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(11) | EP 0 173 385 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Store accessory for a step-ladder |
| (57) A store accessory for a step-ladder comprising a basic part (7) that can be slid
over the uprights (2) of a step-ladder (1) and that can rest upon widenings (4) of
the uprights (2), and an extension part (8) coupled or to be coupled to the basic
part (7) by hinge means and capable of being turned about a pivoting axis running
parallel to the plane through the uprights (2) between a position as when used (Fig.
1 a) and a position in which it abuts against the uprights (2). Preferably, the basic
part (7) and the extension part (8) can be connected in a detachable manner and in
or above a predetermined position relative to said widenings (4). |
[0001] The invention relates to a store accessory to be used for a step-ladder and having two parallel guide channels formed at the ends of a crosspiece which are suitable for step-ladder uprights to pass and be guided up to widenings formed at some distance from the extremities of the uprights of a step-ladder, the crosspiece being adapted to carry thereupon or storing therein objects.
[0002] German patent specification DE 2,536,329 discloses a store accessory of this type. In the known store accessory, the guide channels for the step-ladder uprights of concern form a single channel limited by the double-walled rear side, being open on the top and at the bottom, of a crosspiece in the form of a tray. In another embodiment of the known store accessory, intermediate parts of the double wall of the rear side of the crosspiece are formed against one another such that this embodiment is not suited to be used for a step-ladder having a bracket interconnecting the upper ends of the uprights.
[0003] The known store accessory has the drawback that it is not possible to properly put away a step-ladder jointly with the store accessory fitted thereon in a readily usable manner. Depending on the position of the step-ladder when stored, for example in a closet, the store accessory portion destined for keeping objects will dangerously project in the direction of the user, or will give the step-ladder a position which is unstable and/or takes up a lot of space. In order to avoid these problems, the store accessory could have small dimensions in a direction normal to the plane through the uprights of the step-ladder. This is undesirable, however, if the objects to be placed into or upon the store accessory are to be in a sufficiently large number or of a sufficiently large size.
[0005] To this end, the store accessory of the invention distinguishes itself from the known store accessory in that the crosspriece consists of a basic part and an extension part, the basic part comprising the guide channels and a coupling part interconnecting the channels said basic part and said extension part having such hinge means, which cooperate with one another and which have a pivoting axis running parallel to the plane through the uprights of the step-ladder, that the extension part can be swung between a position thereof for actual use of the extension part and a position in which it abuts against the step-ladder uprights. This affords the store accessory to have relatively small dimensions in a direction normal to the plane through the uprights of the step-ladder. When putting away a step-ladder having a store accessory fitted thereon, the extension part thereof can be turned up against the uprights of the step-ladder, so that itwill not form a dangerously projecting part, while taking up, togehter with the step-ladder, a little space. Nonetheless the store accessory can have, depending on the dimensions of the extension part in particular, a very large carrying surface for objects to be placed thereon.
[0006] Preferably, the pivoting means are suitable for coupling the extension part to the basic part in a detachable manner. This makes it possible to utilize only the basic part for keeping objects or to choose from several different extension parts each capable of being coupled to the same basic part in a detachable manner. The various extension parts can then be adapted to the shape of specific objects often emplyed by the user, such as containers and tools.
[0007] The pivoting means, the basic part and an extension part to be detachably connected to the basic part preferably are such that disconnecting the extension part from the basic part is prevented when the basic part rests on the widenings of the step-ladder uprights.
[0008] The invention is explained with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a portion of a step-ladder provided with a preferred embodiment of the store accessory according to the invention in a position as used;
Fig.1b is a side view of a portion of the step-ladder and the store accessory as per Fig.la in a position when not being used;
Figs. 2a-2b are perspective views of the manner in which a basic part of the store accessory of Fig.1 is used;
Fig.3 is a top view of the basic part of Fig.2;
Fig.4 is a cross-sectional view of the basic part taken along the line IV-IV of fig.3;
Fig.5 is a cross-sectional view of the basic part taken along the line V-V of Fig.3;
Fig.6 is a top view of the extension part to be connected to the basic part of the store accessory of Fig.1;
Fig.7 is a cross-sectional view of the extension part taken along the line VII-VII of Fig.6;
Fig.8 is a view partly in section of the coupling part of the extension part to the basic part of the store accessory as per Fig.1;
Fig.9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the basic part through the plane of symmetry of a sleeve of a basic part parallel to a plane as of cross-section in Fig.5;
Fig.10a, 10b are a side view and a front view, respectively, of the wedge shown in Fig.9;
Fig.11a, 11b, 11c are a side view, a front view and a bottom view, respectively, of another embodiment of an adjusting wedge;
Fig. 12 is cross-sectional view of the wedge show: in Fig.11 as taken along the line XII-XII, through the top of the wedge; and
Fig.13 is a view of a detail on an enlarged scale of the wedge shown in the figures 11 and 12.
[0009] The figures 1 and 2 show a portion of a step-ladder 1 having a pair of uprights 2 and another pair of uprights 3 fastened to the uprights 2 by means of hinges 4 at a distance from the upper extremities of the uprights 2. A number of steps, not shown, are fixed to the uprights 2. A platform 5 is hinged to both the pair of uprights 2 and the pair of uprights 3. This affords bringing the step-ladder from the collapsed position as shown in Fig.lb to the position when spread or being used as shown in Figs. 1a and 2a-2b. In the spread position the user can employ the platform 5 by way of uppermost step. Thus far, the platform 5 has also been used, however, for placing thereupon objects, such as tools, components and containers of materials to be used. Consequently, the step-ladder 1 is often used in an inefficient and unsafe manner.
[0010] In order to remove the drawbacks that have been occurring hitherto when employing the step-ladder 1, said step-ladder 1 as per Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with a store accessory according to the invention generally indicated by the reference numeral 6.
[0011] The store accessory 6 consists of a basic part 7 and a pivotable extension part 8 detachably connected to the basic part 7.
[0012] As seen in Fig.3, the basic part 7 comprises an oblong coupling part 9 and a pair of sleeves 10 provided with passage means 11 and fixed to the extremities of the coupling part 9. The spacing between the sleeves 10 and the dimension of each passage 11 parallel to the plane through the uprights 2 are so chosen as to afford the sleeves 10 to be slid over the upper portions of a pair of uprights 2 of a standardized step-ladder 1. The other, orthogonal dimension of the passages 11 is at least equal to the corresponding, non-standardized most frequently used dimension for the uprights 2.
[0013] As seen in Figs.1 and 2, the sleeves 10 have been slid so far over the upper portions of the uprights 2 that they are supported by the hinges 4. The coupling part 9 and the extension part 8 joined thereto then form a carrying part of the store accessory 6 for different objects to be placed therein or thereupon.
[0014] Since it may be desirable that the sleeves 10 cannot slide over the uprights 2 but with great resistance, and since it is often desirable for the carrying part 7, 8 to have a horizontal upper bearing surface, it is possible to insert an adjusting element, such as 12, in areas suitable therefor between the inner wall of a passage 11 and an upright 2. It is then possible to choose from different, conceivably wedge-shaped, adjusting elements 12 made in different sizes.
[0015] In addition, the sleeves 10 and the adjusting elements 12 may be provided with means suitable for ob-taining a snap connection between a sleeve 10 and an adjusting element 12 so that a long period of using safely the store accessory 6 can be ensured.
[0016] The coupling part 9 of the basic part 7, which can also be used in cooperation with the step-ladder 1 without the extension part 8 being added, may be provided with a recessed portion 13 and several openings 14, 15, 16 formed therein having raised edges, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The recessed portion 13 can be utilized for storing smaller components therein, thus preventing them from rolling off, and the openings 16 can be utilized for keeping tools therein.
