Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02469100 2004-05-28
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1
"SUPPORT APPARATUS OR ACCESSORY FOR A LADDER"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to a support apparatus or accessory
capable of use with an article such as a ladder. The support apparatus in a
preferred form is an adjustable length support for levelling a ladder on an
uneven
4_. surface.
BACICGRQUND OF THE INVENTION
It may be necessary to adjust a length of an article, such as a
ladder, when the ladder is located on uneven or on an incline surface. Use of
a
ladder on such a surface may pose a danger to a person climbing the ladder. In
some situations it may be possible to level the contacting surface, for
example, if
the surface is dirt or gravel, However, levelling a dirt or gravel surface may
be
time consuming and unstable.
In some situations the surface may not easily be levelled, for
,
example concrete surfaces including steps. In the past, placing wood blocks or
other objects as spacers under a ladder leg have been used to adjust the
length of
one ladder leg to thereby level the ladder. However, using such temporary
means
tend to be unstable and may be unsafe as the blocks could shift relative to
the
ladder causing the ladderand user to fall. To overcome this problem, ladders
and
apparatus for adjusting ladders to be level on uneven or sloping surfaces have
been developed.
A levelling apparatus attachable to a ladder to overcome the
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problems associated with temporary levelling means is described in
PCT/AU02/00080. The described levelling apparatus comprises a tubular
housing through which an inner leg telescopically moves to thereby adjust the
extended length of the inner leg. The tubular housing is attachable to the
ladder
via a rod that extends at least partially through a rung of the ladder.
Although this
levelling apparatus provides a means for levelling a ladder, attaching and
removing the levelling apparatus from a ladder can be time consuming.
Accordingly, a user may leave the levelling apparatus attached to the ladder
when
not in use, which can lead to damage to the levelling apparatus, for example
during transport and storage. Also, leaving the levelling apparatus attached
to a
ladder requires individual levelling apparatus for each ladder. This can be
expensive, in particular in a situation where a person or company has multiple
ladders.
SUMMARY OF TAP INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a support apparatus or
accessory attachable to a ladder, which may alleviate one or more of the
limitations of; improves upon, or provides an alternative to the
abovementioned
background art. The present invention provides a stable, simple and quick
means
of attaching a support apparatus in particular an adjustable length support,
to a
ladder and for levelling the ladder on an uneven surface.
In a fast aspect, the invention provides a support or accessory
apparatus for a ladder or other article including:
(a) a body;
(b) a primary attachment member connected to the body;
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(c) a secondary attachment member securable to the ladder; and
(d) locking means for retaining the primary attachment member and
the secondary attachment member together.
The body may comprises a fixed component to which the primary
attachment member is connected and a movable component capable of moving
relative to the fixed component.
The fixed component preferably comprises a guiding means for
guiding the movement of the movable component
The guiding means may comprises a housing, channel, bracket OT
the like.
In one form, the housing comprises an elongate continuous
enclosed hollow tube.
The moveable member in one form is an inner member capable of
telescopic movement relative to the homing.
The movable member may be secured at a desired position relative
to the fixed member by a securing means.
The securing means in one form comprises a securing pin located
on the fixed component and a mating aperture located on the moveable
component, wherein the securing pin when inserted into the mating aperture
secures the moveable member relative to the fixed member.
The primary attachment member may be connected to the body by
a fastener.
Preferably, the fastener is a weld, rivet, bolt, screw or adhesive,
= The secondary attachment member may be secured to a side rail of
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the ladder.
The secondary attachment member in one form is secured by a
fastener that extends at least through the side rail of the ladder.
The fastener may comprise a rod traversing the ladder from one
side rail to another side rail.
The rod in one form is located within an adjacent rung of the
ladder.
The primary attachment member and the secondary attachment
member preferably engage in a male-female interaction.
The primary Rftsinliment member in one form is a peg and the
secondary attachment member is a socket.
The primary attachment member in another form is a socket and
the secondary attachment member is a peg.
Suitably, the peg is slidable within the socket.
