US2641511A

US2641511A - Ladder work platform

Info

Publication number: US2641511A
Application number: US140575A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton B Mcclure
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-01-26
Filing date: 1950-01-26
Publication date: 1953-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 1970-06-09

Description

June 9, 1953 M. B. MCCLURE 2,641,511

' LADDER WORK PLATFORM Filed Jan. 26, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Milton 3 McClure mmvron I June 9, 1953 M. B. M CLURE LADDER WORK PLATFORM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1950 /////////////////fl//////////////A 8 am. 0 @M Patented June 9, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LADDER WORK PLATFORM Milton B. McClure, Atlanta, Ga. Application may 26, 1950, Serial No. 140,575

' This invention relates generally to a ladder attachment, and more particularly to a ladder step or work platform that may be adjustably attached to a ladder and which has an alternative use as a scaffold support for a scafford extendin between two ladders equipped with the attachment.

- The primary object of this invention is to provide a stable support for an individual supported by a ladder, and which will support the worker in such a fashion as to permit him to move about horizontally and to have the free use of'his hands, while not subjecting the feet of the worker to the fatigue normally sustained by standing upon narrow ladder rungs, or the like.

Another important object of this invention is to provide such a support which will enhance the stability of the ladder.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide such a support, which will perform with equal efficiency throughout the entire range of practical ladder inclinations.

A further important object of this invention is to enable a worker to conveniently straddle a ladder rung so as to increase the workers sense of security against falling, while actually increasing his safety and permitting him the free use of his hands in the task with which he is occupied.

Yet another object of this invention is to enable a worker to stand erect as near as possible to the vertical surface against which the ladder rests.

A meritorious feature of the present invention resides in the three lines of support for the work platform, whereby the optimum security and stability is attained.

Another important feature of the present in-' vention resides in the means by which the attachment is secured to the ladder, whereby the attachment will remain in adjustaby secured position to the ladder even when the ladder is being moved from one point of use to another point of use.

Still another important feature of the present invention resides in the means provided for adjusting the Work platform angularly with respect woodor' metal; and in the efficiency and 'durabil- 4 Claims. (Cl. 30431. 5)

ityjof the attachment in the use for which the sameis intended.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the attachment, showing the same secured in operative. position to a ladder;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sub-platform and the spacing block and cleats attached thereto;

Figure 3 is a central vertical sectional view of the attachment, showingthe same in use upon a ladder and engaging a wall against which the ladder rests; and I Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken upon the plane of the section line 4-4 of Figure 3, a portion of one of the cleats being broken away to show the disposition of one of the members connecting the columns.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, and in which a conventional ladder is designated generally by the numeral It]. The ladder ll includes rails l2 and rungs 14, I6, I8, and 20 connecting the rails I2, which rungs have been separately designated for a purpose presently to become apparent.

. The ladder attachment designated generally at 22 constitutes the subject matter of this invention and comprises an elongated work platform 2-4 and a sub-platform 26, the sub-platform 26 having attached thereto at one end a pair of spaced cleats 28 and at the other end a second pair of spaced cleats 3D and a spacer block 32 between the pairs of

cleats

28 and 30.

The work platform 24 is disposed so as to extend through the ladder l0 and rest upon the ladder rung lB with the sub-platform 26 disposed below the platform 24 with the ladder rung l8 received between the cleats 30. The platforms 2'4 and 26 are adjustably secured by means of a bolt 34 extending through an elongated slot 35 in the platform 24 and through aligned apertures 38 through the block 32 and the platform 26.

Platforms

24 and 26 are adjustably clamped together by means of a nut on the bolt 34. It

will be understood that the bolt 34 is slidable in it'bemg noteCf that'the' platform 26"is restrained against longitudinal movement by the cleats 30.

Means is provided to adjustably support the outer end of the platform 24, which means include a pair of vertical columns 42, which columns :32 are connected adjacent their upper ends by vertically spaced members or rungs 44 and 46. The outer end of the work platform 24 is slidably received between the members 44 and 4B and the upper end of the columns 42 are restrained against longitudinal movement relative to the platform 25 by the member 46 being received between the cleats 28. It should be noted at this time that the member M5 and the rung l8 are received between the cleats and the platforms with Sufficient freedom so as to permit pivotal movement between the platforms and the ladder and. also between the platforms and the columns for a purpose to appear hereinafter.

As best shown in Figure 1, the upper ends of the columns 42 are reinforced by straps 48 embracing the up er ends of the columns 42, which U-shaped straps 4B are retained on the columns 42 and the members it. and 45 secured to the columns 42 by pins 58 extending through the columns, the straps, and the members M and it.

Means is provided to adjustably secure the lower ends of the columns 42 to the ladder run 28, which means include latching straps 52 which are hinged intermediate their ends at 5 5, and one end 56 of each is secured by means of bolts 58 to the columns 42. The other end as of each of the straps 52 are bent to form a plurality of vertically spaced concaved recesses 62 opposed to the column 42. The column 42 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced, concaved grooves 64! opposed to the recesses 62, so as to form a plurality of spaces between the strap ends 60 and the column 42 for receiving the ladder rung 2H therethrough. A bolt 69, provided, with a wing nut 68, extends through the strap ends 65 and the column 42, the arrangement being such. that the strap ends 68 may be swung about the hinge 54 towards and away from the column 42 for receiving the ladder rung and the same clampedtogether to retain the ladder rung 20. It should be pointed out that there is suflicient freedom between the ladder rung 2i) and the. strap 52 and the column 42 to permit pivotal movement of the column 42 about the. ladder runs 28.. In the preferred c n tr ction, a bolt it extends through the column 42 intermediate, the rooves 64 for reinforcing the. column 42 In addition, bear-- ing plates 72 are interposed between the wing nut 68- and the column t2 and pinned to the. column "3.2 to save the column 42 from undue wear and to convenience the operator when assembling the bolt 66 and the wing nut 68.

