Climbing construction having at least one step element with a security mark

Abstract

 Climbing structure (1A) comprising a number of step-up elements (3) which in a position of the structure ready for use run horizontally above one another, in which at least one of the higher step-up (4A) elements has a marking which distinguishes the element with the marking so clearly from other step-up elements that a user climbing the structure in the position ready for use during normal use discerns the step-up element with the marking on reaching a maximum permissible climbing height.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a climbing structure comprising a number of step-up elements which in a position of the structure ready for use run horizontally above one another.

[0002] The climbing structure can be a ladder, stepladder, scaffolding etc.

[0003] Because it often happens in practice that a user of a climbing structure climbs too high on the structure, which can give rise to a dangerous situation, the object of the invention is to make such a modification to the known climbing structure that the user is always warned about it on reaching the maximum permissible climbing height.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention for the climbing structure mentioned in the introduction in that at least one of the higher step-up elements has a marking which distinguishes the element with the marking so clearly from other step-up elements that a user climbing the structure in the position ready for use during normal use discerns the step-up element with the marking on reaching a maximum permissible climbing height.

[0005] Because the step-up element with the marking forms part of the climbing structure, each time the user reaches the maximum permissible climbing height his attention will be drawn to it by the marking. The marking can be such that it can be discerned visually and tangibly by the user.

[0006] The marking can be provided along the entire length of a step-up element or only along a part thereof.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least the one step-up element with the marking is the step-up element which the user sees in front of him on reaching the maximum climbing height. The position of this step-up element can then essentially be selected irrespective of the height of different users.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment, the marking is of a shape which differs from a shape of step-up elements without marking. The user can notice this different shape and thereby be alerted on reaching the maximum permissible climbing height. The marking can be made of relatively wear-resistant material and can be integral with the corresponding step-up element.

[0009] According to another advantageous embodiment, the marking comprises a coating with a colour which contrasts with the colour of step-up elements without marking. A marking of this type is simple and cheap to provide.

[0010] The marking can comprise a covering which is provided around at least a part of the corresponding step-up element. The covering can be, for example, a piece of hose which is pushed essentially without play over the step-up element, or can be, for example, a part which is fixed by means of a snap connection to the step-up element.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the step-up element with the marking is an element of a group of successive step-up elements with a marking.

[0012] In the embodiment in which a step-up element with a marking differs in shape from other step-up elements it is advantageous if the differing shape is such that it feels less pleasant for the user to stand on it than when he stands on other step-up elements. The at least one step-up element with the marking is then preferably the element following directly above the highest element on which the user may stand. The user will thereby be induced to stand on another step and with a suitable choice of the position of the at least one step-up element he will then tend to opt for a lower rather than a higher step.

[0013] The invention is explained with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

Figs. 1a, 1b and 1c show three embodiments of a climbing structure according to the invention formed by a ladder;

Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c show cross-sections of embodiments of a step-up element formed by a rung with a marking which are suitable for use in the ladder of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a part of a climbing structure according to the invention formed by a stepladder; and

Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c show cross-sections of embodiments of a step-up element formed by a step with a marking which are suitable for use in the stepladder of Fig. 3.

[0014] Figures 1a, 1b and 1c each show a ladder 1a, 1b and 1c respectively, forming a climbing structure according to the invention, comprising two parallel uprights 2 which are connected to each other by means of rungs 3 running parallel to each other and at right angles to the uprights 2. Some of the rungs 3 have according to the invention a marking such as the rung 4a in Fig. 1a, the rung 4b in Fig. 1b, and the rungs 4c and 4d in Fig. 1c. In Fig. 1 the rungs with a marking are shown in black.

[0015] The rungs 4a to 4d can be marked simply and cheaply by means of a coating applied to them in a colour which contrasts with the colour of the other rungs 3. The coating can be a coat of paint 5 or a covering 6, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b respectively.

[0016] The rung with a marking 4a selected for the ladder 1a of Fig. 1a is a rung 3 which a user during normal climbing of the ladder 1a sees in front of him on reaching the maximum permissible climbing height.

