GB2552204A

GB2552204A - A device

Info

Publication number: GB2552204A
Application number: GB1612206.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Linnane Arthur
Original assignee: National College of Art and Design NCAD
Current assignee: National College of Art and Design NCAD
Priority date: 2016-07-14
Filing date: 2016-07-14
Publication date: 2018-01-17
Also published as: GB201612206D0

Abstract

The device 1 comprises a substantially rectangular hollow main body section 2 comprising two opposed elongated side walls 3; an upper wall 4 and a lower wall section 5 comprising two U shaped notches 6 extending inwardly from one end; and two frustrum shaped projections 8 extending outwardly from the outer side of the upper and lower wall section wherein either end of the main body section is open-ended. The device is used to reinforce or repair a rope ladder or the like. Later embodiments relate to a method of enhancing the strength of a ladder and a method of repairing a ladder.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A device

Abstract Title: Device for repairing or strengthening rope ladder (57) The device 1 comprises a substantially rectangular hollow main body section 2 comprising two opposed elongated side walls 3; an upper wall 4 and a lower wall section 5 comprising two U shaped notches 6 extending inwardly from one end; and two frustrum shaped projections 8 extending outwardly from the outer side of the upper and lower wall section wherein either end of the main body section is open-ended. The device is used to reinforce or repair a rope ladder or the like. Later embodiments relate to a method of enhancing the strength of a ladder and a method of repairing a ladder.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1/7

10 17

2/7

10 17

10 17

3//

4/7

10 17

5/7

10 17

6/7

10 17

///

10 17

“A device”

Introduction

The invention relates to a device that is attached to the end of the runs on newly constructed rope ladder or an existing rope ladder for strengthening and/or repairing the runs on the ladder.

The traditional method of access and egress from a vessel at sea is usually by way of the deployment of a set of steps constructed in the form of a ladder. This device is commonly referred to as a Jacob’s ladder. The ladder steps referred to as “runs” are traditionally constructed using hemp ropes threaded through timber runs and the runs are secured in position using timber “chokes” on either side of the run to hold them securely in position.

The condition of rope ladders in general can suffer from rapid deterioration in condition over time due to general wear and tear, weathering and in the case of Jacob’s ladders coming in regular contact with water and adverse weather conditions. In maritime conditions especially the structural integrity of a rope ladder is easily compromised as a result of rot due to microbial decay of the wood.

There is a need for an improved and more labour efficient means to repair broken runs on rope ladders or to reinforce the runs on newly constructed rope ladders.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a device comprising a substantially rectangular hollow main body section comprising two opposed elongated side walls;

an upper wall and lower wall section comprising two U shaped notches extending inwardly from one end; and two frustrum shaped projections extending outwardly from the outer side of the upper and lower wall section wherein either end of the main body section is open-ended.

In one embodiment of the invention the U shaped notches extend inwardly from the front end of the device on both the upper wall and lower wall sections to form a rectangular wedge in the front end of the upper and lower wall sections of the device.

In one embodiment of the invention the device comprises a frustrum shaped projection extending outwardly from the outer side of the rectangular wedge in the upper and lower wall section. Preferably the frustrum shaped projection comprises an elongated groove extending vertically down along two sides and are coextensive with one side of either of the U shaped notches in the upper and lower wall. The elongated groove is in the shape of a half cylinder. Most preferably the elongated groove is angled towards the end where it joins the side of the U shaped notches in the upper and lower wall.

In one embodiment of the invention the device comprises a damper block attached to the outer side of the two opposed elongated side walls.

In one embodiment of the invention the device comprises a flange extending outwardly from the outer side of the device. Preferably the flange comprises an opening for attachment of a security line or rope.

In one embodiment of the invention the downward pressure of a persons weight on the run of a ladder secures the device to the rope ladder.

In one embodiment of the invention the device comprises a unitary piece.

In another embodiment of the invention the device is manufactured from high-grade injection moulded plastic.

According to one embodiment of the invention the device is for attachment to the end of a ladder run.

According one embodiment the invention provides method of enhancing the strength of a newly constructed rope ladder comprising the step of inserting the device as claimed in any preceding claim onto the end of each run on the ladder.

