GB2563374A

GB2563374A - Ladder safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2563374A
Application number: GB1705456.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Medhurst John
Original assignee: RDS Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: RDS Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-05
Filing date: 2017-04-05
Publication date: 2018-12-19
Also published as: GB201705456D0

Abstract

The device 10 comprises a ladder engaging portion 15 which can be braced between two ladder rungs to secure the device to a ladder, an arm 20 which extends from the ladder engaging portion and a foot 25 provided at an end of the arm opposite the portion, the ladder engaging portion comprises a pair of opposed rung grips, the portion being movable between an extended position and a retracted position and being preferably biased to the extended position so that the grips can be fitted between two adjacent ladder rungs, in which the spacing of the grips in the extended position can be adjusted to accommodate different rung spacing. The arm may be articulated and the portion may be biased to the extended position by a spring loaded mechanism 33. Also disclosed is a ladder safety device comprising a movable foot, a device comprising a combination of the previously mentioned features and a device combined with a ladder.

Description

LADDER SAFETY DEVICE

The present invention relates generally to a ladder safety device and particularly to a device for preventing bottom slippage of a ladder during use.

By far the majority of incidents and accidents involving ladder usage occur when the base or bottom of the ladder slips away from underneath the user; this is commonly referred to as “bottom slippage”.

The present invention seeks to address the problem of bottom slippage.

An aspect of the present invention provides a ladder safety device for preventing bottom slippage, the device comprising a ladder engaging portion which can be braced between two ladder rungs to secure the device to a ladder, an arm which extends from the ladder engaging portion, and a foot provided at an end of the arm opposite the portion, the ladder engaging portion comprises a pair of opposed rung grips, the portion being movable between an extended position and a retracted position and being biased to the extended position so that the grips can be fitted between two adjacent ladder rungs, in which the spacing of the grips in the extended position can be adjusted to accommodate different rung spacing.

The arm may be articulated. In some embodiments, for example, two arm sections are provided with a hinge point therebetween; one of the arm sections connects to the ladder engaging portion and the other connects to the foot. Hinging the arm sections with respect to each other allows uneven ground to be accommodated.

The ladder engaging portion may be biased to the extended position by a spring-loaded mechanism, for example.

The grips may comprise brackets, gussets or the like for stably engaging rungs. In some embodiments the grips may be generally U-section, for example an elongate section sized to fit onto a rung.

The ladder engaging portion may comprise a fixed member and a plunger member, each comprising a respective rung grip.

The fixed member and the plunger member may be separable and in some embodiment either or both of them can be replaced by members having a different length to change the bracket spacing in the extended position.

The length of the fixed member and/or the plunger member may be adjustable.

Either or both of the grips may be rotatable to adjust the length of the member.

The ladder engaging portion may be removable from the arm such that a different portion with a different extended position length can be substituted therefor.

A further aspect provides a ladder safety device for preventing bottom slippage, the device comprising: a ladder engaging portion which can be braced between two ladder rungs to secure the device to a ladder; an arm which extends from the ladder engaging portion; a ground engaging foot provided at one end of the arm, the foot being pivotable from a working position in which it is generally orthogonal to the arm and a stowed position in which it is generally parallel to the arm.

The foot may non-slip; for example formed from or coated with a non-slip material. For example rubber grips pads may be provided.

A further aspect provides a ladder safety device for preventing bottom slippage, the device comprising a ladder engaging portion braceable between two adjacent ladder rungs to secure the device to a ladder, and an arm extending from the portion, the arm comprising a ground engaging foot, the portion comprising a pair of opposed rung brackets for fitting between ladder rungs, in use the arm extends away from the portion towards a surface against which the ladder leans such that when weight is applied on the ladder forces which would otherwise cause bottom slippage are redirected through the foot.

In some aspects and embodiments the device is formed from metal, such as steel (which may, for example, be powder coated). In some embodiments 25mm x 25mm box section material is used. Where multiple sections are used to construct the device the sections may be seam welded together.

The present invention also provides a device as described herein in combination with a ladder.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiment can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Referring first to Figure I there is shown a ladder safety device generally indicated 10.

The device 10 comprises a ladder engaging portion 15, an arm 20 and a foot 25.

The ladder engaging portion 15 comprises a plunger portion 30 and a fixed portion 35. Each of the portions 30, 35 carries a respective ladder rung gusset 3 I, 36 at their free end.

The portion 30 includes a stem 32 which can slide within a corresponding stem 37 of the portion 35. The stem 32 is carried on a spring loaded mechanism 33 to bias it to the extended position shown. The plunger portion 30 is further provided with a handle 34 which extends orthogonally from the top of the stem 32, just below the gusset 3 I. The handle 34 allows the portion 30 to be pushed down against the action of the mechanism 33 to reduce the effective length of the portion 15 in use (see

Extending at a fixed angle from the portion stem 37 is a first arm portion 21. The section is connected to a second arm portion 22 at a hinge point 23. The hinge point 23 allows the portion 22 to be pivoted relative to the portion 21. A screw threaded knob 24 is provided for fixing the arm portions in a desired relative position in use.

