GB2341881A

GB2341881A - Staircase ladder platform

Info

Publication number: GB2341881A
Application number: GB9819813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Tilley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-12
Filing date: 1998-09-12
Publication date: 2000-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-12
Also published as: GB9819813D0; GB2341881B

Abstract

A ladder platform unit for use on a staircase. The unit comprises a body (14) having a stepped formation (20) to rest on a staircase, and a platform (10) which extends horizontally when the unit is positioned with its stepped formation resting on a staircase. The unit can be positioned at a desired height on the staircase, and can be fixed to the staircase with fixing screws inserted through the unit. The platform (10) incorporates upstanding elements (10b) and recesses (10c) as means for the location of the foot of a ladder. The unit can also be positioned with feet (24) placed on the ground such that the unit can be used as a set of steps.

Description

2341881 Ladder supportinq unit The present invention relates to a unit for

supporting a ladder when working on a stairway.

often the ceiling above a stairway is very high and can only be reached using an extending ladder or building scaffolding or a similar support structure. It is difficult to secure a ladder safely on a stairway and time consuming and costly to build scaffolding or the like.

I have now devised a unit which is of simple construction and is easy to use, and provides effective and safe support for a ladder when working on a stairway.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ladder support unit for use on a stairway, the support unit comprising a body having a stepped formation for resting on a set of stairs, and a platform which extends horizontally when the unit is positioned with its stepped formation rested on the set of stairs. In use therefore, the unit is simply positioned at a required level on the stairs and the ladder is stood on the platform of the unit. 20 Preferably the unit is fixed to the stairs. For this purpose, one or more fixing screws may be provided, for inserting through the unit and into the stairs. Preferably the platform of the unit is provided with means for locating the bottom end of the ladder. For example, the platform may be provided with one or more recesses into which the bottom end of the ladder locates, and/or one or more upstanding elements against which the bottom end of the ladder nay abut. Preferably the locating means are arranged for the ladder when aligned lengthwise of the stairs, either directed up the stairs or in the opposite direction. Preferably the locating means are also arranged for the ladder when aligned sidewardly.

Preferably the unit may be oriented so that its stepped formation enables it to be used as a set of steps. Preferably the unit is provided with feet for resting it on the ground. Preferably the feet are provided on an end wall of the unit 2 which is perpendicular to the ladder-supporting platform of the unit.

Preferably the unit comprises two end walls or panels (one forming the platform of the unit) at right angles to each other, the stepped formation extending between the outer ends of these two walls or panels. Preferably the stepped formation comprises a succession of alternating horizontal and vertical panels. Preferably the unit further comprises a pair or opposite side panels between which the end panels and the panels of the stepped formation extend.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a ladder supporting unit in accordance with the present invention and shown oriented for use on stairs; FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the ladder supporting unit when oriented for use on stairs; FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the ladder supporting unit shown in Figures 1 and 2; FIGURE 4 is an elevation of an end face of the ladder supporting unit; and FIGURE 5 is a side elevation of the unit when oriented for use as a set of steps.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a unit for supporting a ladder when working on stairs.

The unit is of hollow construction, comprising two end walls or panels, 10, 12 at right angles to each other, two side walls or panels (one shown at 14) each having two edges at right angles to each other, the end walls 10, 12 extending between the corresponding edges of the two side walls. Each side wall is formed with a step"profile and a series of panels e.g. 20 extend between the two side walls to create a set of steps (four steps in the example shown) extending between the outer edges of the end walls 10, 12.

The unit is accordingly arranged so that, when oriented as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it may be positioned on a stairway, with its wall or panel 10 uppermost and horizontal to provide a platform. Preferably the unit is secured in 3 position by passing two screws 22 downwardly through the wall 10 and the first step of the unit, and engaging these screws tightly into the underlying step of the stairway.

The wall 10 comprises an upstanding peripheral frame 10a and two upstanding strips lob extending in the direction of the stairway. The wall 10 is also formed with a number of rectangular recesses 10c, arranged as a first series disposed between and spaced apart along the length of the two strips lob, and second and third series similarly spaced apart but disposed between the respective strips lob and the adjacent run of the peripheral frame 10a.

The ladder may be rested on the top of the wall 10 of the unit, either to extend in line with the stairs, or to extend sidewardly of the stairs. In the first case, the bottom ends of the two stiles of the ladder are located into any selected adjacent pair of the recesses 10c. In the second case, the bottom ends of the two sides of the ladder are located against one of the upstanding strips lob or against one of the members of the peripheral frame.

The end wall 12 of the unit is provided with four feet 24, one adjacent each corner as shown in Figure 4. This facilitates use of the unit as a set of steps, the nit being oriented as shown in Figure 5 with its wall 12 lowermost and standing on the floor via its feet 24.

4

Claims

1) A ladder support unit for use on a stairway,the support unit comprising a body having a stepped formation for resting on a set of stairs, and a platform which extends horizontally when the unit is positioned with its stepped formation rested on the set of stairs.

2) A ladder support unit as claimed in Claim 1, arranged to be fixed to the stairs.

3) A ladder support unit as claimed in Claim 2, arranged such that one or more fixing screws may be inserted through the unit and into the stairs.

4) A ladder support unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the platform of the unit is provided with means for locating the bottom end of the ladder.

is 5) A ladder support unit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the locating means comprise one or more recesses into which the bottom end of the ladder locates.

6) A ladder support unit as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the locating means comprise one or more upstanding elements against which the bottom end of the ladder abuts.

7) A ladder support unit as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the locating means are arranged to locate a ladder aligned lengthwise of the stairs.

8) A ladder support unit as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the locating means are arranged to locate a ladder aligned sidewardly of the stairs.

9) A ladder support unit as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged to be oriented for its stepped formation to be used as a set of steps.

10) A ladder support unit as claimed in any preceding 5 claim, provided with feet for resting the unit on the ground.

11) A ladder support unit as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the feet are provided on an end wall of the unit which is perpendicular to the laddersupporting platform of the unit.

12) A ladder support unit as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising two end walls or panels (one forming the platform of the unit) at right angles to each other, the stepped formation extending between the outer ends of these two walls or panels.

13) A ladder support unit as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the stepped formation comprises a succession of alternating horizontal and vertical panels.

14) A ladder support unit as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, comprising a pair of opposite side panels between which the end panels and the panels of the stepped formation extend.

15) A ladder support unit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.