A hearing block M- extend's transversely across the inner end of the platform 24 and externally threaded eyebolts it extend through aligned apertures in the block Hi and the platform 24. The block it and the platform 2A are retained between adjustment nuts 18 disposed on the eye bolts 16, washer plates 80 being pinned to the block and the platform between the nuts 18 for protection from wear and to facilitate easy turning of the nuts T8. Rods 82 are secured to the eye bolts 15, as at 84,, and are inturned at their upper ends to formv hooks 86 engaging the ladder rung I 4.

The uses and advantages of the attachment will be readily understood, The platform 24 is. longitudinally adjustable by means of. the. bolt 34 and the. slot 36, and the, platform 24 is also.

angularly adjustable. by means. of the adiust ability and the means provided connecting the columns 42 and the rung 20 together with the angular freedom between the platform 24 and the rung I8, the platform 24 and the member 46, and the columns 42 and the rung 20. The

platforms

24 and 26 and the columns 42 are secured to the rungs l8 and 20 by means of the

fasteners

34 and 66, respectively, in securing the attachment to the ladder. The eyebolts it are are then loosened sufiicientlyto permit the books 86 to engage the rung l4, whereupon the eyebolt 16 is adjusted downwardly through the block 14 and the platform 24 by means of the nuts 18 suffioientlyto tension the rods 82, and the nuts 18 are each tightened to securely retain the block 14 and the platform 24 together. It will thus be seen that a worker standing upon the platform 26 may straddle the rung l6, and, as shown in. Figure 3, the bearing block 14 may be moved into engagement with a wall 88 through the longitudinal adjustment of the platform 2:5, in order to stabilize the ladder H).

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily under-- stood, and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limit. the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended elaims. 7

Having described the claimed as new is:

l. A ladder attachment comprising a work platform having inner and outer ends, a second platform disposed below said. platform, first and second pairs ofspaced cleats secured to the top of the second platform, a pair of vertical columns, vertically spaced members connecting the columns adjacent the upper ends thereof, the outer end of said work platform being slidably received between said members, said work platform having an elongated slot therein, a fastener slidably extending through said slot and connecting the platforms intermediate said pairs of cleats, said, first pair of cleats receiving the lower of said members rotatably therebetween and the second pair of cleats, being adapted to receive a selected ladder rung therebetween, and means carried adjacent the lower ends of said columns for adjustably and rotatably securing thev c01- umns. to a ladder rung below the selected rung.

2. A ladder attachment comprising a work platform having inner and outer ends, a second platform disposed below said platform, first and second pairs of spaced cleats secured to the top of the second platform, a pair of vertical. columns, vertically spaced members connecting the columns adjacent the upper ends thereof, the outer end of said work platform being slidably received between said members, said work platform having an elongated slot therein, a fastener slidably extending through said slot and connecting the platforms intermediate said pairs of cleats, said first pair of cleats receiving the lower of said members rotatably therebetwe'en and the second pair of cleats being adapted to receive a selected ladder rung therebetween, and means: carried adjacent the lower ends of: said columns for adjustably and rotatably securing the columns to a. ladder rung below the selected runs, including a rung strap hinged toeach of,

invention, what is.

said columns and a fastener releasably securing the strap in rung-engaging position.

3. A ladder attachment comprising a work platform having inner and outer ends, a second platform disposed below said platform, first and second pairs of spaced cleats secured to the top of the second platform, a pair of vertical columns, vertically spaced members connecting the columns adjacent the upper ends thereof, the outer end of said work platform being slidably received between said members, said work platform having an elongated slot therein, a fastener slidably extending through said slot and connecting the platforms intermediate said pairs of cleats, said first pair of cleats receiving the lower of said members rotatably therebetween and the second pair of cleats being adapted to receive a selected ladder rung therebetween, means carried adjacent the lower ends of said columns for adjustably and rotatably securing the columns to a ladder rung below the selected rung, and means for supporting the inner end of said work platform from a ladder rung above the selected rung.

4. The combination of claim 3, including a bearing block secured to the inner end of the work platform, said block and said work platform having aligned apertures, said last means including an externally threaded eyebolt extending through said aligned apertures, a pair of adjusting nuts threaded on said bolt and clamping said work platform and block therebetween, a hook carried by the eyebolt for engaging a ladder rung above the selected rung, and a spacing block carried by the second platform through which the fastener connecting the platforms extends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 39,970 Stiles Sept. 15, 1863 1,187,437 Lucas June 13, 1916 2,019,826 McKee Nov. 5, 1935 2,066,462 Fenton Jan. 5, 1937 2,104,987 Harding Jan. 11, 1938 2,432,206 Mott Dec. 9, 1947