Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02513513 2005-07-26
A LADDER SUPPORT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ladder support for use with a
ladder.
Description of the Prior Art
Often times, it is necessary to employ a ladder on stairs which is a
very awkward place to work from. As a result it is well known in the art to
use a
device for supporting a ladder on stairs, steps or the like. There exist many
ladder
supports in the art, however, most are either too bulky to transport and store
or
costly to manufacture and purchase. Although it is important for a ladder
support
to be sturdy and strong enough to support heavy loads, it is also desirable
for a
ladder support to be height adjustable and to be collapsible for
transportation and
storage. Many of the ladder support models on the market that can be stowed
are
unduly complex. Many of these models are hinged providing movement between a
deployed position and a collapsed position, consequently, several parts are
required that have to be carefully engineered and assembled. Ideally, the
ladder
support should have the least number of parts possible to simplify assembly
thereof and to minimize overall manufacturing costs.
Therefore, there exists a need to provide a ladder support that
addresses at least some of the issues raised above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a ladder
support that is simple in construction.
It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a ladder support
that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to store.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention a ladder
support comprising a first elongated member having a top and bottom surface
and
respective ends, the bottom surface at one end of the first member adapted to
sit
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on a supporting surface and the top surface adapted to support the base of a
ladder,
an aperture defined at the other end of the first member through the top and
bottom surfaces, a second member extending through the aperture having a
freedom of motion substantially limited to a single plane intersecting the
first
member, fixation means securing the first and second members in an
intersecting
position relative to each other, and a base supporting the ladder support in a
substantially upright position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the nature of the invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of
illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder support in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ladder support resting on
a
stair and supporting the base of a ladder;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ladder support of Fig. 1, in a
collapsed position;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the ladder support of Fig. 1, showing
3-dimensional orientation thereof;
Fig. 4 is a side sectional view taken along cross section lines A-A
of Fig. 1 showing a horizontal member of the ladder support; and
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a pin shown in Fig. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a ladder support, indicated by reference
numeral 10, in a deployed and in a collapsed configuration respectively in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The ladder
support 10 in the deployed position is adapted to rest on a stair, step or the
like,
indicated by reference numeral 11 in Fig. 1, to support the base of a ladder
13. The
ladder support 10 in the collapsed position can be packed for transportation
and
storage. Advantageously, the ladder support 10 exemplified in Fig. 2 can be
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telescopically stowed such that the components thereof can all fit one within
the
other allowing the ladder support 10 to fold up into a compact assembly.
Now refernng concurrently to Figs. 1 and 3, the ladder support 10
comprises first and second members 12 and 14 respectively and a base 16. The
first and second members 12 and 14 and the base 16 have an elongated shape and
are adapted for assembly in a 3-dimensional x-y-z coordinate axis
configuration as
illustrated in Fig. 3. Preferably, the base 16 is adapted for alignment along
the x-
axis, the second member 14 along the y-axis, and the first member 12 along the
z-
axis so as to promote 3-dimensional stability. It can be seen that the first
and
second members 12 and 14 intersect at a right angle such that the first member
12
is adapted for horizontal placement and the second member is adapted for
vertical
placement. The second member 14 and the base 16 also intersect at a right
angle.
Notably, it should be understood that the angular orientation of the first and
second member and the base 12, 14 and 16 respectively can be varied in the
Cartesian planes without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The
base 16 would be placed on a step or landing l la of the stairs while the end
30
would rest on a higher step 11 d.
Referring concurrently to Figs. 2 to 4, the first elongated member
12 preferably has a rectangular box-shape defined by four walls: a top wall
18, a
bottom wall 20, and two lateral sides 22 and 24 respectively joined at right
angles.
The top and bottom walls 18 and 20 define top and bottom surfaces 26 and 28
respectively which are in parallel relationship to each other. At one end 30
of the
first member 12 the bottom surface 28 is adapted to sit on a step 11 d and the
top
surface 26 is adapted to support the base of a ladder 13. At the other end 32
of the
first member 12 an aperture 34 is defined through the top and bottom walls 18,
20.
