LADDER STABILISER

Abstract

 A ladder stabiliser is provided for a ladder of the type comprising two longitudinal side rails connected by a number of rungs. The ladder stabiliser comprises a frame part provided with connection members for establishing a stationary connection between the ladder and the ladder stabiliser, and a support member connected to the frame part and intended for engaging a substantially horizontal building part. The support member, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions along the ladder.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ladder stabiliser for a ladder of the type comprising two longitudinal side rails connected by a number of rungs, which ladder stabiliser comprises a frame part provided with connection members for establishing a stationary connection between the ladder and the ladder stabiliser, and a support member connected to the frame part and intended for engaging a substantially horizontal building part.

[0002] When using a ladder there is a risk that the ladder will not maintain its most favourable (and thus most safe) position. For example the ladder may slide such that the angle between the ladder and a ground surface decreases. Also it is possible that the ladder tilts sideward (such that one of its side rails will be lifted from the ground surface). Both movements can lead to an unstable and dangerous position of the ladder and to a hazardous situation for a user of the ladder.

[0003] A ladder stabiliser of the above type is known from document US-A-7 377 360. This known ladder stabiliser, although primarily being intended for supporting a ladder against a flat side wall or against a slanting roof structure of a building, also seems to be useful for engaging a substantial horizontal building part through a self-levelling support member (stand-off arm). However, despite the self-levelling character of said stand-off arm, this known ladder stabiliser not always will result in an optimal position of the ladder (with a desired angle between the ladder and a ground surface) because the level of the stand-off arm always is defined by the position of a rung to which a frame part (support arm) is to be connected. Depending on the height of a horizontal building part this may result in a sub-optimal angle of the ladder.

[0004] In view of the above it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ladder stabiliser.

[0005] In accordance with the present invention the ladder stabiliser is characterized in that the support member, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions along the ladder.

[0006] This means that the position of the support member can be set and immobilised in such a manner that the ladder obtains the optimal position (optimal angle between the ladder and ground surface) when the support member engages the horizontal building part (which may be a roof, but also another building part such as a roof gutter). This results in a stabilising effect in such an optimal position, because the support member prevents a sliding of the ladder as well as a tilting of the ladder.

[0007] It is noted that, although the effect of the ladder stabiliser is best when used at a horizontal building part, its effect also will be useful when the respective building part has a limited slope.

[0008] A first possibility for setting and immobilising the support member in different longitudinal positions along the ladder is obtained in an embodiment in which the frame part, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions along the ladder. Because the support member is connected to the frame part, setting the position of the frame part automatically will result in setting the position of the support member.

[0009] In one embodiment the connection members of the frame part comprise at least two opposing clamping strips for there between clamping the two side rails of the ladder, and an actuator for moving the clamping strips towards and away from each other (for clamping and releasing, respectively, the side rails).

[0010] When the actuator has moved the clamping strips apart (or has been moved for allowing the strips to move or be moved apart) for releasing the side rails, the frame part can be slid longitudinally along said side rails to a desired position, after which the actuator again moves the clamping strips together for clamping the side rails and immobilising the position of the frame part (and thus of the support member).

[0011] The actuator may comprise at least one threaded pin attached to a first one of the clamping strips and extending through a hole in the other clamping strip and a knob mounted for a manual rotation on the threaded pin.

[0012] By rotating the knob(s) the clamping strips may be tightened or loosened (for clamping or releasing, respectively, the side rails).

[0013] It is conceivable that the actuator comprises a single threaded pin with knob, and wherein the first one of the clamping strips is provided with at least one locating pin projecting therefrom towards the other clamping strip which, for receiving said locating pin, is provided with a slot opening towards a side edge of said clamping strip, and wherein preferably the threaded pin is located substantially centrally on said first one of the clamping strips which then at opposite sides of the threaded pin further is provided with two locating pins and wherein the other clamping strip, for receiving said locating pins, is provided with two slots opening towards opposite side edges of said clamping strip.