[0017] Rung 4c of the ladder 1c of Fig. 1c corresponds to rung 4a of the ladder 1a. The rung 4c of the ladder 1c and the rung 4d lying directly below it can have a coating of the same colour or of different colours, for example red and orange respectively.

[0018] The rungs with a marking 4a to 4d, instead of a different colour or in addition to a different colour from the rungs 3 without marking, can be of such different shape that the user sees this different shape ahead of him on reaching the maximum permissible climbing height, in particular for ladders 1a and 1c, or feels this different shape on treading on the rung with the different shape, in particular for the rung 4b of ladder 1b. Fig. 2c gives an example of such a rung, consisting of a rung 3 on which a profiled part 7 is fitted.

[0019] The rung 4b can be the highest rung on which a user may stand, or can be the rung directly above it. In the latter case, the profiled part 7 preferably has such a profile, for example with deep serrations (not shown) of the edges 8 and 9 that this feels less pleasant for the user when he stands on it than when he stands on another rung. The user will then be induced to move onto another rung and, if the position of the rung 4b is suitably selected, he can then be induced to move to a lower rung.

[0020] Fig. 3 shows a part of a stepladder 10 on which the invention is used. The stepladder 10 comprises two front uprights 11 between which a number of horizontal steps 12 are fixed and on which a platform 13 is fixed above the steps 12 in such a way that it pivots about a horizontal axis and is also fixed to two rear uprights 14 so that it pivots about a horizontal axis.

[0021] The platform 13 is provided with a marking which in Fig. 3 is indicated in black, and can consist of a coating in a contrasting colour and/or a striking profile.

[0022] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show embodiments of steps which are suitable for use in a stepladder of the type shown in Fig. 3.

[0023] Fig. 4a shows a normal step 12 with a marking consisting of a covering 15, for example of plastic, with a contrasting colour which is provided by means of a snap connection round the step 12.

[0024] Fig. 4b shows an embodiment of a step 16 with a profile differing from other steps 12 and having a raised front edge 17 of such a shape that a user standing on this step 16 notices that different shape.

[0025] Fig. 4c shows a step 18 of a shape which differs from that of a normal step 12. Viewed at right angles to the lengthwise direction of the steps 18, the step 18 has a step-up face 19 which is broader than that of a normal step 12. When a user stands on a normal step 12, his foot will still tilt slightly or, depending on the type of footwear which he may or may not be wearing, he will feel with which part of his foot he is essentially standing on the step 12. In the case of the step 18 of Fig. 4c this tilting is limited, and a larger part of the foot is supported, so that the user is made aware of having reached the maximum permissible climbing height on reaching said step 18. The step 18 could also have a raised edge 20 at such a place that it can be felt by the user in the region of his toes.

[0026] Although the invention is explained for use in the case of a ladder and a stepladder, it is also applicable to other types of climbing structures such as a scaffolding.

[0027] The marking can be provided over the entire length of a step-up element or over a part thereof.

[0028] If the climbing structure, in particular a ladder, is made of a number of parts which are slidable vertically relative to each other, the invention can be used for any of these parts.

Claims

1. Climbing structure comprising a number of step-up elements which in a position of the structure ready for use run horizontally above one another, characterized in that at least one of the higher step-up elements has a marking which distinguishes the element with the marking so clearly from other step-up elements that a user climbing the structure in the position ready for use during normal use discerns the step-up element with the marking on reaching a maximum permissible climbing height.

2. Climbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one step-up element with the marking is the step-up element which the user sees in front of him on reaching the maximum climbing height.

3. Climbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the marking is of a shape which differs from a shape of step-up elements without marking.

4. Climbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the marking comprises a coating with a colour which contrasts with the colour of a step-up element without marking.

5. Climbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the marking is formed by a covering.

6. Climbing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the step-up element with the marking is an element of a group of successive step-up elements with a marking.

7. Climbing structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the differing shape is such that it feels less pleasant for the user to stand on it than when he stands on other step-up elements.

8. Climbing structure according to claim 7, characterized in that at least the one step-up element with the marking is the element directly following above the highest element on which the user may stand.

Drawing