GB2090898A

GB2090898A - Ladder stay

Info

Publication number: GB2090898A
Application number: GB8100713A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Burton Wire & Tube Co Ltd
Current assignee: Burton Wire & Tube Co Ltd
Priority date: 1981-01-10
Filing date: 1981-01-10
Publication date: 1982-07-21

Abstract

A ladder stay has an extruded plate member (10) mounting, on a flange (12), a spacer (18) of a tubular section extrusion. The leg parts (26) of the spacer (18) mount an angle section brace (30) and the stay is attached to a ladder by embracing a rung with U-shaped clamps (14) which are releasably connected to the plate member (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to ladder stays This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to stays for free standing ladders, and is particularly concerned with stays which can be removably mounted on such ladders.

According to the present invention there is provided a ladder stay, comprising support means, means for releasably clamping the support means on the ladder, and spacer means provided on the support means to one side of the clamping means and extending angularly outwardly relative to one face of the support means, whereby in use to engage against a fixture and space the ladder therefrom.

Preferably, the support means comprises an extruded plate member and the spacer means comprises an extruded elongate member having a central part mounted on the plate member and leg parts splayed outwardly from respective ends of the central mounting part.

Preferably also the clamping means comprises a pair of U-shaped clamps having free ends extending through apertures in the plate member from the face thereof remote from the spacer means, securing nuts being provided in engagement with the free ends whereby a rung of a ladder can be embraced by the U-shaped clamps.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder stay according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the ladder stay of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the ladder stay.

Referring to the drawings, a ladder stay or stabiliser comprises support means in the form of a plate member 10, preferably formed of extruded aluminium alloy section, and having an angled flange 1 2 formed along one side edge. The plate member 10 releasably mounts a pair of U-shaped clamps 14, each of the latter having its free ends engageable through holes in the plate member 10, the free ends being threaded to be engageable by lock nuts 1 6.

A spacer 1 8 is mounted on the flange 12, and the latter extends in a plane which is angled relative to the plane of the plate member 10 such that the spacer 1 8 extends laterally outwardly and upwardly from the plate member 10 relative to the in-use position thereof. The spacer 18 is preferably formed of extruded aluminium alloy tube having a square section, and defines a central part 20 having through holes adapted to receive bolts 22 extending through aligned holes in the flange 12 and engageable with lock nuts 24. Leg parts 26 are splayed outwardly from the ends of the central part 20 and each leg part 26 has a rubber stop 28 on its free end.A brace 30 extends between the leg parts 26 and comprises an angle section preferably formed of aluminium alloy and connected at each end to the respective leg part 26 by means of a bolt 32 extending through aligned holes in the brace 30 and the respective leg part 26 and engaging with a lock nut 34.

In use, the U-clamps 14 are released from the plate member 10 and embrace a rung 36 of a ladder (Fig. 3). The clamps 14 are then engaged through the holes provided in the plate member 10 from the side thereof remote from the spacer 18 and the nuts 1 6 are tightened on the free ends of the clamps 14 to clamp the plate member 10 against the ladder. In this condition, the stay 1 8 rests against a fixture such as a wall to space the ladder therefrom. This arrangement stabilises the ladder, provides a comfortable working position for the user of the ladder, and provides good access to the surface of the fixture.

The construction of the ladder stay from extruded sections involves a straightforward manufacturing process resulting in a stay which is relatively simple and therefore inexpensive to manufacture.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the extrusions may be of different cross-section and may be formed of other suitable material.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether to not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

1. A ladder attachment comprising support means, means for releasably clamping the support means on the ladder and spacer means provided on the support means and extending angularly outwardly relative to one face thereof, whereby in use to engage against a fixture and space the ladder therefrom, the support means and the spacer means being formed from extruded components.

2. A ladder attachment according to claim 1, wherein the support means comprises one extruded plate member, and the spacer means comprises an extruded elongate member.

