Patent ID: 6167989
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
A combination of a safety device for a ladder and a ladder, the ladder comprising side rails and a plurality of rungs interconnecting the side rails, the safety device comprising: a plurality of stabilizing, side safety supports; the plurality of side safety supports being connected to the ladder in and at a rung of the ladder, each stabilizing, side safety support comprising an elongated member having a joint at one end thereof, and each elongated member and joint being connected to and stored in a stored position in one rung of the plurality of rungs, in which the one rung, in the stored position the entire length of the elongated member is substantially inserted within the one rung comprises a first periphery, the first periphery comprises a non-circular shaped periphery, a periphery of the elongated members comprising a second periphery, the first periphery being larger than the second periphery so that the stabilizing, side safety support can be stored in the one rung, the first periphery of the one rung comprising a shape that is complementary in shape to the second periphery to provide stability and structural integrity with the first and second peripheries permitting minimal of free play between the one rung and the plurality of stabilizing, side safety supports, the plurality of stabilizing, side safety supports being extendible from the stored position in the one rung to a stabilizing extended position in which the elongated members are entirely withdrawn from the one rung and each joint retains the respective elongated member in connection with the one rung, wherein the stabilizing, side safety supports are engageable with a supporting base surface, wherein the stabilizing, side safety supports provide lateral stabilizing support for the ladder when extended from its stored position in the one rung position.