Patent Application
20080302603
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to ladder accessories, and in particular to an elevated platform and safety rail device for mounting on one or more ladders.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various types of ladders and scaffolding systems are available for providing elevated work platforms. For example, my U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,750, which is incorporated herein by reference, shows a safety device for ladders. A pair of the safety devices shown therein can be utilized for supporting a platform extending between a pair of ladders, which can be leaned against the side of a building or other structure. Elevated parts of a structure, which would otherwise be beyond reach from an adjacent ground surface, can thus be made accessible from a structurally sound platform on which workers can stand and materials, tools and equipment can be placed. The platform itself can be accessed from either of the supporting ladders.
In addition to a stable platform, a safety rail is highly desirable from a safety standpoint. On many jobs, such as building construction and maintenance, workers would need such a rail or other safety device, such as a harness or bosun's chair, in order to safely work at any significant height. Railings may also be required by codes and safety regulations (e.g., OSHA) in many jurisdictions. In addition to safety considerations, other design criteria for such devices include convenience of use, quick set-up and takedown, platform adjustability for height and width and adaptability to different ladders. The present invention addresses these considerations. Heretofore there has not been available a ladder platform and safety rail device with the advantages and features of the present invention.
In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, a platform and safety rail device is provided for use with one or more ladders. In a two-ladder configuration, the device includes a pair of ladder jacks, which provide support for a plank or planks forming a working deck, a pair of U-brackets, a crossbar extending between the brackets and a post connecting the crossbar and the working deck.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as oriented in the view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 2 generally designates a ladder platform safety rail device embodying an aspect of the present invention. By way of example and without limitation, the device 2 is shown mounted on a pair of ladders 4. Alternatively, the device 2 can be mounted at one end to a single ladder and supported at the other end by some other structure, or it can extend across three or more ladders. Each ladder 4 has a pair of side members 6 and multiple, spaced rungs 8 extending therebetween. In a common type of ladder construction the rungs 8 are hollow and open-ended at the members 6 whereby each rung 8 defines an open-ended passage 10 extending transversely across the ladder 4. Alternatively, the ladders 4 can comprise, for example, extension ladders with one or more extendable and retractable sections.
The device 2 includes a pair (for the two-ladder configuration shown) of U-shaped brackets 12, each including an insert leg 14, a 180° return 16 and a rail leg 18. The bracket legs 14, 18 terminate at respective inside ends 20, 22, which are secured together by a removable bracket leg plate 24 with receivers 25 receiving the bracket leg inside ends 20, 22. A safety rail 26 can comprise, for example, a length of steel tubing, and has opposite rail ends 28 each telescopically received in a respective inside rail leg end 22 and secured therein by a respective, removable retaining pin 30. Optional retaining pins 30 can be provided for retaining the bracket leg plates 24 on the insert legs 14 as shown. However, the downward, gravitational load associated with the weight of the device 2 tends to spread the bracket legs 14, 18 and thereby secure and retain the bracket leg plates 24 in place under tension whereby the retaining pins 30 extending through the bracket leg inner ends 20 may be unnecessary.
A platform plank 32 forms a working deck 33 and is supported at each ladder 4 by a respective ladder jack 34, which can comprise the type of ladder jack shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,750, or some other suitable device for mounting a plank or planks on the ladders 4. As shown, the plank 32 is located generally behind the ladders 4, i.e. between the ladders 4 and a structure such as a wall 31 against which the ladders 4 can be leaned in order to provide access thereto from the working deck 33. Other platform structures, e.g. multiple planks, metal decking, etc., can also be utilized to form the working deck 33. A plank support strut 36 is connected to and supports the plank 32 by suspending it from the rail 26, to which the strut 36 is also connected. The strut 36 includes an upper end 38 forming a hook 40 adapted for placement over the rail 26 and removably attached thereto by a suitable mechanical fastener 42, such as a bolt 43 and a wingnut 45. A lower end 44 of the plank support strut 36 forms a generally horizontal foot 46, which can optionally be flattened and receive a mechanical fastener, such as a lag screw or screws 48, for releasable attachment to the plank 32.
The device 2 can be assembled with the ladders 4 either on the ground or propped against the structure wall 31. The structure wall 31, elevated portions of which are accessible from the working deck 33, can comprise a wall of any of various buildings or other structures. Alternatively, the structure can comprise a natural formation, such as a cliff face, tree trunks, etc. The brackets 12 are installed by inserting their respective insert legs 14 through the respective ladder rung passages 10. The brackets 12 are attached to the ladders 4 by mounting the bracket leg plates 24. The rail ends 28 are inserted into the bracket rail leg ends 22 and retained therein by the spring-loaded retaining pins 30. The ladders 4 can then be individually placed against the structure (if not already in place) and the plank 32 can be placed on the ladder jacks 34. The rail 26 is attached at its ends 28 to the bracket return ends 22. The strut 36 is attached to the rail 26 and the plank 32. It will be appreciated that the device 2 can also be installed with the ladders 4 in place.
It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above. Other components and configurations can be utilized in the practice of the present invention. For example, with more than two ladders, a bracket can be configured for mounting a rail at both ends and bracket leg plates 24 can be placed on both sides of the ladder 4. The device 2 can also be adapted for mounting on other types of ladders. Moreover, the safety rails 26 can be configured for connecting end-to-end (e.g., with each rail having opposite male and female ends or by utilizing connectors mounted on adjacent rail ends 28) in order to provide a longer device 2 accommodating ladders 4 spaced further apart.
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
