US1127287A - Ladder-foot. - Google Patents

Description

E. F. SADLBR.

LADDER FO0T..

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1914.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

gh mwwtm Emery Z? fiddle];

THE NORRIS PETERS a) PHOTDJJTHQ, WASHINGTON. D. (:4

rerun s FFM).

Ell/IERY F. SADLER, OF PONTIAC, MICHIGAN.

LADDER-FOOT.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed April 2, 1914-. Serial No. 829,052.

To all whom it may concern Be itknown that 1, Ferrari; F. SADLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pontiac, in the county of Oakland and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladder-Feet, of which the following is a specification.

lily invention. relates to improvements in an adjustable ladder foot to be connected with the lower end of a ladder or the like, to engage with an irregular or inclined surface and retain the ladder in the proper vertical position.

An important object. of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, which is adaptedto be connected with anordinary ladder or the like, without materially altering the construction thereof and being adjustable to accommodate itself for attachment to ladders of different sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, convenient in use, and light.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention showing the same applied to a ladder and engaging a horizontal surface, Fig. 2 is a similar view with the apparatus engaging an inclined surface, Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the apparatus, and a portion of the ladder, and, Fig. a is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4.& of Fig. 1. W

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a ladder as a whole, embodying standards 6 connected by rungs 7, as shown.

The numeral 8 designates my angularly adjustable ladder foot as a whole, comprising a longitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9, preferably formed of bent wood, having a strip of metal 10, inlaid upon the lower side thereof, and secured thereto by means of screws 11 or the like, as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This longitudinally curved foot element or saddle is arranged between pairs of arms 12 and 12, the outer ends of which are arranged upon opposite sides of the lower ends of the standards 6, and pivoted thereto to swing in a substantial vertical plane by means of bolts 13 or the like. Each of these arms comprises a portion 14, passing across the longitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9, at approximately a right angle thereto, as shown. The arms 12 in the different pairs are extended beyond the inner ends of the arms 12, in the form of extensions 15, provided with longitudinal slots 16 which are in registration and receive a pivot bolt 17, pivotally connecting the extensions. By this means the pairs of arms 12 and 12 are capable of being moved longitudinally with relation to each other, whereby the same may be connected with ladders of different sizes.

In moving the pairs of arms 12 and 12, to operate the apparatus, as will be hereinafter described, the operator places his foot upon the extensions 15 of the arms 12', to depress the same, or the same result may be accomplished by swinging an upstanding lever 18 inwardly, such lever being rigidly connected with one arm :12, by any suitable means, adjacent the pivot 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. .The arms 12 and 12 in each pair are provided with elongated slots 19, receiving transverse clamping bolts 20, carrying thereon spacing sleeves or bushings 21. Thesesspacing sleeves or bushings have their opposite ends engaging corrugated portions 22 upon the inner face of the arms 12 and 12, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. The sleeves or bushings 21 and the bolts 20 carrying them, are spaced, and by proper manipulation of the bolts 20, may be moved toward or away from each other, and locked in adjustment at desired positions to the arms 12 and 12'. .The longitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9 passes between the bolts 20 and sleeves or bushings 21 carried thereby, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Connected with the arms 12, preferably by means of the clamping bolts 20, are eye-bolts 23, to the upper'ends of which are secured suitably stiff retractile coil springs 24:, connected with the" standards 6 by means of staples 25' or the like.

In the operation of the apparatus. the springs 24 swing their arms 12 and 12 upwardly, turning the same upon their pivots 13, whereby these arms are securely locked or clampedto the longitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9, such looking or clamping action being increased by weight upon the ladder. When it is desired to shift or move the longitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9, so that the same may assume a position shown in Fig. 2, or other more or less similar positions, the pairs of arms 12 and 12 are swung downwardly, which may be accomplished by depressing the extensions 15 by the foot or by swinging the lever 18 inwardly. The foot element or saddle 9 engaging the ground re-v mains relatively stationary, whereby the portions 14 of the arms 12 and 12 will approach a position at right angles to the same, so that the clamping action between the sleeves 20 and this foot-element will be relieved. The ladder may now be readily swung laterally with respect to the relatively stationary foot element or saddle 9, and again clamped thereto upon the release 01 the pairs of arms 12 and 12, by the springs 24.

While I have shown and described my improved apparatus as used in connection with the ordinary ladder, with which it is particularly well adapted to cooperate, yet I do not wish to solely restrict the invention to such use. I have found that the same may be advantageously employed in connection with step ladders, articles of furniture, and the like.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention, I claim 1. Swinging arms pivotally connected with the lower portion of a ladder and extending inwardly with their inner, ends connected, a curved foot-element arranged adjacent the swinging arms, and clamping means carried by the swinging arms and re ceiving the foot-element therein to clamp the foot element against movement upon the upward movement of the swinging arms.

2. Swinging arms pivotally connected with the lower portion of a ladder and extending inwardly with their inner ends connected to move together when being swung up or down, a foot-element arranged adjacent the swinging arms, clamping means carried by the swinging arms and receiving the foot-element therein to clamp the same against movement upon the upward movement of the swinging arms and to release the same upon the downward movement of the swinging arms, and a spring to automatically move the swinging arms upwardly.

3. Swinging arms provided with clamping means and connected with the lower portion of the ladder and extending in wardly with their inner ends connected to move together, a curved foot-element arranged within the clamping means, retractile coil springs connected with the ladder and with the arms to swing the same upwardly, and an upwardly extending lever connected with one arm to swing the same downwardly.

4. Swinging arms provided with clamping means and pivotally connected with the lower portion of the ladder and extending inwardly with relation thereto with the inner end of one arm provided with an elongated slot, a pivot element connected with the inner end of the other arm and extending into the elongated slot, a curved foot-element arranged within the clamping means, and spring means to swing the arms upwardly.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

V EMERY F. SADLER.

\Vitnesses CHARLES P. l VEBs'rER, CLARANOE A. BAI EY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C.

Images