IT202000015838A1 - STEP FOR LADDERS IN GENERAL - Google Patents

Description

TITLE

STEP FOR LADDERS IN GENERAL

DESCRIPTION

This patent? relating to ladders and in particular concerns a new step for ladders in general.

Ladders are known, consisting of two usually parallel uprights joined by a series of parallel crosspieces called rungs.

The ladder is arranged with the two uprights along the difference in height to be overcome, for example with one of their ends? resting on the floor and the other end? leaning against a wall, and the operator pu? alternately place your feet on the rungs in sequence to reach the desired height.

Ladders are used, for example, for maintenance on lighting poles or pylons or for the maintenance or harvesting of fruit trees. The so-called sailor ladders are fixed ladders designed to allow quick and safe access to structures and places which, due to their height, are not easily accessible.

In particular, the ladders are used for access to industrial and civil roofs, roofs of sheds, terraces, vertical structures of all kinds, lighting systems, underground or exposed cisterns, underground wells and silos, sewers, underground car parks, machinery .

The sailor stairs are usually arranged vertically but they can also have an inclination of no less than 75 degrees.

Due to their structural characteristics, ladders to the sailors present the risk of accidental falls by the user and for this reason they must be provided with a protective cage.

Said protective cage ? mandatory, according to the legislation currently in force, for all ladders higher than 2 meters

Furthermore, the legislation currently in force establishes that the wall of the cage opposite the level of the pegs must not be more distant from them than the pegs. of sixty centimeters, and that the rungs must be at least fifteen centimeters away from the wall to which they are applied or to which the ladder is? applied.

Today's stepladders and ladders consist of individual elements, uprights and rungs, which are permanently joined together during production. The elements that make up the ladders are made of wood or metal, while the ladders are made of metal.

In particular, metal ladders or ladders are made using sections of metal sections joined together by means of fastening elements, such as for example bolts, or by welding.

To make metal ladders or ladders, it is necessary to cut the metal sections of the necessary measurements, shape the ends, drill any holes for the bolts, couple the various parts and finally join the various parts by means of bolts or welding.

The construction of metal ladders or ladders requires manpower for the various cutting, shaping and joining operations, it requires the purchase and use of bolts or other joining elements or the use of welding machines for joining the various parts, involves a waste of the rods of metal profile.

It should be considered that the rungs of ladders or ladders, obtained from sections of metal profile, have smooth foot support surfaces with the consequent danger of slipping.

It is possible to use for said rungs sections of metal profile having at least one corrugated surface, but this? does it involve the need? to purchase a specific type of sheet metal with the consequent problems of warehouse space and waste.

Is it possible to use additional elements for the surfaces of the foot support pegs, so? to obtain non-slip surfaces, but there? involves the purchase and storage of said additional elements, the cost and the time of application of said additional elements to each single peg.

The subject of this patent is a new step applicable to ladders in general or ladders to the sea in general, obtained from suitably shaped and bent sheet metal.

For simplicity? exhibition in the following description will come? have referred to ladders, ladders and ladders similar to ladders simply by the term ladder, and the rungs or treads of such ladders simply by the term rung.

A purpose of the new step? limit the number of mainly manual operations necessary for its production.

Another purpose of the new step? limit the waste of the materials used for its production.

Another purpose of the new step? have the support surface of the feet able to prevent or in any case limit slipping.

Another purpose of the new step? allow its application even on stairs already? accomplished.

These and other direct and complementary aims are achieved by the new step for stairs.

The new stair tread comprises sheet metal that is cut to shape and bent.

Some parts of said cut sheet metal, suitably bent, are suitable for connection with other parts of the staircase.

Any other parts, suitably bent, are capable of giving the step rigidity? structural.

Some further cuts are able to define areas or zones which, following appropriate folding, create portions in relief having the function of anti-slip.

The characteristics of the new step for stairs will generally be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings, attached by way of non-limiting example.

In figures 1 and 1a ? illustrated a first embodiment of the new step (A), comprising a sheet metal element (A) suitably cut and bent.

In figure 1 ? shown the element (A) of sheet metal cut before bending, while in figure 1a ? shown is an isometric view of the metal sheet element (A) bent to form the new step (A).

Said sheet metal element (A) comprises three zones (A1, A2, A3) generally rectangular and placed side by side.

