Stepladder foot pad

A device to be used on the legs of standard wooden folding stepladders to insure the stability of said ladders while being used on weak, non-compacted or slippery areas, into which a stepladder might tend to sink, or across which a stepladder might tend to slide. Said device consists of a semi-rigid pad that when attached to the bottom of any or all of the legs of any standard wooden folding stepladder will then increase the stepladder leg footprint area resulting in more stability of said stepladder. In addition, the high friction material of which the stepladder foot pad may be constructed will tend to prevent the stepladder legs from slipping across slippery surfaces.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to a device to prevent the legs of standard 
wooden folding stepladders from sinking into any weak or non-compacted 
surface areas. In addition said device will prevent standard wooden 
folding stepladders from sliding across slippery surfaces. 
BACKGROUND ART 
The concern for safety while using any type of climbing devices has been 
addressed in many ways. The present invention provides inexpensive 
protection from falling while using a standard folding wooden stepladder 
on weak or non-compacted areas (sand, loose dirt, wood chips, small 
rocks). The research done by this petitioner has failed to discover any 
prior art that addresses this need. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a simple, 
inexpensive device that will quickly slip onto any or all of the legs of 
standard wooden folding stepladders, thereby enabling said stepladders to 
remain upright while in use on week or non-compacted surface areas. 
The device comprises a circular pad which incorporates the use of an 
off-center U-shaped three sided perpendicular containment wall. When 
placed on the bottom of any or all of the legs of standard wooden folding 
stepladders, this device will increase the leg footprint area. 
This increased leg footprint area will tend to prevent the ladder legs from 
sinking into the surface (sand, dirt, etc.) upon which the ladder rests. 
The circular pad may be made using a high friction material such as rubber 
so as to help prevent the ladder legs from slipping across the surface 
upon which the ladder rests. The stability and safety of use of a 
stepladder is therefore increased through the stepladder foot pad.

COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings; a device (17) in accordance with the 
teachings of the invention is illustrated. The device (17) consists of a 
circular pad (20) [FIG. 1] with an off-center U-shaped three sided 
perpendicular containment wall (11) used to contain the lower legs (15) of 
a standard folding wooden stepladder (18). 
The design of the device (17) as shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a containment 
wall. (11) Apertures (12) are incorporated in base (20) defining spokes 
(13). On the floor (14) within the containment wall (11) is a tread-like 
design that is utilized to aid in preventing said ladder legs (15) from 
slipping on said floor (14). 
FIG. 2 is a side view of the device (17) showing a stepladder leg (15) 
within said containment wall (11). The surface area (16) upon which the 
stepladder foot pad rests is also depicted. 
FIG. 3 is a top view of the device (17) showing how the design defines a 
rim (10) which connects via the spokes (13) to the off-center U-shaped 
three sides perpendicular containment wall (11). FIG. 3 also shows the 
treadlike design of the floor (14) within the containment wall (11), as 
well as apertures (12) as they are located on said device. 
FIG. 4 shows the device (17) as it relates to it's use on an actual wooden 
folding stepladder (18). The stepladder legs (15) are inserted into the 
area defined by containment wall (11) such that the stepladder leg bottom 
surface (19) rests upon floor (14). The treadlike design of floor (14) 
helps prevent the stepladder leg bottom surface (19) from slipping on 
floor (14). 
The stepladder (18) is then positioned on surface (16) as desired, and the 
stepladder foot pad (17) helps prevent the legs (15) of stepladder (18) 
from sinking into surface (16) and also helps prevent stepladder legs (15) 
from sliding across surface (16), thereby enhancing the stability and 
safety of use of stepladder (18). 
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the device (17) as it holds a ladder leg (15) 
securely within the containment wall (11). We can observe the stepladder 
lower surface (19) resting securely on floor (14). Circumferential rim 
(10) is also visible. 
Although a preferred embodiment is described herein, it is to be understood 
that modifications and changes made by those skilled in the art are 
intended to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.