WO2017098286A1

WO2017098286A1 - Portable folding ladder-bridge

Info

Publication number: WO2017098286A1
Application number: PCT/GE2015/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zurabi TCHAVTCHANIDZE
Original assignee: Tchavtchanidze Zurabi
Priority date: 2015-12-08
Filing date: 2015-12-08
Publication date: 2017-06-15

Abstract

The portable folding ladder-bridge, which unfolds vertically from a briefcase size very fast, folds quickly and easily, and is suitable as for domestic so emergency situations, comprising edge supports (8), locking beams (4, 5), chain links (6, 7) and two scissors mechanisms (2, 3) with rungs (1) between them, which rungs (1) are placed in one outer side of the ladder-bridge along its length and by ends are hinged (17, 18) to levers (9, 10) of the scissors mechanisms (2, 3), so, that the rungs (1) lay one on another in the same flatness (1f) while folding of the ladder-bridge and the folded scissors mechanisms (2, 3) can rotate and place in adjacent and parallel positions to the rungs' flatness (1f). For fixing in unfolded position the ladder-bridge have locking beams (4, 5) in its forefront and chain links (6, 7) in its backside by means of which the extended scissors mechanisms (2, 3) obtain truss functions, because of which the portable folding ladder-bridge may be used as a ladder so as a bridge.

Description

Portabl e Folding- Ladder-Bridge

BACKGROUND TO^' THE INVENTION

This invention relates to ladders, in particular to port-able folding ladders which are suitable for domestic and emergency situations as well.

Are known various- types of portable folding ladders of different constructive decisions, but they either are not very compact in closed position or a special flat area is required for their^■ _.unfolding, which is uncomfortable while emergency application, besides of this they- are nor designed for extreme situations where the ladder is necessary to use as a bridge,

For solutio of the above cited problems here is proposed the construction of the portable folding ladder-bridge which is very- compact in closed position, unfolds very fast vertically and any special horizontal area for its unfolding is not required, also folds quickly and easily, in an unfolded position it obtains truss functions because of which it may be used as & ladder so as a bridge.

It must be mentioned: that the presented here construction contains scissors mechanisms which are use also in existing ladders, for example in attic ladders, but they can not be closed very oqmpsctly and do no represent mobile equipments-.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention represents a portable folding ladder -bridge comprising edge supports (8), locking beams (4, ¾, chain links (6, 7) and two scissors mechanisms (2, 3} with rungs (1) between them . The scissors mechanisms (2, 3) are formed by scissor sections consisting of crossed inner levers (9, 10} and outer levers (11) which are hinged together by central hinges (12), and which scissor sections are hinged one to another with ends of the levers by means of outer hinges (13, 14). The rungs (1) are placed in forefront of the ladder-bridge in a flatness crossing the same-side outer hinges (13) along the parallel scissors mechanisms (2, 3), and hich rungs (1) using their projections (15, 1.6) are hinged (17, 18} to identical ends of the parallel and opposite inner levers (9, 10) of the scissor sections, so, that the rungs (1) are laid one on another in the same flatness (I f) when the scissors mechanisms (2, 3) are folded and the folded scissors mechanisms (2, 3) can locate closely in adjacent and parallel positions to the flatness ( f) of the rungs (I) by rotating about the hinges {!?_«- 18) connecting to the rungs (1 ), and in opposite, for fixing in unfolded positions the scissors mechanisms (2_} 3} are equipped with the locking beams (4, 5) which locate between the outer hinges (13) along the extended scissors mechanisms (2, 3) in the forefront of the ladder-bridge. In opposite side of the locking beams (4, 5), behind the ladder-bridge, the scissors mechanisms (2, 3} have pairs of chain links (b\ 7) which extend between the outer hinges (14) along the extended scissors mechanisms (2, 3) at this side of the ladder-

SiiSim SHEET (HOLE -¾| bridge and which chain links (6, 7} together with the locking beams (4, 5) give the extended scissors mechanisms (2:, 3) truss configurations, but while the ladder-bridge folding the locking beams (4, 5) and sh pairs of the chain links (6, 7} can. fold together ish the scissors mechanisms (2, 3). The scissors mechanisms (2, 3} may have only locking Beams in the backside of the ladder- bridg instead the pairs of the chain links (6, -7). The ladder - bridge has edge supports (8) hinged (29) on the ends of the scissors mechanisms (2, 3).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The construction is explained by following figures:

