Patent Application
20190257152
This disclosure relates to a ladder safety rail. More specifically, this disclosures relates to a ladder safety rail for use on ladders to provide a safe transition from the ladder to an elevated surface, such as a roof.
To access an elevated surface, such as a roof and the like, a user conventionally leans a ladder against a structure supporting the surface or the elevated surface itself and climbs the ladder. It can be difficult and dangerous, however, to transition from the ladder to the elevated surface. For example, the ladder sometimes cannot extend far beyond the edge of the elevated surface so that there is nothing for a user to grab and hold as a handle while transitioning to the elevated surface. In another example, the ladder can extend beyond the edge of the elevated surface but rungs of the ladder can prevent the user from walking through the side rails of the ladder to transition to the roof. Instead, the user must dangerously swing around the side rails or over the top rung.
It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.
Disclosed is a ladder safety rail for a ladder configured to reach an elevated surface of a structure against which the ladder rests, the ladder comprising a plurality of side rails and a top rung extending between the side rails. The ladder safety rail can comprise a bracket comprising a longitudinal axis, the bracket configured to be attached to a side rail of the ladder, and a handle configured to be removably attached to the bracket.
Also disclosed is a system for converting a conventional ladder having a plurality of side rails and a top rung extending between the side rails into an OSHA compliant ladder having a ladder height at least thirty-six inches above an elevated surface of a structure against which the ladder rests. The system can comprise a bracket comprising a longitudinal axis, the bracket configured to be attached to a side rail of the ladder before the ladder is raised to the elevated surface, and a handle configured to be removably attached to the bracket.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.
Disclosed is a ladder safety rail and associated methods, devices, and various apparatus. The ladder safety rail can be selectively attachable to a ladder to provide a safe transition from the ladder to an elevated surface, such as a roof. For example, the ladder safety rail can be attached to the two side rails of a conventional ladder to provide the user of the ladder a handle that extends above and/or over the edge of the elevated surface. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed ladder safety rail is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
The bracket 102 is illustrated more clearly in
A notch 118 can be defined in the outer wall 110 from the bottom end 108 of the outer wall 110 and extending upwards toward the top end 106 of the outer wall 110. In one aspect, a top portion 120 of a notch wall 122 can be at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis LA of the bracket 102, the top portion 120 configured to engage a top rung 14 (shown in
A plurality of longitudinal ribs 124a,b can extend outwards away from the outer wall 110 a predetermined rib width. In one aspect, the ribs 124a,b can be formed adjacent to the first duct 112 and can extend from the top end 106 to the bottom end 108 of the bracket 102. In this aspect, the ribs 124a,b can be spaced from each other a predetermined rib distance so that a rib gap 126 can be defined between the ribs 124a,b, the rib gap 126 extending from the top end 106 to the bottom end 108 of the bracket 102. In one aspect, a pin bore 128 can be defined in each of the ribs 124a,b adjacent to the bottom end 108. In this aspect, the pin bore 128 can have a bore axis LB substantially normal to the longitudinal axis LA of the bracket 102.
In another aspect, at least one screw hole 130 can be defined in the outer wall 110 at the top end 106 of the bracket 102. In this aspect, the screw hole 130 can extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the bracket 102.
With reference now to
In one aspect, the pin hole 140 of the first wall 134 and the second wall 136 can be substantially coaxially aligned with the pin bore 128 defined through the ribs 124a,b, and a pin 142 can be inserted therethrough to rotatably couple the retaining clamp 132 to the ribs 124a,b of the bracket 102. A pin 142 can be a clevis pin held in place with a cotter pin or any other suitable fastener or mechanism that can hold the pin 142 in place in the pin bore 128 and the pin hole 140. In this aspect, the retaining clamp 132 can be rotatable about and between a first locked position, in which the first wall 134 of the retaining clamp 132 overlies at least a portion of the notch 118 defined in the outer wall 110 of the bracket 102, and a second unlocked position in which the first wall 134 of the retaining clamp 132 is spaced from the notch 118. In another aspect, with the retaining clamp 132 coupled to the bracket 102 and in the first position, the first wall 134 can have a first side 137 (shown in
In one aspect, the bracket 102 can further comprise a cover 146 as illustrated in
The handle 104 is shown in
In use, described more fully below, each prong 158 can be depressed by a user to allow the distal end 154 of the handle 104 to be inserted into the second duct 114 of the bracket 102. The wall of the second duct 114 can keep the prong 158 depressed as the mounting portion 152 of the handle 104 slides through the second duct 114. When the distal end 154 exits the second duct 114 below the bottom end 108 of the bracket 102, the prong 158 can bias outward to the first relaxed position, thereby fixedly attached the handle 104 in place relative to the bracket 102. In another aspect, an internal wall of the second duct 114 can be slotted and/or chamfered to allow the prongs 158 to readily slide through the second duct 114.
In one aspect, the handle 104 can further comprise at least one of an upper rail 160 coupled to the mounting portion 152, a lower rail 162 substantially parallel to the upper rail 160, a curved rail 164 that couples the upper rail 160 to the lower rail 162, and a connecting rail 166 that couples the lower rail 162 to the mounting portion 152.
