CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to ladder securing devices. More particularly, this invention pertains to an adjustable and removable ladder safe base and a method for utilization thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ladder stabilizing devices are known in the art and typically provide attaching arms and extension members connecting from one or more rungs of a ladder, with each extension member separately attached to a portion of a wall, to a tree, or a pole to allow the base and upper end of the ladder to be positioned securely proximal of the wall, tree, or pole. Prior ladder stabilizing devices include ladder rung attachments extended laterally from the ladder in order to provide a connection to a wall or nearby support structure for improved stability of the ladder base against a supporting surface that can pose a slipping or “kick-out” hazard for the ladder bases when set on the supporting surface (i.e. wood, asphalt or concrete). Prior ladder stabilizing devices also include one or more base attachments referred to as “feet” or “shoes” that are positioned on a supporting surface in order to add additional surface area to each ladder base end. The laterally extended “feet” or “shoes” must be separately attached to each respective ladder base end before the ladder is positioned and extended from the ground to the side supporting surface such as a wall or a pole. Additional prior devices include curved or angled clamps that are separately attached to each ladder rail for extension to a nearby stair rail or a platform support structure.
Typical non-self-supporting ladders are commonly referred to as leaning ladders, side rails have a rectangular or a “I beam” cross-section. Typical prior attaching and stabilizing members are permanently connected to the ladder base ends by enclosing each rail base end with tubular members that have flat end structures in order to secure each tubular member and respective ladder base ends from sliding along the supporting surface during use of the ladder. A ladder leveler including one or two tubes typically must be inserted over respective base ends of both ladder side rails before the ladder base end is positioned against the supporting surface. Therefore, when the ladder base is moved to a second position on the supporting surface having a slope, or a stepped change in elevation, and/or a different surface composition (i.e. from packed soil to concrete), one or both base end tubular members must be changed to exchange with appropriate tubular member having alternative lengths or having an adequate skid-resistant pad thereon. The changing process is time-consuming for the ladder user, requires taking the ladder down from its angled position between the supporting surface and the wall or pole surface, and requires the ladder user to maintain a storage container for additional parts compatible with the various slopes and/or surface composition of the supporting surfaces on which the ladder is positioned.
A ladder base is needed for securing base ends of a ladder between restraining members that are readily adjustable in a width dimension to accommodate any of a plurality of ladder widths. Further, a ladder base is needed for providing “kick-out” protection for ladder base ends positioned on any of a plurality of uneven and/or unstable supporting surfaces. A method for utilization is also needed to provide for steps for adjusting the relative heights of restraining members releasably attachable to ladder base ends to provide for stabile ladder positioning when moved between a first surface to a second surface having different slopes, without requiring detachment of either restraining member from respective ladder base ends during repositioning of the ladder.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder safe base is provided for stabilizing both base ends of a ladder disposed in angled contact against any of a plurality of supporting surfaces having uneven and/or unstable surfaces. The ladder safe base provides stability of the ladder base ends regardless of the slope or stability of the supporting surface, thereby improving the safety of load-bearing activities on the ladder. The ladder safe base includes a coupling member having first and second receiving members adjacently disposed a spaced apart distance for receipt thereupon of the ladder base ends. Each first and second receiving member includes an opening therein of an adequate width bounded by respective inner and outer side walls for accommodation therein of the one of the ladder base ends. The coupling member includes a first and second cross-member extended inwardly from respective inner side walls of each receiving member. The first and second cross-members are aligned axially and are slidably engaged against each other to position the first and second receiving member a spaced apart distance to retain the ladder base ends within respective openings in each receiving member.
The stabilizing cross-members extend between the inner side walls of first and second receiving members, with the cross-members being slidably adjustable to maintain the receiving members a sufficient spaced apart distance to accommodate any of a plurality of ladder base widths. Upon positioning the ladder base end within the respective opening in the first and second receiving members, the stabilizing member is secured by a securing means for releasably locking the first cross-member in engagement with the second cross-member to maintain the spaced apart distance between each respective first and second receiving member, thereby securing the ladder base ends from moving laterally relative to the supporting surface during load-bearing activity on the ladder.
