Abstract:
The present invention is directed toward a protective cover adapted for covering the end of a ladder leg in order to prevent damage to buildings or other structures when the ladder is in use. In addition, a cover with non-skid properties is disclosed, such that the device can be used to prevent a ladder from slipping against the ground or a structure and causing injury to a user or property.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The following application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/236,826, filed Aug. 25, 2009, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of building and home improvement supplies, specifically a protective cover for the end of a ladder. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Ladders are necessary elements for any commercial or residential construction project, or even for simple, everyday home improvement tasks. Among other things, ladders can be used for reaching high places while painting a house, for making repairs to a commercial office building, or for washing windows. However, the ends of a ladder can present safety issues and can cause cosmetic damage to structures. 
         [0006]    When leaning against a wall or building, the top ends of a ladder can scrape or press into the structure and cause damage. Not only can this be a problem when the ladder is not in use, but the weight and constant shifting of a user&#39;s body can exacerbate the damage to the structure. Moreover, the top and/or bottom ends of a ladder can slip against the ground or structure, depending on the condition of the ground or type of material on which the ladder leans. This presents a safety issue, especially when a user is several feet off the ground and engaged in building or improvement tasks. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a cover that can be easily applied to an end of a ladder. The cover should have anti-skid coating or inherent anti-skid properties. In some embodiments, the cover should have extra padding to protect structures from damage caused by rough or pointed edges on a ladder end. The cover should have a mechanism for easy and temporary attachment to a ladder, such as a drawstring or elastic. The cover should also be easy to clean if made for several uses, or disposable intended for one-time use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  depicts another embodiment of the present invention and illustrates the end of a ladder leg within the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  depicts an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  depicts one embodiment of the present invention with non-skid coating. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  depicts a pad coupled with the exterior surface of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2C  depicts a pad embedded within the material of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a ladder standing on a ground surface and coupled with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a ladder leaning against a building and coupled with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the present invention coupled with the leg ends of an “A” frame ladder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIGS. 1-1A  depict one embodiment of the present invention. A cover  100  can comprise a substantially hollow member  102  having at least one opening  104 . An opening  104  can be adapted to receive at least a portion of the end of a ladder leg  108 , as depicted in  FIG. 1A . In some embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can further comprise an adjustment mechanism  106 . 
         [0018]    A substantially hollow member  102  can have a substantially bulbous geometry, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. In some embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can be comprised of elastomeric material and/or can conform to the dimensions and/or geometry of a ladder leg end  108 . In other embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can have dimensions larger than that of the end of a ladder leg  108 , for ease of application to a ladder leg  108 , and can be tightened around a ladder leg  108  via an adjustment mechanism  106 , described below. 
         [0019]    A substantially hollow member  102  can be constructed from plastic, silicone, nylon, cloth, polymer, and/or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can be comprised of fibers interwoven with strands of stainless steel for added strength. In other embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can be at least partially reinforced with adhesive or other coating and/or treatment that can increase the strength of the hollow member  102 . A substantially hollow member  102  can be adapted to withstand the weight and/or sharp or pointed corners or edges of a ladder leg  108  without tearing or wearing down. In some embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can have reinforced seams, edges, and/or lining. In yet other embodiments, at least part of a cover  100  can be comprised of sterile, medical-grade, and/or hospital-grade materials such that a cover  100  can be used in a hospital and/or sterile environment. 
         [0020]    A substantially hollow member  102  can comprise any known and/or convenient color or combination of colors. In some embodiments, a cover  100  can comprise one or more colors and/or symbols that can indicate that the cover  100  should be used with a specific type of ladder. As depicted in  FIG. 1B , in some embodiments a cover  100  can further comprise a pocket or pouch  110  that can be adapted to accept a substantially hollow member  102  such that a cover  100  can be stored in the pocket or pouch  110  when not in use. In other embodiments, a pocket or pouch  110  can be adapted to temporarily store nails, screws, nuts, bolts, tools, paint brushes, and/or any other known and/or convenient item. In further embodiments, a cover  100  can comprise at least one hook, ring, loop, and/or any other type of mechanism for temporarily coupling multiple covers  100  with each other and/or coupling a cover  100  to a ladder, tool box, work bag, and/or any other convenient item when a cover  100  is not in use. 
