Abstract:
A ladder stabilizing attachment for a ladder is disclosed. The device is basically made of two or more long variable length stabilizing legs FIGS. ( 1 ) and ( 11 ) attached to the upper part of a ladder by universal joints FIGS. ( 9 ) and ( 9 A), and capable of forming a triangular or multi-angular pyramid with the ladder. The legs can be independently positioned to give greater lateral stability, as well reducing slide out tendency of the ladder base. The foot sockets of the stabilizing legs FIG. ( 5 ) are designed to minimize overloading and movement due to ladder flexing. The device is constructed so that it can be built into new ladders, and readily adapted for and fitted to most existing ladders.

Description:
The current design of ladders presents a number of potential hazards to the users, mainly from overbalancing, and the slide out movement of the ladder to the side or away from its vertical support. Also tilting caused by rotation about its upper support (such as a pole or a tree) and the recommended angle of 75 degrees to the horizontal, (or 4 to 1), for ladder placement, designed to minimize the chance of slipping, can create a further hazard. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is designed to give stability to the whole ladder, help to prevent sideways or backward movement, slippage of the base and reduce tilting or rotation due to unsatisfactory support. It will also allow a smaller angle of placement, with accompanying improvement in the users safety 
     It is designed so that it can be built into new ladders as well as being easily fitted and adapted to existing ladders. It can be a permanent attachment, and/or fitted as a separate detachable unit (with or without a permanently attached unit) if special features for special purposes are required 
     It is simplistically designed for quick and easy use, light in weight and unobtrusive in ladder stacks. ( FIG. 2 ) 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The ladder stabilizing invention basically is made up of two or more long stabilizing legs attached to the upper part of a ladder by universal joints and capable of forming a triangular or multi angular pyramid with the ladder. The universal joints allow the stabilizing legs (SLs) to be positioned laterally when the ladder is in situ against a wall, thereby reducing the possibility of lateral movement of the ladder from side to side, and when placed at an angle from the vertical and towards the ladder, the tendency for the base of the ladder to slip outwards from the wall. 
     The SLs are designed to stabilize rather than take the full weight from the ladder, and so are fitted with a spring loaded foot socket designed to absorb overloading due to ladder flexing and sagging and to prevent SL movement due to irregular movements of the operator. 
     For simplicity the special case when only two Sls are fitted will be described but the design, the principles and the functioning applies to the fitting of any number of SLs. 
     It is recognized that ladders can be used on many different surfaces, soft and hard, rough and smooth, and the basic structural principal can be varied to minimize presenting hazards. On soft ground a base plate can be used below the foot socket. FIG. ( 7 ). On smooth or low friction surfaces rigid strip ties FIG. ( 3 ) can be fitted to the SLs and ladder to reduce the possibility of outward slip, and/or the universal joints can be rigidly clamped. 
     With the two SLs angled away from the wall in the direction of the ladder base the potential outward slip of the ladder is reduced, and the 75 degree angle of the ladder to the ground can be reduced with increased convenience and safety. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the stabilizer legs connected to the ladder. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the stabilizer legs folded along the ladder. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the stabilizer legs with rigid hinged ties. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the stabilizer legs with the ties folded away. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the stabilizer leg with spring loaded foot socket. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the stabilizer leg with spring loaded foot socket. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the stabilizer leg with spikes. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the stabilizer leg with ball joint foot socket. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the support bar and end bearing. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates an alternate universal joint and support bar. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the support bar, end bearing and locking device. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate multiple arrays of the stabilizer legs. 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate support sockets of the stabilizer legs. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates the stabilizer legs attached to a hollow rung. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an end view of the support socket. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a variable length stabilizer leg. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Construction: 
     The stabilizing legs (S.Ls.) FIG. ( 1 )  1  are connected to the ladder by universal joints  2  on either side attached to a connecting support bar  20 , that goes through the centre hollow space in a rung. They are made of strong light metal, fiberglass, plastic, or other rigid material capable of standing the stresses involved. On the lower ends they have a spring loaded foot socket  3  as well as, if necessary, a foot plate  4 . The SLs can be folded along the length of the ladder, FIG. ( 2 ) and held in place with retaining clips for easy handling and storage. The SLs can have rigid hinged ties fitted to reduce the possibility of outward slippage on low friction surfaces FIG. ( 3 )  5  that can be folded away when not in use 
     Alternately a cord attached to the ladder and each SL to hold the three units in a triangular configuration may be satisfactory. 
     The foot sockets  3  are constructed of metal or other rigid material of the same profile as the SLs but slightly larger so that the SLs will slide easily within the unit FIGS. ( 5 ) and ( 6 ) and the foot socket thereby forms a loosely fitting casing around the lower end of the SL. The lower end of foot socket is sealed  8  and encased by a rubber, or soft non skid material surround.  9 . The lower end of the SL is sealed  10  and between this and the sealed end of the foot socket  8  is a coiled compression spring.  11 . A longitudinal guide slot  12  is cut in the side of the foot socket outer casing and a guide pin  13  fitted through this slot into the enclosed SL. 