[0014] When the clamping strips are loosened, the other clamping strip may be rotated around the threaded pin to a position in which the ladder stabiliser can be mounted or dismounted to or from the ladder in an easy manner. The cooperation between the locating pin(s) and respective slot(s) helps defining a correctly mounted position.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the ladder stabiliser, in addition to the frame part also the support member can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the frame part. In such a ladder stabiliser therefore at one hand the frame part can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the ladder, whereas at the other hand the support member can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the frame part. This may increase the range over which the support member may be set.

[0016] A second possibility for setting and immobilising the support member in different longitudinal positions along the ladder is obtained in an embodiment in which the frame part, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, has a fixed position with respect to the ladder, whereas the support member can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the frame part.

[0017] For example, the frame part may comprise at least one, and preferably two spaced, guide rails along and with respect to which the support member can be slid to a desired position and can be immobilised, respectively.

[0018] The guide rails may be connected to the ladder (for example the rungs) in a fixed position in any convenient manner.

[0019] In such an embodiment it is conceivable that the support member for each of the guide rails comprises a threaded clamping mechanism with manually rotatable knob.

[0020] After loosening the clamping mechanism(s) by turning or rotating the knob(s), the support member may be slid along the guide rail(s) to a desired position, after which the knob(s( again may be turned or rotated for fastening the clamping mechanism(s).

[0021] In one embodiment of the ladder stabiliser the support member comprises support feet intended for engaging said substantially horizontal building part, which support feet are settable with respect to the frame part.

[0022] The manner in which such feet can be set, may vary in many ways. For example the support feet may be defined on threaded parts cooperating with threaded holes of the frame part (such that a rotation of the threaded parts changes the position of the support feet), or the support feet may be defined on sliding shafts slidable in corresponding holes of the frame part and immobilisable by immobilising members (for example clamping screws).

[0023] In one embodiment the connection members of the frame part are designed for a connection to rungs of the ladder. For example the connection members of the frame part may comprise at least one, and preferably two spaced, inversed question mark shaped brackets of which, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, a lower stronger curved part is intended for engaging around a lower rung of the ladder and of which an upper lesser curved part is intended for engaging an upper rung at a side of said rung facing the support member.

[0024] During use of a ladder stabiliser comprising such bracket(s), thus when the support member engages the respective building part, the forces acting on said bracket(s) are such that the bracket(s) is (are) kept in engagement with the respective rungs of the ladder.

[0025] However, for ensuring that the ladder stabiliser does not disengage the ladder in a non-operative position in which the support member does not engage the building part (for example when the ladder is being moved to a different location), it is conceivable that the frame part comprises at least one safety member for engaging a rung of the ladder, such as for example a loop of Velcro^® material.

[0026] Such a loop only has to carry the ladder stabiliser in such a non-operative position, but will not act in transmitting forces in an operative position.

[0027] In yet another embodiment of the ladder stabiliser the connection members of the frame part comprise two frame members hingedly connected at one end and each comprising a hook at an opposite end for engaging behind two different rungs of the ladder, wherein the two frame members are spring loaded in a direction for there between clamping the rungs, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder.

[0028] In such an embodiment mounting and dismounting the ladder stabiliser is extremely simple and can be carried out in a fast manner.

[0029] Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated while referring to the drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show hazardous movements of a ladder;

Figure 3, in a schematic perspective view, illustrates a first embodiment of the ladder stabiliser in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4, in a schematic side elevational view, illustrates the use of the ladder stabiliser of figure 3;

Figure 5, on a larger scale, shows a detail of a second embodiment of the ladder stabiliser in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6, in a schematic perspective view, illustrates a third embodiment of the ladder stabiliser in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7, in a schematic side elevational view, illustrates a fourth embodiment of the ladder stabiliser in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 8, in a schematic side elevational view, illustrates a fifth embodiment of the ladder stabiliser in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] In figure 1 a ladder having two side rails 1 connected by a number of rungs 2 is illustrated while resting against a building 3. A hazardous situation may occur when the ladder tilts (towards a position as illustrated, for example, in broken lines), for example when a user of the ladder steps from the ladder onto the building 3. Of course, such a tilting of the ladder also may occur in an opposite direction.

