US3734236A

US3734236A - Adjustable ladder platform

Info

Publication number: US3734236A
Application number: US00208592A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Houtler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-16
Filing date: 1971-12-16
Publication date: 1973-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-22

Abstract

A stand off platform is attached to the top of a ladder to hold it away from an adjacent wall. The platform supports tools, paint cans, and the like. A suitable cushion on the edge of the platform keeps it from marring the wall.

Description

[ 1 May 22, 1973 ted States Patent 1 outlet Malm [S4] ADJUSTABLE LADDER PLATFORM 2,722,360 11/1955 .....l82/214 2,806,642 9/1957 Miele ......182/214 3,057,431 10/1962 Ge0rge......... ......l82/2l4 .....182/214 lnvemorI e a 318M959Z ...W;...Ih l[ Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis. 53225 Dec. 16, 1971 2,680,554 6/1954 Dakin........... 2,908,345

[22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Att0rney-lrwin C. Alter et al.

21 Appl. No.: 208,592

[57] ABSTRACT A stand off platform is attached to the top of a ladder 52 U.S.Cl....................................182/121,182/214 51 Int. 7/16 [58] Field of Search...............................182/2l4,121

to hold it away from an adjacent wall. The platform supports tools, paint cans, and the like. A suitable References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS cushion on the edge of the platform keeps it from marring the wall.

182/214 182/121 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1,004,284 Lehmann 2,606,079 8/1952 Patented May 22, 1973 3,734,236

INVENTOR GERALD HOUTLER ATTORNEYS FIG.2

ADJUSTABLE LADDER PLATFORM My invention relates to an adjustable ladder platform, and more particularly to an adjustable means for giving the convenience of stepladders and the stability of conventional ladders.

Stepladders conventionally have platforms which fold down and support paint cans, or the like. Usually, the length of these stepladders is limited, and they become unstable when their height exceeds, say, eight feet. Still, stepladders are very handy and convenient to use. Therefore, there is a need for a taller ladder which is stable and yet convenient.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide an adjustable ladder platform support, for engagement with a ladder of any conventional design.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described, that is a separate and distinct accessory designed to be applied to a ladder.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a device, that may be folded into a compact unit, that is easy to transport, and to apply the ladder.

A further object is to provide a device that is as stable as a conventional ladder and as convenient as a stepladder.

It is manifest to those familiar with painting or the like, from a ladder that it is frequently inconvenient, or impossible to support the paint in a convenient manner. Hence, the invention provides an adjustably supported platform unit, that will fit any standard type of ladder, and both hold the ladder away from the wall and provide a stable support. The device is simple in construction, easy to manufacture, and highly efficient for the intended purpose.

Other and further objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device constituting my invention, applied to a portion of a ladder which is shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a modified structure of the device, applied to a ladder shown in phantom; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp arrangement shown in FIG. 3.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts and features throughout the several views. More particularly, the reference character identifies a wall plate equipped with a cushion material shown as 11. Cushion 11 may be attached to the wall plate 10 in any efficient manner. The cushions purpose is to keep the plate Hi from marring the adjacent wall.

A pair of horizontally disposed

members

12 and 12 are attached to the bottom of the platform and to angle irons 13. The angles 13 are equipped with an aperture to accommodate a bolt 14, which threadedly engages one of the apertures 15 in the wall plate 10. This bolt allows for the lateral adjustment of the members 12 and 12', to accommodate ladders of various widths.

Platform 16 is horizontally disposed and rests on the top surfaces of the

members

12 and 12. The platform 16 is provided with a plurality of apertures 17 which enables bolts 18 to be inserted into apertures in the top surface of the

members

12 and 12, and also to accommodate the various widths of ladders shown in phantom as 19.

The members 12 and 12' have open slots 20 closed by pins 21, to engage and capture one of the rungs shown as 22 and forming a part of the ladder l9. Obviously, any other suitable means may also be employed to rigidly support the members 12 and 12' onto the rung of the ladder 19, thereby retaining the platform 16 in a horizontal position.

A pair of brackets 23 and 23' are hingedly attached to the members 12 and 12' at the pivot point 24 by means of a bolt, as shown, or in any other efficient manner. In FIGS. 1 and 2, I show the brackets 23 and 23' as being adjustable at 25 by means of a bolt 26, and a plurality of apertures 27. The lower ends of the brackets 23 and 23' are also equipped with open slots shown as 28, which slots 28 are also provided with a pin, or bolt 29, for capturing and retaining one of the rungs 22 of the ladder 19.

In FIG. 3, I show a modified construction, in which the lower end of the bracket 30 (which is of one piece construction) is clamped to the ladder 19 by means of a clamping member 31 (see FIG. 4), and fastened by means of a thumb-screw 32. This arrangement enables a varied adjustment for clamping the brackets 30 to the ladder 19.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the horizontal platform may be adjustably mounted to the upper end of a ladder, to support paint, tools, or any other products for the convenience of the user.

Although I have shown and described a specific structure of the parts and features constituting my invention, many changes may be made in the parts and features, without effecting their operativeness. Accordingly, the claims should be construed to cover all equivalent structures which do not depart from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A ladder having a platform assembly attachment thereon,

said platform assembly attachment comprising a platform,

said platform comprising attaching means having one side thereof hingedly attached to the top rung of said ladder,

a plurality of angular support means coupled to said attaching means and extending from the opposite side of said platform to a point on said ladder which is lower than said top rung,

a cushioned wall plate means attached to said opposite side of said platform,

said cushioned means being interposed between said platform and an adjacent wall when said ladder is in place,

means for adjustably fitting said platform on ladders of different widths,

said means for adjustably fitting said platform on ladders of different widths comprising a series of apertures in said platform and in said cushioned wall plate means,

said series of apertures being used to selectively couple said attaching means to different positions on said platform and on said wall plate, and

said positions depending on the width of said ladders.

2. The ladder of claim 1 and said attaching means including horizontal supports attached to bottom of said platform, said supports having open slots formed in the end thereof, and pins closing said slots to capture said rung in said slot.

3. The ladder of claim 2 wherein said angular support means have open slots formed in the end thereof and pins closing said slots. 4. The ladder of claim 3 and means whereby s gular support means are adjustable in length.

aid an-

Claims

1. A ladder having a platform assembly attachment thereon, said platform assembly attachment comprising a platform, said platform comprising attaching means having one side thereof hingedly attached to the top rung of said ladder, a plurality of angular support means coupled to said attaching means and extending from the opposite side of said platform to a point on said ladder which is lower than said top rung, a cushioned wall plate means attached to said opposite side of said platform, said cushioned means being interposed between said platform and an adjacent wall when said ladder is in place, means for adjustably fitting said platform on ladders of different widths, said means for adjustably fitting said platform on ladders of different widths comprising a series of apertures in said platform and in said cushioned wall plate means, said series of apertures being used to selectively couple said attaching means to different positions on said platform and on said wall plate, and said positions depending on the width of said ladders.

3. The ladder of claim 2 wherein said angular support means have open slots formed in the end thereof and pins closing said slots.

4. The ladder of claim 3 and means whereby said angular support means are adjustable in length.

5. The ladder of claim 1 and clamp means for attaching said angular support means to the side rails of said ladder.