With the handle 104 attached to the bracket 102, a portion of the handle 104 can extend away from the bracket 102 at a plurality of angles relative to the longitudinal axis LA of the bracket 102. As illustrated in
In use, the angles α1, α2, α3, α4 formed between the rails 160, 166 of the handle 104 can stabilize the ladder 10 and/or assist the user on getting on the elevated surface. For example, the third angle α3 formed between the upper rail 160 and the longitudinal axis LA of the bracket 102, and the fourth angle α4 formed between the connecting rail 166 and the longitudinal axis LA of the bracket 102 can cause at least portions of the handle 104 to overhang the elevated surface of a structure against which the ladder 10 rests in a direction substantially parallel to the bracket 102 and/or the side rails 12 of the ladder 10. That is, with the ladder 10 leaned against a supporting structure, such as a building 16 (illustrated in
In another example, the second angle α2 formed between the connecting rail 166 and the longitudinal axis LA of the bracket 102 can cause at least portions of the handle 104 to overhang the elevated surface in a direction substantially normal to the bracket 102 and/or the side rails 12 of the ladder 10. That is, with the ladder 10 leaned against a supporting structure, such as a building 16 (illustrated in
To assemble the ladder safety rail 100, the first duct 112 of a bracket 102 can be positioned over the side rail 12 of the ladder 10 and the bracket 102 can be inserted onto the side rail 12. In one aspect, the bracket 102 can be positioned with the second duct 114 facing away from the ladder 10 and the notch 118 defined in the outer wall 110 facing the opposing side rail 12 of the ladder. The side rail 12 can slide through the first duct 112 until the top rung 14 of the ladder 10 contacts the top portion 120 of the notch wall 122. As the side rail 12 slides through the first duct 112, the top rung 14 of the ladder 10 can urge the retaining clamp 132 to rotate to the second unlocked position so that the top rung 14 can slide past the retaining clamp 132. With the bracket 102 in position on the side rail 12 and the top rung 14 of the ladder engaging the top portion 120 of the notch wall 122, the retaining clamp 132 can be biased to the first locked position to securedly couple the bracket 102 to the side rail 12. Note that the bracket 102 can be coupled to the ladder 10 on the ground (i.e., before the ladder 10 has been raised). If a second handle 104 is desired, a second bracket 102 can be coupled to the other side rail 12 of the ladder 10.
The mounting portion 152 of the handle 104 can be positioned over and then inserted into the second duct 114 of the bracket 102. In one aspect, the handle 104 can be oriented so that the connecting rail 166 of the handle 104 extends outward (i.e., away from the ladder 10). To insert the handle 104 into the bracket 102, the prongs 158 can be moved to the second depressed position by chamfers defined in the second duct 114 so that the prongs 158 do not extend away from the handle 104 and the mounting portion 152 can be inserted into the second duct 114. The mounting portion 152 can slide through the second duct 114 until the distal end 154 of the handle 104 extends from the second duct 114 adjacent the bottom end 108 of the bracket 102. The prongs 158 can then be biased to the first relaxed position, in which the prongs 158 extend away from the handle 104 and prevent the handle 104 from being inadvertently removed from the bracket 102. Note that the handle 104 can be coupled to the bracket 102 either before or after the ladder 10 has been raised. When the handle 104 is formed from extruded aluminum or other light material, the handle 104 is easier for a user to carry up a ladder 10 and insert into the bracket 102 at the top of the ladder 10 as it leans against a building 16 without having to push the ladder 10 away from the building 16.
To remove the ladder safety rail 100 from the ladder 10, the prongs 158 can be pushed inward to the second depressed position so that the prongs 158 do not extend away from the handle 104 and the mounting portion 152 can be removed from the second duct 114. Note that the handle 104 can be removed from the bracket 102 either before or after the ladder 10 has been raised and without pushing the ladder 10 away from the building 16. To remove the bracket 102 from the side rail 12, the user can rotate the retaining clamp 132 to the second unlocked position in which the first wall 134 of the retaining clamp 132 is spaced from the notch 118. With the retaining clamp 132 in this unlocked position, the bracket 102 can then slide off of the side rail 12 of the ladder 10. Note that the bracket 102 can be removed from the ladder 10 either before or after the ladder 10 has been raised.
In some aspects, the ladder safety rail 100 can optionally comprise one or more knobs defining threaded shanks extending through threaded bores in the outer wall 110 into either or both of the ducts 112,114. Turning the knobs can drive the threaded shanks into the ducts 112,114 to grip the side rail 12 in the duct 112 or the handle 104 in the duct 114. Actuation of the knobs can thereby prevent accidental removal of the bracket 102 from the ladder 10 and the handle 104 from the bracket 102. In other aspects, the knobs can be replaced with threaded bolts that can be driven into the ducts 112,114.
OSHA regulations call out a 36 inch minimum height that a ladder 10 must extend above an elevated surface, such as a roof's landing surface. In one aspect, the handle 104 can have a handle height at least 36 inches so that the extension height of the ladder 10 with the ladder safety rail 100 coupled to the ladder 10 cannot be set lower than 36 inches.
One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.