The locking means may comprises one or more fasteners insertable
through co-aligned apertures in the peg and the socket.
The locking means may comprise a locking ring or locking pin.
The locking ring in one form comprises a bent portion adapted to
be inserted through said socket aperture and securable within the peg aperture
to
thereby retain the socket peg together.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a ladder assembly
comprising:
(i) a ladder;
(ii) a support apparatus or accessory comprising:
CA 02469100 2004-05-28
(1) a body;
(2) a primary attachment member connected to the body;
(3) a secondary attachment member securable to the ladder;
and
= 5 (4) locking means for retaining the primary
attachment
member and the secondary attachment member together.
The support apparatus may comprises: an adjustable length
support, stabilizer, wall guard, hook, shelf, tray, paint can hanger or bucket
hanger.
The primary attachment member and the secondary attachment
member preferably engage in a male-female interaction.
The primary attachment member in one form is a peg and the
secondary attachment member is a socket
The primary attachment member in another form is a socket and
the secondary attachment member is a peg.
The locking means preferably comprises one or more fasteners
insertable through co-aligned apertures in the peg and the socket.
The locking means may comprise a locking ring or locking pin.
Although one preferred embodiment of the invention relates to use
of the support apparatus with a ladder, it will be appreciated that features
of the
invention as described for a ladder may also be used for other articles. For
example, a suitable article may include an article that requires adjustment of
height relative to a surface that the article is located. The invention is
particularly
suited for use with articles requiring repeated height adjustment, for example
an
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article that is temporarily located on one uneven surface then moved to
another
surface that may be either uneven or level, Examples of such articles include:
ladders (inclusive of step ladders, extension ladders, step-extension ladders
and
the like), scaffolds, trestles, tables, benches, chairs, sawhorse or like
article.
It will also be appreciated that the support apparatus may have uses
other than an as adjustable length support. Other uses include, for example,
as
stabilizers, hooks or wall guards that typically are located at an. upper end
of a
ladder to stabilize the ladder. Also, the apparatus of the invention may
constitute
= an accessory to the ladder such as frays, shelves, paint can hangers,
bucket
hangers and the like.
Throughout this specification unless the context requires
otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated integers
or
group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group
of
integers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into
practical effect, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of
example
with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals
refer to like parts.
FIG. I is a front view showing two embodiments of adjustable
length supports being attached to a ladder;
FIG. 2 is a front view showing other embodiments of the
adjustable length supports and fasteners for securing a secondary attachment
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member to the ladder;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of attaching two adjustable length
supports to either side of a ladder;
FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of a secondary
attachment member attached to a ladder as shown in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is an end view of another embodiment of the secondary
attachment member;
DETAILED DESCLUPTION OF THE INVENTION
.=
FIG. 1 shows two support apparatus 10 and 110 being attached to
an article exemplified as a ladder 60. The support apparatus 10,110 are shown
as
adjustable length supports for levelling the ladder 60 on an uneven surface.
The support apparatus 10 comprises two primary attachment
members 21 connected to the body 11 by welds. The primary attachment
members are shown as pegs 22. Each peg 22 is adapted to mate with a secondary
attachment member 40, shown in FIG. 1 as a socket 42, attached to the ladder
60.
Socket 42 comprises a hollow interior adapted to mate with peg 22. Peg 22 is
shown cylindrical and internally mates with socket 42, which has a
complementary shape to that of the peg 22 so that the peg and socket may
engage
in a male-female interaction.
Peg 22 has a peg aperture 23 that traverse an entire length thereof.
