US1780263A - Ladder - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 4, 1930.

A. P. KETTMANN ET AL 1,780,263

LADDER Filed Nov. 8, l928 Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE ANDREW 1P. KETTMANN AND IRVIN W. ANDERSON, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA LADDER Application filed November 8, 1928. Seria1 No 317,917.

This invention relates particularly to that type of ladder generally known as an orchard ladder.

It is the common experience of those who use a ladder of this type that when the ladder is placed upon soft ground the placing of any considerable weight upon the ladder will cause either one or both of the ladder sides to sink into the ground. If the disposition of the weight on the ladder or the nature of the ground is such that one side of the ladder sinks below the level of the other, then the lack of suitable supports for the ladder sides renders its use dangerous since it may result in the breaking of tree limbs and the displacement of the person on the ladder. Furthermore where the ladder is allowed to sink into the ground much valuable time and labor are wasted in moving it from one place to another and in finding a suitable place for it to rest when moved.

It is one'object of the present invention to provide a means for effectually preventing either side of a ladder from sinking into the ground upon which it is placed.

It is another object of the invention to pro vide a means of the character indicated that will effectually prevent lateral tilting of the ladder when placed upon ground of unequal softness. I

It is still another object of the invention to provide a means of the character indicated that may be readily applied to ladders in the field or in the shop. 7 I Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a means of the character indicated that will be economical to manufacture, light in weight, strong, durable, and highly efficient in its practical application.

In the drawing:

The figure is a perspective illustration of a device embodying our invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, we show at 1 a piece of sheet metal 45 adapted to overlie the inner surface of the lower end of the side part 2 of a ladder, this part 1 having its two side edges turned outwardly as at 3-3 to overlap the front and rear edges of the ladder side 2 as shown, throughout a portion of its length.

The lower portion of the part 1 is turned outwardly as shown at 4 and at substantially right angles to the part 1, but this angle may be varied as desired to secure desired results. One edge of part 4 is left in the plane of the said part 4, but the opposite edge is turned downwardly as at 5 to provide a grip.

At 6 is shown a brace member secured to the upper surface of part 4 by means of a nut and bolt as 7, the other end of the brace belng seated against the outer surface of the ladder side 2 and secured in place by a bolt 8 passing through the brace, the ladder side, and the plate 1, as shown.

The foot above described is one of a pair, and is adapted to be mounted upon the lower end of the side of the ladder that is upon the right of the person positioned as though about to ascend the ladder. The other foot is similarly made but-with the laterally extending parts reversed.

Assume a ladder to have been equipped with two feet as above set forth and positloned upon ground that has been recently irrigated and is still soft. The downwardly turned flanges 5 will first enter the ground and effectually prevent the ladder from slipplng outwardly at its base and help to hold the soil in a more compact mass under the plate 4; that is it will prevent the wet soil from oozing upwardly along that edge upon which the greater weight is first placed.

The lower end of the ladder part 2 rests upon the plate 4 and also bearsagainst the brace 6, so that when the parts 4 are firmly a ladder, will effectually support it as desired upon ground of any character.

; It'is to be understood, of course, that while we have herein shown and described but one embodiment of our invention, changes in form, construction and method of assembly and application may be made within the scope of the appended claim.

e claim:

The combination With a ladder of a foot comprising a body portion adapted to overlie the inner surface of the lower portion of the ladder side and means for securing the same rigidly to the ladder side, and a ground engaging plate extending laterally from the said body portion and passing beneath the ladder side, and bracing means. inserted ,between the said plate and the outer side of the ladder. v

IRVIN W. ANDERSON. ANDREW P. KETTMANN.

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