Shoe bracket assembly for attachment to a bottom of a rail of ladder

A shoe bracket assembly for attachment to a bottom of a rail ladder has a channel member and a bracket affixed to a side wall of the channel member. The bracket is positioned between end walls of the channel member. The bracket has a central portion with a first flange and a second flange extending outwardly therefrom so as to be affixed to the side wall of the channel member. The bracket has a third flange and a fourth flange extending outwardly from the central portion so as to be in spaced relationship to side wall of the channel member. The lower end of the rail is received within the space. The third and fourth flanges extend in a plane and parallel relationship to a plane of the first and second flanges. The central portion has a hole formed therethrough in axial alignment with the hole of the channel member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to ladder assemblies. More particularly, the present invention the relates to shoe bracket assemblies that are used at the bottom of the rail of ladder so as to securely position the ladder with respect to an underlying surface.

Ladders are conventionally utilized to provide a user thereof with improved access to elevated locations that might otherwise be inaccessible. Ladders come in many shapes and sizes, such as straight ladders, straight extension ladders, stepladders, and combination step and extension ladders.

Ladders known as straight ladders or straight extension ladders are ladders that are conventionally positioned against an elevated surface, such as a wall or the edge of a roof, to support the ladder at a desired angle. A user then ascends the ladder to obtain access to an elevated area, such as access to an upper area of the wall or access to the roof. Straight ladders and straight extension ladders are referred to as being “straight” because their rails are typically straight and generally parallel to one another throughout the length of the ladder. A pair of feet or pads, one being coupled to the bottom of each rail, are conventionally used to engage the ground, a floor or some other supporting surface.

A ladder foot commonly comprises a U-shaped shoe pivotally coupled by a pin to the bottom of a rail of a ladder in a manner whereby the shoe is angularly adjustable between flat, toe-down and intermediate positions. In the flat position, the bottom of the shoe rests on the ground or other footing to provide maximum adhesion to smooth flat surfaces, such as asphalt, wood, concrete, etc. In the toe-down position, the shoe is tilted to have its front part contact the ground and serve as a pick-like device to provide maximum penetration and holding power on ice or hard, soft, sandy, or frozen earth.

In the past, it has been a common practice for the shoe of a ladder foot to be coupled to a rail of the ladder by a pin-and-slot coupling wherein the pin is passed laterally through a hole in the rail to be translationally fixed in relation thereto, and wherein the pin has opposite ends projecting out from laterally opposite sides of the ladder rail, and those opposite ends of the pin are received in two slots respectively formed in the two sidewalls of the U-shaped shoe.

A ladder foot of such construction has, however, a number of disadvantages for use in present day ladders. In order to provide ladders that are inexpensive, light in weight, and durable, the rails thereof are often in the form of lengths of fiberglass of U-shape in cross section so as to have a central, longitudinal elongated relatively thin web and, also, two longitudinally elongated side flanges projecting out in the same direction from the opposite sides of the web. Such rails do not lend themselves readily to a pin-and-slot coupling of a shoe to the rail wherein the two slots are in the shoe and the pin passes through a hole in the web of the rail to be translationally fixed in relation thereto. That is so, because, in view of the thinness of the fiberglass web, it would be difficult to maintain the bolt fixed in its normal alignment to the web and, because of the web thinness and the lack of mechanical strength of the fiberglass web, the transmission of half the weight of the ladder and its occupant from the web to the pin would create undue stresses in the region of the web near the pin.

In another consideration, the provision of pivotally mounting the shoe to the ladder rail by a pin-and-slot coupling wherein slots are formed in the sidewalls of the shoe has the disadvantage that the slots take up substantial space in the shoe's sidewalls in which the slots must be surrounded with a sufficient thickness of sidewall material throughout the length of the slot to withstand the mechanical strain imposed on each sidewall when the shoe is bearing substantial weights. This means, however, that each of the sidewalls of the shoe must be larger in dimension than is really necessary.

In the past, various patent have issued relating to ladder shoes and ladder shoe bracket assemblies. An early patent is that of U.S. Pat. No. 2,449,609, issued on Sep. 21, 1948 to O. A. Linder. This patent shows a rectangular plate secured of the lower leg of the ladder. Vertical flanges border the plate. A U-shaped member is slidably mounted within the flanges. A resilient means retains the sliding member upwardly retracted between the flanges. A bracket is secured to the sliding member. A T-shaped member is carried by the bracket such that the leg of the T is in an outwardly extended position. A cylindrical tube is secured to the sliding member. A ground engaging foot is resiliently carried within the tube. The T-leg is adapted to be lowered and locked against the resilient means to position the foot in an extended ground-engaging position.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,691,479, issued on Oct. 12, 1954 to J. E. Sharp, describes a ladder shoe. This ladder shoe is adapted to be pivotally and shiftably attached to the base of ladder rail upon a bolt projecting through the ladder rail above its base edge. The bottom carries an anti-slip tread on its underside and a spike at one end thereof. A pair of parallel side walls upstanding from the bottom and spaced apart sufficiently receive the ladder rail base therebetween. Relatively aligned apertures in the side walls allow the attaching bolt to extend therethrough. The apertures are elongated to permit shifting of the shoe upon the bolt.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,757, issued on Jul. 22, 1969 to B. S. Sain, describes a ladder stabilizer boot. The ladder legs are securely deposited in adjustable sleeve or channel. The sleeve is swivelly mounted on the boot along various angles. The boot has a base formed with a horizontal flange which is provided with ground-gripping means including holes through which anchoring pins may be driven. The sleeve is adapted to receive the ladder leg and is provided with bolts to penetrate holes in the ladder legs so as to secure it firmly to the sleeve.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,062, issued on Nov. 15, 1983 to J. L. Shaw, discloses a ladder foot having a bracket attached at its upper end to a ladder rail and includes a stud extending downwardly from this end. A shoe has a central sole plate and a pair of upper plates extending from the sole plate to straddle opposite sides of the bracket. A pin is fixedly secured with the upper plates and passes from one to the other through the bracket adjacent the front side of the stud. The downward extent of the stud includes an upper range within which the stud fits between the pin and sole plate in such manner that the shoe is locked in toe-down position. There are portions integrally joined with the stud so as to serve as stops for the pin.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,255, issued on Oct. 13, 1992 to Kiska et al., teaches a ladder shoe and method of use. The ladder shoe has a shoe body having a first side plate, a second side plate and a base. The first side plate and the second side plate are attached to the base. The side plates include curved slots through which a fastener is disposed and which movably connects the ladder shoe to the end of the side rail of the ladder. This allows the ladder shoe to move between a first position where the base is at a first angle with respect to the side rail and a second position where the base is at a second angle with respect to the side rail. Each slot has a notch in which the fastener catches causing the shoe to be maintained in an intermediate position until the shoe body is desired to be placed into another position. The base has a bottom which provides a slip-resistant surface for engaging the shoe body to essentially flat surfaces when the shoe body is in the first position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,203, issued on Dec. 6, 1994 to S. A. Kiska, shows a ladder shoe spur plate. The ladder shoe has a base. This base has an elongate portion having a first side and a second side, a first edge and a second edge, and a top face and a bottom face. The top face is attached to the ladder rail attachment portion. The base has a foot pad. The base includes of a blade portion extending from the first edge. The base has a first flange portion extending from the bottom face and integrally connected thereto. There is also a second flange portion extending from the bottom face and integrally connected thereto. The base further includes a third flange portion extending from the bottom face and integrally connected thereto. A fourth flange portion extends from the bottom face and is also integrally connected thereto. The first, second, third and fourth flange portions form a pocket in which the footpad is held along the bottom face and sides of the footpad.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe bracket assembly that can be preassembled prior to attachment to the ladder.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe bracket assembly that is securely retained at the end of the ladder rail.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe bracket assembly that is easy to repair or replace.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe bracket assembly that provides stronger support to the fragile bottom ends of the ladder rails.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shoe bracket assembly that allows the ladder rail to be securely positioned upon an underlying surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe bracket assembly that properly guides the end of the rail into a properly seated position.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shoe bracket assembly that simplifies assembly of the shoe bracket of the ladder.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a shoe bracket assembly for attachment to a bottom of a rail of a ladder. The shoe bracket assembly includes a channel member having a side wall, a first end wall and second end wall. The first end wall and the second end wall extend in generally transverse relationship to the side wall. The channel member has a hole formed therethrough. A bracket is affixed to a side wall of the channel member and positioned between end walls of the channel member. The bracket has a central portion having a first flange and a second flange extending outwardly therefrom. The first flange and the second flange are affixed to the side wall of the channel member. The bracket has a third flange and a fourth flange extending outwardly from the central portion. The third flange and the fourth flange are positioned in spaced relationship to the side wall so as to define a space therebetween. The third and fourth flanges extend in a plane and in parallel relationship to a plane of the first and second flanges. The central portion has a hole formed therethrough in axial alignment with the hole of the channel member.

The central portion of the bracket has a shoulder formed therein at a location adjacent the first and second flanges. The first and second flanges are riveted to the side wall of the channel member. The third and fourth flanges each have a hole formed therethrough.

The shoe bracket assembly of the present invention also has a foot having a bottom surface. The foot has a first surface and a second surface extending upwardly from the bottom surface. Each of the first and second surfaces have an opening formed therein. The first surface is positioned adjacent a side wall of the channel member. The second surface is positioned adjacent the central portion of the bracket. An axle extends through the openings of the first and second surfaces and through the hole in the side walls of the channel member and the hole in the central portion of the bracket. Each of the first and second openings comprise an elongated slot extending along the respective surfaces of the foot. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, axle is a bolt having a head bearing against one of the first and second surfaces and a nut bearing against the other of the first and second surfaces. The elongated slot has a longitudinal axis extending at a non-transverse acute angle with respect to the bottom surface. The foot can have a polymeric or elastomeric gripping surface attached to the bottom of the foot.

When the shoe bracket assembly is attached to the rail of ladder, the channel member will have the first end wall positioned adjacent to the first end side of the ladder. The second end wall of the channel will be positioned adjacent to the second end side of the rail. The side wall of the channel member is positioned adjacent to the central side of the rail. The bottom edge of the rail will extend in the space between third and fourth flanges and the side wall of the channel member. The bottom edge of the rail will rest on a shoulder formed in the bracket adjacent to the first and second flanges.

The side wall of the channel member includes a first hole and a second hole formed therein. The third and fourth flanges each have a hole formed therein. The first and second holes of the channel member are aligned respectively with the holes of the third and fourth flanges. A first fixing member extends through the central side of the rail and through the first hole of the channel member and through the hole of the third flange. A second fixing member extends through the central side of the rail and through the second hole of the channel member and through the hole of the fourth flange. The side wall of the channel member is riveted to the central side of the rail. The bottom edge of the rail bears against the shoulder of the bracket. The hole of the central portion of the bracket and the hole of the channel member positioned below and in spaced relation to the bottom edge of the rail.

The foregoing Section is intended to describe, in generality, the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is understood that modifications to this preferred embodiment can be made within the scope of the present invention. As such, this Section should not to be construed, in any way, as limiting of the scope of the present invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen inFIG. 1, there is shown the shoe bracket assembly10in accordance of the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shoe bracket assembly10is suitable for attachment to a bottom of a rail of a ladder. The shoe bracket assembly10includes a channel member12and a bracket14. The channel member12has a side wall16, a first end wall18, and a second end wall20. The first end wall18and the second end wall20extend in generally transverse relationship to the side wall16. The first end wall18and the second end wall20are in generally spaced parallel relationship to each other. The ends walls18and20will be suitable for residing against the first end side and the second end side of a ladder rail. The side wall16will be suitable for bearing against the central side of the ladder rail.