Socket 42 comprises two aligned socket apertures 43 located on opposed
surfaces
of the socket wall. When peg 22 is inserted into the socket 42, the peg
apertures
23 and the socket apertures 43 align. A locking means 50 is inserted into the
, aligned aperture to thereby lock the peg 22 and socket 42 together. The
locking
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means 50 comprises a fastener having a locking pin 51, pivotal* locking bar 52
and biased means 53, shown as a coiled spring. In use, the locking means 50 is
inserted into the aligned apertures 23, 43 and the pivotable locking bar 52 is
pivoted to orientate the locking bar 52 perpendicular to the locking pin 51 to
thereby secure the locking means 50 within the aligned apertures 23, 43. The
biased means 53 applies a force so that the locking bar 52 is pressed against
an
adjacent outside part of the socket 42 to thereby secure the locking means 50
in
. place. To remove the attached adjustable length support 10 from
the side rail 61
of the ladder 60, the above process is reversed. An optional cable or cord 54
is
attached to the fixed component 20 and locking pin 51 to prevent loss of the
locking means 50 when not inserted into the aligned apertures 23,43.
In another embodiment the support apparatus 110 comprises two
primary attachment members 21 in the form of pegs 122 welded to a fixed
component 20 of the body 11. The peg 122 differs from peg 22 by comprising a
groove 123 that extends around the circumference of the peg 122. Peg 122 is
adapted to slide into the socket 142 that is attached to the Lsdder 60.
As shown in FIG. 4, socket 142 comprises a hollow interior body
130 for receiving the peg 122, an aperture 131. for housing a fastener in the
form
of a locking pin 133 of locking means 150 and an aperture 132 for inserting
the
locking pin 133 into aperture 131. The locking pin 133 comprises a body 134, a
collar 135 and a knob 136. Locking pin 133 when located within the socket 142
is biased by coiled spring 137. To assemble the locking means 150, the body
134
and coiled spring 137 are inserted through the aperture 132 and into the
aperture
131. An end of the body 134 outwardly extends from the aperture 131 so that
the
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knob 136 may be fastened thereto.
In use, peg 122 is inserted into the hollow interior body 130 of the
= socket 142 and the locking pin 133 is moved clear of the hollow interior
body 130
by pulling on the knob 136. Alternatively, a tapered head of the peg 122
allows
peg 122 to be inserted into the hollow interior body 130 and the locking pin
133 is
displaced by a force of inserting the peg 122. The groove 123 on the peg 122
aligns with the locking pin 133 once the peg 122 has been inserted into the
socket
( , 142. The locking pin 133 retains the peg 122 and the socket
142 together by
inserting into the groove 123. The coiled spring 137 applies a force on the
locking pin 133 to remain in the groove 123. To remove the peg 122, the
process
is reversed and the locking pin 133 is pulled out from groove 123 to thereby
release the peg 122 from the socket 142.
FIG. 1 also shows an embodiment for attaching the secorylpry
attachment member 40 to the ladder 60 having hollow rungs 63. The secondary
attachment members 40 are attached to the side rails 61, 62 of the ladder 60
via
threaded rod 44 (e.g. a long bolt) and mating nuts 45. Rod 44 traverses a
hollow
interior of an. entire length of a ladder rung 63. Tightening nut 45 secures
the
secondary attachment members 40 to adjacent side rail 61. Passing rod 44
through a hollow interior of the ladder rung 63 is an easy and convenient
means
for attaching the secondary attachment member 40 to the ladder, in particular
for
ladders having open ended rungs 63 with access to the hollow interior of the
rung
from the side rails. Aluminium, fibreglass and composite ladders commonly have
access to a hollow interior of a rung. Rod 44 may refer to an axle, shaft,
wand,
stag pole, dowel, spike or other such member either hollow or solid and
CA 02469100 2004-05-28
composed of any material. Rod 44 is shown as a solid metal.
For ladders without direct access to the hollow interior of the rung,
for example some fibreglass ladders, an aperture may be drilled in the side
rails
61, 62 of the ladder 60 to provide access to the hollow interior of the ladder
rung
5 63. For
a ladder without a rung having a hollow interior, for example some wood
ladders, an aperture may be drilled from the side rail 61, through the ladder
rung
63 and through opposite side rail 62 to thereby form a passage of the rod 44.