[0017] Each of the extremities of the coupling part 9 is provided with a supporting part with a bearing face 17. At some distance above the bearing face 17 and at some distance from the side of the coupling part 9, to which the extension part 8 can be connected, there is provided a hinge bar 18, the longitudinal axis of which runs parallel to the plane through the uprights 2.
[0018] The bearing faces 17 and the hinge bars 18 at each of the extremities of the coupling part 9 enable the extension part 8 to be hinged to the basic part 7 in a detachable manner.
[0019] In the embodiment as shown, the extension part 8 has substantially the shape of a plate with a recessed area 19 wherein it is possible to place, for example, a bucket containing material to be used. As preferably the store accessory is made inexpensively of plastic and with thin walls, reinforcing ribs, such as 20, may be formed.
[0020] The extension part 8 has a pair of coupling pieces 21 each capable of engaging a hinge bar 18 of a basic part 7 and of resting on the pertinent bearing face 17 of the basic part 7. To this effect, in the embodiment of the store accessory 6 as shown, each coupling piece 21 is provided with three projecting plate members 22, the bottom part of the respective extremities of which is rounded and the upper parts of which have a bearing 23 formed therein for the hinge bars 18 of the basic part 7.
[0021] These features afford inserting the coupling pieces 21 of the extension part 8 in an inclined position relative to the basic part 7, in which case, after turning the extension part 8 with respect to the basic part 7, the bars 18 are received into the bearings 23 and the lower edges of the plate members 22 are supported on the bearing faces 17.
[0022] Inserting the coupling pieces 21 into the basic part 7 or removing same from the basic part 7 can only be effected if, for the extension part 8 to be able to reach said inclined position, it is not blocked by parts of the step-ladder 1. To this end, in the embodiment as shown, the basic part 7 must have been slid in an upward position. The bars 18 have lower stop edges 24 cooperating with flexible lips 25 provided in the bearings 23. The bars 24 and the bearings 23 are also provided with cams 27 and 28, respectively. The stop edges 24, the lips 25 and the cams 27 and 28 are provided so as to enable the extension part 8 to be securely locked onto the basic part 7.
[0023] Fig.8 partly shows the store accessory 6 as viewed in the direction indicated by IV-IV in Fig.3. Said figure provides a view of the support of the basic part 7 and of the manner in which an adjusting piece 12 is used. A container 29, shown partly and in section, is placed on the bottom of the recess 19 of the extension part 8.
[0024] Fig.9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a sleeve 10' of another embodiment 7' of the basic part. The plane of the cross-section shown in Fig.9 runs parallel to the plane of cross-section of the basic part 7 shown in Fig.5 , but centrally between the pair of cams 27 of the hinge bar 18 concerned. In the guide channel or passage 11 formed by the sleeve 10', a wall 30 is formed which is inclined with respect to the plane through the uprights 2 of the step-ladder 1 and which centrally has a vertical groove 31. An adjusting element formed by a wedge 32 constituting an alternative to the adjusting element 12 has a rib 33 which can be received into the groove 31, so that the wedge 32 can slide roughly in vertical direction into and out of the guide channel 14. Thus, the basic part 10' suitable to be used for different step-ladders 1 with different thicknesses of the uprights 2 perpendicular to the plane through the uprights. In use the bottom part of the wedge 32 can rest on the corresponding hinge 4 of the step-ladder 1.
[0026] In the embodiment as shown the wedge 34 comprises a number of partial wedges 34a, 34b, 34c..... which each have a corresponding rib 35a, 35b, 35c....., respectively, and which are interconnected by means of tear strips or breaking edges 36a, 36b ..... which can be broken by the user, so that the user can utilize a portion of the original undivided wedge 34.