At the other end of the arm portion 22 the bar-like foot 25 is connected. The portion 22 joins to the foot 25 generally centrally and orthogonally thereto (forming a Tshape). At either end of the foot 25 a rubber cover 26 is provided to help give a nonslip property to the foot.

In use of the device 10 the ladder engaging portion 15 fits between two rungs of a ladder, in this embodiment the two lowest rungs of the ladder, as shown in Figure 2. The lower rung gusset 36 is fitted first onto the upper surface of the lowermost rung. Then the plunger portion is depressed to allow the upper rung gusset 31 to be moved under the second ladder rung. The plunger is then released so that the gusset 3 I fits under the lower surface of the rung. The ladder engaging portion is now firmly fitted onto the ladder.

The arm extends forwards, towards the item (e.g. wall) against which the ladder is leant. The foot 25 engages the ground and may also engage the item (e.g. at the intersection).

In use, when a person climbs the ladder, the foot pushes firmly on the ground. The force that tries to push the base of the ladder away from the item is now redirected towards the item and through the device foot, thus preventing slippage of the bottom of the ladder.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown a ladder engaging portion I 15 formed in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

The portion I 15 is similar to the portion 15, except that the upper gusset 131 is provided with a threaded bolt 150 and stem 13 I terminates with a fixed nut 155 into which the bolt 150 is received. Rotating the gusset 13 I causes the bolt to wind into or out of the nut 155, in doing so shortening or lengthening the extended length of the portion I 15. The adjustable unit, by means of a screwing rung gusset, means that the range of rung spacing which the portion can accommodate is increased.

Figures 5a and 5b show a portion 215 formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment which can also accommodate a greater range in rung pitch. In this embodiment the portion is formed separately from and is removable from the arm portion 221. This means that portions with different inherent extended length can be fitted and interchanged easily.

Figure 6 shows part of a device 3 10 formed according to a further aspect of the present invention. In this particular embodiment the foot 325 is pivotally connected to the arm portion 322. This means that the foot can be pivoted between a working position and a stowed/transport position. This, in combination with an articulated arm arrangement (which may include the possibility of pivoting so that arm portions are parallel) provides the possibility of a collapsible, flat-packable device.

Figures 7 to 9 show an additional component that I would like added please.

To accommodate differing rung pitches, a separate lifter or “step up” is provided which fits into the lower rung gusset and lifts, or extends, the spacing of the device, so 5 it will fit into ladders with a greater gap or pitch between rungs.

The drawings show a 30mm lift but this can be varying in size, depending on needs. This may be an optional extra supplied if required.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A ladder safety device for preventing bottom slippage, the device comprising a ladder engaging portion which can be braced between two ladder rungs to secure the device to a ladder, an arm which extends from the ladder engaging portion, and a foot provided at an end of the arm opposite the portion, the ladder engaging portion comprises a pair of opposed rung grips, the portion being movable between an extended position and a retracted position and being biased to the extended position so that the grips can be fitted between two adjacent ladder rungs, in which the spacing of the grips in the extended position can be adjusted to accommodate different rung spacing.

2. A device as claimed in claim I, in which the arm is articulated.

3. A device as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the portion is biased to the extended position by a spring loaded mechanism.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claims, in which the grips comprise brackets.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the grips are generally Usection.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the portion comprises a fixed member and a plunger member, each comprising a respective rung grip.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which the fixed member and the plunger member are separable and either or both can be replaced by members having a different length to change the bracket spacing in the extended position.

8. A device as claimed in claimed 6 or 7, in which the length of the fixed member and/or the plunger member is adjustable.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, in which the grip is rotatable to adjust the length of the member.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ladder engaging portion is removable from the arm such that a different portion with a different extended position length can be substituted therefor.

11. A ladder safety device for preventing bottom slippage, the device comprising: a ladder engaging portion which can be braced between two ladder rungs to secure the device to a ladder; an arm which extends from the ladder engaging portion; a ground engaging foot provided at one end of the arm, the foot being pivotable from a working position in which it is generally orthogonal to the arm and a stowed position in which it is generally parallel to the arm.

12. A device as claimed in claim I I, in which the foot is non-slip.

io

13. A ladder safety device for preventing bottom slippage, the device comprising a ladder engaging portion braceable between two adjacent ladder rungs to secure the device to a ladder, and an arm extending from the portion, the arm comprising a ground engaging foot, the portion comprising a pair of opposed rung brackets for

5 fitting between ladder rungs, in use the arm extends away from the portion towards a surface against which the ladder leans such that when weight is applied on the ladder forces which would otherwise cause bottom slippage are redirected through the foot.

14. A device as claimed in and of claims I to 10 in combination with a device of

10 claims II or 12 and/or a device according to claim 13.

15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a ladder.