.) Adjacent to each secondary attachment member 40 is an optional
support plate 48 located between the ladder side rail and each secondary
10
attachment member 40. Support plate 48 is included in a preferred embodiment
to provide a backing plate for each secondary attachment member 40 and is
formed of a rigid material such a metal, fibreglass or composite material. The
support plate 48 may be included when securing the secondary attachment
member 40 to any type of ladder, for example, fibreglass, wood, plastic and
metal. The support plate 48 is attached to the ladder side rail 61 via rivets,
not
shown, and is also retained by rod 44.
Each support apparatus 10 and 110 comprises a body 11, each
comprising a fixed component 20 shown as a continuously enclosed elongate
tubular, housing through which a moveable component 30 moves relative to the
fixed component 20. The moveable component 30 is shown as an inner
extendable member that telescopically extends by sliding within the fixed
component 20, as shown by the double headed arrows. The fixed component 20
is shown having a square cross-section and the moveable component 30 has a
complementary shape to allow for the moveable component 30 to slide within the
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fixed component 20. The fixed component 20 guides the moveable component 30
in a linear longitudinal direction relative to the fixed component 20.
Fixed component 20 also comprises a securing means for securing
the moveable component 30 relative to the fixed component 20. The -sewing
means is provided as a securing member 24 comprising a securing pin 28 that is
insertable into one of a plurality of respective complementary apertures 31
located
on the moveable component 30. The securing member 24 is generally described
in PCT/AU02/00080.
When the securing pin 28
is inserted into an aperture 31, the moveable component 30 is secured at a
desired
length extending outward relative to the fixed component 20. To adjust the
moveable component 30 to a different length, securing pin 28 is pulled out and
removed from the complementary aperture 31 thereby allowing the moveable
component 30 to telescopically move within fixed component 20 to a new length
relative to the fixed component 20. A plurality of complementary apertures 31
are linearly arranged along moveable component 30 to provide different
securable
lengths. Spacing between adjacent apertures 31 provides an incremental
adjustment in extended length of the moveable component 30. Accordingly, the
spacing may be selected by a skilled person. Securing pin 28 is biased for
insertion into a complementary aperture 31 using a compression coil spring.
The support apparatus 10 comprises the securing member 24
orientated on the fixed component 20 such that it extends perpendicular to the
rungs 63 as shown in FIG. 1. This allows for easy access by a user who will
typically face the ladder at an angle wherein the securing member 24 faces the
user. Accordingly, for this embodiment supports apparatus attached to the
right
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' 12
side rail and left side rail are mirror images.
The support apparatus 110 comprises the securing pin 24 located
on a side of the fixed component 20 opposite pegs 122. This embodiment allows
for the same support apparatus 110 to be attached to either right or left side
rail of
the ladder with the securing member facing away from the ladder side rail when
attached to either right or left side rail.
Moveable component 30 comprises a support foot 32 that is
.r
) pivotable relative to a bottom part of moveable component 30.
Pivoting of the
support foot 32 allows for the support foot 32 to contact a surface
substantially
flush or even and allows for the ladder 60 to lean at an angle relative to the
surface. It will be appreciated that the support foot 32 may be fixed at any
angle
and need not be pivotable for all embodiments. For embodiments wherein the
adjustable length support is symmetrical, the support foot 32 is also
preferably
symmetrical and pivotable so that the support foot 32 may be placed even with
the ground or surface when the adjustable length support is pttarhed to either
right
or left side rail of the ladder and the ladder is positioned at an angle
relative to a
bottom surface. Further, the support foot 32 comprises grooves or a rough
bottom
to lessen unwanted movement of the feet relative to surface 30.
FIG. 2 shows a ladder 60a that does not comprise hollow rungs 63.
A wood ladder commonly lacks hollow rungs, but ladders made of other materials
may likewise lack hollow rungs. As shown for the bottom rung 63 in FIG. 2, the
secondary attachment member 40 is secured to the ladder 60 by way of rod 44
that extends from side rail 61 to side rail 62 without passing though an
interior of
a ladder rung 63. For the embodiment wherein the rod 44 does not traverse an
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interior of a rung, aligned apertures may be drilled in both side rails of the
ladder
60a so that the rod 44 may pass therethrough. It will be appreciated that
embodiments including a rod 44 may provide additional strength to the support
apparatus.
