FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to ladders and ladder safety devices and more particularly to a device used for securing a ladder to a structure to prevent the ladder from falling over when left unattended.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ladders are commonly used around residential and commercial structures to access upper stories and roofs to perform maintenance or repairs. A common problem with unattended ladders is a tendency for them to tip over. This can occur when the ladder is not properly angled against a building and/or as the result of a strong gust of wind.
When an unattended ladder tips over, it can cause damage to the structure, nearby objects (such as vehicles, outdoor furniture, shrubs and so forth), individuals and/or to the ladder itself. In addition, individuals working on a roof can be left stranded with no way to climb down from the roof.
Therefore, a need exists for a ladder securing device that temporarily secures a ladder to a structure to prevent the ladder from falling or tipping over when left unattended. The relevant prior art includes the following references:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a ladder securing device that temporarily secures a ladder to a structure to prevent the ladder from falling or tipping over when left unattended.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a device for securing a ladder to the side of house to prevent the ladder from tipping over while unattended. The device has a substantially U-shaped clip that slides under a drip edge and/or under a fascia board. The clip is then attached to a rung of a ladder using one or more straps extending from the U-shaped clip.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder securing device of the present invention used for securing a ladder to a drip edge;
FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a ladder securing device of the present invention in use securing a ladder to a drip edge;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ladder securing device of the present invention having an extended clip used for securing a ladder to fascia;
FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a ladder securing device of the present invention in use securing a ladder to fascia; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ladder securing device of the present invention having a dual clip used for securing a ladder to a drip edge or to fascia.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:
1. ladder securing device, generally
2. U-shaped clip
3. strap support panel of U-shaped clip
4. securing panel of U-shaped clip
4
a. first securing panel of U-shaped clip
4
b. first securing panel of U-shaped clip
5. upper edge of securing panel
6. bevel
7. upper edge of strap support panel
8. horizontal slot
9. strap
10. attachment means
11. hook and loop fastener
12. ladder
13. drip edge
14. fascia
15. extended U-shaped clip
16. bottom panel
17. dual clip
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view of a ladder securing device 1 of the present invention used for securing a ladder 12 to a drip edge 13 and a perspective side view of a ladder securing device 1 of the present invention in use securing a ladder 12 to a drip edge 13, respectively, are illustrated. The ladder securing device 1 of the present invention comprises a substantially U-shaped clip 2 having a strap support panel 3 and a securing panel 4 wherein the strap support panel 3 is angled toward the securing panel 4 to create tension between the strap support panel 3 and the securing panel 4 when an object, such as drip edge, is slid between the strap support panel 3 and the securing panel 4. The strap support panel 3 may be bent over the securing panel 4 to create the U shape, as illustrated herein, or the strap support panel 3 and securing panel 4 may extend upward from a bottom panel 16, as further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. The securing panel 4 preferably comprises an upper edge 5 which has a bevel 6 to allow the securing panel 4 to be inserted into a narrow space located between a drip edge 13 and fascia 14. The strap support panel 3 preferably comprises an upper edge 7 that is lower in height than the upper edge 5 of the securing panel 4 to allow the securing panel 4 to be fully inserted behind a drip edge 13 without being hindered by the strap support panel 3. The strap support panel 3 may be angled, curved or C-shaped, thereby causing the upper edge 7 thereof to angle outward away from the securing panel 4 to make it easier to slide the U-shaped clip 2 over a drip edge. A horizontal slot 8 is located below the upper edge 7 of the strap support panel 3 and is parallel to the upper edge 7 to provide an attachment point for a strap 9. The slot 8 is preferably located above a portion of the strap support panel 3 that makes contact with the securing panel 4 to allow the strap 9 to be adjusted freely after the U-shaped clip 2 has been positioned on a piece of drip edge 13. One or more attachment means 10, such as hook and loop fastener 11 is located on the strap 9 to allow the strap 9 to be looped around a rung of a ladder and then fastened back on itself.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a perspective view of a ladder securing device 1 of the present invention having an extended U-shaped clip 15 used for securing a ladder 12 to fascia 14 and a perspective side view of a ladder securing device 1 of the present invention in use securing a ladder 12 to fascia 14 is illustrated. The ladder securing device 1 of the present invention comprises a substantially U-shaped clip 15 having a strap support panel 3 and a securing panel 4 wherein the strap support panel 3 is angled toward the securing panel 4 to create tension between the strap support panel 3 and the securing panel 4 when an object, such as fascia, is slid between the strap support panel 3 and the securing panel 4. The strap support panel 3 may be bent over the securing panel 4 to create the U shape, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or the strap support panel 3 and securing panel 4 may extend upward from a bottom panel 16, as illustrated herein. The strap support panel 3 preferably comprises an upper edge 7 that is lower in height than the upper edge 5 of the securing panel 4 to allow the securing panel 4 to be fully inserted over a piece of fascia without being hindered by the strap support panel 3. The strap support panel 3 may be angled, curved or C-shaped, thereby causing the upper edge 7 thereof to angle outward away from the securing panel 4 to make it easier to slide the U-shaped clip 2 over a piece of fascia. A horizontal slot 8 is located below the upper edge 7 of the strap support panel 3 and is parallel to the upper edge 7 to provide an attachment point for a strap 9. The slot 8 is preferably located above a portion of the strap support panel 3 that curves inward toward the securing panel 4 to allow the strap 9 to be adjusted freely after the U-shaped clip 2 has been positioned on a piece of fascia. One or more attachment means 10, such as hook and loop fastener 11 is located on the strap 9 to allow the strap 9 to be looped around a rung of a ladder and then fastened back on itself.
With reference to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a ladder securing device 1 of the present invention having a dual clip 17 used for securing a ladder 12 to a drip edge 13 or fascia 14 is illustrated. The ladder securing device 1 of the present invention comprises a substantially U-shaped clip 2 having a bottom panel 16, a strap support panel 3 extending upward from a central portion of the bottom panel 16, a first securing panel 4a and a second securing panel 4b extending upward from opposing edges of the bottom panel 16 wherein the first securing panel 4a and the second securing panel 4b are parallel to the strap support panel 3. A distance between the first securing panel 4a and the strap support panel 3 is less than a distance between the second securing panel and the strap support panel 3. Therefore, the first securing panel 4a may be used to secure the ladder securing device 1 to a drip edge 13 and the second securing panel 4b may be used to secure the ladder securing device 1 to fascia 14. The first securing panel 4a preferably comprises an upper edge 5 which has a bevel 6 to allow the first securing panel 4a to be inserted into a narrow space located between a drip edge 13 and fascia 14. The strap support panel 3 preferably comprises an upper edge 7 that is lower in height than the upper edge 5 of the first securing panel 4a and the second securing panel 4b. A horizontal slot 8 is located below the upper edge 7 of the strap support panel 3 and is parallel to the upper edge 7 to provide an attachment point for a strap 9. One or more attachment means 10, such as hook and loop fastener 11 is located on the strap 9 to allow the strap 9 to be looped around a rung of a ladder and then fastened back on itself
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
Patent Grant
10161186
