Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Ladder – Supporting surface compensating means
Patent
1989-01-19
1990-01-30
Chin-Shue, Alvin C.
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Ladder
Supporting surface compensating means
2481882, F16M 1100, E06C 744
Patent
active
048967459
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an adjustable base assembly of the kind set forth in the preamble of claim 1.
The inventive adjustable base assembly is intended to support an elongated object in various, adjustable positions of inclination relative to a foundation surface. In a first application mode, the inventive base assembly is effective in supporting the objects, e.g. a ladder or platform, in a vertical or horizontal position relative to an irregular or uneven foundation surface. In a second assembly mode, the inventive base assembly is effective in supporting the object with said object inclined in relation to the horizontal.
Such adjustable base assemblies are known to the art and essentially consist of an arcuate part which incorporates a supportive bottom structure and an attachment structure which can be adjusted to different positions of inclination on the bottom structure and which is provided with fastener devices for securing the object to be supported, normally a ladder. The bottom structure will normally include footplates which are pivotally jointed for safe abutment with uneven or irregular foundation surfaces. The known base assembly may alternatively be equipped with feet which have pointed ends, such as to enable the feet to be driven into an uneven foundation surface and thereby secure the adjustable base assembly.
These known base assemblies, however, are encumbered with a number of drawbacks and deficiencies. For example, with the magority of such known base assemblies the fastener devices have fixed positions on the bottom structure, thereby preventing, e.g. the ladder from being placed exactly in the position desired, without the ladder leaning to one side. When the ladder is very long, this deficiency can have serious consequences. Furthermore, the known fastener devices intended for securing a ladder to such a ladder base assembly are often of complicated construction and are difficult to use, which can result in unsafe and/or unstable securement of the ladder to the base assembly.
In the case of other known ladder base assemblies, the fastener devices provided can only be used with ladders of given dimensions or solely with a given type of ladder which is particularly constructed for use with the known ladder base assembly. These fastener devices include stationary sockets for receiving the sidepieces of the ladder, and bolts which extend through holes formed in the ladder sidepieces and the lower rung of the ladder. The provision of through passing bolt holes results in fractural impressions and weakens the ladder.
The means used in known ladder base assemblies of this kind for supporting the base assembly against an underlying support surface, or foundation surface, also have deficiencies. For example, pointed feet on the bottom structure cannot be used on sensitive or delicate foundation surfaces, such as floor surfaces, for example. On the other hand, the foot plates are often constructed for movement in all directions, e.g. in the form of universal joints and overlarge pin holes which enable the feet to skew relative to the horizontal. This foot plate arrangement is both insecure and unsafe and can allow the footplate to shift suddenly during use and therewith move out of position.
In view of the aforesaid deficiencies inherent with known supportive base assemblies of this kind, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved adjustable base assembly which can be used universally for ladders and/or other elongated objects of all types and sizes; which will afford positive and stable attachment of the ladder or object without needing to modify the ladder or object in a way which will impair its mechanical strength; and which will enable the ladder or object to be adjusted to all angles of inclination smoothly and continuously. A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable base assembly which will rest securely and safely against all conceivable underlying foundation surfaces, without causing damage thereto, and which has a simple, reliable and
REFERENCES:
patent: 973509 (1910-10-01), Ison
patent: 1088167 (1914-02-01), Osterhoudt
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