In an alternative embodiment shown on an upper portion of FIG. 2,
the secondary attachment members 40 is secured to the side rails 61, 62 of a
ladder 60 without rod 44. In this embodiment, a fastener 47 passes through an
aperture 49 located on flange portion 46 of the structure attachment member
41.
The fastener 47 is shown as a rivet.
FIG. 2 also shows another embodiment of the support apparatus
210, wherein the primary attachment member 21 comprise a socket 242 and the
secondary attachment member 40 comprise a peg 222. The peg 222 is attached to
the ladder 60a in a similar manner as described for attaching a socket the
ladder
by way of a fastener such as a rod or rivet. The socket 242 is connected to a
fixed
component 20 of the body of the
support apparatus 210 by a weld. The peg
222 and socket 242 may be locked together in a similar manner as described in
FIG. 1. The locking means 250 shown on the right side of FIG. 2 is similar to
the
locking means 150 shown in FIG. 1. However, the locking means 250 is located
on the primary attachment member 21 connected to the support apparatus 210
rather than the secondary attachment member 40 secured to the ladder. Also,
the
location of the locking pin 233 is parallel with the fixed component 20 so
that the
support apparatus 210 is better adapted to be attached to either right or left
side
rail of the ladder.
The embodiment of the support apparatus 310 shown one the left
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side of ladder 60a in FIG. 2 is similar to support apparatus 210, however, the
locking means 250 is oriented so that the locking pin
extends perpendicular to
the socket 242 and thereby faces towards a user when in typical use.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of two support apparatus 410 and
410a that are mirror images of each other. The support apparatus 410, 410a are
similar to the support apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 1, and each comprises a peg
122 welded to the fixed component 20 of the body 11. However, the securing
member 24 is oriented facing perpendicular to the pegs 122 so that when the
support apparatus 410, 410a are attached to the ladder 60, the securing pin
faces
the user and may be easily pulled to adjust the length of the moveable
component
30. Also, the locking pin 133 of the locking means faces the user.
FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the secondary attachment
member 40 shown as a socket that
is secured to the side rail 61 of a ladder 60.
The primary attachment member that mates with socket
comprises a peg 122
that is the same as that described in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the socket
comprises a channel 641 extending substantially round a circumference of the
socket and
adapted to receive a locking mean 650 in the form of a fastener
comprising a locking ring 633. The locking ring 633 comprises a curved portion
651, a peg engaging portion 652 and an arm 653. The curved portion 651 assists
with retaining the locking ring 633 within the channel 641. The peg engaging
portion 652 is shown comprising a bent portion 654 that is insertable through
an
aperture 643 located in the channel 641. The arm 653 provides a leveraging
point
such that moving the arm 653 away from the curved portion 651 moves the bent
portion 654 out from the aperture 643. The bent portion 654 is biased to
extend
CA 02469100 2012-07-25
through the aperture 643 and if the peg 122 is located within the socket)
it
will be locked therein.
In use, the support apparatus is attached to the ladder 60 by
inserting the peg 122 into the socket. The
bent portion 654 of the locking
5 ring
633 is moved downward by pressing down on arm 653, the peg 122 is
inserted into the socket and
the arm 653 is released so that the bent portion
654 inserts into the channel 123 thereby retaining the peg 122 and socket
together.
It will be appreciated that any combination of embodiments of
10 primary
attachment members and secondary attachment members is
contemplated. Namely, when describing a preferred embodiment wherein a peg
is located on the support apparatus and a socket is located on the ladder, the
opposite arrangement is also contemplated and falls within the scope of the
invention.
15 It will
also be appreciated that the support apparatus of the
invention may be symmetrical or non-symmetrical.
It will further be appreciated that embodiments of the peg
comprising a groove that extends the circumference of the peg, for example
groove 123 of peg 122, the groove may extend only on a part of the
circumference of the peg, as long as the locking ring 633 or locking pin 133
can
be secured therein.