The ladder safe base further includes first and second outer side sleeves positioned in generally vertical orientation against respective outer side walls of first and second receiving members. Each first and second outer side sleeve includes a lengthwise interior channel in which a fixation member is slidably insertable. A contacting end of the fixation member is inserted a sufficient depth into each either outer side sleeve until the contacting end extends to a position against or into the supporting surface. A second fixation member is slidably insertable into the second of the outer sleeves for further securing of both receiving members relative to the supporting surface. Each fixation member is vertically adjustable and secured at an insertion depth relative to the outer side sleeve in which it is slidably inserted, thereby allowing attainment of a selected height above the supporting surface for either first or second outer sleeve and respective receiving members in order to provide a level ladder safe base when positioned on an uneven supporting surface. With one or two fixation members positioned to restrain one or both first and second receiving members, the coupling member and cross-members provide lateral stabilization for ladder base ends while protecting from “kick-out” of a ladder base positioned on an unstable supporting surface.
A method for utilization of a ladder safe base is provided herein, for stabilizing a ladder base end disposed in angled orientation against a supporting surface that is uneven and/or unstable. The method includes a step of providing a coupling member having first and second receiving members interconnected by a stabilizing cross-member that is slidably adjustable in a width dimension. A step of positioning includes adjusting the width between the first and second receiving members to accommodate the ladder base ends upon respective receiving members. A step of leveling includes inserting and extending at least one fixation member through one of two sleeve brackets attached to each receiving member.
The method further includes a step of repositioning the coupling member and ladder by moving the receiving members attached to the ladder base ends from a first location to a second location when the ladder is not utilized in load-bearing activities. The ladder safe base is secured upon repositioning by leveling the first receiving member relative to the second receiving member at the second location on a supporting surface. The ladder base ends are leveled and secured relative to the supporting surface at the second location and are secured from moving relative to each other by utilizing the ladder safe base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder safe base of the present invention including a coupling member for receiving and securing a ladder base against a supporting surface;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a first receiving member of the coupling member of FIG. 1, illustrating a fixation means extended through a first side sleeve for contact against a generally level supporting surface;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 1, illustrating an alternative fixation means extended through a first side sleeve for insertion into an unstable supporting surface;
FIG. 4A is a partial front perspective view of stabilizing cross-members and securing means illustrating an inner cross-member slidably inserted partially into the outer cross-member with a spaced apart distance between first and second receiving member;
FIG. 4B is a section along 4B-4B of FIG. 4A, illustrating the components of a securing means slidably positioned inside first and second slots of the stabilizing cross-members;
FIG. 5A is an exploded outer side view of the first receiving member and first sleeve of FIG. 1, illustrating a plurality of elements utilized for positioning and securing the first receiving member on a generally level supporting surface;
FIG. 5B is an exploded outer side view of the second receiving member and second sleeve of FIG. 3, illustrating a plurality of elements utilized for insertion of a fixation means into an unstable supporting surface;
FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of FIG. 1, illustrating the coupling member having ladder base ends therein with a first fixation means positioned at a higher elevation than the second fixation means;
FIG. 7 is front perspective view of a ladder base secured within the coupling member and having a pair of fixation members and a pair of retaining devices for positioning the coupling member on a level supporting surface;
FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a ladder base secured within the coupling member and having a pair of fixation members inserted at different heights into an uneven and unstable supporting surface;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the stabilizing cross-member extended an adjustable distance between first and second receiving members;
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating first and second receiving members having partial interior walls with a stabilizing cross-member between rear portions of each partial interior wall;
FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating first and second receiving members have minimally sized interior wall segments allowing positioning of a plurality of widths of ladder base ends inboard of the first and second receiving members; and
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating first and second receiving members including a pair of inner walls and lacking outer side walls for positioning wide spaced apart ladder base ends outboards of the first and second receiving members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A ladder safe base 10 is disclosed that is readily attached to and released from a base of a ladder 20 for safely securing the ladder base proximal of a supporting surface 80 having an uneven surface and/or an unstable surface. A majority of self-supporting upright ladders and ladders designed to lean against an upright surface, include at least one pair of side rails 22, 24 ending in base ends 26, 28 having respective swiveling base pads 26′, 28′ thereon which are swivelled for positioning against a supporting surface 80. When the supporting surface is uneven and/or unstable, a typical two side rail ladder 20 may not provide a secure footing to support significant load-bearing activities on the ladder. Typical supporting surfaces posing unstable surfaces include an earthen surface covered with vegetation, gravel, or other loose materials, or a roof surface covered with asphalt shingles or smooth tile shingles. Additional supporting surfaces posing difficult ladder positioning problems include concrete or wooden steps, metal or wood scaffolding platforms, and indoor surfaces covered with loose carpet or floor tiles having intermittently uneven and smooth surfaces.