     This mechanism now allows the SL to move up and down within the limits of the guide slot to a lower position where the spring is completely compressed to an upper position where the SL is up to several cms above the spring. The function of this unit  3  is to minimize overloading and movement due to the ladder flexing and producing either increased or decreased pressure along the SLs. 
     A foot plate FIG. ( 7 )  14  may be necessary as a separate adjunct on soft or slippery surfaces (such as grass). It is considerably larger than the foot socket, is recessed deeply  15  to take the foot socket, and has one or more holes  16  through it to take securing spikes  17 . The bottoms are ridged rubber or other non skid material.  18 . 
     Alternately a fixed foot plate could be used with other means of attachment FIG. ( 8 ) such as a ball joint ending to the foot socket  19  inset and secured into a spherical recessed foot plate  20   
     The upper end of the each S.L. FIGS. ( 9 ) and ( 10 ) is connected to the support bar  20  by a universal joint.  2  The universal joints fit closely to the ladder  21  with sufficient clearance to allow completely free movement of the S.L.s. but minimal sideways movement of the support bar within the rung. 
     Position of Support Bar— 
     For Single steps or a folding step ladder, 
     The support bar may be inserted through the centre of any rung. If the rungs are irregular, then through the cavity in the rung, or if the rungs are solid, a male threaded attachment would need to be affixed on either side of the ladder. The SLs. with foot socket attached, can be made or cut to any length, but preferably about 2 to 5 cms shorter than the distance from the top universal to the bottom of the ladder. 
     For best stability, if possible, the bar should be inserted on the top rung of single steps or a stepladder. FIG. ( 1 ) 
     Extension Ladder: 
     As a permanent fixture the bar should be fitted preferably to the top rung of the lower section, and the S.L.s. should be made or cut to approximately 2 to 5 cms shorter than the distance from the top universal to the bottom of the ladder. For storage and handling, and when not in use, the S.L.s. should be folded close to, and in line with the outer side beam of the ladder, and held in place at the lower end by a Velcro fastener or a holding clip. FIG. ( 2 ) 
     An extension ladder if required can be fitted with a second set of stabilizing legs closer to the top of the extension section. 
     The second support bar would be fitted to a selected rung in the upper portion, and a longer set of S.L.s made or cut so that their length is approximately the corresponding distance to the base of the ladder when extended. These longer SLs, being considerably longer than the ladder when not extended, can be attached to or detached from the support bar either before or after the ladder has been extended, by inserting or removing the SL pivoting bolts. FIG. ( 9 ). Alternately telescopic extendable SLs can be fitted to a support bar in an upper rung of the extension, which, when collapsed are no longer than the un-extended ladder, to allow for easier storage and handling. 
     Universal Joints 
     The Universal Joints as shown in the diagrams FIGS. ( 9  &amp;  10 ) are made up of a universal end bearing  26  slotted at one end to the width of the SL,  23  and having a hollow (female) socket at the other end threaded to the size of the threaded end of the support bar  24  Each slotted end is drilled to accommodate the SL pivoting bolt  22  which secures the similarly drilled stabilizing leg.  1 . The slot is sufficiently deep so that the SL can freely rotate through 180 degrees about the SP pivoting bolt. Both universal joints are similar. 
     The diameter of the support bar  20  should be such that it loosely fits the hollow centre of the ladder rung, and is free to rotate within the rung. The bar should be of sufficient length that when fitted to the ladder the thread protrudes sufficiently on both sides for the end bearing to be screwed on securely. 
     One end bearing has a locking screw  24  which, when the bearing has been securely screwed onto the support bar, locks it tightly onto the bar. 
     When assembling, the other end bearing is screwed up firmly against the ladder and loosened by rotating it anti-clockwise by ¾ of a turn. 
     The movement of the SLs foreward and backwards is now facilitated by the unpinned end bearing rotating on the support bar while the lateral movement of the SLs takes place about the SL pivoting bolts. 
     If special circumstances require, the second end bearing can also be secured with a locking device, temporally locking the end bearing onto the support bar  25  thereby preventing it&#39;s rotation relative to the opposite end bearing. Should the support bar be replaced by two universal joints, one fitted to either side of the ladder, a locking device would be used for both sides. 
