US152023A - Improvement in step-ladders - Google Patents

Description

C. G. UDELL &1. F. NULL. Step-Ladders.

Patented 1une1A6, 1874.

N0.152,o2s.

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OALvIN e. UDELL, OF CHICAGO, ILL., AND JOHN F. NULL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., sAID NULL AssIeNoE TO sAID UDELL.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEPLADDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,023, dated J une 16, 1874 application filed Maly 1e, m74.

- which the following is a specification:

The first part of our invention consists in combinin g the braces which hold the bracingframe in position with the bracket to which the bracing-frame is pivoted or attached, said braces being pivoted to the bracing-frame and sliding t-hrough the brackets when the adjustment is being made. By this means the bracket performs an additional function of supporting the brace, while at the same time the lock is very firm and simple, and can be made at small cost, and in operation will not project in front ofthe steps, so as to be in the way. The second part of our invention consists in the novel construction of combined nail-fastener and clamp for securing the stiles to the steps, as the whole is hereinafter fully described and shown.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of the top part of a step-ladder patented by Calvin G. Udell, J une 8, 1869; and Fig. 2, an inverted, broken, horizontal section through one of the stiles below the step, showing the position of the fastener; Fig. 3, an'enlarged side flevation of the fastener; Fig. 4, an enlarged plan view of the fastener; Fig. 5, a broken elevation of the brace for holding the bracing-frame in a fixed position; Fig. G, a top or plan view of the brace; Fig. 7, a broken section of the plate which holds the brace to the stile, and a section of the catch; Fig. S, a front elevation of the catch removed from the face-plate.

A represents the stile; B, the step; C, the

, bracing-frame, and G the bracket, constructed 'firmly with the stiles.

The opposite end of the brace is provided with a notch, O, Figs. 1 and 5, to lock against a sliding catch, H, Figs. 1, 7, and 8, and on its extreme end is a nib or projection, M, by means of which the bracing-trame is prevented from swinging back too far. The bracket G is recessed out on its back-side, as shown in Fig. 7, in order that the notched end O of the brace E may pass between it and the stile A; and said bracket is also provided with a slot, in which a latch, H, slides, the back part of the latch being provided with a wide tlange, T, that it may be held in place and not turn by the pressure of the brace E.

The bracing-frame C is shownset out from A the stiles A, as when in use.

To close the frame, the sliding catch H is raised up by a projecting nib, M', the moving of which allows the brace E to slide through the bracket G, and the bracing-frame C to shut against the step Q ofthe ladder, as shown by dotted lines W. In the present construction, the brace E runs under the lower ends of the bracket G, but it may run under a separate plate attached to the stile, and operate just as well; but the cost of manufacture in such a case will be somewhat increased.

By a practical test, it is found that a bracing-frame thus held is much more convenient than when a rope or cord is used, inasmuch as the ladder as a whole can be moved from place to place, and at the same time retain a posit-ion for use. WVhen a cord is used to hold the bracing-frame, the latter changes its position relative to t-he stiles every time the ladder is moved; consequently the frame hasl to be readjusted. Our invention is to obviate this objection. rIhe steps Q are held to the stiles A by means as follows: A bar, J has cast solid to it nails S S and a clamp or anchor, K. rIhe nails are driven through the stiles A into the steps, and the anchor K passes under the steps, and the spur-F on its end is driven into the step, and a nail or screw is put through the hole R into the step, thus uniting the steps The parts J K S P are made of a single piece of casting, the metal used being generally malleable iron. The means now used to fasten the steps consist of 2 nieuwe nails or screws, but as they have to be driven into the steps lengthwise of the grain, they do not hold so Well nor make so strong` a lad der as when the present fastening is used.

Only one side of a ladder is shown; but in practice each side ot' the ladder is to be provided With a brace, E, and both ends of the steps are to be fastened by the nails and anchors, right and left hand i'astenings being made for that purpose.

W'e do not claim the supporting the bracingfralne by a rack or brace irrespective of the construction and arrangement of the bracket, as a rack has been before used.

Ve claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The bar J, nails S, and anchor K, east in' CALVIN Gr. UDELL. JOHN F. NULL.`

Witnesses:

J. H. ELLroTT, L. H. FISH.

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