[0031] In figure 2 another hazardous situation is illustrated which may occur when the ladder slides (towards a position as illustrated, for example, in broken lines). As a result the ladder may obtain a position in which the angle α between the ladder and a ground surface 4 has decreased (or is still decreasing) and is no longer optimal.

[0032] In figure 3 a first embodiment of a ladder stabiliser for a ladder, of the type comprising two longitudinal side rails 1 connected by a number of rungs 2, is illustrated, which is capable of preventing the hazardous situations illustrated in figures 1 and 2 from occurring. The ladder stabiliser comprises a frame part 5 provided with connection members (to be explained below) for establishing a stationary connection between the ladder and the ladder stabiliser. The ladder stabiliser further comprises a support member 6 connected to the frame part 5 and intended for engaging a substantially horizontal building part 7 (see figure 4).

[0033] The connection members of the frame part 5 comprise two opposing clamping strips 8,9 for there between clamping the two side rails 1 of the ladder. An actuator is provided for moving (or allowing the movement of) the clamping strips 8,9 towards and away from each other. The actuator comprises a threaded pin 10 attached to clamping strip 8 and extending through a hole (not numbered) in the other clamping strip 9 and a knob 11 mounted for a manual rotation on the threaded pin 10. By rotating the knob 11 the strips 8,9 may be tightened against or loosened from the side rails 1. In a loosened state the strips 8,9 (and thus the entire ladder stabiliser with support member 6) may be set longitudinally along the ladder and then be immobilised in a desired position by again tightening the strips 8,9.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment the threaded pin 10 is located substantially centrally on the clamping strip 8 which at opposite sides of the threaded pin 10 further is provided with two locating pins 12. The other clamping strip 9, for receiving said locating pins 12, is provided with two slots 13 opening towards opposite side edges of said clamping strip 9. In a loosened state the clamping strip 9 may be rotated around the threaded pin 10 (as indicated by arrows 14 in figure 3) to a position in which mounting and dismounting of the ladder stabiliser is easy to carry out.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment not illustrated only one locating pin 12 may be provided, and the position of the threaded pin 10 may be offset from a central position.

[0036] In figure 4 the ladder stabiliser of figure 3 is illustrated in an operative position, engaging a horizontal building part 7, such as a flat roof, with its support member 6. The longitudinal setting (indicated by arrow 15) of the ladder stabiliser may occur between adjacent rungs 2.

[0037] As such, this embodiment illustrates a ladder stabiliser of which the frame part 5, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions along the ladder. This results in the feature that also the support member 6, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions along the ladder.

[0038] In figure 5 a detail of a second embodiment is illustrated in which in addition (or as an alternative) to the frame part 5 also the support member 6 can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the frame part. In this embodiment the support member 6 comprises support feet 26 intended for engaging said substantially horizontal building part 7, which support feet 26 are settable with respect to the frame part 5.

[0039] For example, said support feet 26 may be defined on threaded parts 16 co-operating with threaded holes of the frame part 5 (or of the support member 6), or the support feet 26 may be defined on sliding shafts 16 slidable in corresponding holes of the frame part 5 (or of the support member 6) and immobilisable by immobilising members, such as screws 17.

[0040] Figures 6-8 illustrate embodiments in which the frame part 5, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, has a fixed position with respect to the ladder, whereas now only the support member 6 can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the frame part.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in figure 6 the frame part 5 comprises two spaced guide rails 18 provided with guide slots 19 along and with respect to which the support member 6 can be slid to a desired position and can be immobilised, respectively. The support member 6 for each of the guide rails 18 comprises a threaded clamping mechanism with manually rotatable knob 20 for releasing or fixing the support member 6 with respect to the frame part 5 (for allowing or preventing, respectively, a setting movement).

[0042] The frame part 5 may have hooked ends 21 for engaging rungs 2 of the ladder. The hooked ends 21 may be designed for snapping around the rungs 2, but also may be attached thereto in any other appropriate manner.