Said three areas (A1, A2, A3), which are coplanar and continuous in the element (A) obtained by cutting the sheet metal, are folded along two folding lines (o1, o2) illustrated with a dotted line in figure 1.

In this example the two side areas (A1, A3) have a greater length than the central area (A2) so? to be presented, at each end, appendages (A1', A3') extending beyond the length of the central area (A2).

Said folding lines (o1, o2) are parallel to each other and to the largest dimension of said three areas (A1, A2, A3).

The folding of said three areas (A1, A2, A3) along said folding lines (o1, o2) arranges these three areas (A1, A2, A3) each orthogonal to the adjacent area (A2, A1, A3) forming an element linear with an inverted U-shaped section which forms the new step (A).

In particular said second area (A2) constitutes, after the bending of said three areas (A1, A2, A3), the tread or support surface of the foot of the new step (A).

After bending said appendages (A1', A3') of said first (A1) and third (A3) zones are substantially parallel and constitute elements for coupling and joining with the uprights or other parts of the staircase. Between said second area (A2) and said first (A1) and third (A3) areas there are generally U-shaped notches (At) or any other non-closed geometric shape, such as to define further areas (As) of said first (A1) and third (A3) areas extending towards the center of said second area (A2).

After the three areas (A1, A2, A3) have been folded, said further areas (As) of said first (A1) and third (A3) areas remain coplanar with respectively said first (A1) and third (A3) areas, or slightly bent towards said second area (A2), and protruding beyond the surface of said second area (A2), as visible in figure 1a.

These further areas (As), arranged as visible in said figure 1a, constitute non-slip elements of the new step (A).

In figures 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e ? illustrated a second embodiment of the new step (B), comprising a sheet metal element (B) suitably cut and bent.

In figure 2 ? shown the element (B) of sheet metal cut before bending, while in figure 2a ? shown is an isometric view of the metal sheet element (B) bent to form the new step (B).

Said sheet metal element (B) comprises five areas (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5), of which:

- a first central area (B1) having a substantially rectangular shape;

- a second area (B2), having a generically rectangular shape adhering to a larger side of said first central area (B1);

- a third and a fourth area (B3, B4), having the shape of a rectangular trapezoid and each adhering to one of the smaller sides of said first central area (B1);

- a fifth area (B5), adhering to the longer side of said first central area (B1) opposite to said second area (B2).

Said five areas (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5), which are coplanar and continuous in the element (B) obtained by cutting the sheet metal, are folded along the four folding lines (o1, o2, o3, o4) illustrated with dotted line in figure 2.

In particular, the second (B2), the third (B3), the fourth (B4) and the fifth (B5) area are folded so as to be all substantially orthogonal to the first central area (B1) and so as to face all in the same direction with respect to said first central area (B1).

The first central area (B1) ? designed to form the tread of the new step (B).

The second area (B2) ? suitable, when folded with respect to said first area (B1), to form the front edge or bullnose of the new step (B) as well as? to form a stiffening wall of the front part of the new step (B) itself. Each third (B3) and fourth (B4) area having a right-angled trapezoid shape have the side, which corresponds to the height of said right-angled triangle shape, adhering to the smaller side of said first central area (B1).

This position means that:

- the two bases of said rectangular trapezium shape are orthogonal to the common side between said first central area (B1) and the third (B3) or fourth (B4) area,

- the oblique side of said rectangular trapezoidal shape is opposite to said common side between said first central area (B1) and the third (B3) or fourth (B4) area.

Said third (B3) and fourth (B4) area constitute, when folded with respect to said first area (B1), the sides of the new step (B) as well as? lateral stiffening walls of the new step (B).

The fifth area (B5) ? connected to said first area (B1) on its longer side opposite to said second area (B2).

Said fifth area (B5) constitutes, when folded with respect to said first area (B1), a wall for connection and union of the new step (B) with the rest of the structure of the staircase.

It is possible to provide that said fifth area (B5) includes holes (B5a) reliefs, portions adapted to facilitate coupling, connection, union of the new step (B) with the structure of the staircase.

This fifth area (B5) also constitutes a rear vertical stiffening wall for the new step (B).

In the first central area (B1), which constitutes the tread of the new step (B), there are notches (Bt) generically U-shaped, or any other open geometric shape, such as to define further areas (Bs) of said first area (B1).

