Ladder securing apparatus, ladders incorporating same and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9593531-B2
Application number	US-201414490431-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2014
Priority date	Sep 18, 2013
Publication date	Mar 14, 2017
Grant date	Mar 14, 2017

Abstract

A ladder is provided having a securing apparatus for securing the ladder to a horizontally extending support structure (e.g., a utility cable), a vertically extending support structure (e.g., a utility pole) or both. In accordance with one embodiment, the securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engagement mechanisms, wherein each engagement mechanism is pivotally coupled with an associated rail of the ladder. Each engagement mechanism includes a frame member, an engagement member pivotally coupled with the frame member and a pole grasping structure coupled with the frame member. In one embodiment, each engagement member is configured to rotate from a first position, wherein an open gate is formed between the engagement member and its associated frame member, to a closed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A ladder comprising:
a first pair of spaced apart rails;
a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails;
a securing apparatus comprising:
a pair of spaced apart engagement mechanisms, each engagement mechanism being pivotally coupled with an associated rail of the first pairs of spaced apart rails, each engagement mechanism comprising:
a frame member,
an engagement member pivotally coupled with the frame member wherein each engagement member is configured to rotate from an open position, wherein an open gate is formed between the engagement member and its associated frame member, to a closed position wherein the engagement member and the frame member cooperatively form an enclosed structure,
a pole grasping structure coupled with the frame member,
an actuating mechanism comprising a cross-member having opposed ends attached to a respective spaced apart rail and coupled with each of the engagement mechanisms by a pair of link members, each link member having a first end attached to the cross-member at a location spaced inwardly form a respective end of the cross-member and a second end attached to an associated one of the pair of engagement members such that, upon displacement of the cross-member in a first direction towards a front face of the ladder, the engagement mechanisms rotate inwardly toward the cross-member;
wherein each engagement mechanism is configured to rotate into a stored position wherein, when each engagement mechanism is in the stored position, the cross-member and each engagement mechanism are all substantially positioned within an envelope defined by the spaced apart rails.

2. The ladder of claim 1 , further comprising a ratchet mechanism associated with each of the pivotal engagement mechanisms, wherein each ratchet mechanism is configured to selectively maintain an associated one of the engagement mechanisms in a plurality of rotational positions between a first deployed position and the stored position.

3. The ladder of claim 2 , wherein each engagement mechanism further includes a retaining mechanism configured to selectively maintain the engagement member in the closed position.

4. The ladder of claim 3 , further comprising a release mechanism configured to actuate at least one of the retaining mechanism and the ratchet mechanism of at least one engagement mechanism of the pair of engagement mechanisms.

5. The ladder of claim 4 , wherein the release mechanism is configured to actuate both the retaining mechanism and the ratchet mechanism of the at least one engagement mechanism.

6. The ladder of claim 1 , wherein, when each engagement mechanism is in the stored position, each pole grasping structure is positioned adjacent the cross-member.

7. The ladder claim 1 , wherein the cross-member includes a v-shaped portion and at least one engagement feature.

8. The ladder of claim 7 , wherein, when each engagement mechanism is in the stored position, each pole grasping structure is positioned adjacent the v-shaped portion of the cross-member.

9. The ladder of claim 1 , wherein each pole grasping structure includes at least one engagement feature selected from the group consisting of teeth, barbs or a serrated edge.

10. The ladder of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second pair of spaced apart rails slidably coupled with the first pair of spaced apart rails; and
a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails.

Assignees

• Wing Entpr Inc
• Wing Entpr Inc

Inventors

• Ballard Jay
• Peterson Sean R
• Jonas Gary M
• Moss N Ryan
• Crawford Ryan
• Cook Benjamin
• Russell Brian B

Classifications

• E06C7/48 Primary

  Ladder heads; Supports for heads of ladders for resting against objects {(ladders attachable to structures such as poles E06C1/34)} · CPC title

• E06C1/36

  Ladders suspendable by hooks or the like {(ladderhooks E06C7/505)} · CPC title