1. FIG, 1 ~ Schematic of the extended portable folding ladder-bridge;

2. FIG, 2 - Combination of a rung and the inner levers in U-like nnfdldsd position.

3. FIG. 3 - Top vie of the combination of the rung and the inner levers in folded position.

4. FIG. 4 - Top view of the U- like combination of the_. rung and the inner levers in unfolded position.

5. FIG, 5 - Folded scissors mechanisms together with the rungs,

6. FIG. 7 -- The portable folding ladder-bridge in folded position.

7. FIG. 8 - Top view of the folded portable folding ladder -bridge,

8. FIG. 9 - Side view of the unfolded portable folding ladde -bridge,

9. FIG, 10 - Unlocked position of an opened pair of locking beams,

10. FIG, 11 ^» Locked position of the opened pair of the locking beams.

11. FIG, 12 - Extended chain links.

12. FIG, 13 - Tilted chain links,

13. FIG, 14 - View of the edge support.

14. FIG. 15 - IMike configuration with a round tube rang.

(FIG, 1 ) The portable folding ladder-bridge consist of rungs 1 , scissors mechanisms 2, 3, locking beams 4, 5, pairs of chain links consisted with female links 6 and male links 7, and edge supports 8. The scissors mechanisms 2, 3 are formed by scissor sections consisting of crossed inner lews 9, 10 and outer l ve s 11 which are hinged together by central hinges 12, and which s issor sections are hinged one to another with, ends of the levers by mean of outer hinges 13, 14. The rungs 1 are located in the forefront of the opened ladder-bridge in a flatness crossing the hinges 13 of the parallel scissors mechanisms 2, 3.

{FIG. 2} Irs this variant of the ladde -bridge are used ti-Hk cross-section rungs 1 which have pairs of lateral triangular-shaped projections 15, 16 on their ends directed to the same sides. Inner levers 9, 10 by one ends are hinged 17, 18 to the pairs of the projections 15, 16 located on the ends of each rung 1, so, that the inner levers 9, 10 and the rung 1 are located in the same flatness and their connecting hinges .17, 18 are placed in perpendicular positions with regard, to the said Harness.

(FIG,. 3) The pro ections 15 which are located on one end of the rung ! are shorter in comparison with the projections 16 located on the other side of the rung , therefore the hinge 17 is closer to the rung (i) longitudinal axis than the hinge 18, because of which the inner levers 9, 10 and rung 1 can place in adjacent and parallel positions heft they -are closed, besides of this they remain m the same flatness,

(PIG. 4) When open, the edges of the inner levers 9, 10 abut to inner surfaces at the edges of the rung

1, so,, that the inner levers 9, 10 can open with extreme angles of 90 (ninety) degrees with regard to the rung 1 and the combination of the rung I and two inner levers 9, 10 obtains iJ-like configuration . (FIG. 1) Accordingly, when the ladder- bridge is unfolded the angles between the scissors mechanisms

2, 3 and the flatness of the rung 1 rema n also the 90 {ninety} degrees.

(FIG. 5', 6i 7; 8) The rungs 1 are laid one on another in the same flatness when the scissors mechanisms 2, 3 are folded and the hinges 17, 18 locate along themselves and in parallel positions to the flatness If of the rungs I because of which the folded scissors mechanisms 2, 3 can rotate about the hinges 17, IS and locate closely in adjacent and parallel positions to the flatness If of the rungs I,

(FIG. 1.5 9} When the ladder-bridge Is unfolded, the inner levers 9, 10 and the hinges 17, 18 together with them have inclined positions to the flatness of the rungs 1, which causes fixing of the scissors mechanisms 2, 3 with regard to the said flatness with the angles of 90 (ninety) degrees between them.

(FIG, 9; 10} The portable folding ladder-bridge has the locking beams (4, 5) on the outside the outer levers (11) of the scissors mechanisms (2, 3) which provide fixing of the ladder-bridge in an unfolded position. The. locking beams 4, 5 have lateral projection 19, 20 on their one ends by which they are hinged 21 together and create pairs. Two free ends of each pair of the locking beams 4_< 5 are pivotail connected to every second outer hinges 13a, 13c of the scissors mechanism 2, 3 in the forefront of the ladder-bridge and one outer hinge 13b is omitted and free betwsexi them. The locking beam 4 has a lateral slot 22 near its projection 19. The omitted outer hinge 13h have a protrusio 23 with a head 24 on its tip which is destined for restraining of the slot 22 place existing near the pairing hinge 21 of the locking beams 4, 5.

«R»m«S SHEET (FIG, 11} When she slot 22 ss dressed on the protrusion 23 of the omitted .outer hinge 13b, the locking beams 4, 5 are placed along themselves between the outer hinges !3a ·^■ 13b and 13b - ^'13c which provides fixin of the scissors mechanism (2, 3} in the unfolded position. At this .moment, the pairing hinge 21 locates outside the flatness crossing the outer hinges 13a, 13b, 13c, because of which, the pair of the locking beams 4, 5 is locked safer when..the ladder-bridge is loaded..