     This invention is not confined to the use of only two stabilizing legs as described, nor to the use of only an extra two SLs on the upper section of an extension ladder. A second pair of SLs can be attached to any support bar. Similarly at any other point along the ladder, additional SLs can be positioned, forming an array of SLs, all capable of individual positioning FIGS. ( 11 ) and ( 12 ) 
     For an alternate method for single leg and multiple leg attachments, the support bar can be internally threaded ( 28 ) at both ends, and Support Sockets—“SS”. ( 29 ) used to support the Stabilizing Legs. FIG. ( 13 ) 
     A Support Socket is externally threaded ( 30 ) at one end and internally threaded ( 31 ) at the other, such that one end threads into the Support bar and a second socket ( 32 ) may thread into the other end of the first. Each supporting socket is drilled to create a pivot for the SLs ( 33 ). 
     A similar design in reverse can be used and bolted, or otherwise attached to the ladder ( 34 ) as in FIG. ( 14 ). 
     FIGS. ( 15 ) ( 16 ) &amp; ( 17 ) 
     Show a wholistic embodiment of the invention and its preferred method of assembly but this does not exclude other variations in design, having similar functions. 
     A one piece stabilizing leg ( 1 . 1 ) is shown and is the preferred embodiment for smaller ladders up to approximately 3-4 meters, or for the lower section of extension ladders. 
     An extendable stabilizing leg ( 1 . 2 ), a variation of the telescopic leg, is the preferred embodiment when SLs are fitted to the upper portion of an extension ladder, or when SLs are required to be longer than the distance from the end bearing ( 26 ) or Support Socket ( 29 ) to the base of the ladder, when the ladder is in its retracted position, so that the S Ls when folded against the ladder, do not protrude past the ladder base. 
     FIG. ( 15 ) shows the hollow centre of a rung ( 35 ) of a ladder to which the invention is attached with the support bar ( 20 ) passing through it&#39;s centre, being slightly longer than the rung, and being internally threaded ( 28 ) at both ends. Into these ends are screwed through a washer ( 45 ) which is wider in diameter than the support bar ( 20 ) a support socket ( 29 ) externally threaded ( 30 ) at one end to fit the support bar ( 20 ) and internally threaded at the other end ( 31 ) to accept a second support socket ( 32 ). The second support socket is again internally threaded ( 31 ) at the other end to accept a further socket and could be similarly added to form an array of SLs as required. 
     Attached to each support socket with a pivoting bolt ( 22 ) through the pivot hole ( 33 ) is a stabilizing leg SL ( 1 ). 
     The SLs can be of any profile, but the preference to a square profile will be described. 
     The upper end of each SL, having a similar profile to the Support Sockets, have rigidly attached on either side, a support flange ( 46 ) through which a quick action pivoting bolt ( 22 ) attaches it through the pivot hole ( 33 ) to the Support Socket. To facilitate the lateral rotation of the SL on the Support Socket the top of the SL is trimmed at an angle of approximately 25 degrees ( 47 ) 
     The stabilizing legs (SLs) should preferably be in one piece ( 1 . 1 ) and as long as the height of the ladder will allow with an upper limit of approximately 4 meters, but slightly less than the distance from the selected mug to the base of the ladder so that when not in use the SLs can be folded back and clipped against the side beams of the ladder without protruding past its base. 
     Guide pin ( 13 ) and the Guide Slot ( 12 ). Below its sealed base ( 10 ) and above the sealed base of the foot socket ( 8 ) is a compression spring ( 11 ) and surrounding the base of the foot socket ( 3 ) is a non skid soft surround ( 9 ). 
     The foot socket is an important part of the invention such that it allows compression of the spring, thus allowing sagging or flexing of the ladder without producing excessive load on the SL. It allows also free movement upwards of approximately 3 cms. of the SL above the spring. This maintains the foot socket in contact with the ground due to its weight and to gravity, thereby maintaining the SL in its position, which otherwise, because it is free to rotate, may change it&#39;s placement on the ground causing instability of the ladder. 
     A foot socket positioning clip ( 37 ) allows the operator when positioning the stabilizing leg to lift the socket ( 3 ) with the operators foot so that the SLs end ( 10 ) is lightly in contact with the spring ( 11 ). (the spring contact position). 
     FIG. ( 16 ) Is an end view of FIG. ( 15 ) showing the Second Socket ( 32 ) internally threaded ( 31 ) with support flanges ( 46 ) attached to a stabilizing leg ( 1 . 1 ) the top of which is cut at an angle of approx. 25 degrees ( 47 ). 
     The support flanges ( 46 ) are attached to the second socket ( 32 ) by pivoting bolt ( 22 ) through pivoting Hole ( 33 ) 
     FIG. ( 17 ) Is a further embodiment used when a variable length of SLs is required ( 1 . 2 ), most particularly when a pair of SLs is fitted to a top section of an extension ladder. It is demonstrated with square section structured SLs in two sections, the upper part being attached to a support socket ( 29 ) as previously described and the lower section fitted to a foot socket ( 3 ) as previously described. 
     The upper and lower sections overlap one another for any distance required ( 38 ) and are positioned and held tightly in place when required by two compression locking clamps ( 39 ) The bottom clamp is rigidly attached to the bottom of the upper SL Section, while the top clamp is rigidly attached to the top of the bottom SL Section ( 42 ) 
     The opposing SL Section can slide freely past one other when the Screws ( 41 ) are loosened, or are held tightly together when the screws ( 41 ) are tightened against the pressure bars ( 40 ). 
     The minimum overlap of the upper and lower SL Sections should be approximately 15 cms. The combined length when fully extended should depends on the rung selected in the upper or lower section of an extension ladder in which a support bar is fitted, and should be in excess of the distance from the support bar to the base of the ladder. 
     This arrangement allows the extendable legs, when collapsed, to be folded against and clipped to the side beams of the ladder when not in use and to not protrude past the ends of the ladder for easy handling and erection. 
     An alternate type of universal joint attaching the Stabilizing legs to the Support Bar is depicted in  FIG. 9A  which serves the same purpose as the universal joints previously described but is made of nylon or other suitable material, pivoted on the support bar as before but not requiring threading.  FIG. 9A  also depicts an alternate method of attaching the support bar to a ladder if the bar can not be threaded through a rung of the ladder. 
     Mode of Use and Function of Components. 
       FIG. 12  shows an array of six stabilizing legs which when not in use would all fold up against and be clipped to the side beams of the extension ladder. A variable length SL would be used for the upper Section of the ladder, so that it would not protrude past the base of the ladder when transporting. 
     The ladder is placed in position against a wall and extended to the height required. Left side or Right side SLs can be positioned separately or all together. 
     For Left side first: The operator should unclip the outer smaller SL and move it laterally and forward towards the wall to be approximately vertically below it&#39;s support bar in the ladder. He should then with his foot lift the foot socket ( 3 ) by the foot socket positioning clip ( 37 ) so that the SL is lightly pressing on the compression spring (the spring contact position) and place the foot socket lightly on the ground. This positioning creates lateral stability for the ladder. 
     Now unclip the second smaller SL moving it laterally and forward and again with the operators foot place the foot socket in the spring contact position on the ground pointing laterally, but back towards the base of the ladder. This creates lateral stability but also a reduction in slip out of the ladder base, and allows for a flatter slope of the ladder to the wall. 
     Unclip the longer SL moving it laterally and forward, select the position for placement of the foot socket on the ground, loosen the 2 hand clamping screws ( 41 ) on the extendable SL, and, after increasing its length to the desired amount, tighten the clamping screws ( 41 ). The operator, with his foot, now lifts the foot socket to the spring contact position and places it on the ground. This long SL now because of it&#39;s higher attachment gives much greater stability to the ladder. 
     The SLs on the opposing (R) side are now similarly positioned in approximately mirrored positions to those on the other side, thus now forming a multi triangular supporting array to the ladder. 
     DRAWING LABELS 
     
         
           1 . Stabilizing legs ( FIG. 1 ) 
           2 . Universal Joints 
           3 . Spring loaded Foot Socket 
           4 . Foot Plate 
           5 . Rigid Hinged Ties 
           6 . Ties Folded Away. 
           7 . Foot Socket Outer Casing 
           8 . Foot Socket Sealed Base 
           9 . Foot Socket Rubber Surround 
           10 . Lower End of SL Sealed 
           11 . Compression Spring 
           12 . Guide Slot 
           13 . Guided Pin 
           14 . Foot Plate] 
           15 . Deeply Recessed Foot plate 
           16 . Spike Holes 
           17 . Spikes 
           18 . Non Skid Material 
           19 . Ball Joint Ending Foot Socket FIGS. ( 9 ) &amp; ( 10 ) Universal Joint 
           20 . Support Bar 
           21 . Close Fitting to Ladder 
           22 . SL Pivoting Bolts 
           23 . Universal End Bearing Slotted 
           24 . Locking Screw 
           25 . Locking Device 
           26 . End Bearing 
           27 . Multiple array of SLs. FIGS. ( 11 ) &amp; ( 12 ). 
           28 . S B Internally threaded. ( FIGS. 13 &amp; 14 ) 
           29 . Support Socket 
           30 . S.S. externally threaded 
           31 . S.S. externally threaded 
           32 . Second Socket 
           33 . Pivot hole for S.L.s 
           34 . Bolted ladder attachment 
           35 . Hollow rung of ladder ( FIGS. 15 ,  16  &amp;  17 ) 
           36 . Side beam of ladder 
           37 . Foot socket positioning clip 
           38 . Alternate length adjuster for Stabil. legs 
           39 . Compression locking clamps 
           40 . Pressure bar 
           41 . Hand clamping screw 
           42 . Securing screws 
           43 . Front view if length adjuster 
           44 . Side view of length adjuster 
           45 . Washer 
           46 . Support flanges 
           47 . SL top angel 45 degrees