[0043] In the embodiment illustrated in figure 7 the connection members of the frame part 5 comprise at least one, and preferably two spaced, inversed question mark shaped brackets 22 of which, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, a lower stronger curved part 22' is intended for engaging around a lower rung 2' of the ladder and of which an upper lesser curved part 22" is intended for engaging an upper rung 2" at a side of said rung facing the support member 6. In this embodiment the support member 6 also is provided with settable support feet 26.

[0044] Further one can see that the frame part 5 (or, specifically, the bracket 22) comprises at least one safety member 23 for engaging a rung 2" of the ladder, such as for example a loop of Velcro^® material. Such a safety member 23 may keep the ladder stabiliser attached to the ladder in a position in which the support member 6 (support feet 26) does not engage the building part 7.

[0045] Finally, figure 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the connection members of the frame part 5 comprise two frame members 24 and 25 hingedly connected (through hinge 27) at one end and each comprising a hook 28 at an opposite end for engaging behind two different rungs 2' and 2" of the ladder. The two frame members 24 and 25 are spring loaded (spring 29) in a direction for there between clamping the rungs 2' and 2", as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder. Also here support feet 26 are provided which are settable.

[0046] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described before which can be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. Ladder stabiliser for a ladder of the type comprising two longitudinal side rails connected by a number of rungs, which ladder stabiliser comprises a frame part provided with connection members for establishing a stationary connection between the ladder and the ladder stabiliser, and a support member connected to the frame part and intended for engaging a substantially horizontal building part, characterized in that the support member, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions along the ladder.

2. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, wherein the frame part, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions along the ladder.

3. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 2, wherein the connection members of the frame part comprise at least two opposing clamping strips for there between clamping the two side rails of the ladder, and an actuator for moving the clamping strips towards and away from each other.

4. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises at least one threaded pin attached to a first one of the clamping strips and extending through a hole in the other clamping strip and a knob mounted for a manual rotation on the threaded pin.

5. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 4, wherein the actuator comprises a single threaded pin with knob, and wherein the first one of the clamping strips is provided with at least one locating pin projecting therefrom towards the other clamping strip which, for receiving said locating pin, is provided with a slot opening towards a side edge of said clamping strip, and wherein preferably the threaded pin is located substantially centrally on said first one of the clamping strips which then at opposite sides of the threaded pin further is provided with two locating pins and wherein the other clamping strip, for receiving said locating pins, is provided with two slots opening towards opposite side edges of said clamping strip.

6. Ladder stabiliser according to any of the claims 2-5, wherein in addition to the frame part also the support member can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the frame part.

7. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 1, wherein the frame part, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, has a fixed position with respect to the ladder, whereas the support member can be set and immobilised in different longitudinal positions with respect to the frame part.

8. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 7, wherein the frame part comprise at least one, and preferably two spaced, guide rails along and with respect to which the support member can be slid to a desired position and can be immobilised, respectively.

9. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 8, wherein the support member for each of the guide rails comprises a threaded clamping mechanism with manually rotatable knob.

10. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support member comprises support feet intended for engaging said substantially horizontal building part, which support feet are settable with respect to the frame part.

11. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 10, wherein the support feet are defined on threaded parts cooperating with threaded holes of the frame part, or wherein the support feet are defined on sliding shafts slidable in corresponding holes of the frame part and immobilisable by immobilising members.

12. Ladder stabiliser according to any of the claims 7-11, wherein the connection members of the frame part are designed for a connection to rungs of the ladder.

13. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 12, wherein the connection members of the frame part comprise at least one, and preferably two spaced, inversed question mark shaped brackets of which, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder, a lower stronger curved part is intended for engaging around a lower rung of the ladder and of which an upper lesser curved part is intended for engaging an upper rung at a side of said rung facing the support member.

14. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 13, wherein the frame part comprises at least one safety member for engaging a rung of the ladder, such as for example a loop of Velcro^® material.

15. Ladder stabiliser according to claim 12, wherein the connection members of the frame part comprise two frame members hingedly connected at one end and each comprising a hook at an opposite end for engaging behind two different rungs of the ladder, wherein the two frame members are spring loaded in a direction for there between clamping the rungs, as considered in a position in which the ladder stabiliser is connected to a ladder.

Drawing