Supporting Surface Compensating Means Patents (Class 182/200)
  • Patent number: 5868222
    Abstract: Ladder stabilizers for lateral attachment to an extension ladder for inhibiting sideways slipping and falling thereof accordingly to full safety. A long tube support made from non-rusting, a non-articulated bracing member, and a ladder side rail form an A-frame with the tube support and the side rail comprising the legs of the A and the bracing member comprising the horizontal connecting member of the A. The lock for the telescoping sections visibly indicates they are locked, this as per American National Standard ANSI A14.2-1990, par. 6.7.10, the installation being fully secured because of the technically safe locking device the telescopic tube is blocked with a spring pin. Ladder stabilizers are telescopic tubes for uneven ground and are pivotable along only the same surface of the ladder, thus enlarging the sustentation polygon for ladder support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Francois Charbonneau
  • Patent number: 5791438
    Abstract: Abstract An improved ladder supporting device having two similar rectangular plates, hinged together at one end of each plate. One plate can be raised to an angular configuration with the other plate and sustained by a pair of support racks. The support racks are pivotal upon the base plate edges and are slotted and notched so that the load-bearing plate can rest in any of a plurality of angular configurations. The angular resting position of the load bearing plate is secured by a pair of locking wing nuts. In this configuration, the device can compensate for the sloping condition of the footing surface and support the combined weight of the ladder, the worker, and his or her working tools. By spreading the total weight over an enlarged area, the device can be used over a variety of unstable sloped ground conditions. In like manner, this device can be used, in its collapsed configuration, over level unstable ground surface conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: John Kempton
    Inventor: John D. Kempton
  • Patent number: 5771992
    Abstract: A safety support structure for leveling a ladder placed thereupon and providing a support surface over an otherwise unsafe terrain, such as soft soil or sloping or uneven terrain, thereby eliminating danger to the user. The safety support structure comprises a frame structure having a base frame, a plurality of lateral stabilizing bars and a plurality of vertical support structures. The safety support structure further comprises a leveler and support surface structure coupled to the vertical support structures for leveling a ladder placed thereon and for providing a support surface over the otherwise unsafe surface and attachable anchoring components for anchoring the frame structure to the otherwise unsafe surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Harry A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5715910
    Abstract: This invention relates to a stairway platform device which is used upon a stairway to provide a stable base to assist an individual in reaching the highest portions of a wall during painting and/or wallpapering activities. The stairway platform device generally includes a platform, a front support wall which may include a retractable tuck-under leg, a rear support wall which may include a handle and/or a storage compartment, and a pair of side support walls; each side support wall including a plurality of step engagement edges and riser engagement edges. The side support walls, front support wall, and rear support wall preferably depend and are flared outwardly from the platform. Each of the side support walls, front support wall, and rear support wall may additionally include flanges which may be utilized to assist in the stacking and storage of a plurality of stairway platform devices during periods of non-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventors: Michael W. Koch, Lynette K. Koch
  • Patent number: 5615752
    Abstract: A base, supported on a platform, has a plate pivotably coupled therein, and side walls of the base are apertured to receive rods. The rods maintain the plate in a selected inclination, as they are fitted through the apertures and hold the plate in position. The plate receives one upright of a ladder, in order to make the upright level with the other upright of the ladder on pitched ground, or uneven bearing surfaces, in which the two uprights cannot otherwise bear on a common-level surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Leonard Wassil
  • Patent number: 5526898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to leg extension assembly comprising an outer sleeve member having a box leg member disposed therein, a telescopically collapsible inner leg member slidably mounted within said sleeve member, means for connecting said box leg member to said inner leg member, said means including a spring element which biases the inner leg member away from the box leg, and locking means for locking said inner leg at a selected extended length. The leg extension assembly may be incorporated into a leg element, or in the alternative, may be attached or otherwise affixed to an existing leg, such as an existing leg of, for example, a ladder, scaffold, sawhorse, table or chair by any means well known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Allen Clark
  • Patent number: 5507364
    Abstract: A ladder leveler includes a frame unit that is adjustable in two degrees of freedom and has a wide range of adjustment. The rungs of a ladder being leveled are supported, and brakes are located between the rung supporting element and the remainder of the frame unit. The brakes can be located between the rung supporting element and crossbars on the frame unit and/or between the crossbars and stanchions of that frame unit. At least two rungs of the ladder are supported. If three rungs are supported, one of the rungs will be supported from beneath that rung, and the stanchions are telescoping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Stephen T. Spevak
