Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Safety device for ground-supported ladder
Patent
1995-08-14
1998-08-11
Chin-Shue, Alvin C.
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Safety device for ground-supported ladder
182108, 248910, E06C 746
Patent
active
057914354
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a support for a ladder or other generally upright object.
Ladders are inherently unstable, and many accidents are caused when the foot of the ladder slips or when the ladder falls sideways. These problems are exacerbated if the ladder is used on an uneven, sloping or slippery surface. other upright objects such as scaffolding, marquee and tent poles are similarly unstable if they are stood on uneven, sloping or slippery ground.
We have now devised a support which alleviates the above mentioned problems.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a support for a ladder or other object, comprising a flexible bag filled with granular material, and a plate closing the top of the bag, the plate having an aperture in its upper surface for receiving a foot of a ladder or other generally upright object, the aperture being closed by a member able to move downwardly against the granular material when loaded by the foot of the ladder or other object.
In use, the bag adopts the shape of the ground. The downwards load on the foot of the ladder or other object applies a load to the granular material, which is thus urged outwardly against the inside of the bag and upwardly against the underside of the top of the bag, so that the support becomes rigid and provides a firm base for the ladder or other object.
Preferably the flexible diaphragm comprises elastomeric material. Preferably the diaphragm is attached to the underside of the plate along a line spaced outwardly from the perimeter of the aperture. The diaphragm may however be replaced by a rigid member arranged to displace downwardly against the granular material, when loaded by the foot of the ladder or other object.
Preferably the underside of the support is provided with a piece of material e.g. rubber to inhibit the bag slipping on the ground surface and also to protect the bag from being damaged.
Preferably the bag is attached around its neck to the plate.
Preferably the bag is formed from a material impermeable to water.
Preferably a strap encircles the bag and can be adjustably tightened to raise the height of the support, for example so that the two feet of a ladder can be supported in a level manner on sloping ground.
Preferably the granular material comprises sand.
Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of support in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the support of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of supports in use;
FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of support in accordance with this invention; and
FIG. 5 is a side view of the support of FIG. 4, shown in its extended condition.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a support comprising a flexible round bag 10 formed from a flat sheet of woven nylon material treated with a waterproofing compound: this material is impermeable to water, to prevent the inflow of water (which would be absorbed by sand filling the bag and so increase the weight of the support), but is able to "breath" so that moisture-laden air may flow outwards as well as inwards. The bag 10 is filled with sharp sand 11 and is secured around its neck, e.g. by stapling to the upper surface of a rigid circular plate 12, which may be of plastics material. A carrying handle 17, comprising a strip of flexible material, is attached at its opposite ends to the upper surface of the plate 12. A second plate 15 is fixed in face-to-face contact with the plate 12, e.g. by fastening studs 5a. A rectangular aperture 13 is formed through the two plates 12,15 and is closed by a flexible rubber diaphragm 14 which is attached (e.g. by stapling) to the underside of the plate 12, preferably along a line adjacent the periphery of the plate 12
A rubber pad 16 is attached to the underside of the bag 10 to inhibit the bag slipping on the ground surface and also to protect the bag against damage.
Referring to FI
REFERENCES:
patent: 2956287 (1960-10-01), Stanford
patent: 4795117 (1989-01-01), Siteman
patent: 4964600 (1990-10-01), Lee
Chin-Shue Alvin C.
Jacob's Ladder Bases Ltd.
Schindler Edwin D.
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