GB380172A - Improvements in or relating to loft ladders - Google Patents

Abstract

380,172. Loft ladders. ROWE, W. S., Malton, Holmesdale Road, Orpington, Kent, and MONTGOMERY, J. F., 35, Tatnell Road, Honor Oak Park, London. June 25, 1931, No. 18375. [Class 20 (ii).] A loft ladder mounting comprises a superstructure which is mounted on the loft floor and affords a permanent sloping slideway for the ladder. In the form shown, the ladder comprises two sections 22, 22a, Fig. 1, and an extension 22b. As shown in sectional plan in Fig. 3, the longitudinals 15 of the extension are guided between guides 13, 14 of the superstructure 12, and form guides for the two bars 19, 20, of each side of the upper ladder section 22a. Upper and lower cross-bars 16, 17 on the extension 22b are adapted to engage with the superstructure when the extension is in either of its extreme positions. When the upper ladder section is fully extended, a hook 21 thereon engages with the cross-bar 17. The lower section is provided with bands 23, 24, which embrace the guides 19 of the upper section, and is formed also with a hook 25 which engages with a projection 26 when the sections are collapsed. In a modification, the lower section is completely detachable from the upper section and is provided with a strut so that it can be used as an ordinary step ladder. The sections are connected together by a projection on one engaging a recess in the other. Locking is effected by a pivoted latch 32, Fig. 5, which is received between two upstanding fingers 35, 36, of a plate 34 on the lower section 28. An ear 33 on the latch engages with the finger 36 which is curved to constitute a cam. The sections are thereby locked and wedged together when the latch is operated. The weight of the ladder is counterbalanced by a weight secured to a rope 27 which passes over an overhead pulley. The ladder may be raised and lowered manually or by mechanical electrical or other power. The trap door 11 may be hinged as shown, or may slide horizontally on rollers.