US2038521A - Ladder - Google Patents

Description

J. W. BELL A fil 28, 1936.

LADDER Filed Sept. 26

INVENTOR 144/5; 4 254;

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to ladders and has particular relation to ladders of the flexible or collapsible type which may be encompassed in a relatively small bundle when not in use.

An object of the invention is to provide a flexible ladder which may be normally stowed away in a small bundle when not in use and which may be readily and quickly extended and placed in position for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for quickly and effectively securing one end of the ladder to a window casing, a wall, or the like so that it cannot become dislodged.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of flexible ladder in which the steps remain horizontal at all times.

Another object of my invention is to provide a ladder of fire-proof material.

Another object of my invention is to provide new, simple, inexpensive, and effective means for securing the steps of the ladder to the suspending element.

Another object of my invention is to provide, in a ladder of the above character, a means whereby one using the ladder is afforded a plurality of hand-holds at all times while ascending or descending the ladder.

Other and further features and objects of my invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accompanying drawing and following specification, wherein is disclosed several exemplary embodiments of the invention, with the understanding, however, that such changes may be made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a portion of a ladder constructed according to one embodi- 'ment of my invention as it appears when secured in place against a wall. The wall is shown partly in section and partly in elevation.

Figure 2 is a View in perspective showing the upper portion of a ladder constructed according to one embodiment of my invention.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing one form of means employed for securing the steps of the ladder to the suspending element; and

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the step portion of a ladder constructed according to another embodiment of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3, ladders constructed use of intermediate devices.

according to my invention will probably find many uses, as for instance as -flre escapes, as ships ladders, and for use in construction work and the like. It is desirable that; these ladders be sufficiently strong to hold several persons at one time 5 and yet be capable of being folded up into a small space when not in use. They must provide ample supporting surfaces and afford convenient hand-holds for the users. They must be capable of being quickly attached and placed '10 in condition for use. They are preferably of fireproof material so that they may be used where they might be subjected to the action of fire,

chemicals, salt water, and the like.

I preferably employ four suspending elements 15 for holding the steps of the ladder in spaced relation and preferably engage the upper ends of these suspending elements to a snap fastening device so that the suspending elements may be secured to a suitable support in a minimum of 20 time.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3, I preferably employ rectagular plates I 0 for the steps of the ladder. These plates are provided with oval hand-holds 5 H extending longitudinally at the center of the steps. Each of the steps is provided with an opening I 2 at each corner thereof of sufficient diameter in order that suspending elements I 3 may pass through the openings.

I preferably employ chains for the suspending elements l3 because of their flexibility and heat resisting quality. In constructing the ladder the chains l3 are passed through the openings ll of a plurality of plates Ill, the number of plates de- 35 pending on the desired length of the ladder and the spacing of the plates. When the plates have been properly spaced, as desired, locking devices such as the narrow U-shaped double pins [4 are engaged over the two ends of the plates with the 40 pins passing through the adjacent links of the chains l3 and the ends Ma of each of the pins are bent up and over the side of the plates, adjacent to the other ends of the respective pins so that the pins cannot be withdrawn. 45

In constructing the ladder I preferably employ only two chains, one at each end of the steps, and pass each chain up through one set of openings l2 in plates l0, through the eye I600 of a snap hook I 6, and back down through the openings 50 I2 in the respective plates l0 which openings are adjacent to the first set of openings. In this way the chains themselves carry the load, without the The loops of the chain are preferably locked on the eye l6a by 55 through the links of the chains adjacent and below the eye lfia. The snap hook I6 is of the usual construction which employs a hook I61) and a spring I6c for closing the opening of the hook.

When the ladder is not in use it may be stowed away in a canvas or paper bag or the like, but when it is desired to use the ladder, as for instance in escaping from a burning building, the snap-hook is engaged to an eye or other fastening which has been provided in the building for the purpose, and the ladder thrown out of the window. It is then, of course, ready for use. I have illustrated, in Figure 1, how a ladder constructed according to one embodiment of my invention may be used in escaping from a building. The concrete wall and floor of a. building are indicated at 21 and the window and window ledge indicated at 22 and 23, respectively. The eye I8 is preferably secured to the inner face of the wall 2|, and it is apparent that when the ladder is thrown out of the window the steps Ill take their proper horizontally extending position and are supported by the chains l3. Since the length of the chains above the first step I0 is the same the steps of the ladder will always be properly held in the horizontal planes.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated another embodiment of my invention in which a rectangular frame 3| of steel bar or the like is employed as a step and in which the four chains 32 are engaged on the step by passing the bar 3| through the means of bolts or rivets H, which are passed proper links of the chains and then closing the bar by welding it to form a rectangular step. The

chains 32 may be held in their proper position by any suitable fastening means as, for instance, by welding them in place or by providing spacers for holding them in the proper position.

Although I have described several specific embodiments of my invention it is apparent that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a flexible ladder, a plurality of steps having openings in each of the corners thereof and a plurality of chains passed through the openings and means for securing the chains in place in the steps comprising substantially rectangular pins passed through the links of the chains and about the steps. 1

2. In a flexible collapsible ladder, a plurality of step-s having openings in the corners thereof, a plurality of chains passing through said openings, and fastening means for holding the steps in a spaced parallel relationship on the chains comprising narrow U-shaped pins passing through links of the chains adjacent the steps, over and. under the steps, and having one end of one leg of the U-shaped pins bent up and over the side of the steps adjacent the end of the other leg of the U-shaped pin so that the pins cannot be withdrawn.

JAMES W. BELL.

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