According to another embodiment the invention provides a method of repairing a rope ladder comprising the steps of;

removing a damaged run;

attaching a new run by inserting the existing rope on the rope ladder into receiving holes on the side of the run; and inserting the device as claimed in any preceding claim onto the ends of the new run.

Brief Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of the device of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view from the rear of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a (a) perspective view of a ladder run, (b) a downward view of the run, (c) a side view of the run and (d) a view from the underside of the run;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing (a) a run and the device of the invention and (b) the device of the invention in position on the end of the run;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1 inserted onto either end of a ladder run;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing (a) a run with ropes attached and the device of the invention and (b) the device of the invention in position inserted onto the end of the run;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the device of the invention being placed on the run of a ladder;

Fig. 9 is a view of the end of a run on a rope ladder;

Fig. 10 is a view of the end of a run on a rope ladder with the device of the invention in place;

Fig. 11 is a view from the end of a run on a rope ladder with the device of the invention is place;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a rope ladder with the device of the invention in place on the end of each run; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the device of the invention showing the fall arrest flange.

Detailed description

The invention provides a device used to enhance the structural integrity of a newly constructed rope ladder. The device of the invention is also used to provide a quick and easy means of securing and repairing a run or runs on an existing damaged rope ladder.

Rope ladders are traditionally constructed of hemp rope threaded through a number of runs. Each run is secured by an individual choke tied above the run on each end of the run.

Traditionally when one has to replace an individual run on a rope ladder, the operative would have to deconstruct the entire ladder to effect the change as the entire construction was linked and interdependent as the hemp rope is threaded through each run and each individual choke had to be untied and retied when the damaged run is replaced.

The device of the present invention is a plastic block that is simply fitted to the both ends of a run on a newly constructed ladder rope ladder. The presence of the device enhances the structural integrity of the newly constructed ladder. The device secures the ladder and provides lateral stability to each run.

In addition the device of the present invention provides a quick and simple means of repairing a damaged run on an existing rope ladder. The device is simply fitted to the end of the run on the ladder to repair the ladder. The device allows a person to change any individual run without having to decommission the whole rope ladder. Only the broken run needs to be replaced rather than taking apart the whole ladder. The replacement of any run can be effected within minutes rather than days.

The device 1 has an essentially rectangular hollow main body section 2 comprising two opposing elongated side walls 3 and an upper 4 and lower 5 wall. Each end of the main body section 2 is open-ended.

The upper and lower walls are mirror images of one another and both walls have two substantially U shaped notches 6 extending inwardly from the front end of the device. The U shaped notches form a rectangular wedge 7 in the front end of the upper 4 and lower 5 wall of the device 1.

Extending outwardly substantially from the outer side of the rectangular wedge 7 in the upper 4 and lower 5 wall section is a hollow essentially frustrum shaped projection 8.

An elongated groove 9 in the shape of a half cylinder extends down along each side of the frustrum shaped projection and reaches. The sides of the frustrum shaped projection are coextensive with one side of either of the U shaped notches in the upper and lower wall of the device. The front side edge of the groove is tapered slightly at the lower end.

In use as shown in more detail in Figs 4 to 8, a new run 10 may be quickly and easily added to a ladder 12. The two ropes 13 on each side of the ladder and threaded or pushed into the receiving holes 14 on the run. The device of the invention is then simply inserted onto the end of the run 10. The frustrum shaped projections receive the ropes and act as chokes. The tapered side of the groove forces the rope to catch and be secured within the device. The chokes ensure that the ropes cannot come loose once the shear lashings are tied off above and below. As a person exerts downward pressure when that stand on the run the device is secured to the rope and the run.

As shown in Fig. 12 the device 1 of the invention may be inserted onto the end of each run on a newly constructed rope ladder 12.

Current maritime regulations (SOLAS) call for a choke to be fitted above and below each run where the rope connects to prevent the ladder from tilting. A problem with current chokes are they can fall loose, meaning it is not climbable by SOLAS standards. The device of the present invention overcomes this problem as it has chokes incorporated within the block.