Said further areas (Bs) of the first area (B1) are folded with respect to the first area (B1) itself in the opposite direction to the other areas (B2, B3, B4, B5) perimetric to said first area (B1) so? to protrude beyond the surface of said first area (B1), as visible in figure 2a.

These further areas (Bs), arranged as visible in said figure 2a, constitute non-slip elements of the new step (B).

Is it possible to predict that two or more? between said second (B2), third (B3), fourth (B4) and fifth (B5) areas have protrusions or appendages (B3i) and holes or seats (B5o) such as to connect said areas (B2, B3, B4, B5) and increase the rigidity? structure of the new step (B), as shown in figure 2a and in detail shown in figure 2b.

As shown in figure 2e, the new step (B) looks like this? as described in this second example pu? be used as a step to a floor, or a transit step between the staircase and a floor that can be reached with the staircase itself. In this case said new step (B) of this second example ? joined to the uprights of the ladder on the side opposite to the user's ascent and descent side, and on the side between the ladder and the floor to be reached.

In figures 3, 3a, 3b, 3c ? shown is a third embodiment of the new step (C), comprising a suitably cut and bent sheet metal element (C).

In figure 3 ? shown the element (C) of sheet metal cut before bending, while in figure 3a ? shown is an isometric view of the metal sheet element (C) bent to form the new step (C).

Said sheet metal element (C) comprises various areas (C1, C2, C2a, C3, C3a, C3b, C4), of which:

- a first central area (C1) having a generically square shape and having, instead of an angle, a further oblique side with respect to the adjacent sides;

- two groups of two lateral areas (C2, C2a), substantially rectangular, arranged on the two adjacent orthogonal sides of said generically square shape of said first area (C1), able to be folded with respect to said first area (C1) so? to be arranged L-shaped with respect to said first area (C1);

- two groups of three lateral areas (C3, C3a, C3b), generally rectangular, arranged on the two sides adjacent to the oblique side of said first area (C1), suitable for being folded with respect to said first area (C1) so to be arranged in a U with respect to said first area (C1);

- a further lateral area (C4), generally rectangular, arranged on the oblique side of said first area (C1) suitable to be folded in the same direction as said two groups of three lateral areas (C3, C3a, C3b).

As can be seen in figure 3a, the two groups of two lateral areas (C2, C2a) are able to be folded in one direction with respect to said first area (C1), while the groups of three lateral areas (C3, C3a, C3b) and the further area (C4) are able to be folded in the opposite direction with respect to said first area (C1).

Said groups of two and three lateral areas (C2, C2a, C3, C3a, C3b, C4), folded as shown in figures 3a and 3c, form connecting walls, closing walls, filling walls between the new step (C ) and the other parts of the ladder such as for example the wall fixing brackets or the elements that make up the protective cage, as shown in figure 3c.

In the first central area (C1), which constitutes the tread of the new step (C), there are notches (Ct) generically U-shaped, or any other open geometric shape, such as to define further areas (Cs) of said first area (C1).

Said further areas (Cs) of the first area (C1) are folded with respect to the first area (C1) itself in the opposite direction to the two groups of two lateral areas (C2, C2a) so? to protrude beyond the surface of said first area (C1), as visible in figure 3a.

These further areas (Cs), arranged as visible in said figure 3a, constitute non-slip elements of the new step (C).

The new step (C) cos? as described in this third example pu? be used as a transit step between a stair section and the next section as shown in figure 3c.

In particular, the new step (C) cos? as described in this third example pu? be used as a transit step both right and left, connecting each section of the staircase with the next section that can? be to the right or left of the previous scale section, as visible in figures 3c and 3d.

The new step constituted as described above and illustrated in the various embodiments has considerable advantages.

The creation of the new step requires only the cutting and drilling of a sheet metal element and a subsequent series of linear bending.

The construction of the new step does not require the addition and/or fixing of further parts.

The creation of the new step does not require any other operations or processes other than cutting and bending.

The new step cos? constituted pu? be used for the construction of new stairs, simply by joining it and fixing it to the uprights or other elements of the new staircase.

The new step cos? constituted pu? be applied to scales already? existing ones, simply joining it and fixing it to the uprights or other elements of the existing staircase.

The new step cos? constituted, as a result of the cut and the folding, already presents? the support surface of the foot or non-slip walking surface.

Are these the methods? schematics sufficient for the skilled person to implement the invention, consequently, in concrete application there may be variations without prejudice to the substance of the innovative concept.