The present invention provides an apparatus, assembly and method
for attaching an item to a plurality of articles in a quick and easy manner.
For
example, a user may have several ladders, but only a single ladder may be used
at
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. 16
a given time. If each ladder has a secondary attachment member secured
thereto,
the user needs to only purchase, store and/or transport a single or few
adjustable
length supports, which can be attached to the respective ladders when needed.
Also, an ability to remove the adjustable length support from the ladder
minimises
damage to the adjustable length support during transport and storage. It is
not
uncommon for ladders attached to an exterior of a truck to experience damage
during transport and when removing and placing the ladder on truck racks.
The primary attachment members 21, e.g. peg 22, 122 or socket
42, 142, 642 are shown welded to the fixed component of the body of the
support
apparatus. However, the peg or socket may be formed integral with the body, or
may comprise a flange portion to provide a suitable location to fastening the
peg
or socket to the body, e.g. via a bolt, rivet, adhesive or otherwise fastener.
The pegs and sockets are shown cylindrical, but other shapes are .
contemplated, for example, square, rectangular, oval, hexagonal and the like.
Also, other attachment members that preferably engage in a male-female
interaction fall within the scope of the invention, for example, a bolt and
nut, a
peg and aperture and the like.
Although two primary attachment members 21 and two mating
secondary attachment members 40 are preferred, other suitable number of
attachment members may be included, for example, one, three and more.
Preferably, the adjustable length support comprises at least two primary
attachment members to prevent rotation of the adjustable support relative to
the
ladder.
It will be appreciated that the body of the support apparatus may
CA 02469100 2004-05-28
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have a cross sectional shape other than square, including for example, round,
oval, hexagonal or other geometrical shape. It will also be appreciated that
although the fixed component is shown preferably as a continuous elongate
hollow housing, the fixed component may have other suitable forms capable of
guiding the movement of the moveable component For example, an open
channel, bracket or other guiding means.
The moveable component is shown extending longitudinally from
the fixed component and parallel relative to the side rail of the ladder. The
fixed
component is shown attached substantially parallel to the side rail, however,
the
fixed component may be mounted to either or both side rails at an angle other
than 0 relative thereto, for example at 50, 10 , 15 , 200 or other angle. It
will be
appreciated that in an embodiment wherein the moveable component extends
parallel to the side rail of a ladder, the length of the moveable component is
not
limited as the moveable component will not be obstructed by the side rail when
retracted. For the embodiment wherein the fixed component is attached to the
side rail at an angle other than parallel or 0 relative to the sid.e rail,
the angle
away from the adjacent side rail may provide lateral support for the ladder.
The present invention is not limited to the securing means
described in the figures for adjusting and securing the moveable component
relative to the fixed component The abovemeniioned pin-and-aperture type
securing member is merely one seeming means which may be used. The
moveable component may be secured relative to the fixed component by other
means known in the art, including for example, by a plurality of teeth located
on
the moveable component and a pivotal pawl member located on the fixed
CA 02469100 2004-05-28
18
component as described in AU 76668/81, herein incorporated by reference. Other
useful securing means include a plurality of spaced-apart sloping teeth on the
fixed component and a pin member located on the moveable component that is
capable of engaging the teeth as described in US Patent No. 5,335,754 and a T-
shaped gripping device having a sharp edge which contacts a smooth surface of
an adjacent slidable rail as described in US Patent No. 4,802,471; both
patents
herein incorporated by reference. Other methods for extending and securing the
moveable component, for example those methods described in US Patent Nos.
t
4,606,432 and 4,607,726 may be used, and both patents are herein incorporated
by reference.
It will be appreciated that a fastener may comprise, for example,
bolt, screw, rivet and adhesive fasteners such as epoxy and glues. A person
skilled in the art would be able to select a suitable fastener and the
invention is
not limited to the preferred exemplified fastener,
Although the invention has been shown and described with
exemplary embodiments thereot it should be understood by those skilled in the
=
,
art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may
be
made therein and thereto without deputing from the scope of the invention.
The disclosure of each patent and document referred to in this
specification is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