As shown in Fig. 4, adjacent the aperture 34 are top and bottom
projections 36 and 38 extending respectively away from the top and bottom
walls
18 and 20 towards each other. Preferably, the top and bottom projections 36
and
38 extend perpendicular to the top and bottom walls 18 and 20 forming a
substantially closed end of an axial cavity 40 defined within the confines of
the
walls 18, 20, and sides 22 and 24 of the first member 12. The opening to the
cavity
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40 is defined at end 30 of the first member 12. As will be clarified further,
the
cavity 40 enables the ladder support 10 to be telescopically stowed. Thus, the
top
and bottom projections 36 and 38 act as an abutment in the cavity 40 limiting
the
axial distance by which parts of the ladder support 10 can be inserted into
the
cavity 40 of the first member 12.
Referring the Figs. 3 and 4, the first member 12 is exemplified with
the lateral sides 22 and 24 thereof having flanges 42 and 44 respectively
projecting
above the top surface 26. This feature is advantageous in preventing the base
of
the ladder 13 from sliding off the top surface 26. Thus, in the case where the
ladder 13 is resting against the wall of a staircase, the base of the ladder
13 may
rest upon the top surface 26 and will be confined thereon by the flanges 42
and 44.
The lateral sides 22 and 24 of the first member 12 each have a
plurality of holes 46 and 48 respectively that are in alignment with each
other. The
holes 46 and 48 are illustrated in rows and columns, specifically two rows of
three
holes, but of course only one hole on each lateral side in alignment would
suffice.
The holes 46 and 48 are a part of the fixation means that enable the first
member
12 to be fixed in position relative to the second member 14 as will be further
explained in detail. However, the holes 46 and 48 are only one form of
fixation
means that can be employed.
The preferred material for the first member 12 is an aluminium
alloy with a plain finish, but other similar materials can also be used.
Refernng concurrently to Figs. 1 and 3, when the ladder support 10
is in the deployed position the second member 14 extends through the aperture
34
of the first member 12 having a freedom of motion substantially limited to a
single
axis parallel to the y axis which intersects a horizontal plane parallel to
the z-axis
in which is positioned the first member 12. Thus, the second member 14 is
limited
to an up and down motion in the y-axis as it is restricted by the boundaries
of the
aperture 34. The ladder support 10, of the present invention, could be
designed
with the second member 14 intersecting the first member 12 at another angle
such
that it would be inclined with respect thereto. It should be understood that
in such
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a case the base 16 would also have to be designed accordingly so as to ensure
the
functionality of the ladder support 10.
More specifically, the second elongated member 14 is adapted to be
inserted through the aperture 34 such that it is restricted to one dimension
of
freedom in that it cannot pivot nor rotate relative to the first member 12.
The
second member 14 has a C-shaped configuration defined by two lateral sides 50
and 52 and a web 54 joined at right angles. In this embodiment the lateral
sides 50
and 52 also have inwardly extending flanges 56 and 58 respectively. As shown
in
Figs. 3 and 4 the flanges 56, 58 and the web 54 of the second member 14 engage
abutting edges 60 and 62 respectively of the top wall 18 and abutting edges 61
and
63 of the bottom wall 20 of the first member 12 to allow for restrained
guidance
when the second member 14 is slid through the aperture 34.
The lateral sides 50 and 52 of the second member 14 include a
plurality of holes 64 and 66 respectively that are in alignment with each
other. The
holes 64 and 66 are disposed on the lateral sides SO and 52 in similar
formation as
holes 46 and 48 so as to be aligned therewith when the second member 14
extends
through the aperture 34. The number of rows of holes 64 and 66 provided on the
second member 14 determines the height adjustment of the ladder support 10.
The
greater the number of holes in a vertical array, the greater the range of
height
adjustment.
The preferred material for the second member 14 is cold rolled
steel with a zinc plated finish, but other similar materials can also be used.
Now referring concurrently to Figs. 3 and 5, once the first and
second members 12, 14 are mounted together and their respective holes 46,48
and
64,66 are aligned, a pin 68 is inserted through one set of aligned holes to
fix the
relative position therebetween. The pin 68 is inserted at a right angle to the
lateral
sides of the first and second members 22, 24, 50, 52. The set of aligned holes
chosen to receive the pin 68 depends on the height required for the ladder
support
10.
