground.

[0009] The platform may be provided with side arms extending on opposed sides and having pads for engaging the ground or another object at a distance from the platform.

[0010] The cradle may be provided with an indicator for ensuring that the ladder is at a correct angle. This may comprise a spirit level.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0011] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0012] Figure 1 shows a ladder stabilising device according to an embodiment of the invention in a first configuration; [0013] Figure 2 is a partly exploded view of the cradle of the ladder stabilising device; [0014] Figure 3 shows the cradle in place on the platform, not showing the side arms; [0015] Figure 4 shows the platform with side arms, not showing the cradle; [0016] Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show steps in a visual method of positioning the ladder stabilising device; [0017] Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show steps in a mechnical method of positioning the ladder stabilising device; [0018] Figure 7 shows how the platform is positioned on soft ground; [0019] Figure 8 shows the underside of the platform; [0020] Figure 9 shows how the platform is positioned on steps in one configuration; [0021] Figure 10 shows how the platform is positioned on steps in another configuration; and [0022] Figure 11 shows an alternative deployment of the side arms.

Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments [0023] Figures 1 to 4 show the ladder stabilising device which comprises a platform A, a cradle B, and side arms C. The side arms are rotatable around hinges on opposite sides of the platform A. Figure 1 shows the device in a carrying mode in which the side arms C are raised, a handle D is inserted into ends of the side arms, and clamped thereto by means of hand screws C3. The side arms have positioning hand screws Cl extending parallel to the side arms at their ends adjacent the platform. The side arms C have pads C2 hinged to their free ends.

[0024] The platform A comprises a square frame with four rubberised feet A4, one at each corner of the frame, arranged on hand screws A3 extending through the frame. Blades A5 extend downwardly on two opposed sides of the frame.

[0025] The elongate cradle B is pivoted at opposite ends to the frame of the platform A. Pivoting movement of the cradle is stopped when its ends engage base members A1 of the platform. At this point the upper surface of the cradle B is at an angle of 14° to the horizontal surfaces of the platform A.

[0026] The cradle B has an upwardly extending central hook B2 which can be tightened against the cradle by means of a cradle hand screw B3. The cradle also has two upwardly extending secondary hooks B5.

[0027] The platform A is provided with two spirit levels A2. The cradle B has a spirit level B1 which is offset from the surface of the cradle and can indicate when the upper surface of the cradle is at 76° to the horizontal.

[0028] The side arms C pivot down to any of a multiplicity of angles relative to the platform A, set by inserting pins M at the desired angle.

[0029] In order to use the device, the hand screws C3 are loosened and the handle D is removed. The side arms C are then pivoted downward to the horizontal position shown in Figure 4.

[0030] An angle of 76° to the horizontal is accepted as safe for a ladder resting against a vertical wall. Figures 5A to 5C show a visual method of setting this angle.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5A, the bottom of the ladder is placed a short distance from the wall. The stabilising device is then suspended from the ladder by placing the secondary hooks B5 over a rung of the ladder. At this point the cradle spirit level B1 indicates that the angle of the ladder to the horizontal is too large. The bottom of the ladder is thin moved away from the wall, to the position shown in Figure 5B, where the correct angle is indicated. The stabilising device is then lifted off the rung of the ladder. The ladder is lifted upwards and the stabilising device is placed with the cradle B at the point from which the bottom of the ladder was lifted. The ladder is lowered into the cradle, as shown in Figure 5C, and the hook B2 and the cradle hand screw B3 are used to secure the bottom rung of the ladder to the cradle.

[0032] Figures 6A to 6C show an alternative or additional, mechanical method of positioning the ladder. The bottom of the ladder is secured to the cradle B using the hook B2 and the cradle hand screw B3. The ladder, secured to the stabilising device, is then placed against the wall as shown in Figure 6A. The stabilising device and the bottom of the ladder are then moved away from the wall, the cradle B pivoting to its limiting position, until the feet A4 furthest from the wall rise from the ground, as shown in Figure 6B. The stabilising device is then moved back towards the wall until these feet return to the ground, as shown in Figure 6C.

[0033] If there is a protrusion in the wall where the ladder rests on it, or if a ladder stay is used, then the initial distance of the bottom of the ladder from the wall is increased.

[0034] Once the ladder angle is set, the platform A is levelled in both directions by raising or lowering the feet A4 until both spirit levels A2 indicate the correct levels. The top of the ladder can be pivoted to and from the wall during this process, as the cradle B swivels.

[0035] The hand screws C3 can be used to adjust the position of the pads C2, in order to provide a slight tension in the pads relative to the ground.

[0036] Figure 7 shows the platform A resting on soft ground, e.g. turf. All of the feet A4 are fully retracted into recesses on the underside of the platform, and the blades A5 extending into the soil to prevent slippage of the device and ladder away from the wall. In Figure 8, the large flat surfaces on the underside of the platform A are hatched. These stop the platform from sinking into the ground. The feet A4 and side arm pads C2 are used to further secure the device as described above.

[0037] Figure 8 shows the platform A resting on steps extending parallel to the wall. The feet A4 nearest the wall are extended just below the blade A5 to rest on an upper step. The feet A4 are extended to a lower step and all of the feet A4 are used to level the platform.

[0038] Figure 9 shows the platform A resting on steps extending perpendicular to the wall. Two of the feet A4 are extended to a lower step.

[0039] Figure 10 shows how one of the side arms C is braced against a side wall, by inserting the pin M at the appropriate point to set the arm C at an angle where the pad C4 contacts the side wall, and adjusting the hand screw C3.

[0040] The stabilising device of the invention can be thus be levelled accurately regardless of ground variations, angles or types, without requiring tools.

[0041] The device of the invention can be easily and quickly deployed and affords the ladder a firm, safe, level footing, squarely to the wall. The weight of the ladder is redistributed from two small points to six high-grip pads. The angle of the ladder to the wall, and the lateral alignment of the ladder, can be controlled precisely, and sideways tilting is resisted. If required, the ladder can be rocked to and from the wall, without moving the stabilising device.

Claims

1. A ladder stabilising device comprising a platform having an engagement surface, and a cradle pivotable to the platform and engageable with said engagement surface, the cradle also being arranged to engage a lower end of a ladder so as to hold the ladder at an angle between 70° and 80° to the horizontal.

2. A ladder stabilising device according to claim 1, wherein the cradle has an upper cradle surface on which stringers of a ladder can rest, and a lower part which comes to rest on the engagement surface of the platform, such that the upper cradle surface holds the ladder at said angle to the horizontal.

3. A ladder stabilising device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle is between 73° and 79°, preferably approximately 76°.

4. A ladder stabilising device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, including a clamping device having a hook for securing a lowermost rung of the ladder to the cradle.

5. A ladder stabilising device according to claim 4, wherein the clamping device includes threaded bolt screwable within a bore of the cradle to clamp the ladder to the cradle.

6. A ladder stabilising device according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform includes feet adjustable in height.

7. A ladder stabilising device according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform includes downward-pointing blades.

8. A ladder stabilising device according to any preceding claim, wherein a majority of a lower surface of the platform is flat and coplanar.

9. A ladder stabilising device according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform is provided with side arms extending on opposed sides and having pads for engaging a fixed surface at a distance from the platform.

10. A ladder stabilising device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cradle is provided with an indicator for ensuring that the ladder is at a correct angle.

11. A ladder stabilising device according to claim 9, wherein the indicator comprises a spirit level.

12. A ladder stabilising device, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.