  • Patent number: 5339921
    Abstract: A ladder leveling device used in conjunction with a ladder on sloping ground or roof surfaces. This device may be adjusted to the slope of the ground or roof and is placed under one or both legs of a two-legged ladder. The device is comprised of a horizontal plate upon which the ladder leg rests, a vertical plate attached to the end portion of the horizontal plate, an adjustment plate with adjustment grooves therethrough which is adjustably bolted to the vertical plate. A swiveling anti-skid-plate is connected to the lower edge of the adjustment plate and adjusts itself to the slope of the roof or ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Dana C. Faupel
  • Patent number: 5263551
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for use in carpentry, painting, and other construction. The device has two side members shaped generally as quadrilaterals with the first side member being a mirror image of the second side member. A first surface joins a first edge of the first side member to a fifth edge of the second side member. A second surface joins a second edge of the first side member to a sixth edge of the second side member. The fourth edge of the first side member and the eighth edge of the second side member have teeth which engage a surface. The fourth edge and the eighth edge also have cut outs which assist in engaging a ladder. A handle can be provided for easy carrying. A third surface joins the first side member to the second side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Terry M. Andersen
  • Patent number: 5139109
    Abstract: A device for supporting the lower ends of ladder stiles on unlevel ground comprises a flat flexible mat (7) having at one end a ramp portion (1). In use, one stile rests on the flat mat and the other rests, at an appropriate height on the ramp portion, which faces the wall against which the ladder leans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: James B. Clarke
  • Patent number: 4993514
    Abstract: A ladder safety device includes a carrier structure capable of attachment to a ladder so as to carry the feet of the ladder. The carrier structure incorporates fixedly mounted first interconnect device, ground-engaging feet devices, and linkage arrangement connected to the ground-engaging feet devices and includes a second interconnection which is capable of releasably interconnecting with the first interconnect device to enable verticality of a ladder when the ground-engaging devices engage an inclined surface. Rigidity between the ground-engaging devices and the carrier structure is provided by interconnection of the first and second interconnect devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: William H. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 4971089
    Abstract: This folding shelter has a canopy that can be attached to a folding chair, and removed easily for portability. Struts engaging the back structure of the chair support the canopy under a degree of tension. The canopy has a top panel and depending side and back panels, the latter being detachably secured to the back structure of the chair. Preferably, retractable bearing plates are provided at the lower extremities of the legs of the chair. An optional skirt panel is also provided extending around at least three sides of the chair, and attachable to the side and back panels, with auxiliary support extending from the chair to position the lower rear extremities of the skirt panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Bruce W. Braman
  • Patent number: 4941547
    Abstract: A wall scaffold using a pair of ladders equipped with ladder jacks for supporting a horizontal work platform. The invention includes numerous safety features such as a safety railing on standards attached to the outboard ends of the ladder jacks, a paint bucket trolley for the railing, an adjustable anti-flexing brace between the central part of the ladder and the wall to prevent bouncing of the ladder and platform, a unique safety clamp for tightly securing components to the ladder rungs, a ladder level adjuster, an auxiliary step to assist in mounting and dismounting the work platform, and a safety stake attachable to the lowest ladder rung to prevent bottom "slip-out".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventor: Lester R. Livick
  • Patent number: 4896745
    Abstract: An adjustable ladder base assembly for compensating an uneven foundation surface and/or to enable a ladder to be inclined at a given angle. The base assembly includes an arcuate bottom structure having footplate devices which can be brought into contact with the foundation surface, a strut which connects the two sides of the arcuate structure, and an attachment structure which is pivotally mounted to the strut and to the arcuate part and which is intended to support the ladder in a raised position. The attachment structure includes an upper, transverse bar which supports holding means for securing the sidepieces of the ladder. The bar is firmly connected by a spacer means, with a lower, transversely extending and upwardly open channel section which is intended to receive a rung of the ladder. The spacer means can be clamped to the arcuate part by the friction locking action of an upper, transversely extending U-shaped strut which embraces the arcuate part and is pivotally mounted to the strut via a lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Johnny Warnelov
  • Patent number: 4846305