[0027] As is especially apparent from Figs. 11b and 11c, the ribs 35a, 35b, 35c..... have a trapezoidal cross section, the short side of which coincides with the corresponding plane of the partial wedge 34a, 34b, 34c...... Preferably, the groove 31 of the inclined wall 30 of the basic part 7' then has correspondingly inclined walls abutting against the rib 35 concerned. In this manner, the wedge 34 can be used easily in conjunction with the basic part 7', thus practically preventing it from getting lost, and not getting tilt within the guide channel 11.
[0028] It is to be noted that, within the scope of the invention, many modifications made in the embodiment of the store accessory as shown in the figures are possible. Both the basic part 7 and the extension part 8 can be adapted to specific objects to be placed therein or thereupon. The basic part 7 can be selected from several different basic parts and the extension part 8 can be selected from several different extension parts 8.
[0029] The principal advantages of the store accessory according to the invention are that by using same the step-ladder can be safely employed in an efficient manner. The safety aspect applies to both the user and to protecting objects from falling down. The store accessory can be slid on practically any standardized ladder without the aid of tools. Even if provided with a pivotable extension part 8, it takes up just a little extra space when the ladder is not being used.
1. A store accessory adapted for a step-ladder and having two parallel guide channels
formed at the ends of a crosspiece which are suitable for the step-ladder uprights
to pass and be guided up to widenings formed at some distance from the extremities
of the uprights of a step-ladder, the crosspiece being adapted to carry thereupon
or storing therein objects, characterized in that the crosspiece consists of a basic
part (7) and an extension part (8), the basic part (7) comprising the guide channels
(11) and a coupling part (9) interconnecting the channels (11), said basic part (7)
and said extension part (8) having such hinge means (17, 18; 22-28), which cooperate
with one another and which have a pivoting axis running parallel to the plane through
the uprights (2) of the step-ladder (1), that the extension part (8) can be swung
between a position thereof for actual use of the extension part (8) (Fig.1a) and a
position (Fig.1b) in which it abuts against the step-ladder uprights (2).
2. A store accessory for a step-ladder according to claim 1, characterized in that
the hinge means (17, 18; 22-28) are suitable for coupling the extension part (8) to
the basic part (7) in a detachable manner.
3. A store accessory for a step-ladder according to claim 2, characterized in that
the hinge means have a pivoting axis formed at such a distance from the step-ladder
uprights (2) and such stop means (17 and 22) of the basic part (7) and of the extension
part (8), respectively, the stop means (22) of the extension part (8) being, when
the extension part (8) is in the position for actual use thereof, supported on the
stop means (17) of the basic part (7), that the parts (7, 8) cannot be detachably
connected but when in a position wherein the basic part (7) is at a minimal distance
from the widenings (4) of the step-ladder uprights (2).
4. A store accessory for a step-ladder according to claim 1, characterized in that
each guide channel is formed by a sleeve (10) having a substantially open side facing
the other sleeve (10), thus affording the basic part (7) to be pushed over a bracket
of the step-ladder (1) interconnecting the extremities of the step-ladder uprights.
5. A store accessory for a step-ladder according to claim 1, characterized in that
the dimension of a guide channel is adjustable in a direction normal to the plane
through the step-ladder uprights (2) by means of an adjusting element (12; 40; 50).
6. A store accessory for a step-ladder according to claim 5, characterized in that,
at the end of the guide channel to be supported by a widening (4) of a step-ladder
upright, the guide channel has a wall (30) so inclined that the channel diverges in
the direction of the widening (4) and in that the adjusting element is formed by a
wedge (32; 34).
7. A store accessory for a step-ladder according to claim 6, characterized in that
the wedge (32; 34) has a rib (33; 35) and the inclined wall (30) has such a groove
(31) for guiding the rib (33; 35) that the wedge (32, 34) can slide along the corresponding
step-ladder upright (2).
8. A store accessory for a step-ladder according to claim 6, characterized in that
the wedge (34) comprises a number of partial wedges (34a, 34b.....) interconnected
by means of breaking rims (36a,.....).