The ladder safe base 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a coupling member 12 having a pair of parallel oriented and spaced apart receiving members 30, 40 in which respective ladder base ends 26, 28 are removably positioned. The coupling member 12 includes a stabilizing cross-member 14 extended from respective inner walls 32, 42 of the receiving members 30, 40. The stabilizing cross-member 14 includes means for securing 16 thereon, for releasably locking the stabilizing cross-member 14 in an engagement position providing a preferred spaced apart distance between the inner walls 32, 42 of the receiving members 30, 40 for retention of the ladder base ends 26, 28 thereon. The coupling member 12 further includes at least one fixation means 18 including any of a plurality of attachment members positioned proximal of outer side walls 34, 44 of receiving members 30, 40, in order to secure the position of at least one of the receiving members 30, 40 relative to the supporting surface 80. An embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 includes two fixation members 18, 18′ positioned against both outer side walls 34, 44, thereby securing the coupling member 12 from lateral movement and sliding movement to maintain secure footing of ladder base ends 26, 28 retained therein.
One embodiment of the coupling member 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5A and 5B, and includes a pair of generally parallel receiving members 30, 40, also identified herein as slotted members. A first receiving member 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2. A like-configured, mirror-image second receiving member 40 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. Each receiving member 30, 40 includes an elongated slot opening therein, having respective open ends 30′″, 40′″ opposed from guide walls 36, 46, and having a slot opening of sufficient width 30′, 40′ for removable insertion of respective ladder base ends 26, 28 (see FIG. 1). The slot opening is sized to accept any of a plurality of ladder base ends 26, 28, and includes slot opening widths of between about two inches to about four inches. A length of each elongated slot opening is between about four inches to about eight inches. Each elongated slot opening is bounded by respective base surfaces 30″, 40″ from which extend respective inner side walls 32, 42, outer side walls 34, 44, and the guide walls 36, 46. In one embodiment, the guide walls 36, 46 are minimally angled toward respective open ends 30′″, 40′″ at angles of about 75 degrees to about 90 degrees from respective base surfaces 30″, 40″. Respective corner junctions are formed with the respective inner side walls 32, 42 and outer side walls 34, 44 to form a guide wall channeling each respective ladder base end to be securely positioned against receiving base surfaces 30″, 40″. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5A-5B, each guide wall 36, 46 is angled toward respective open ends 30′″, 40′″ at an angle 38 of between about 65 degrees to about 75 degrees from the respective base surfaces 30″, 40″. The guide wall angle 38, 48 is selected to conform to safety standards which provide limits for a maximum and minimum angle for a leaning ladder (see 29 C.F.R. §1926.1053, Ladders), to minimize the potential for “kick-out” of each ladder base end 26, 28. When inserted into respective first and second receiving slot openings having sufficient widths 30′, 40′, each ladder base end 26, 28 is channeled against the angled guide walls 36, 46 at an angle selected to be within a range of preferred ladder angles relative to the supporting surface 80, as suggested by occupational safety standards and workplace practices utilized by those skilled in the art for safe use of non-self-supporting ladders (i.e. leaning ladders).
For the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5A and 5B, a stabilizing cross-member 14 extends between the receiving members 30, 40. The cross-member 14 includes a slidably adjustable cross-member unit 50 including an outer slide tube 52 axially aligned to accept an inner slide tube 56. The outer slide tube 52 extends from a base end 52′ attached to a junction plate 50′ connected to the second inner side wall 42 in a position proximal of the second base wall 46. The outer slide tube 52 is hollow, having a circular cross-section or preferably having an “U” shaped cross-section, and having a longitudinal slot 52′″ therein. Outer slide tube 52 extends to an open distal end 52″, into which is inserted the smaller diameter inner tube 56 having a distal end 56″ of sufficient size to be slidably inserted into the interior length of the outer slide tube 52. The inner slide tube 56 is also hollow, having a circular cross-section or preferably having an “U” shaped cross-section, and having an inner tube longitudinal slot 56′″ that is aligned with the outer tube longitudinal slot 52′″. The inner slide tube 56 includes a base end 56′ junction with the first inner side wall 32 in a position proximal of the first guide wall 36. The inner slide tube distal end 56″ is slidably inserted a variable depth into outer slide tube 52 to allow first and second receiving members 30, 40 to be adjustably positioned apart at any of a plurality of width separations, thereby allowing the receiving members to receive and retain any of a plurality of ladder widths.