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 provides easy, stable positioning of a ladder within a stairwell. The apparatus 10 includes multiple base portions 14, 24 which traverse and rest upon multiple steps 20, 28. Sidewall braces 38, 40 adjustably engage the stairwell sidewalls to inhibit lateral movement of the base portions 14, 24. A bracket 52 is pivotally connected to the base of the ladder and rotatably connected to the base portions 24. Accordingly, the ladder is free to be manually rotated and pivoted to rest against any of the walls forming the stairwell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Bernard J. Kupfert
  • Patent number: 4699247
    Abstract: A device for supporting simultaneously the bottom ends of both stiles of a ladder from sloping ground, so that the rungs of the ladder are horizontal, comprises a reversible triangular platform, which is supported from the ground by three feet, one of which spaces the respective corner of the platform at a greater height above the ground than the other two feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: James B. Clarke
  • Patent number: 4679652
    Abstract: A ladder support has pedestals universally mounted so as to accommodate irregular ground surfaces. Each pedestal is an enlarged circular affair providing frictional engagement with the ground plane. A pair of spring-loaded jaws extend parallel to one another for receiving the lower end of the ladder, and which, due to the weight of the ladder, are levered against a resistant spring force causing the jaws to close on the end of the ladder and secure it by clamping engagement. The jaws are mounted on end plates which are, in turn, pivotally mounted onto end wall assemblies that can rotate providing a self-adjustment of the lower end of the ladder between the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Inventor: Ramiro E. Cervantes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4591023
    Abstract: Modifications in a levelling device for ladders and the like are provided. Apertured lug, adapted for attachment to the bottom ends of uprights, stiles or legs of a ladder, trestle, etc., are slidably mounted on an arcuate support bar, and biased to a non-locking or freely slidable position. On application of weight to the ladder, the apertured lugs pivot to a locking position. In one embodiment, each of the apertured lugs is formed with extension members or fingers with abutment surfaces extending parallel to the plane of the ladder which tangentially engage the sides of the support bar when the apertured lugs are in locked position to prevent or limit any tiltable movement of the support bar out of the plane of the ladder. In another aspect of the invention, the lugs are provided with non-circular apertures and the support bar is formed with a complementary non-circular cross-sectional configuration, such as triangular, square, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Baden L. Hodson
  • Patent number: 4565262
    Abstract: A ladder apparatus having an elongated ladder assembly, a pair of pivotally mounted supporting legs, braces positionable to interconnect the legs and the ladder assembly to retain the legs in stable supporting relation to the ladder assembly, a collapsible platform borne by the ladder assembly and an adjustable leveling device mounted on the ladder assembly for ground engagement to support the ladder assembly on uneven surfaces. An auxiliary support assembly adapted for attachment to a ladder assembly having the foregoing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Stanley E. Hawkins
    Inventor: Donald E. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4541650
    Abstract: A motorcycle ride-off stand having a generally U-shaped tubular housing which defines an internal open ended chamber. Mounted on the free end of each leg of the housing is a foot pad assembly. Each foot pad assembly is movable a limited amount in respect to the housing. Movement of the foot pad assemblies are in unison but in opposite directions. Movement transferring structure is located within the internal chamber of the housing which includes the use of an aligned series of balls so as to transfer the movement around the bends formed within the tubular housing. A manual actuator assembly is attached to the housing to pivot the entire housing from a stowed position to an extended position. A locking assembly is associated with the housing to fix in position the foot pad assemblies when located at a particular desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Inventor: Jack B. Cline
  • Patent number: 4519477
    Abstract: An adjustable stablizing device which is attached to an extension ladder having hollow rungs without requiring modification of the ladder structure or affecting normal operation of the ladder is described. The device has two stabilizing elements made of aluminum which are located at different side of the ladder. Each stabilizing element has an upper and a lower bracket which are connected together by two rigid pivotably-linked longitudinal members. The stabilizing elements are connected to each other by rods which extend through the hollow rungs of the ladder and which connect the upper and the lower brackets. The lower bracket and the lower longitudinal member are pivotably connected, and the upper bracket has a number of apertures spaced lengthwise of the ladder. By choosing the aperture to which the upper longitudinal member is connected, the attitude of each of the lower members is varied via the pivotable connection so as to lie on the surface adjacent the ladder side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Inventor: Robert Ralston
  • Patent number: 4457397
    Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a platform for stairs, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a device which may be effectively employed as a scaffold structure for stairs, or a step-up platform to reach portions of the ceiling and the walls of a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: John J. Scala
  • Patent number: 4456095
    Abstract: A levelling device for ladders has a pair of locking bars (24, 32, 51, 52) pivotally mounted on the ladder (28, 31, 42). A support arc (16, 33, 48), having feet (19, 34) at each end, passes through apertures (50) in the locking bars (24, 33, 51, 52). Springs (25, 46) interconnecting each locking bar (24, 32, 51, 52) and the ladder (28, 31, 42) urge the locking bars (24, 32, 51, 52) to an unlocked position where the support arc (16, 33, 48) is free to pass through the apertures (50). When weight is applied to the ladder (28, 31, 42), the locking bars (24, 32, 51, 52) are urged to a locked position, against the springs (25, 46), where the sides of the apertures (50) engage the support arc (16, 33, 48) to lock it against further movement. By adjustment of the support arc (16, 33, 48), the feet (19, 34) may be raised or lowered to accommodate any irregularities in the support surface so that the ladder (28, 31, 42) will stand vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Milba Properties Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Baden L. Hodson
  • Patent number: 4437545
    Abstract: A step ladder for use on an uneven surface including an arcuate leveling member adapted to hold the step ladder straight on an uneven surface with means for securing the leveling member in any selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: Charles Mankouski
    Inventor: Ernest Pardee
  • Patent number: 4359138
    Abstract: A supporting device for ladders which has two supports which can be connected with rungs of the ladder by two connecting devices. The connecting devices form at least one pair of connecting parts which receive two rungs of the ladder in opposite direction, the connecting parts being at a variable distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventors: Walter Kummerlin, Nikolaus A. Kummerlin
  • Patent number: 4342374
    Abstract: A ladder support for attachment to a first inclined ladder in order to support a second ladder extending upwardly therefrom which includes a base which is attached to the first ladder and bridges a plurality of rungs, a platform hinged at one end to the upper end of the base for supporting the second ladder and a strut assembly hinged to the lower end of the base and adjustably attached to the other end of the platform to hold the platform in a horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Antonio Montana
  • Patent number: 4304318
    Abstract: A ladder levelling device used in combination with a ladder on inclined ground surfaces, which levelling device is placed under one leg of the ladder while the other leg rests on the ground surface or some other support, comprises a triangular, inclined platform including an open cavity area defined in its bottom side. The levelling device provides a stable, as well as a level ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Inventor: Allie E. Webb
  • Patent number: 4243122
    Abstract: The present invention provides a base device for attachment to a ladder comprising a base, a top pivotally mounted on the base, ladder receiving means on the top of securably and releasably receiving the ladder therein, and adjustment means on the top for holding the top in a selected position relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Inventor: Ian B. Coutts
  • Patent number: 4069890
    Abstract: The present device includes a plurality of shim-like members which are fastened at one end through a stud, or an elongated bolt, or a riveted assembly to a baseboard and are free to rotate about the stud, bolt or rivet. The shim-like members can be moved into and out of a stacked arrangement with other shim-like members which in effect raises or lowers the top of the stack. A stack of said shim-like members can be located under one of the legs of a ladder (or both legs, if two stacks are used) in order to enable the rungs of a ladder to be level with respect to the ground or some other base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventor: Lenius H. Gottliebsen
  • Patent number: 4069893
    Abstract: A ladder stabilizing support which is easily attachable to a ladder leg and provides two points of support on the ground or other supporting surface is disclosed. The support is provided with adjustable legs to accommodate uneven ground or other surface thereby improving stability on uneven surface. The support is fabricated in a truncated "A" shape and provides twisting resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventor: Charles David Blackstone
  • Patent number: 3993275
    Abstract: A safety device for supporting legs or feet of a ladder or similar structure which is a one-piece combination of an inclined plane and a series of steps providing a multiplicity of levels on which said structure may be supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1973
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Inventor: Edwin K. Lucas
  • Patent number: 3937298
    Abstract: An attachment for extension ladders which accommodates to uneven terrain and supports the ladder against leaning or tipping laterally. The attachment includes a pair of open ended sockets mounted at opposite ends of a transverse member which is attached to the rails of an extension ladder. Two independently adjustable legs are slidably received, each in a respective socket outboard of the rails. A latching element associated with each socket locks each leg in a position of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Inventor: Mathew Hurwitz