The bracket14is affixed to the side wall16of the channel member12. The bracket14is positioned between the end wall18and the end wall20of the channel member12. The bracket14has a central portion22having a first flange24and a second flange26extending outwardly therefrom. The first flange24and the second flange26are affixed by suitable rivets to the side wall16of the channel member12. The bracket14also has a third flange28and fourth flange30extending outwardly of the central portion22. The third flange28and the fourth flange30are positioned in spaced relationship to the side wall16of the channel member12so as to define a space therebetween. As such, the bottom edge of the ladder rail can reside in the space between the third flange28and the fourth flange30and the side wall16. The third flange28and the fourth flange30extend in a plane and in generally parallel relationship to a plane in which the first flange24and the second flange26extend. It can be seen that there is a hole32formed in the central portion22. The side16of the channel member12has a hole34formed therein. Hole32will be axially aligned with the hole34. As such, the holes32and34can provide an area through which an axle can extend for the attachment of a foot to the shoe bracket assembly10.

FIG. 2further shows the shoe bracket assembly10of the present invention. InFIG. 2, it can be seen that the channel member12has side wall16and end walls18and20. End walls18and20are shown in parallel spaced relationship to each other. The end walls18and20extend in transverse relationship to the side wall16. The bracket14is illustrated as affixed to the side wall16. The bracket14has an inverted U-shaped construction. InFIG. 2, it can be seen that the bracket14has the first flange24and the second flange26extending outwardly therefrom. First flange24and second flange26are illustrated as bearing on the inside surface of the side wall16of the channel member12. A rivet36secures the first flange24to the side wall16. A second rivet38secures that the second flange26to the side wall16. Importantly, it can be seen that the third flange28and the fourth flange30are arranged so as to extend in parallel planar relationship to the first flange24and the second flange26.

The bracket14has central portion22arranged in spaced relationship to the side wall16. The hole32is formed through the central portion22. Similarly, the hole34is formed through the side wall16. Holes32and34are illustrated as in axial alignment. As such, holes32and34are suitably arranged so as to receive the axle of the foot therein.

FIG. 3further shows the shoe bracket assembly10of the present invention. In particular, inFIG. 3, it can be seen that the channel member12has its side wall16formed centrally thereof. The channel member12has end walls18and20extending in parallel relationship to each other. A hole40is formed through the side wall16generally adjacent to the upper edge of the channel member12. Hole40will be suitable for receiving a pin, rivet, bolt, or other fixing member suitable for attaching the central side of the ladder rail to the side wall16of the channel member12.

InFIG. 3, the bracket14is located generally adjacent to the bottom edge of the channel member12. The bracket14includes the central portion22having the hole32formed therein. The first flange24and the second flange26extend radially outwardly of the central portion22. The rivet36secures that the first flange24to the side wall16. The second flange26is illustrated as having the rivet38securing the second flange26to the side wall16. The bracket14is further illustrated as having the third flange28and the fourth flange30extending outwardly of the central portion22. A hole44is formed through the third flange28. Another hole46is formed through the fourth flange30.

FIG. 4is an isolated perspective view showing the bracket14. The bracket14shows the central portion22as having an inverted U-shaped configuration. The hole32is formed through the central portion22. The second flange26extends outwardly from the bottom of the central portion22. The fourth flange30is also illustrated as extending outwardly of the bottom of the central portion22. A shoulder48is formed in the area adjacent to the end of the first flange24and adjacent to the lower end of the fourth flange30. A similar shoulder to that of shoulder48will be formed in an area adjacent to the first flange24and the third flange28. Shoulder48will provide a surface upon which a bottom edge of the rail of the ladder assembly can rest.

FIG. 5shows the manner in which the shoe bracket assembly10is affixed to the bottom of a ladder rail50. Ladder rail50has a generally C-shaped cross-section having a first end side52, a second end side54, and a central side56. For illustration purposes, a step58is shown as extending from the central side56inwardly. A strut60provides support for the step58and is secured to the central side56and to the underside to the step50.

The shoe bracket assembly10is illustrated as having the channel member12secured around the bottom end of the ladder rail50. The channel member12has its first end wall18positioned against the first end side52of the rail50. The second end wall20of the channel member12is secured against the outer surface of the second end side54of the ladder rail50. The side wall16will be positioned against the outer surface of the central side56of the ladder rail50.

InFIG. 5, it can be seen that there is a foot62that is affixed to the bracket14of the shoe bracket assembly10. Foot62has an elongated slot64formed through a first surface66extending upwardly from a bottom surface68. A second surface70also extends upwardly from the bottom surface68. The surfaces66and70extend in parallel spaced relationship to each other and also extends in transverse relationship to the bottom surface68. A polymeric or elastomeric gripping surface72is affixed to the bottom surface68of the foot62.