The depth of insertion of inner slide tube 56 into outer slide tube 52 is adjustable and temporarily lockable in a plurality of positions by a securing means 16 illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 9. The securing means 16 includes a clamp assembly 58 having generally at least three interconnecting segments that allow for the clamp assembly 58 to be slidably mounted along the length of the outer tube slot 52′″ and the aligned inner tube slot 56′″. An outer clamping member 58′ is generally rectangular, including a centrally disposed bore hole 59 (see FIG. 4B) therethrough. The outer clamping member 58′ is sized in width to be slidably disposed against the slot sides of the outer tube slot 52′″. A screw bolt 58″″ is inserted through the outer clamping member 58′ and through the bore hole 59. The screw bolt 58″″ includes screw threads disposed along the bolt length, and includes either a slot head (see FIGS. 3 and 10), or a wing nut head 58′″ on an outer portion extended from the outer tube slot 52′″. The length of the screw bolt 58″″ is inserted through the outer clamping member 58′, and into an aligned inner clamping member 58″ that is positioned within the inner tube slot 56′″. The inner clamping member 58″ includes a width slightly greater than the width of separation of the parallel sides of the inner tube slot 56′″. The screw bolt 58″″ is inserted through the outer clamping member bore hole 59 and into the aligned central disposed inner bore hole 59′ through the inner clamping member 58″. Due to reverse threading within the inner bore hole 59′ in the inner clamping member 58″, when the wing nut attachment to the screw bolt 58″″ is rotatably inserted through respective clamping member bore holes 59, 59′ in aligned clamping members 58′, 58″, the inner clamping member 58″ is forced into engagement against interior surfaces of the inner tube slot 56′″. Further, the outer clamping member 58′ is forced into frictional engagement against the outer tube surfaces proximal of the outer tube slot 52′″, thereby temporarily securing the inner slide tube 56 and outer slide tube 52 in a locked position relative to each other. The screw bolt 58″″ is reversibly rotated by the user when the ladder 20 is not utilized for load-bearing activities, with the outer clamping member 58′ is moved apart from the inner clamping member 58″, thereby allowing the securing means 16 to slide along the aligned inner tube slot 56′″ and outer tube slot 52′″. The inner clamping member 58″ is retained within the inner slide tube 56 in an un-tensioned position for sliding adjustment of the inner slide tube 56 relative to outer slide tube 52 to attain a preferred distance of separation 54 between ladder base ends 26, 28 in respective first receiving member 30 and second receiving member 40. One skilled in the art will recognize that similar clamp assemblies or securing clips can be utilized for temporarily securing the inner slide tube 56 in a fixed position within the outer slide tube 52. The positioning of the aligned inner tube slot 56′″ and the outer tube slot 52′″ can include a forward orientation (see FIG. 3), an upwardly orientation (see FIGS. 4A and 6), or an alternative orientation that allows an operator to readily manipulate the slot head (see FIGS. 3 and 10), or the wing nut head 58′″ (see FIG. 4A, 7, 9 and 11) of clamp assembly 58.
The ladder safe base 10 further includes at least one fixation means 18 including at least one of a plurality of attachment and fixation members 70, 70′ and associated receiving sleeves 60, 60′ (see FIGS. 1-5B). The fixation means 18 allows a user to position the ladder safe base 10 in a generally level orientation regardless of the slope of an uneven supporting surface, and allows securing of one or both receiving members 30, 40 in a fixed position against the supporting surface 80 before or after positioning the ladder base ends 26, 28 therein. The fixation means 18 operates in association with the sleeve brackets 60, 60′ attached to each outer side wall 34, 44 of the receiving members 30, 40. The fixation means 18 includes any of a plurality of configurations including elongated fixation members 70, 70″ that are each slidably insertable through outer positioned sleeve brackets 60, 60′, or slidably insertable through alternatively positioned sleeve brackets 160, 170 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). In one embodiment, the fixation member 70 having a flattened contacting end 72 is slidably inserted through either sleeve bracket 60 or 60′. The contacting end 72 is inserted a sufficient depth through either sleeve bracket 60 or 60′ to allow positioning of the contacting end 72 past the distal end of each sleeve bracket 60 or 60′, and against a generally impenetrable supporting surface (i.e. concrete, asphalt shingles, metal surfaces). An alternative embodiment includes a pointed contacting end 72 inserted into the supporting surface if penetrable (i.e. soil, gravel, asphalt or wood) (see FIGS. 6 and 8).
