Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A safety support apparatus for ladders which enhances the stability of the lower end of the ladder against slipping, sliding or being jostled away from a position on the ground or other such supporting surface includes an open frame structure having a pair of laterally spaced apart A-frames. Each A-frame has a rearwardly and upwardly angled front leg and a rearwardly and downwardly angled, shorter rear leg. The front and rear legs are fastened together near their respective upper ends by an upper transversely disposed bolt, and at locations intermediate their ends by a longitudinally disposed straight side beam member. The two A-frames are held in a parallel vertical orientation by the combination of a front transversely disposed strut fastened at opposite lateral ends thereof to the upper surface of A-frame side members near their junction with the front A-frame legs, and a rear transversely disposed strut fastened at opposite lateral ends thereof to the rear A-frame legs, below the side members. A ladder inserted downwards into the open interior space of the frame structure, with the opposite side rails of the ladder parallel to opposite inner sides of the A-frame, is pivotably mounted to the apparatus by the inner protruding shanks of the upper A-frame bolts, each received through a bearing hole drilled through a ladder side rail, which is secured to the bolt by a fastener nut screwed down on the threaded shank of the bolt. Rearward pivotal motion of the upper portion of the ladder is limited by abutting contact of the ladder rails with a transversely disposed anti-kickback bar attached at opposite lateral ends thereof to the A-frame side members, below and rearward of the pivot axis. The apparatus stably supports a ladder at inclination angles between about 60 degrees and 85 degrees, in contrast to the 75-degree angle recommended for safe usage of a conventional ladder.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim