GB2188083A - Ladder attachments - Google Patents

Abstract

The ladder has a pair of shoes (16, 18), each shoe (16, 18) being slidably coupled to the foot of a corresponding stile (2,4). A nut and bolt assembly (26) locks each shoe (16, 18) to its foot in a plurality of different positions to extend the length of each foot by different amounts. Pivotal support pads (8, 20) are provided at the upper ends of the stiles (2, 4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ladders The present invention relates to ladders.

With existing ladders there area number of disadvantages. Because the legs of existing ladders are of equal length it is difficu It to use a ladder on sloping ground or an area where there are steps.

Generally to use a ladder in such environments a block or wedge must be used to bring the lower extremities ofthe ladder into a common horizontal plane. Unless properly secured such blocks orwedges make the latter unstable and therefore hazardous to climb.

Also with conventional ladders when the upper ends are madeto rest on a smooth wall surface there isa gravedangerthatthe laddercan slip sideways unless special measures are taken to secure the ladder against such displacement.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ladder According to the invention there is provided a ladder comprising a pairofelongatesupportmem- bers, a plurality of rungs extending between the support members to hold the support members in spaced parallel relationship, a pair of shoes, each shoe being slidably coupled to the foot of a corresponding elongate member, and means for locking each shoe to its foot in a plurality of different positions to extend the length of each foot by different amounts. Advantageously each shoe comprises an elongate sleeve provided with an axial slot to accommodate the rungs of the ladder.

The locking means may comprise a nut and bolt assembly or a rod and cotter pin assembly.

Preferably a support pad is provided on each elongate support member at a location remote from the foot.

Advantageously each support member comprises an elongate pad with a bearing surface having a high coefficient of friction.

Preferably each pad is pivotally mounted on a corresponding support member and the ladder including detent means for locating the pad in two mutually perpendicular attitudes, one attitude being that in which the axis ofthe pad extends parallel to the axis of the support member and the other attitude being that in which the axis ofthe pad extends perpendicularto that of the support member.

The pad maybe lined with a layer of rubber.

A ladder embodying the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa front elevation of a ladder mounted on stairs and leaning against a wall; Figure 2 is a cross-section of a lower portion of the ladderof Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a lower portion ofthe ladder of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view ofthe ladder of Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1 a ladder has two upright support members 2 and 4 held in spaced parallel relationship by a plurality of vertica Ily spaced rungs 6 which extend between the support members 2 and 4.

Slidable coupled to the foot of each support member 2 and 4 is a respective shoe 16 and 18. Each shoe 16 and 18 is in the form of an elongate sleeve having an axia I ly extending slot (16A & 18A see Fig u re 2)to accommodate the passage of the rungs 6 as the sleeve is displaced up and down its corresponding support member.

As can be seen from Figure 2 each sleeve is imprisoned on its support member by virtue of its cross-sectional profile, although it is free to slide axially of its support member.

The sleeve l8andthe foot of its support member4 (see Figure 3) is provided with a series of axially spaced through holes 4A and 18B. By means of a nut and bolt assembly 26, the shoe 18 can be locked to the footofthe support member4 in any one of a plurality of discrete positions. These discrete positions are defined by the different positions in which the holes 18B can be alignedwiththe holes 4A.

Thus as can be seen in Figure 1 thefoot of each support member2 and 4can be extended to different Iengthstoallowtheladderto bestablysupportedona staircase 10.

The base of each shoe 16 and 18 is provided with a rubber heel 30 which can be a push-fit into the open bottom of the shoe.

Instead of a nutand bolt assembly 26 a rod and cotter pin or any otherform of easy release fastening can beusedtolocktheshoetothefoot.

Support pads 8 and 20 are provided at the upper end of a respective one of the support members 2 and 4.

Each support pad (see Figure 4) comprises an elongate metal bar 32 having a screw threaded stub shaft 36 projecting centrally from one face thereof.

The opposite face of the bar 32 is lined with a layer 34 ofrubberorsimilarnon-slip material. The stub shaft 36 is arranged to engage a through hole in the upper end ofthe support member 2 and to be secured to the support member 2 by a screwthreaded nut 38. A spring washer (not shown) is located between the nut 38 and the support member 32 to allow the barto rotate about the axis of the stub shaft 36. The mating surfaces ofthe bar32 and the support member are profiled to provide two detent positions one in which the axis of the bar 32 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of support member 2 and another in which the axis ofthe bar 32 extends perpendicularto the longitudinal axis ofthe support member.

When the ladder is stored and out of use the pads 8 and 20 are turned into a position in which they are aligned with their respective support members 2 and 4.

When the ladder is to be used with the upper end resting onthewall 12, the pads 8 and 20 are turned through 90 (see Figure 1). In this position they ensure thattheupperendofthe laddersecurelygripsthewall and provides significant resistance to displacement of the upper end oftheladderacrossthewall.

In a modification the stub shaft 36 is connected to the bar32 byaball and socketcouplingtoensurethat whatever angle the ladder makes with the wall the rubber layer 34 will always lie flat against the wall.

Claims (8)

1. Aladdercomprising a pair of elongate support members, a plurality of rungs extending between the supportmembersto hold the support members in spaced parallel relationship, a pair of shoes, each shoe being slidablycoupledto the foot of a corresponding elongate support member, and means for locking each shoe to its foot in a plurality of different positions to extendthe length of each foot by different amounts.

2. A ladder according to Claim 1 wherein each shoe comprises an elongate sleeve provided with an axial slot to accommodate the rungs of the ladder.

3. A ladder according to Claim 1 orto Claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a nut and bolt assembly.

4. A ladderaccording to Claim 1 orto Claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a rod and cotter pin assembly.

5. A ladder according to any preceding claim, including a support pad provided on each elongate support member at a location remote from the foot.

6. A ladder according to any preceding claim wherein each support member comprises an elongate pad with a bearing surface having a high coefficient of friction.

7. A ladder according to Claim 6 wherein each pad is pivotally mounted on a corresponding support member and the ladder includes detent means for locating the pad in two mutually perpendicular attitudes, one attitude being that in which the axis of the pad extends parallel to the axis of the support member and the other attitude being that in which the axis ofthe pad extends perpendicular to that ofthe support member.

8. A ladder according to Claim 6 orto Claim 7 wherein the pad is lined with a layer of rubber.

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