Patent Application
20070235257
The present invention is generally related to the support and lift arts of Class 248 and, in particular, to a ladder lift system and method of use.
For many service and repair usages, an extension ladder is transported on a truck to the work site. Longer extension ladders often require more than one workman for unloading and safe utilization of the extension ladder. The manner of attachment of an extension ladder to a truck also becomes a safety issue, i.e. one must ensure that an extension ladder does not fall off the truck during transport to the work site.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to set forth a novel ladder lift and support system which enables ease of set-up and use by a single workman.
It is a further object to demonstrate a ladder lift system which is mounted on a truck bed and which is utilized from the truck bed position so that no ladder unloading is required.
It is also an object to show a system and method of ladder usage which enhances safety for a workman without costly manufacturing processes and expenses.
It is a still further object of the present invention to demonstrate a novel clamping system which may be economically produced and which results in a ladder lift which is solidly supported and which may be easily moved to various positions at a particular work site.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the support and ladder lift arts from the description which follows.
During the course of preparing this specification for submission to the U.S. Patent Office, a full search of the prior art was conducted.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,971,563 and 4,990,049 are at least broadly related to the present invention since they teach a combined ladder and pickup truck usage.
Pat. No. 6,971,563 issued to Levi in 2005 claim recites a clamping means adapted to cooperate with two elements to act as a coupling fastener.
The Levi Patent is classified in U.S. Patent Office Classes 224 and 296.
The present invention is submitted to clearly define over the prior art systems and methods of use as they relate to ladders and truck mounted lift designs.
A pair of specially designed clamp structures are utilized and positioned between a lift rail and the side rails of an extension ladder.
A lower support and retention element for the ladder is also provided.
Each of the clamp structures has a lower design comprising shoulders which permit mounting to a lift rail. The clamp structures also include an upper section which includes a generally C-shaped device which contacts a side rail of an extension ladder.
The overall system provides for maximum flexibility in use of a ladder at a work site, increased convenience since the ladder need not be removed from a truck, and enhanced safety for a workman since the design provides for a more solid securing of an extension or other type of ladder.
Referring to the drawing
A lift structure 30 is shown as being pivotable about point 31 which is mounted to the truck bed 22.
The lift 30 has an upper or top rail 33 which is very sturdy and is of a generally square or rectangular cross section.
An extension ladder is indicated at numeral 10 and as having a lower mounting point or area at numeral 10M.
As further indicated schematically in
For the purposes of illustration and clear description, the clamps 40 are divided into lower section 50, middle section 60 and upper section 70.
Referring to
As further shown, the shoulders are at about ninety degrees to each other and have lower edges 53 and 54 respectively.
The middle section 60 has upwardly extending side rails 61 and 63, left and right, which have respective lower portions 62 and 64.
As indicated, the lower edges of the shoulder sections are affixed to the lower rail portions.
Referring to
The grasping element is generally C-shaped and is retained to the upper section 70 by means of a disc-shaped backing plate 78 and a connector element 79 which extends through aperture 79a in the upper section 70.
As shown in
The arrangement shown enables a swivel motion of the C-shaped grasping element.
Thus, convenient positioning of an extension ladder is achieved.
It is contemplated that the materials utilized for the fabrication of clamp elements 40 would comprise high-strength metals or hybrid compounds of a type known in the manufacturing arts.
Retainer structure 80 includes bolt apertures 81 which cooperate with suitable fasteners to affix the retainer 80 to bed 22.
Lower retainer 80 has side wings 87, a lower plate 88 and slide plates 89.
Slotted apertures 82 provide for an adjustment of the retaining member 80 to accomodate extension ladders of various sizes.
Bolt apertures 85 are utilized to affix the lower end of an extension ladder to the lower retainer structure 80.
The lower retainer and support structure 80 is shown in
As indicated generally in
The method steps utilized in practice of the invention are as follows:
The method steps utilize the structures which have been previously illustrated including the clamp units 40 and the lower ladder support 80.
While a particular system and method of use have been described and illustrated, it is intended in this specification to cover all equivalent systems and methods which would reasonably occur to those of skill in the art. For example only, the system may be arranged so that the ladder extends to lateral or front locations.
The invention is further defined by the claims appended hereto.
