INTRODUCTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to ladder safety.

At present there is typically a degree of danger in utilising a ladder, particularly if there is no-one at its base to hold it. The ladder may slip backwards, or it may tilt or slide to the side. There are numerous accidents each year resulting in serious injury or even death in some cases.

Prior Art Discussion GB2329212 describes a ladder stabilising device having legs which extend out from a position approximately mid-way up the ladder. The legs are telescopic. It appears that while this would improve safety it would be cumbersome and time-consuming to use.

Also, a ladder safety apparatus has been marketed under the name LadderTwins ^™ comprising a foot which attaches to a ladder base and extends inwardly.

The invention is directed towards providing an improved ladder safety apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a ladder safety apparatus comprising a pair of frames, at least one for each side of a ladder, each frame comprising an inner portion with a fastening means to engage a ladder, and an outer portion with a ground-engaging foot, wherein the outer portion is splayed out from the inner portion.

In one embodiment, the inner and outer portions are integral.

In one embodiment, the inner and outer portions comprise a tube which is bent to splay out the outer portion. In one embodiment, the outer portion comprises a brace extending between the inner portion and a part of the outer portion near the foot. In one embodiment, the tube is S-shaped to form the inner portion and continues past a bend to form an integral splayed-out portion, which is bent down at its outer end to form a foot.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a resilient support with a fastening means for engaging a frame at an outer end and a ladder at an inner end.

In one embodiment, the resilient support comprises a length of elasticated rope with a hook at each end.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a pair of lateral support legs, each comprising means for engaging a frame or a ladder at an inner end and having a foot at an outer end.

In another embodiment, each lateral support leg comprises at least two clips or clamps for engaging a frame at the inner end.

In one embodiment, said clips or clamps are configured to engage a frame one above the other.

Preferably, the lateral support leg foot is adjustable. Preferably, the foot is on a rack of a ratchet mechanism.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a sign attached to a frame. In one embodiment, the sign is clipped to the frame. In one embodiment, the sign is clipped to the frame outer portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a ladder in use with a safety apparatus of the invention, and Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive are rear, plan, and side views respectively;

Figs. 5 and 6 are more detailed plan and side views showing a support arm of the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a ladder in use with an alternative safety apparatus of the invention, and Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are rear, plan, and side views; Figs. 11 and 12 are rear and side views of a right side lateral support leg of the apparatus of Figs. 7 to 10, and Figs. 13 and 14 are side and rear views of the left side lateral support leg;

Figs 15 and 16 are plan and side views respectively of an alternative support frame; and

Figs. 17 and 18 are plan and side views of the support frame of Figs. 15 and 16 with a sign clipped in position.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 a safety apparatus 1 of the invention comprises a left part 1 and a right part 20. As the left and right parts 1 and 20 are mirror images of each other only one is described in detail. The left part 1 comprises a frame 2 having an inner portion 10 with an upper hook 11 and a lower hook 12 for engaging a ladder in-between the ladder rungs. There is a cranked portion 13 in the frame 2, and an outer portion having an arm 15 and a brace 16 splayed out to the side. The arm 15 terminates in a ground-engaging foot 14. Thus, as viewed in plan, the left and right parts are splayed out as best viewed in Fig. 3. A tensioned elasticated rope support 3 has hooks 5 and 6 at its ends, the hook 5 engaging the foot 14 and the foot 6 engaging a ladder L rung. The elasticated support 3 is very simple to connect in place and is very effective at ensuring that the frame resists impacts and remains in place securely fastened to the ladder.

As the right part 20 of the apparatus 1 is constructed similarly in a mirror image to the left part 1 there is complete symmetry, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will be appreciated that the safety apparatus is very easily attached to a ladder. It is only necessary to engage the frame hooks 11 and 12 to the ladder lengths and then to secure them with the tensioned supports 3. Once connected in this manner they are secure on the ladder with excellent lateral stability. As the ladder 1 is being user there is excellent resistance to slipping and sliding of the ladder away from the wall because there are four ground-engaging feet. Also, there is much reduced risk of the ladder swaying to a side because of the fact that the parts 1 and 20 are splayed out.

Referring to Figs 7 to 13 an alternative safety apparatus 50 comprises parts 1 and 20 as described above. However, in addition there are left and right lateral support legs 55 and 60 respectively. The right support leg 60 comprises an inner arm 61 supporting at its ends an upper clamp 62 and a lower clamp 63. The clamps 62 and 63 are resilient so that they can grip opposing sides of the frame of the right part 20. The lateral support leg 60 also comprises a lateral arm 64 and a stay 65, the lateral arm 64 terminating in a ratchet comprising a pawl 66 and a rack 67. There is a foot 68 at the bottom of the rack 67. The left side lateral support leg is identical to the right side lateral support leg 60.

In use, the left and right apparatus parts 1 and 20 are attached to the ladder as described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. The support legs 50 and 60 are then attached using the clamps, and the ratchet is adjusted so that the feet 68 engage the ground. The lateral support legs provide additional stability, reducing risk of side slide of the ladder, and there is also considerable protection against rotation and flip.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16 an alternative frame, 100, for an apparatus part, comprises an inner end 101 with lower and upper hooks 102 and 103, and an arm 104 extending at an angle to the plane of the inner end 101. The arm 104 is bent downwardly so that its end forms a ground foot 105. The arm 104 is supported by a brace 106. The frame 100 is of simple and light-weight construction as it is formed by bending a single tube to. form both the inner end 101 and the arm 104 with the integral foot 105. The S-shape at the inner portion gives excellent strength even though it is formed from only a single length of tube. This arrangement allows a single length of tube to form the inner portion S-shape, the bent for splaying out, the outer portion arm, and the ground-engaging foot. It is therefore of lightweight and high strength construction while being inexpensive to manufacture. Referring to Figs. 17 and 18 an alternative safety apparatus comprises the frame 100 and a sign 150 mounted on the side by top clips 151 and a bottom clip 152. The top clips are configured and located for engagement with the arm 104 and the bottom clip 152 with the brace 106. This arrangement allows for high visibility of a warning sign, also improving visibility. In an alternative embodiment, there may be a warning sign on the opposed side of the frame, or on both sides.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention provides very considerable resistance to slip and lateral swaying and sliding of a ladder. Also, the apparatus may be very easily connected, and removed for transport. Also, it is of simple and robust construction. The apparatus has the benefits of fitting a range of sizes of ladder, and avoidance of need for moving parts. It achieves in a very simple manner double the ladder foot contact and at the same time much greater lateral stability, while the apparatus is compact and easily carried, transported, and fitted. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail.