Ladder Stabilizer Apparatus

Abstract

A ladder stabilization apparatus that when fully deployed will change the characteristics of an extension ladder, as well as the technique used by the ladder user when accessing an elevated platform or roof. This apparatus will improve stabilization, will allow the ladder to be attached at its top to the elevated platform or roof, and will extend the top of the ladders rail, all in such a way that the ladder user will be able to transition to the platform or roof, by stepping over the ladders top rung, directly onto the platform or roof. This apparatus is compact and light in weight and permanently installs on the ladder. The core components of the invention are left & right Arm assemblies, left and right Clamp assemblies, and ladder Extension. Configuration is as follows: Arm assemblies mount directly to ladder, locate the self-adjusting feet on the platform or roof. The Clamp assemblies that are attached to the Arm assemblies by a very short chain, secure the top of the ladder to the platform or roof. The Extension mounts to the top portion of the ladders rail, and in effect, serves to extend the ladders rail.

Claims

1. Arm assemblies, right and left: Each Arm assembly, being aluminum, steel, composite, or plastic in nature, is composed of a backing plate and a mounting plate that are bolted to the ladder frame below the top rung, attached to the mounting plate is a tubular arm, that has a bend that allows it to face the platform or roof and be perpendicular to the ladder. Attached to the arm is a 1″, 90°, Clamp Dock, positioned so as to rise above the top of the Arm. Also, on the Arm is a hole at its very end, said hole is horizontal. Attached at this horizontal hole by way of a ¼″ pin, is a foot, being aluminum, composite or plastic, and tubular in nature, said Foot is counterbalanced so the back dangles well below the pin, foot is beveled at its front and rear.

2. Clamp assemblies, right and left. Each Clamp assembly, being steel, aluminum, steel, composite, or plastic in nature, is composed of a common hold down clamp, that is to have Base plate affixed at the bottom of said clamp, an elevator bolt, affixed to the arm of said clamp by common hardware, and a pad at the lower end of said elevator bolt. Also, attached to the elevator bolt is a common chain, with its other end to be attached by common hardware to the Arm assembly at the lower end of the Mounting Plate.

3. Extension assembly. Being aluminum, steel, composite, or plastic in nature, is composed of a mounting plate that bolts to the ladders fly section, above the top rung, attached to said mounting plate is a short tube, located at a lower corner of the mounting plate, said tube is to have a hole in its center for pin location, as well as a notch at its top. Also attached to the mounting plate is a long tube, located on the upper portion of the mounting plate extending beyond the mounting plate, it is to have a hole below its top, for pin location, as well as a notch at its top. Another component is an independent long tube that will be secured to either of the above mentioned, welded tubes by way of a common ¼″ pin. This independent tube is to include a hole above its lower end, for pin location, and a collar, located above the hole, secured by way of a weld at the lower end of the collar, this weld will interact with the above continued on next page mentioned notches and serve to correctly locate the independent tube on insertion into either of the above mentioned welded tubes. Also welded to the independent tube is a 2.sup.nd, collar, its location is to be at the top end of the tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1—overview of fully deployed invention with ladder & roof, showing all components

[0032] FIG. 2—side overview of fully deployed invention showing only 1 side, with ladder and roof

[0033] FIG. 3—overview of compacted invention, with ladder, ready for storage or transport

[0034] FIG. 4a—Arm side view with clamp

[0035] FIG. 4b—Arm side view with clamp

[0036] FIG. 5—Clamp side view

[0037] FIG. 6—Foot side view

[0038] FIG. 7—deployed Extension side view

[0039] FIG. 8—collapsed Extension side view

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1

[0041] Fully deployed ladder safety device.

[0042] FIG. 2

[0043] Fully deployed ladder safety device, side view.

[0044] FIG. 3

[0045] Fully collapsed ladder & safety device, ready for transport.

[0046] FIGS. 4A & 4B

[0047] Arm Assembly FIG. 4 components: the Mounting Plate 1, bolted directly to the ladder fly section, between the top and 2.sup.nd rung, of the ladders fly, this location will place the top rung 1′ above the eave. The Mounting Plate fastens on the outside of the fly while the Backing Plate, not shown, mounts on the inside of the fly, these two pieces are what secures the assembly to the ladder, and assure that there is no compromise in structural integrity of the ladder. The tubular Arm 2, it is welded to the Mounting Bracket, is bent in such a way so as to properly locate the Foot 4, welded to said Arm, is the Clamp Dock 3. The Foot, is mounted by a Pin, not shown, to the Arm, is counter balanced so the bottom of said Foot, will dangle significantly below the Pin, so as said Foot will make proper contact with the platform or roof. The Clamp Dock, it is welded to the Arm in a way so as to properly and securely locate the Clamp assembly 5, when the ladder is not in use, and to keep the footprint of the safety device as compact as possible. The Clamp assembly, is attached to the Arm by a short chain, not shown, when not in use it is attached to the Clamp Dock, when in use it is attached to the roofing system.

[0048] FIG. 5

[0049] Side view of Clamp Assy 5, including welded base 8, elevator bolt 6 with pad 7, and attaching hardware.

[0050] FIG. 6

[0051] Side view of Foot.

[0052] FIG. 7

[0053] Deployed Extension assembly: The Mounting Plate 10, fastens to ladders rail above the top rung of the ladders fly, the Base 11, locates the Extension 12 when it is in use, the Dock 9, locates the Extension when it is not in use.

[0054] FIG. 8

[0055] Collapsed Extension Assy.

[0056] While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific, preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

[0057] A ladder stabilization apparatus that is composed of 3 assemblies, each assembly is reliant on the other, to achieve invention objectives.