US727047A

US727047A - Combined brace, step-fastener, and support for step-ladders.

Info

Publication number: US727047A
Application number: US13037502A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry A Williamson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1902-11-07
Filing date: 1902-11-07
Publication date: 1903-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1920-05-05

Description

No. 727,047. PATEN'IED MAY 5, 1903.

I H. A. WILLIAMSON. COMBINED BRAGE, STEP PASTENER, AND SUPPORT FOR STEP LADDERS.

APPLI UATION IILED NOV. 7, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES HENRY A. WILLIAMSON,

Patented May 5, 1903.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED BRACE, STEP-FASTENER, AND SUPPORT FOR STEP-LADDERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 727,047, dated May 5, 1903.

Application filed November 7,1902. Serial No.130,375. (llo model-3 To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY A. WILLIAMsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Brace, Step-Fastener, and Support for Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

The object of myinvention is to provide an improved means for connecting the steps of ladders to. the standards in such a way as to rigidly tie the two parts together, brace and tie them against sidewise strain, and to afford a support for the step. It also prevents the ladder from warping or moving under weight, renders it stronger and more durable, increasing its capacity for weight, and lengthening its period of usefulness. Simple and economical of construction it is adapted to be applied not only in the construction of new ladders, but also to ladders which by reason of the loosening of the steps have been condemned as unsafe.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein like letters and numbers denote like parts throughout the several figures.

Figure 1 shows in perspective a step-ladder the steps of which are secured to the standards by my device. Fig. 2 shows in dotted lines a part of one standard and the end of one of the steps at the point where it is se cured to this standard and a perspective from the rear of my device as it rests in position on the standard and steps. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank from which my device is formed, the dotted lines indicating the points where it is to be bent or folded over at an angle to the face. In Fig. 2 I have shown the device applied to a ladder the steps of which are set into the standard; but it will hereinafter appear that it is applicable to ladders where the steps are not supported in this way, for my device is adapted to furnish in itself support for the steps.

I prefer to construct my device out of a blank of thin sheet-iron or any other suitable sheet material rigid and capable of being bent and to cut it so that its contour presents in the fiat the irregular shape shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3 I have drawn certain dotted lines. The distance between the line as 00 and the line 00 a x 00 is substantially that of the thickness of the standard-of the ladder to be fitted, and the distance between the lines a g and y y is substantially that of the thickness of the step edge, so that when the

wingpieces

5, 7, and 8 are bent down substantially at right angles the blank will fit snugly over the edge of the standard, and when the

wingpieces

9 and 10 are bent down substantially at right angles that portion of the blank will fit snugly over the edge of the step. I next cut or punch out the rivet-holes 4:, preferably in the places indicated in Fig. 3, so that when the

wings

5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are bent down at right angles to the face-piece 6 the holes in 9 register with those in 10 and the holes in 7 and 8 with holes in 5. The piece 5 is next folded 0r bent downward at approximately right angles to the face-piece 6 along the line :0 0c, the piece 7 is similarly folded or bent along the line 00 00 and the

pieces

9 and 10 are likewise similarly folded or bent along the lines y y and m f, respectively. This operation leaves the face-piece 6 composed of the substantially triangular web or brace 14:, the upward and downward extension-pieces 11 and 12, and the step-piece 14:, Fig. 3. It is of course obvious that the size and shape of the wings 5 7 8 9 10 may be altered and the number of holes 4: increased or decreased without departing from my invention.

The device may be applied to the ladder for which it is designed by slipping it over the standard and step near theirjunction, either on the front of the step, as shown in Fig. 1, or in reverse position on the back of the ladder, and locking it in position preferably by boring holes in the steps and standard to register with the holes punched in the device A and riveting thereto. While I prefer this method of locking the device A in position, because rivets are less likely to split and weaken the wood of the step and standard, the device may be secured in place by other suitable means. The rivets passing through the wood and the wings of the plate or support A the latter is less likely to weaken or loosen than when it is secured by nails or barbs. It will be further noticed that the web or brace 14. affords a support against transverse or sidewise strain and stress and tends to tie the step and standard firmly together. This device has the advantage over devices now in the market that it does not prevent the use of a plank or platform, one end of which may be laid between the steps, and that it affords no sharp corners inconvenient and dangerous to persons mounting the ladder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with a leg or standard and a step or cross piece arranged at an angle to the former, a connecting device composed of a substantially rigid sheet of metal folded or bent over the edge of said standard and step, a diagonal brace at'an angle to said standard and step, and means for locking said parts together, substantially as described.

2. A step fastening and support for stepladders, consisting of a substantially rigid piece of sheet metal provided with Wings bent at an angle to the face of said piece adapted to fit over the edge of a step near the end thereof and over the edge of the standard of the ladder, said piece having a tie'and bracing face at an angle to said standard and step, substantially as described.

3. A fastening and brace for step-ladders consisting of a substantially rigid piece of metal or other suitable material provided with Wings adapted to grasp theedges of the step and standard of the ladder and having a face adapted to brace and tie the same and means for locking said piece in place whereby said step and standard are braced and tied together.

HENRY A. WILLIAMSON.

'Witnesses:

WM. J. I-IoLM, WM. FERnoN.