         [0021]    At least one portion of a substantially hollow member  102  can have anti-skid properties, either inherent in the material of a substantially hollow member  102  and/or as a coating  200  on the exterior and/or interior of a substantially hollow member  102 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . In some embodiments, the material of a substantially hollow member  102  can be substantially thick in order to provide adequate padding when in use. A substantially hollow member  102  can be reusable or can be disposable after one use. In some embodiments in which a substantially hollow member  102  is reusable, a member  102  can be washable, stain resistant, and/or shrink resistant. In some embodiments, the outer surface of a substantially hollow member  102  can have protrusions, indentations, and/or any other known and/or convenient surface characteristic. In yet other embodiments, at least one portion of a substantially hollow member  102  can have ultraviolet coating to protect the underlying material from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. In some embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can have antibacterial, antimicrobial, and/or anti-fungal properties to prevent the growth or proliferation of bacteria, mold, and/or fungi during use and/or when in storage. In yet further embodiments, a substantially hollow member  102  can be made of recycled material and/or can be recyclable, biodegradable, and/or eco-friendly. 
         [0022]    A substantially hollow member  102  can further comprise a pad  202  in order to provide cushioning and prevent damage to structures when in use. A pad  202  can be comprised of cotton, foam, gel, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient cushioning material. In some embodiments, a pad  202  can be a sponge, honeycomb foam, and/or any other similar type of material. A pad  202  can be coupled with the exterior of a substantially hollow member  102 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , via stitching, hooks and loops, adhesive, or any other known and/or convenient method of permanently or temporarily bonding a pad  202  to a substantially hollow member  102 . In other embodiments, a pad  202  can be embedded within the material of a substantially hollow member  102 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , or adhered to the interior surface of a substantially hollow member  102 . In alternate embodiments, a pad  202  can be coupled with a substantially hollow member  102  in any other known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0023]    A substantially hollow member  102  can further comprise at least one adjustment mechanism  106  adapted to selectively secure said substantially hollow member  102  over the end of a ladder leg  108  (as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  3 , and  4 ). In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  106  can be located proximal to an opening  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In alternate embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  106  can define an opening  104 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . In yet other embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  106  can be located at any known and/or convenient point on a substantially hollow member  102 . In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  106  can be a drawstring, the ends of which can be pulled and tied together in order to tighten a substantially hollow member  102  around a ladder leg end  108 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . In other embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  106  can be a snap mechanism, hook and loop mechanism, elastomeric member (such as, but not limited to, a rubber band), or any other known and/or convenient mechanism adapted to selectively secure a substantially hollow member  102  to a ladder leg end  108 . In yet other embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  106  may not be necessary, as a cover  100  can be an elastomeric member having dimensions smaller than those of a ladder leg end  108 , such that a cover  100  can be stretched over a ladder leg end  108  and can be secured to the leg  108  via frictional engagement of substantially the entire cover  100 . 
         [0024]    In use, a cover  100  can be placed over the end of a ladder leg  108 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . Once a cover  100  is in the desired position, a user can temporarily secure the cover  100  to the ladder leg  108  via an adjustment mechanism  106 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , a user can tighten and tie the drawstring so that a cover  100  can be secured over the end of a ladder leg  108 . In some embodiments, a cover  100  can be used at the end of a ladder leg  108  which is in contact with the ground, as shown in  FIG. 3 , thus preventing damage to the ground surface and/or preventing slippage. In other embodiments, a cover  100  can be used at the end of a ladder leg  108  which leans against a wall or other structure, as shown in  FIG. 4 , thus preventing damage to the structure and/or preventing slippage. Although  FIGS. 3-4  depict covers  100  in use with an extension-type ladder, in other embodiments covers  100  can be used in conjunction with the ends of ladder legs  108  on an “A” frame ladder, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0025]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.