In one embodiment, two fixation members 70, 70′ are utilized for sidably inserting through the interior channels of each sleeve bracket 60, 60′ to allow adjustment of the heights of each sleeve bracket 60, 60′ relative to the supporting surface 80. An additional embodiment of the sleeve brackets includes each having an angled interior channel 62, 62′ that allows the fixation members 70, 70′ to be guided at an angle for contact by the contacting end 72, 72′ against, or into the supporting surface 80 (see FIG. 2). The insertion depth 68 of each fixation member 70, 70′ through each sleeve bracket 60, 60′ and the angle of contact and/or insertion into the supporting surface 80 can be aligned (see FIGS. 1 and 2) with the angle of the respective ladder base ends 26, 28 inserted into receiving members 30, 40. Alternatively, the sleeve brackets 60, 60′ can be positioned to a substantially vertical orientation or a reverse angled orientation relative to the angle of the respective ladder base ends 26, 28 inserted into receiving members 30, 40. A preferred angle of orientation for the ladder and base ends 26, 28, each guide wall 36, 36′, and fixation members 70, 70′, is between about 65 degrees to about 75 degrees.
Each fixation member 70, 70′ includes a plurality of paired bore holes 74, 74′ aligned proximal to the length axis of each fixation member 70, 70′, 70″, 70′″ (see FIGS. 5A and 5B), with the paired holes generally aligned longitudinally along each member. When a preferred depth of insertion 68, 68′ is attained into the first sleeve 60 and/or second sleeve 60′, each fixation member 70, 70′ is retained by insertion laterally therethrough of at least one retaining or connecting member 64 or 76. The fixation members 70, 70′ are retained in the interior channels 62, 62′ of respective sleeves 60, 60′ at the same insertion depth for level supporting surfaces, or at different insertion depths for uneven supporting surfaces. A first and second insertion depth are separately maintained by laterally inserting at least one retaining or connecting member such as cotter pins 64, 64′ or bolts 76, 76′, through an outer bore hole 60″, 60′″ in each outer wall of sleeves 60, 60′, and extending the retaining or connecting member through an appropriately aligned bore hole 74, 74′ (see FIG. 3). The respective cotter pins 64, 64′ are connected by chain linkages 66, 66′ to a lower portion of either outer wall 34, 44 to minimize loss during use of the ladder safe base 10. If utilized, the bolts 76, 76′ are retained through respective holes by wing nuts 78, 78′ or other easily manipulated connectors known to those skilled in the art. In order to temporarily restrain each fixation member 70, 70′ within respective sleeve brackets 60, 60′, each cotter pin 64 or bolt 76 is further extended through an appropriately aligned bore hole 34′ through first outer wall 34 or a similarly aligned bore hole 44′ in second outer wall 44, of respective receiving members 30, 40. Each fixation member 70, 70′ is independently extended or retracted through the interior channel of either sleeve brackets 60, 60′ to attain different insertion depths 68, 68′ and to position respective contacting ends 72, 72′ at different heights against an uneven supporting surface 80 with leveling of receiving members 30, 40 for securing the ladder base ends 26, 28 inserted in the receiving members 30, 40.
Alternative embodiments for the receiving members 30, 40 and fixation members 70, 70′ include retaining devices such as suction cups 82, 82′ attached by connector chains 84, 84′, or like-flexible connectors, and positioned proximal of open ends 30′″, 40′″ (see FIG. 7), and/or proximal of each base of respective guide walls 36, 46 (not shown). The suction cups 82, 82′ are utilized to assist in securing receiving members 30, 40 to a flat, potentially slippery surface such as tile, finished concrete, wood flooring or similar supporting surfaces. Each suction cup 82, 82′ is releasably positioned against either open end, or against a guide wall end of base surfaces 30″ and 40″. An adhesive can be utilized with suction cups 82, 82′ to further minimize movement of receiving members 30, 40 during load-bearing activities on a ladder with base ends 26, 28 positioned in the ladder safe base 10. For an uneven supporting surface 80 (see FIGS. 6 and 8), the ladder safe base 10 includes fixation members 60, 60′ having pivoting brackets 86, 86′ that are attached to end portions of each fixation member 60, 60′ proximal of contacting ends 72, 72′. Each bracket 86, 86′ includes distally disposed foot-pads having non-skid pads 86″, 86′″ thereon. The brackets 86, 86′ are pivotably attached by a connector member such as a cotter pin or a threaded length of bolt connectors 76, 76′ extended through respective paired bore holes 74, 74′ in fixation members 70, 70′. The fixation members 70, 70′ are slidably inserted through channels 62, 62′ of sleeves 60, 60′. The brackets 86, 86′ are positionable at various angles by tightening respective bolt connectors 76, 76′ and associated attaching locking nuts and/or wing nuts 78, to attain a firm footing of foot-pads 86″, 86′″ against an uneven supporting surface 80 (see FIG. 6).
