GB2501244A

GB2501244A - Ladder platform

Info

Publication number: GB2501244A
Application number: GB1205413.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Leahy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-28
Filing date: 2012-03-28
Publication date: 2013-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-28
Also published as: GB201205413D0; GB2501244B

Abstract

A support member for a ladder includes a horizontal platform 1 and a backing member (3, fig 1), which projects downwardly from the rear margin of the platform. The backing member includes a surface inclined from the platform surface that, preferably, supports the platform horizontally when the ladder is at the correct angle to the ground. Two extendable straps 11 are connected one to each side of the backing member and, in use, pass through respective holes (15, 17, fig 1) formed in the backing member and around each ladder rail 9. Preferably, one of these holes being located towards the upper margin of the backing member and the other hole is positioned towards the lower margin of the backing member.

Description

SECURE PLATFORM FOR A LADDER

Field of invention

This invention relates to a support member for a ladder. More especially, the invention relates to a support member on which a user of a ladder can stand and which can speedily and he attached to one or a pair of rails of a wide range of ladders to provide a safe and secure support for a user of a ladder.

Baokground to the invention As is well known by anyone who has had occasion to use a ladder, standing on a ladder rung while, for example, painting a wall surface is uncomfortable because of the narrow width of a ladder rung, and can also be dangerous because of this limited area of support.

To overcome this and other problems associated with the use of ladders, various types of platform have been proposed which permit a person working on a ladder to stand without the discomfort referred to above. Examples of such ladder platforms are described in US Patents 3078950, 4482030, 5056620, 255270, 3294197, 5779208 and 6098748. These platforms suffer from numerous disadvantages including an inability to be used for different species of ladders, difficult and time consuming to fit and, in some cases, are insecure in use.

The present invention sets out to provide a support platform for a ladder which overcomes these and other disadvantages.

Statement of invention

In one aspect, the invention provides a support member for a ladder, the support member comprising a generally horizontal platform of a length of at least 9 inches, and a backing member which projects downwardly from the rear margin of the platform and includes at least one inclined surface which, in usc of thc laddcr, engages ooposcd surfaccs of the ladder rails when the ladder is inclined at a correct angle to the ground, and a pair of extendable straps connected one to each side of the backing member and which, in use, each pass from a clasp located on uhe downwardly projecting face of the backing member, through a hole formed in the backing member and around each ladder rail before returning to the clasp, one of these holes being located towards the upper margin of the backing member and the other hole being positioned towards the lower margin of the backing member.

Slots are preferably formed one in each side of the backing member to receive the straps as they return to their respective clasps.

Preferably the support member is formed as a single moulding by an injection moulding technique.

In another aspect, the invention provides a support member for a ladder which comprises a generally horizontal support surface and a backing member which projects downwardly from the rear margin of the support member and is inclined on its rear surface and includes two holes one positioned to one side of the backing member and the other positioned to the other side of the backing member and above the said one hole, and a pair of straps of adjustable length connected to the backing member, one adjacent to one of the two holes.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a rear view of a support member in accordance with the invention secured to the rails of a ladder; Figure 2 is a side view of the support member illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view of the support member supported by two rails of an extendable ladder.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The illustrated support member comprises a generally horizontal platform 1 and a downwardly backing member 3 preferably formed as a single piece by an injection moulding process. As will be seen from Figure 2, the platform 1 extends beyond a ladder rung 5 on which it is supported in use to provide adequate support for a user of the ladder. The length of the platform is at least 9 inches and may be as long as a foot.

The upper surface of the platform may be plain, corrugated or recesses to received padding.

The member 3 is generally wedge shaped and includes inner faces 7 which engage the front edges of the ladder rails 9.

These faces 7 are inclined at an angle of between 70 and 80 degrees and preferably 75 degrees, this being the angle recommended by the Health and Safety at Work Authority. This ensures that when a ladder is inclined at the correct angle to the ground, the inner faces 7 will be fully engaged with the opposed surfaces of the ladder rails.

Straps 11 of adjustable lengths are provided to attach the support member to the ladder rails. The straps are each attached to a releasable clasp 13 and pass tc the rear cf the backing member 3 through openings 15, 17 formed in the member 3. As will be seen from Figure 1, the opening 15 is positioned towards the upper margin of the member 3 and the opening 17 towards the lower margin of the member 3. The openings 15, 17 are also located at near to opposite sides of the back member 3. Location of the straps in this way prevents the platform tilting or moving relative to the ladder rails, thereby enhancing the safety of a user of the support member.

The straps pass around the ladder rails 9 and return to the rear face of the backing member via slots 19 formed in the sides of the backing member located adjacent to the clasps 13.

These slots prevent mcvement of the straps relative to the sides of the backing member in use.

As will be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the adjustable straps enable the support member to be secured to either a single rail or a pair of rails of an extendable ladder.

Also, as can be seen from Figure 3, the length of the platform 1 allows a grown person to stand on the platform 1 during use with plenty of space and comfort, without the user's ankles being plaoed right against the rungs of the ladder.

It will be appreoiated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of support members for ladders and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

CLATMS1. A support member for a ladder, the support member comprising a generally horizontal platform of a length of at least 9 inches, and a backing member which projects downwardly from the rear margin of the platform and includes at least one inclined surface which, in use of the ladder, engages opposed surfaces of the ladder rails when the ladder is inclined at a correct angle to the ground, and a pair of extendable straps connected one to each side of the backing member and which, in use, each pass from a clasp located on the downwardly projecting face of the backing member, through a hole formed in the backing member and around each ladder rail before returning to the clasp, one of these holes being located towards the upper margin of the backing member and the other hole being positioned towards the lower margin of the backing member.
2. A support member as claimed in claim 1 wherein slots are formed one in each side of the backing member to receive the straps as they return to their respective clasps.
3. A support member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one inclined surface of the backing member is inclined at an angle of between 70 and 80 degrees.
4. A support member as claimed in claim 3 wherein the angle of inclination is 75 degrees.
5. A support member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the support member is formed as a single moulding by an injection moulding technigue.
6. A support member for a ladder which comprises a generally horizontal support surface and a backing member which projects downwardly from the rear margin of the support member and is inclined on its rear surface and includes two holes one positioned to one side of the backing member and the other positioned to the other side of the backing member and above the said one hole, and a pair of straps of adjustable length connected to the backing member, one adjacent to one of the two holes.
7. A support member for a ladder as herein described and as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.