As can be seen inFIG. 5, there is an axle74which extends through the elongate slot64, through the hole32and through the hole34. As such, the axle74is suitable for securing the foot62to the shoe bracket assembly10and, in turn, to the ladder rail50. The ladder rail50will have a bottom edge that will reside against the shoulder48in the bracket14. The axle74is illustrated as being in the nature of a bolt which has a nut at one end thereof. This nut will bear against the first surface66of the foot62.

FIG. 6shows a further view of the assembly of the shoe bracket assembly10to the ladder rail50. The ladder rail50is illustrated as having the first end side52, the second end side54and the central side56. It can be seen that the shoe bracket assembly10has channel member12that is secured to the lower portion of the ladder rail50. A rivet80extends through the hole40of the side wall16and is engaged with the strut that supports the step58. Additional rivets82and84are engaged with the holes44and46on the respective third flange28and the fourth flange30. Additional rivets, or other fixing members, are utilized so as to secure the first flange24and the second flange26to the central side56of the ladder rail50.

InFIG. 6, it can be seen that the second surface70extends from the bottom surface68. The second surface60also has an elongated slot88extending therealong. The axle74is illustrated as in the nature of a bolt having a head which bears against the second surface70of the foot62.

FIG. 7is an isolated view of the foot62. Foot62is illustrated as having the bottom surface68formed thereon. The first surface66and the second surface70extend upwardly from the bottom surface68in generally transverse relationship to the bottom surface68. The elongated slot64is formed in the first surface66. The elongated slot88is formed in the second surface70. The elongated slots64and88each have a longitudinal axis that extends at an acute angle relative to the bottom surface68. As such, the elongated slots64and68allow for the proper positioning of the foot62with respect to the ladder. The gripping surface72is affixed by suitable fasteners to the bottom surface68.

FIG. 8illustrates the assembly of the shoe bracket assembly10to the bottom edge100of the ladder rail50. In particular, the channel member12has the bracket14affixed thereto prior to installation. The shoulder48is formed in the bracket14so as to provide a surface against which the bottom edge100of the ladder rail50can fit. The channel member12is moved upwardly such that the bottom edge100of the ladder rail50will reside within the interior of the channel member12and be interposed between the bracket14and the inner surfaces of the walls of the channel member12. It can be seen that the bracket14is properly installed within the channel member12prior to attachment to the rail50.

FIG. 9illustrates the attachment of the foot62subsequent to the attachment of the bracket assembly10to the bottom edge100of the ladder rail50. In particular, the surfaces66and70can move upwardly so as to be placed against the outer surfaces of the shoe bracket assembly10. The axle74is then inserted through the holes32and34formed respectively in the channel member12and the bracket14. As such, the present invention avoids any need of forming holes in the lower portion of the ladder rail50. The axle74is illustrated as being in the nature of a bolt102having a head104at one end thereof. A nut106will be threadedly affixed to the opposite end of the bolt102. As such, the head104will bear against the first surface70of the foot62. The nut106will bear against the second surface66of the foot62.

Upon assembly, the shoe bracket assembly10, along with the foot62will be properly secured to the bottom of the rail50of the ladder.

The present invention achieves significant advantages over the prior art. Fundamentally, since no modification is necessary in the bottom of the ladder rail, the structural integrity of the bottom end of the ladder rail is maintained. Assembly is simplified since it is only necessary to insert the assembled bracket assembly onto the lower end of the ladder rail. If repair is necessary, this bracket assembly can be easily removed by separating the rivets from the structures of the ladder and from the structures of the bracket assembly. The shoe can be easily and strongly attached by a bolt. The proper positioning of the end edge of the ladder rail is assured because of the placement of the shoulder within the bracket. Additionally, the structural integrity of the end of the ladder rail is enhanced because of its sandwiched configuration between the strong structures associated with the bracket and the channel member. The placement of the end edge of the ladder rail a sufficient distance above the foot further avoids any potential damaging contact between the foot and the end edge of the ladder rail.