US2381569A

US2381569A - Rodent guard

Info

Publication number: US2381569A
Application number: US556012A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bowman Jake Franklin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-09-27
Filing date: 1944-09-27
Publication date: 1945-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1962-08-07

Description

. The invention aims I primarily ratsyfromf'a'scend Patented Aug- 7, 1945 expensive and effective guard to prevent'rodents, "fire escapefladders and thus entering building further 'obj'ectis'to provid a novel construcplication septeinber 2 to provide-a simple, in-

tion which will not interfere with use of the ladder by firemen and others.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front elevation of a ladder equipped with the invention, a portion of the wall adjacent which the ladder is mounted, being also shown.

- Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a-horizontal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is asmall viewsimilar to Fig. 3 showing the two sections of the door in completely open positions to better illustrate the shape of the guard plate upon which they are mounted.

The general construction disclosed in the drawings may be considered as preferred and while that construction will be specifically described, it is to be unders'toodthat variations may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

The numeral 5 on the drawings denotes a fire I escape ladder adjacent a wall of a building 6 and extending to the roof 1., said ladder having the usual stiles 8, and rungs or steps 9.

A guard horizontally surrounds the ladder 5 and projects forwardly, rearwardly, and laterally from said ladder to prevent rodents from ascending 'onto the roof I. The guard In includes a passage l I through which a person may pass to permit him 'to use the ladder 5, and said guard also includes a door normally closing said passage II. This door preferably comprises two sections I2 hingedly mounted at [3 for upward and outward swinging to open positions, spring hinges being preferably employed to prevent gusts of wind from possibly opening the door sections and also tov prevent them from being left open accidentally. a

The guard ID, in the present disclosure, includes a U-shaped plate I4 which horizontally straddles the ladder 5, the two arms l5 of said plate being disposed at the outer sides of the,

stiles 8 and projecting forwardly from said stiles, while the arm-connecting portion I6 of said plate is disposed behind and abuts said stiles. This arm-connecting portion I6 is shown as provided with a forwardly projecting flange I! which extends from one of the stiles 8 to the otherand also extends to the door sections I2 to provide a closure between said stiles 8. If the guard is so installed, however, that the plate [4 is in P TEN OFFICE 21,381,569 H V x. I. V

.- RoinEN'r GUARD w ffiowman, Houston, Teirf '1, 1944, Serial No. 556,012 I about the same plane with one, of the steps or rungs 9, it will not be necessary to provide the flange I1." J

Inthe construction illustrated, one of the door sections [2 is" hinged upon one 'of the arm portions l5 of the plate [4 and the other of said door sections is hinged upon the other arm IS. The outer edge portions of these arms may be upwardly offset as shown at l8, if desired.

In the present disclosure, a vertical bracket plate l9 is provided to be secured to the wall 6, said bracket plate having a flange at its upper edge upon which the plate I4 is suitably secured. The flange 20 may well be longer than the plate l9 and may have its ends 21 folded upon themselves to underlie the offset plate portions 18. Braces ZZ arepreferably secured to the bracket plate l9 and. to the arm portions 15 of the plate 14, and these arm portions may have downwardly projecting flanges 23 at their outer edges, if desired, said flanges being suitably securedto the plate IS. The portion 20 may be secured by'angle brackets to the sides of the ladder as shown in Fig. 1. It will be understood that the device may, besecured in any suitable manner to the ladder or the building or both.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a simple and inexpensive construction has been provided, yet one which will effectively prevent rats and the like from ascending fire escape ladders and reaching the roofs of buildings. However, asthe door of the passage ll may be readily opened, the guard will not interfere with the use of the lad- It is preferable that fireman to easily open them when ascending the ladder, either by hand, or by simply pushing against them with his head.

While the general structure shown and described may be considered as preferred, attentionis again invited to the possibility of making variations within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I'claim:

1. In combination with a ladder; a guard'on said ladder projecting forwardly, rearwardly and laterally therefrom to prevent rodents from ascending said ladder, said guard including a passage in front of said ladder through which a person may pass, and a door normally closing said passage.

2. In combination with a ladder; a U-shaped plate horizontally straddling said ladder and secured in fixed relation therewith, said U-shaped plate having its two arm portions disposed at the outer sides of and projecting forwardly from the ladder stiles and having its arm-connecting por hinged to one of said arm portions and the other hinged to the other of said arm portions.

4. A structure as specified in claim 2; said armconnecting portion of said plate being provided with a flange extending from one of said stiles to the other and projecting forwardly to said door. 1:

5. A guard shaped to horizontally surround a ladder and to project forwardly, rearwardly, and laterally therefrom, to prevent'rodents from as-' cending, said guard including a passage through which a person may pass, and a door normally closing said passage. V v

6. A guard comprising. a U shaped plate to horizontally straddle a ladder, the two arm portions of said plate being adapted for location at the outer side of the ladder stiles and to project forwardly therefrom, the arm-connecting portion of said plate being adapted for location behind the ladder, the space between said arm portions constituting a passage through which a person may pass, and a door mounted on said plate and normally closing said passage to. prevent ascent of rodents therethrough.

7. A structure as specified in claim 6; said door comprising two upwardly swingable sections, one hinged to one of said arm portions and the other hinged to the other of said arm portions.

8. A structure as specified in claim 6; said armtonnectingv portion of said plate being provided with a flange projecting forwardly to said door