Positioning of the ladder safe base 10 with alternative fixation members 70″, 70′″ is illustrated in FIG. 8 for use on unstable and uneven supporting surfaces 80′. Respective contacting ends 72″, 72′″ having tapered ends for piercing at least the upper portion of the supporting surface 80. A pair of releasably attachable stop members 90, 90′, each having a lower ledge with a non-skid pad 92, 92′ thereon, are swivelingly attached by connecting members 94, 94′ to any one of the pair of side holes 74, 74′ aligned axially along a length of either fixation member 70″, 70′″. The swiveling connecting members 94, 94′ are attached with bolts 96, 96′ and wing nuts 78, 78′ or similar connectors known to those skilled in the art. The swiveling connecting members 94, 94′ can be attached at different heights above each contacting end 72″, 72′″. The fixation members 70″, 70′″ are temporarily restrained within respective sleeve brackets 60, 60′ by insertion therein of either a cotter pin 64 or bolt 76 through aligned sleeve hole 60″, 60′″ aligned with respective bore holes 74, 74′ and further aligned with respective bore hole 34′ through first outer wall 34 or a bore hole 44′ in second outer wall 44. Connecting members 94, 94′ such as cotter pins or bolts having threads for accepting a wing nut 78 thereon, are utilized to position stop members 90, 90′ at an appropriate height relative to the length of each fixation member in order to restrain one or both fixation members 70″, 70′″ from being driven too deeply into the supporting surface 80 (see FIGS. 5A and 6). Further, with adjustments to the height of attachment of each connecting member 94, 94′ to respective fixation members 70″, 70′″, either receiving member 30 or 40 can be elevated relative to respective fixation members 70″, 70′″ inserted through sleeves 60, 60′, thereby maintaining a generally level orientation for receiving members 30, 40 relative to supporting surfaces 80, 80′. Swivel connectors 94, 94′ are individually swivelled to position stop members 90, 90′ to adjust to the slope and contour of the supporting surfaces 80, 80′.
An additional embodiment of a ladder safe base 110 is illustrated in FIG. 10 and includes a pair of arm members 130, 140, each lacking an inner side wall 32, 42, therefore a ladder selected to have any width configuration for each side rail base end 26, 28, or having a solid base (not shown), is readily insertable between the arm members 130, 140. The ladder safe base 110 includes the components utilized by the ladder safe base 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, but with partial inner walls 132, 142, and with base surfaces 30″, 40″. The ladder safe base 110 also includes laterally-oriented elongated slots in the stabilizing cross-member 50 with a securing means 58 therein as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The first cross-member slide tube 52 is attached to a base flange 50′ positioned against partial inner wall 142, and proximal of guide wall 146. A second cross-member 56 is attached to base flange 50″ (not shown) against partial inner wall 132. Each fixation member 70, 70′ is slidably insertable through respective sleeve members 60, 60′.
An alternative ladder safe base 120 is illustrated in FIG. 11, including a pair of arm members 130, 140, each lacking an inner side wall but including outer side walls 132, 142. Outer positioned sleeves 60, 60′ are utilized for insertion therethrough of any of fixation members 70, 70′, 70″, 70′″. The alternative ladder safe base 120 includes the stabilizing cross-member 50 and securing means 58 as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 9. Outer side walls 132, 142 are positioned a spaced apart distance to contain a ladder having a continuous base end or a low connecting rung 20′ between side walls 132, 142.
An additional alternative ladder safe base 150 is illustrated in FIG. 12 and includes a pair of arm members 160, 170, each lacking an outer side wall, but including inner side walls 162, 172. Interior of each side wall 162, 172 is attached inner sleeves 60″, 60′″ (see FIG. 12), through which any of the fixation members 70, 70′, 70″, 70′″ are slidably insertable. The alternative embodiment includes the stabilizing cross-member 50 and securing means 58 as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 9. The inner side walls 162, 172 are positioned with ladder base ends 26, 28 outboard of each inner side wall, thereby securing wide ladder base ends having broad, spaced apart side rails 22, 24 and/or having wide base ends that are readily positioned outboards of inner side walls 162, 172.
