NZ587862A

NZ587862A - Detachable ladder attachment device with multiple hooks wedged between two rungs of a ladder

Info

Publication number: NZ587862A
Application number: NZ58786210A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Darryll Heaven
Original assignee: Darryll Heaven
Priority date: 2010-09-09
Filing date: 2010-09-09
Publication date: 2012-02-24

Abstract

A ladder attachment (1) in combination with a ladder (8) is disclosed. The attachment (1) has a first hook (3) and a second hook (4). The first hook (3) is engaged with a rung of the ladder (8) and the second hook (4) is hooked onto roof guttering or to a solid object. The attachment (1) is releasably wedged between two rungs of the ladder in such a way that in the event that the ladder (8) begins to move when in use with a human on it in an elevated position, the ladder (8) is prevented from tipping over.

Description

1 Patents Form No. 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Ladder Safety I, Darryll Heaven, a New Zealand citizen of 524 Swanson Road, Ranui, Auckland, New Zealand, hereby declare this invention for which I pray that a patent may be 25 granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2 Title Ladder Safety Field of Invention A preferred form of the invention relates to a ladder attachment for use in reducing ladder movement when a ladder is in use.

Background It can be dangerous for a workman to work on a building using a ladder, particularly 10 when at significant distances above the ground. For example, a ladder leaning against the roof guttering can tip sideways if a workman standing on the ladder leans too far to one side or the other. It is accordingly an object of a preferred form of the invention to go at least some way towards providing a measure of safety for a workman in such a situation, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" and derivatives thereof, eg "comprises", if and when used herein in relation to a combination of features should not be taken as excluding the possibility that the combination may have further unspecified features.

In this document terms relating to orientation, for example "upper" or "lower", should be taken as referring to the invention, or the part thereof as the case may be, as it would be when in a normal in-use disposition.

Summary of Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a ladder attachment in combination with a ladder, the attachment having a first hook and a second hook, the first hook engaged with a rung of the ladder and the second hook hooked onto roof guttering or to a solid object, the attachment being releasably wedged between two rungs of the ladder so that in the event that the ladder begins to move when in use 30 with a human on it in an elevated disposition the ladder is prevented from tipping over.

Preferably there is an extension (eg a third hook) in contact with an upper one of the two rungs such that it is the first hook and the extension that contact the rungs to 35 cause the attachment to be wedged as set out above. 3 Preferably the extension provides a third hook.

Preferably the first hook hooks over one of the rungs and the extension (eg the third hook) contacts a lower surface of the other rung.

Preferably the attachment has a safety leash secured to a safety line, to a safety harness or to a solid object.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a ladder attachment 10 suitable for use with a ladder in the manner set out above, the attachment having a support element, first, second and third hooks spaced from one another and each extending outwards from the support element in a substantially common direction, and means for securing the attachment to a safety leash or line when the attachment is in use, the first and second hooks being at upper and medial parts of the support 15 element and the third hook being at a lower part of the support element, each of the hooks having a generally outwardly extending part before turning to provide a hook shape.

General Description of the Drawings Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an isometric of a ladder attachment; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a pair of the attachments when in use with a ladder; and Figure 3 is a further isometric view showing the attachments and ladder of figure 2 from the opposite side of the ladder.

Detailed Description Referring to figure 1, a ladder attachment 1 comprises a main bar 2 and upper, medial and lower hooks 3, 4 and 5 respectively spaced from one another and each extending outwards from the bar in the same direction. As shown, the upper and 35 medial hooks 3, 4 extend outwards from the bar in a linear manner before turning up 4 and then back down to provide a hook shape. The lower hook 5 extends from the main bar 2 in a linear manner and then turns down to provide a hook shape. The ladder attachment has a loop 6 at its rear to provide a point of attachment for a chain or cord-like safety leash 7. The attachment may be formed from 12mm bent steel 5 rod or any other suitable material.

Referring to figures 2 and 3, when in use with a ladder 8 two of the attachments 1 engage opposite sides of the top of the ladder. As shown, the lower hooks 5 in each case hook over different ends of the same ladder rung 9 and the upper and medial 10 hooks 3, 4 are available for engaging guttering at the edge of a roof, scaffolding, a tree branch or any other stable object. Figure 3 shows the medial hooks 4 engaged with the roof edge guttering 10 of a building although the roof and the rest of the building are omitted from the drawing.

To fit an attachment 1 its lower hook 5 is first hooked over the rung 9 with the attachment 1 inclined sideways, ie tilting towards the opposite side of the ladder. The upper part of the attachment 1 is then pushed into more of an upright disposition so that the upper hook 3 wedges slightly under the next rung up. The other attachment 1 is then fitted to the other side of the ladder in the same way. The 20 attachments can be removed from the ladder by reversing this process.

The safety leash 7 (not shown in figures 2 and 3) in each case ties the attachment to a safety line, to a workman's harness, or some other solid object. The leash may also, or alternatively, be wrapped around the ladder and the main bars 2 to more 25 securely fasten the attachments to the ladder.

If for example a workman is up on the ladder near the edge of a roof at least one of the attachments 1 may be tied in to a horizontal running safety line of the type described in New Zealand patent No. 554898 to Darryll Lawrence Heaven. In some 30 cases the workman may have a safety harness with its own leash which is secured to a safety line running along the inside of the guttering. Alternatively the safety leash 7 may be fastened to an upper part of a building or any object being worked on, for example a tree or wall, etc.

If the ladder comes under a force that would in normally circumstances cause it to tip dangerously sideways or backwards then the medial hooks 4 which are hooked onto the guttering (as shown in figure 3) prevent the ladder from tipping over. This is facilitated by a tight fit between the two attachments 1 and the ladder 8.

In the arrangement of figures 2 and 3 the upper hooks 3 do not engage the guttering. 5 However they are there to accommodate a situation where the ladder is at a different angle or to accommodate a ladder of different dimensions.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without 10 departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Received at IPONZ on 19 December 2011 6 What I Claim Is

1. A ladder attachment in combination with a ladder, the attachment having a first 5 hook and a second hook, the first hook engaged with a rung of the ladder and the second hook hooked onto roof guttering or to a solid object, the attachment being releasably wedged between two rungs of the ladder so that in the event that the ladder begins to move when in use with a human on it in an elevated disposition the ladder is prevented from tipping over. 10

2. A combination according to claim 1, having an extension in contact with an upper one of the two rungs such that it is the first hook and the extension that contact the rungs to cause the attachment to be wedged as set out in claim 1. 15

3. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the extension provides a third hook.

4. A combination according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first hook hooks over one of the rungs and the extension contacts a lower surface of the other rung. 20

5. A combination according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the attachment has a safety leash secured to a safety line, to a safety harness or to a solid object.

6. A ladder attachment in combination with a ladder, the combination being 25 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A ladder attachment suitable for use with a ladder in the manner set out in claim 1, the attachment having a support element, first, second and third hooks spaced from one another and each extending outwards from the support 30 element in a substantially common direction, and means for securing the attachment to a safety leash or line when the attachment is in use, the first and second hooks being at upper and medial parts of the support element and the third hook being at a lower part of the support element, each of the hooks having a generally outwardly extending part before turning to provide a hook shape. 35 Received at IPONZ on 22 November 2011 7

8. A ladder attachment substantially as herein described with reference to figure 1. A.J. Pietras & Co Attorney for the Applicant(s)