By means of the pairing hinges 21 the pairs of the locking beams 4, 5 can unfold aad fold together with the scissors mechanisms 2, 3,

(FIG. 9; 12) In opposite side of the locking beams 4, 5₅ on the .outside the inner levers 9, 10 the scissors mechanisms 2, 3 have the pairs of the chain links comprising the female links 6 a d the male links 7, which ar pivotally 25 interconnected by their one ends. The .female link 6 ® formed by two parallel, and identical members 6a, 6b with s i g_, between them equal to thickness of the male link 7 on one end of which is fixed the pivot 25 and on the other side they have tip horns 26,

The male link 7 has a longitudinal groove 27 at its one end in which, with slide capability, is placed the pivot 25 fixed on one end of the female link 6, so._:. that the said end of the male link 7, also with slide capability, places in the spacing existing between the said members 6a_: 6b. The free ends of the female link 6 and male link 7 are hinged to adjacent outer hinges 14 behind the ladder-bridge.

(FIG. 12; 2) The inner levers 9, 10 have lateral tangs 28 on that ends which are placed at the outer hinges 14 on which the pairs of the chain links are connected.

While unfolding of rhe scissors mechanisms 2, 3 the pairs of the chain links 6. 7 extend between the outer binges 14 behind the ladder- bridge and the lateral mngs 28 of the inner levers 9, 10 almost touch to the horns 26 located on the ends of the female links 6,

(FIG. 13) After unlocking of the pairs of the locking beams 9, .10, the longitudinally slide capability of the pivots 25 of female links 6 in the grooves 27 of the male links 7 gives possibility ιο the scissors mechanisms 2, 3 to begin the folding process and the lateral tangs 28 of the inner levers 9, 10 pushing on the horns 26 tilt the female links 6 inwards the scissors mechanisms 2, 3, after what the pairs of the chain links 6, 7 continue automatically their folding proces together with the scissors mechanisms 2< 3.

(FIG. .1; 1 ) The ladder-bridge has edge supports 8 which are pivotall connected to extreme initial hinges 2 of the scissors mechanisms 2, 3. The edge support has a O-.iike cross-section and triangular- shaped sides 30, 31, also elongated blade 32 o one side which is directed towards the forefront of the ladder- bridge.

By means of the locking beams 4, 5 and the chain links 6. 7 the unfolded scissors mechanisms 2, 3 obtain truss functions.

^ fTflli SHEET fBUtE 21 (FIG, 15} Th rungs la also may have round or rectangular t&be cross-sections and triangular-shaped brackets l¾a, 16a on both ends like the projections 15, 16 of the U- like cross-section rungs 1.

The portable folding ladder-bridge -sa also have only the locking beams 4, 5 in its backside instead of the pairs of the chain links 6» 7,

Details for the portable folding ladder- bridge manufacture may be: produced using metal., composite or plasties,

U FOLDING-FOLDI G PROCESS OF THE PORTABLE FOLDING LADDER -BRIGE. This process includes following stages:

(FIG, 6) The folded ladder-bridge by edge supports ⁽8) is placed on. the ground in a vertical flatness with the rungs {1} directed towards user;

(FIG 5) At first the user opens the folded scissors mechanisms (2, 3} successively by angles of 90(nitteiy) degrees with regard to the flatness of the rungs (If);

Then unfolds tfee ladder-bridg vertically lifting the tipper rungs (1) and continues the unfolding process with the help of other rungs (1) while the extended chain links (6, 7) stop the unfolding process of the scissors mechanisms (2, 3). (FIG 10) At this moment the pairs of the locking beams (4 5) are also opened and the slots (22) existing on the locking b am* (4) are near the protrusions (23) of the omitted outer hinges (13b).

In case of need while unfolding the user may step on the elongated blades (32) of the edge supports (8) and stop this end of the ladder-bridge to the ground ^'(FIG. 1 ; 14) (in. many cases when the ladder- bridge is high);

(FIG 11) By one hand the user cart easily pull the place at least of one pairing hinge (21) of the locking beams (4, 5) and dress the slot (22) on the protrusion (23) of the omitted outer hinge (13b) placing the pairing hinge (21) outside die outer hinge (13b), At this time the locking beams (4, 5} are fixed between the outer hinges (13) which is enough to fix the ladder- bridge in unfolded position;

After of these actions all slots (22) must be dressed on the corresponding protrusions (23) by which the unfolding process is finished and the portable folding ladder-bridge is ready to use.

While folding of the portable folding ladder-bridge must be performed an Inverse process.

Relevant doc, you can see at: EP1918479 "Stair system".