A method for utilization of a ladder safe base 10 or 110, is provided herein for stabilizing ladder base ends 26, 28 in angled contact against any of a plurality of supporting surfaces that may be uneven and/or unstable. The steps of the method include a step of providing a ladder safe base 10 or 110 including first and second receiving members 30, 40 interconnected by a stabilizing member 14 sidably adjustable therebetween. A step of positioning the receiving members 30, 40 includes adjusting the width between the receiving members 30, 40 by manipulating the stabilizing member 14 and the securing means 16, thereby accommodating a leaning ladder having base ends 26, 28 inserted into the respective receiving members 30, 40. A step of leveling the ladder safe base 10 includes inserting and extending one or both of fixation members 70, 70′ through the respective sleeves 60, 60′ of the receiving members 30, 40. The step of leveling is repeatable to obtain various heights of respective receiving members 30, 40 above an uneven supporting surface 80 by manipulating respective connector means for each receiving member 30, 40, including one or more retaining or connecting members such as cotter pins 64, 64′, and/or connector bolts 76,′ secured by wing nut connectors 78, 78′.
A step of inserting includes sliding the ladder base ends 26, 28 into respective first and second slot opening widths 30′, 40′ of each receiving members 30, 40 without having to couple or decouple additional attachments to the ladder base ends 26, 28. Further, the step of inserting is completed without readjusting the ladder base pads, if the ladder includes base pads pivotably attached to respective ladder base ends 26, 28, due to the ample slot opening widths provided by the receiving members 30, 40. A step of repositioning the ladder safe base 10 and ladder 20 is rapidly completed by sliding and removing the receiving members 30, 40 from the angled ladder base ends 26, 28 in a first angled position when the ladder 20 is temporarily not bearing significant weight thereon. The receiving members 30, 40 and slidably adjustable cross-member 14 are repositioned to an appropriate second location, and the step of leveling is repeated for the receiving members 30, 40, before the ladder 20 is moved for slidingly positioning the ladder base ends 26, 28 into the ladder safe base 10 in the second location. The ladder 20 is moved to the second location and the ladder base ends 26, 28 are slidably inserted into respective receiving members 30, 40 with the adjustable cross-member 14 secured, if needed.
An alternative step of repositioning includes positioning a second, like-configured ladder safe base 10 in an appropriate second location on a supporting surface 80, removing the ladder base ends 26, 28 from the respective receiving members 30, 40, and sliding the ladder base ends 26, 28 into first and second slot opening widths 30′, 40′ of respective receiving members 30, 40 of the second, like-configured ladder safe base 10. No additional ladder base connectors are required for safe securing of the ladder base ends with the method described hereinabove, due to the lack of a need for any additional ladder base connectors for securing the ladder safe base 10 or 110 thereto. The ladder safe base 10 is repositioned to a second location with only the step of leveling being repeated, if needed, due to a change in elevation of the supporting surface 80. The user of the ladder safe base 10 or 110 benefits from improved efficiency in moving a ladder 20 from a first location to a second and additional locations, while having the ladder base ends 26, 28 secured from lateral shifting and “kick-out” relative to an unstable and/or uneven supporting surface 80.
From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a ladder safe base 10, 110 is disclosed for releasably connecting a coupling member 12 to secure therein the respective base ends 26, 28 of a ladder 20, thereby stabilizing the base ends disposed in angled contact against any of a plurality of supporting surfaces presenting uneven and/or unstable surfaces. The disclosed ladder safe base 10 improves the stability and safety of the junction of the ladder base end with the supporting surface 80 during the occurrence of a load-bearing activity on the ladder 20. Further, the method for utilization of the ladder safe base 10 includes steps providing for movement of a first coupling member from a first position to a second position without moving the ladder until it can be repositioned and stabilized within the repositioned first coupling member. An alternative method for utilization further provides a like-configured second coupling member that is positioned and leveled in a second location, with resulting movement of the ladder from a first location secured within a first coupling member, to a second location secured within a second coupling member, while maximizing the efficiency of the method for utilization during the operation of repositioning the ladder.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
Patent Application
20050092551