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and to the accompanying tables, the following claims are expressed.

Claims (6)

1. Step (A, B, C) for ladders in general, consisting of a shaped and preformed sheet metal element (A, B, C), bent along one or more fold lines (o1, o2, o3, o4) cos? at least one area to be defined (A2, B1, C1) suitable for constituting the tread or support surface for the foot of the new step (A, B, C), characterized by the fact that on said area (A2, B1, C1) to form the tread or support surface of the foot there are notches (At, Bt, Ct) generically U-shaped such as to define further areas (As, Bs, Cs), and where said further areas (As, Bs, Cs) are bent with respect to said area (A2, B1, C1) suitable for constituting the tread cos? to protrude with respect to said area (A2, B1, C1) and constitute non-slip elements of the new step (A, B, C). 2. Step (A, B, C), as per claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two or more? additional areas (A1, A3; B2, B3, B4, B5; C2, C2a, C3, C3a, C3b, C4) designed to form stiffening walls and/or joining or connecting walls with the other parts of the staircase and/or connecting walls, closing walls, filling walls between the new step (A, B, C) and the other parts of the staircase. 3. Step (A), as per claims 1, 2, characterized in that said sheet metal element (A) comprises three areas (A1, A2, A3), generally rectangular, arranged side by side parallel to each other, of which the central area (A2) constitutes the tread of the step (A) as stated in claim 1, and where the two lateral areas (A1, A3) are folded with respect to said central area (A2) so? to obtain the step (A) with an inverted U section, and where said two lateral areas (A1, A3) have a greater length than the central area (A2) so? to be presented, at each end, with appendices (A1', A3') extending beyond the length of the central area (A2), and where said appendages (A1', A3') constitute coupling and union elements with the uprights or the other parts of the staircase. 4. Step (B), as per claims 1, 2, characterized in that said sheet metal element (B) comprises five areas (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5), of which: - a first central area (B1) having a substantially rectangular shape, able to form the tread of the step (A) as stated in claim 1; - a second area (B2), having a generically rectangular shape adhering to a longer side than said first central area (B1), said second area (B2) ? able to form the front edge or bullnose of the new step (B) as well as? to form a stiffening wall; - a third and a fourth area (B3, B4), having the shape of a rectangular trapezoid and each adhering to one of the smaller sides of said first central area (B1), said third and fourth areas (B3, B4) are suitable for constituting the sides of the new step (B) as well as? lateral stiffening walls of the new step (B); - a fifth area (B5), adhering to the longer side of said first central area (B1) opposite said second area (B2), able to form a connection and union wall of the new step (B) with the rest of the structure of the stairs; and where said five areas (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5), which are coplanar and continuous in the element (B) obtained by cutting the sheet metal, are bent so as to be all substantially orthogonal to the first central area (B1) and so that they all face in the same direction with respect to said first central area (B1). 5. Step (B), as per claim 4, characterized in that two or more? between said second (B2), third (B3), fourth (B4) and fifth (B5) areas have protrusions or appendices (B3i), and holes or seats (B5o) such as to connect said areas (B2, B3, B4) to each other , B5) and increase the rigidity? structure of the new step (B). 6. Step (C), as per claims 1, 2, characterized in that said sheet metal element (C) comprises various areas (C1, C2, C2a, C3, C3a, C3b, C4), of which: - a first central area (C1) having a generically square shape and having, instead of an angle, a further oblique side with respect to the adjacent sides, said first central area (C1) being able to form the tread of the step (A) as stated in claim 1; - two groups of two lateral areas (C2, C2a), substantially rectangular, arranged on the two adjacent orthogonal sides of said generically square shape of said first area (C1), adapted to be folded with respect to said first area (C1) so? to be arranged L-shaped with respect to said first area (C1); - two groups of three lateral areas (C3, C3a, C3b), generally rectangular, arranged on the two sides adjacent to the oblique side of said first area (C1), suitable for being folded with respect to said first area (C1) so to be arranged in a U with respect to said first area (C1); - a further lateral area (C4), generally rectangular, arranged on the oblique side of said first area (C1) able to be folded in the same direction as said two groups of three lateral areas (C3, C3a, C3b); and where said groups of two and three lateral areas (C2, C2a, C3, C3a, C3b, C4) constitute stiffening walls, connecting walls, closing walls, filling walls between the new step (C) and the other parts of the staircase.