3. A ladder attachment according to claim 2, wherein the elongate member has a central part mounted on the plate member and leg parts splayed outwardly from respective ends of the central part.

4. A ladder attachment according to claim 3, wherein a brace extends between the leg parts.

5. A ladder attachment according to claim 4, wherein the brace is formed of an angle section.

6. A ladder attachment according to claim 5, wherein the angle section is formed of aluminium alloy.

7. A ladder attachment according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the plate member has an

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to ladder stays This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to stays for free standing ladders, and is particularly concerned with stays which can be removably mounted on such ladders. According to the present invention there is provided a ladder stay, comprising support means, means for releasably clamping the support means on the ladder, and spacer means provided on the support means to one side of the clamping means and extending angularly outwardly relative to one face of the support means, whereby in use to engage against a fixture and space the ladder therefrom. Preferably, the support means comprises an extruded plate member and the spacer means comprises an extruded elongate member having a central part mounted on the plate member and leg parts splayed outwardly from respective ends of the central mounting part. Preferably also the clamping means comprises a pair of U-shaped clamps having free ends extending through apertures in the plate member from the face thereof remote from the spacer means, securing nuts being provided in engagement with the free ends whereby a rung of a ladder can be embraced by the U-shaped clamps. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder stay according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the ladder stay of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the ladder stay. Referring to the drawings, a ladder stay or stabiliser comprises support means in the form of a plate member 10, preferably formed of extruded aluminium alloy section, and having an angled flange 1 2 formed along one side edge. The plate member 10 releasably mounts a pair of U-shaped clamps 14, each of the latter having its free ends engageable through holes in the plate member 10, the free ends being threaded to be engageable by lock nuts 1 6. A spacer 1 8 is mounted on the flange 12, and the latter extends in a plane which is angled relative to the plane of the plate member 10 such that the spacer 1 8 extends laterally outwardly and upwardly from the plate member 10 relative to the in-use position thereof. The spacer 18 is preferably formed of extruded aluminium alloy tube having a square section, and defines a central part 20 having through holes adapted to receive bolts 22 extending through aligned holes in the flange 12 and engageable with lock nuts 24. Leg parts 26 are splayed outwardly from the ends of the central part 20 and each leg part 26 has a rubber stop 28 on its free end.A brace 30 extends between the leg parts 26 and comprises an angle section preferably formed of aluminium alloy and connected at each end to the respective leg part 26 by means of a bolt 32 extending through aligned holes in the brace 30 and the respective leg part 26 and engaging with a lock nut 34. In use, the U-clamps 14 are released from the plate member 10 and embrace a rung 36 of a ladder (Fig. 3). The clamps 14 are then engaged through the holes provided in the plate member 10 from the side thereof remote from the spacer 18 and the nuts 1 6 are tightened on the free ends of the clamps 14 to clamp the plate member 10 against the ladder. In this condition, the stay 1 8 rests against a fixture such as a wall to space the ladder therefrom. This arrangement stabilises the ladder, provides a comfortable working position for the user of the ladder, and provides good access to the surface of the fixture. The construction of the ladder stay from extruded sections involves a straightforward manufacturing process resulting in a stay which is relatively simple and therefore inexpensive to manufacture. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the extrusions may be of different cross-section and may be formed of other suitable material. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether to not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. CLAIMS

7. A ladder attachment according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the plate member has an angled flange along one side, on which is mounted the central part of the elongate member.

8. A ladder attachment according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the clamping means comprises a pair of U-shaped clamps having free ends extending through apertures in the plate member from the face thereof remote from the spacer means, securing nuts being provided in engagement with the free ends whereby a rung of a ladder can be embraced by the U-shaped clamps.

9. A ladder attachment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support means is formed of extruded aluminium alloy section.

1 0. A ladder attachment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer means is formed of extruded aluminium tube.

1 A ladder attachment according to claim 10, wherein the tube is of square cross-section.

12. A ladder attachment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.