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As shown in Fig. 5, the pin 68 has a pivoting tip 70. The pivoting
tip 70 retains the pin 68 in position preventing it from retracting out of the
set of
aligned holes. It should be understood that the pin-hole type of fixation
means is
merely one example applicable to the present invention.
Now referring back to Fig. 3, the base 16 is illustrated as having a
generally channel shaped configuration defined by two upstanding side walls 72
and 74 and a bottom web 76 joined at right angles. Also extending upwardly
from
the bottom web 76 is a pair of rectangular plates 78 and 80 for engagement
with
the second member 14 when the latter is mounted onto the base 16. More
specifically the rectangular plates 78 and 80 are included within the confines
of
respective lateral sides 50 and 52 of the second member 14 adjacent thereto.
Furthermore, it can be seen in Fig. 3 that the pair of rectangular plates 78
and 80
define a pair of aligned holes 82 and 84 that align with a pair of holes 86
and 88
defined in the lateral sides 50 and 52 at bottom end 90 of the second member
14.
A pin 92 similar to pin 68 is inserted through the aligned holes 82, 84, 86
and 88.
Again, it should be understood that other fixation means exist that are
commonly
known in the art.
The base 16 helps maintain the second member 14 in a standing
position supporting the ladder support 10 in a substantially up-right
position.
Nevertheless, the ladder support 10 is designed to rest against a supporting
surface
and is not required to be perfectly stable when only supported by the base 16.
The preferred material for the base 16 is cold rolled steel with a
zinc plated finish, but other similar materials can also be used.
Furthermore, the pins 68 and 92 of this preferred embodiment may
be secured to the first member 12 and the base 16 respectively by way of a
press-
lock rivet 94 and lanyard 96 as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 3. The lanyard 96
in
attached to a ring 98 disposed at one end of the pins 68 and 92. The lanyard
96 is
attached to the rivet 94 which in turn is press-locked into position. This
feature is
advantageous in avoiding the loss of the pins 68 and 92.
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Referring to Figs. 1, 2 or 3, in the preferred embodiment, the ladder
support 10 of the present invention is provided with anti-skid pads 100 on the
bottom surface 28 of the first member 12 and underneath the bottom web 76 of
the
base 16. The anti-skid pads promote better grip between the bottom surface 28
and
the supporting surface (not shown) as well as between the ground and the base
16.
The anti-skid pads 100 may be provided with downward facing grooves (not
shown) to optimize performance thereof. Preferably the anti-skid pads 100 are
made of rubber.
Now referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, in order to collapse the ladder
support 10, the pins 92 and 68 need only be retracted and the first and second
members 12, 14 and base 16 separated. Once collapsed, the ladder support 10
exemplified can be telescopically stowed by inserting the second member 14
into
the axial cavity 40 of the first member 12 by way of the opening at end 30
thereof.
Similarly, the base 16 can be inserted axially through the second member 14
into
the cavity 40. One of the pins 68 and 92 can be inserted through a pair of
aligned
holes 102 and 104 at end 30 of the first member 12 to prevent the second
member
14 and the base 16 from sliding out of the cavity 40. Therefore, the ladder
support
10 is reduced to the size of the first member 12 which is advantageous for
transportation and storage thereof.
The ladder support of the present invention provides many
advantages over prior art designs. One of these advantages being that it is
simple
in construction and therefore easy to assemble and disassemble. Its simplicity
arises from the utilization of only three main parts mounted together in a
unique
manner. The insertion of the second member 14 through the aperture 34 of the
first
member 12 is effective in limiting the movement of both members relative to
each
other all while providing a simple overall design. The design also allows for
height adjustment which is an added benefit. Furthermore, the ladder support
of
the present invention is collapsible allowing it to be easily transported and
stored.
Finally, the ladder support of the present invention is inexpensive to
manufacture
due to the limited number of parts and also that the parts can be stamped.
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The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one
skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments
described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still
other
modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be
apparent
to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such
modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.
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