Claims

Claims:

1. The portable folding ladder-bridge comprising two scissors mechanisms with rungs between them, the scissors mechanisms are formed by scissor sections consisting of crossed inner and outer levers which are hinged together by central hinges, and which scissor sections are hinged one to another with ends of the levers by means of outer hinges, characterized in that, the rungs are placed on one side of the ladder-bridge in a flatness crossing the same-side outer hinges along the length of the parallel scissors mechanisms, and which rungs are hinged by their ends to identical ends of the parallel and opposite inner levers of the scissor sections, so, that the rungs are laid one on another in the same flatness when the scissors mechanisms are folded and the folded scissors mechanisms can locate closely in adjacent and parallel positions to the flatness of the rungs by rotating about the hinges connecting to the ends of the rungs, and for fixing in unfolded positions the scissors mechanisms are equipped with locking beams which locate between the outer hinges along the extended scissors mechanisms in forefront of the ladder-bridge and in opposite side of the locking beams behind the ladder-bridge the scissors mechanisms have pairs of chain links which extend between the outer hinges along the extended scissors mechanisms on this side of the ladder-bridge and which chain links together with the locking beams give the extended scissors mechanisms truss configurations, but while folding of the ladder-bridge the locking beams and the pairs of the chain links can fold together with the scissors mechanisms, or the scissors mechanisms have only the locking beams in the backside of the ladder-bridge instead of the pairs of the chain links, besides of these the ladder-bridge have edge supports placed on the ends of the scissors mechanisms.

2. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the rungs have U-like cross- sections and pairs of lateral and triangular-shaped projections on their both ends which are directed to the same sides.

3. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 2, wherein the projections which are located on one end of each rung are shorter in comparison with the projections located on the other end of the rung.

4. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein outer tips of the projections have hinge holes destined for hinges connecting to the ends of the inner levers of the scissor sections.

5. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1 - 4, wherein two inner levers by ends are hinged to the tips of the projections located on both sides of each rung and can open and close with regard to the rung in the same flatness.

6. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1 - 5, wherein each rung and two inner levers which are hinged by one ends to the ends of the rung are located in the same flatness and the said hinges are placed in perpendicular positions with regard to the said flatness.

7. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1 - 6, wherein the rungs may have round or rectangular tube cross-sections and triangular-shaped brackets on both ends like the projections of the U-like cross-section rungs.

8. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the locking beams are placed on the outside the outer levers of the scissors mechanism.

9. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1 or 8, wherein the locking beams have lateral projections on their one ends.

10. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, 8 or 9, wherein every two members of the locking beams are paired by means of hinges interconnecting of the projections existing on one ends of the locking beams.

11. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, 8 - 10, wherein one member of the pair of the locking beams has a lateral slot near its projection and correspondingly near the pairing hinge of the locking beams.

12. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, 8 - 11, wherein two free ends of each pair of the locking beams are pivotally connected to every second outer hinges of the scissors mechanism in forefront of the ladder-bridge and one outer hinge is omitted and free between them.

13. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, 8 - 12, wherein the omitted outer hinge have a protrusion with a head on its tip which is destined for restraining of the slot place existing near the pairing hinge of the locking beams and which slot is dressed on the protrusion of the omitted outer hinge when the scissors mechanism is extended.

14. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, wherein each pair of chain links consist of male and female links which are pivotally interconnected by one ends.

15. The portable folding ladder- bridge according to claim 1, or 14, wherein the female link is formed by two parallel members with spacing between them, on one end of which is located a fixed pivot and on the other side at least one member has a tip horn.

16. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, 14 or 15, wherein the male link has a longitudinal groove at its one end in which, with slide capability, is placed the fixed pivot existing on one end of the female link, so, that the said end the of male link, also with slide capability, places in the spacing existing between the parallel members of the female link.

17. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1 or 14 - 16, wherein the pairs of the chain links with their free ends are hinged to adjacent outer hinges of the scissor mechanisms on the outside the inner levers and which outer hinges are placed behind the ladder-bridge, - in opposite side of the outer hinges on which the pairs of the locking beams are connected.

18. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, or 14 - 17, wherein the inner levers have lateral tangs on that ends which are placed at the outer hinges on which the chain links are connected .

19. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, 2 or 13 - 17, wherein the scissors mechanisms may have no chain links but only locking beams behind the ladder-bridge from the outside the outer levers of the scissors mechanisms and in this case the U-like cross- section rungs may have the projections only at one ends, as to second ends, the hinge holes destined for connecting to the ends of the inner lavers may be performed directly on the parallel sides of the U-like cross-section rungs.

20. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1, wherein the edge supports are hinged to extreme ends of extreme levers of the scissors mechanisms and have U-like cross- sections and triangular-shaped sides, also they may have elongated blades on one sides which must be directed towards the forefront of the ladder-bridge.

21. The portable folding ladder-bridge according to claim 1 - 21, wherein the details may be produced using metal, composite or plastics.