The device is manufactured using an injection moulding process to form a strong and durable plastic block which can be quickly and easily fitted to either end of a run to repair and make the ladder safe to use. It is manufactured using a high-grade injection moulded plastic with the Chokes designed into the single formed piece providing additional dimensional stability

The outer side of the two opposing elongated side walls 3 has a flat rubber damper 16 attached. These are the sides of the device that are contact with the side of a ship or boat or indeed a wall. The damper or absorption pad 16 provides additional lateral stability to the rope ladder as the load on the ladder is transferred to the hull through contact of the absorption pad 16. As the outer sides of both elongated side walls 3 of the device have rubber absorption pads 16 attached if and when the pads 16 wear away the block may simply be rotated, doubling the lifespan.

The integration of the rubber damper 16 on the contact surface of the device 1 provides for an additional level of safety as the device comes under load pressure from the weight of a person when standing on the run of the ladder. The load is transferred in two directions, the vertical load is transferred down through the device 1 to the rope and the horizontal load is directed directly through to the boat or ship’s hull. The use of the rubber damper or pad 16 enables this load to be transferred to the hull creating a high level of friction. In this way the device provides an additional level of stability as the rubber damper prevents the run 10 from moving sideways.

New maritime regulations impose strict safety standards. The device of the present invention provides a means to strengthen and enhance the stability of newly constructed roper ladder when fitted to the end of each run as shown in Fig. 11. In addition the device provides a fast and efficient means to repair any run on a rope ladder so that the ladder fully meets the regulatory requirements.

The device of the invention provides a cost effective and significantly less labour intensive solution to a problem which can be very costly to a ship owner. When a ladder which is in bad condition is lowered from the side of the ship a pilot may refuse or indeed be unable to safely board the ship. If no other ladder is available this can mean the pilot goes away and does not board the ship for some time. This can have a huge commercial impact for ships needing to enter a port and offload or load cargo. Decommissioning and repairing a ladder can also take time and significant effort.

The device provides cost effective solutions to what was previously seen to compromise safety of maritime operatives due to the problems associated to changing out runs where structural integrity has been compromised as a result of rot due to microbial decay of the wood.

The device of the invention reinforces the run 10 at its weakest point, where the rope passes through. The rubber absorption pads 16 on the outer side take the impact and protect the device as it bangs off the hull of the ship. When the pads 16 wear away the device 1 of the invention can simply be rotated to the other side so that the opposite side wall 3 is against the hull of the ship, doubling the lifespan of the device 1.

The device of the invention may also include a fall arrest system. A flange 20 is moulded onto the outer side of the device using injection moulding. The flange has a hook 21 for receiving a security rope or line. When a ladder is lowered from the side of the ship the device with the flange 21 may be attached to a bottom run of the ladder.

A security rope or line is secured to the flange and extends the full length of the ladder adjacent the side of the rope ladder. When any person such as a pilot comes to the ladder, they can reach across and attach themselves to the security line by clipping onto it using a carabiner-style clip or such like before transferring onto the ladder.

While the device of the present invention has been described primarily for enhancement in the construction of new rope ladders and for the repair of existing rope ladders the device is not limited to these applications and may be used in other applications where downward pressure is required to secure a rope or the like.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A device comprising a substantially rectangular hollow main body section comprising two opposed elongated side walls;

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the U shaped notches extend inwardly from the front end of the device on both the upper wall and lower wall sections to form a rectangular wedge in the front end of the upper and lower wall sections of the device.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 comprising a frustrum shaped projection extending outwardly from the outer side of the rectangular wedge in the upper and lower wall section.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the frustrum shaped projection comprises an elongated groove extending vertically down along two sides and are coextensive with one side of either of the U shaped notches in the upper and lower wall.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the elongated groove is in the shape of a half cylinder.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the elongated groove is angled towards the end where it joins the side of the U shaped notches in the upper and lower wall.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a damper block attached to the outer side of the two opposed elongated side walls.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a flange extending outwardly from the outer side of the device.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in claim 8 wherein the flange comprises an opening for attachment of a security line or rope.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the downward pressure of a persons weight on the run of a ladder secures the device to the rope ladder.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is a unitary piece.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim manufactured from high-grade injection moulded plastic.

13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim for attachment to the end of a ladder run.

14. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

15. A method of enhancing the strength of a newly constructed rope ladder comprising the step of inserting the device as claimed in any preceding claim onto the end of each run on the ladder.

16. A method of repairing a rope ladder comprising the steps of;

removing a damaged run;

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1612206.1 Examiner: Mr Haydn Gupwell