Patent Publication Number: US-2023143839-A1

Title: Ladder mounted securing device for preventing slippage of ladder during use

Description:
CROSS REFRENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/278,264, filed Nov. 11, 2021, entitled “LADDER MOUNTED SECURING DEVICE FOR PREVENTING SLIPPAGE OF LADDER DURING USE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention is directed toward a securing device that is attached to a ladder, and more specifically, a securing device that extends from a ladder to secure the ladder to a support structure to prevent slippage of the ladder during use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Use of ladders in the field can present certain dangers where the ladder is not properly secured to a particular structure or on a particular terrain. Where a ladder is placed on a slope, the ladder can slip away from a support structure while the person is on the ladder. This is particularly true of tall ladders and extension ladders. Other dangers can include a ladder falling away from the support structure, where a ladder may be positioned in close proximity to the support structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a ladder securing device includes a housing that has a rotating interface configured to attach to a portion of a ladder. The housing is rotationally operable between an attaching position and a bypass position. A reel is disposed within the housing, and includes a strap that is selectively extendable to a plurality of extended positions. The reel biases the strap to a coiled position around a spool of the reel and within the housing. A retainer is attached to an end of the strap, and is configured to attach to one of the ladder and the housing in a securing position that secures the ladder to an adjacent support structure. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a ladder includes a base section. A fly section slidably operates relative to the base section to define a desired height of an engaging end of the fly section. A housing has a rotating interface configured to attach to a portion of the base section. The housing is rotationally operable between an attaching position and a bypass position. The housing in the bypass position is positioned within a storage space defined between adjacent rungs and opposing side rails of the base section. A reel is disposed within the housing, and includes a strap that is selectively extendable to a plurality of extended positions. The reel biases the strap to a coiled position around a spool of the reel and within the housing. A retainer is attached to an end of the strap, and is configured to attach to one of the base section and the housing in a securing position that secures the ladder to an adjacent support structure. The securing position is further defined by the strap being rotationally secured in a desired extended position of the plurality of extended positions. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for securing an extension ladder to an adjacent support structure includes the steps of operating a fly section of the extension ladder relative to a base section of the extension ladder to define a desired length, positioning the ladder against a support structure, rotating a housing for a ladder securing device from a bypass position to an attaching position, extending a strap from a coiled position within the housing to a desired extended position to be encircled around the structure, attaching a retaining of the strap in the desired extended position to the base section, retracting the strap to eliminate slack in the strap encircling the support structure, activating a reel lock that secures a rotational position of the reel of the housing and secures the strap in the desired extended position, disengaging the reel lock to allow the reel to bias the strap back to a coiled position within the housing, and rotating the housing from the attaching position to the bypass position. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an extension ladder that incorporates an aspect of the ladder securing device; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic perspective view of a ladder positioned against an adjacent support structure and having the ladder securing device engaged with the adjacent support structure; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the ladder and ladder securing structure of  FIG.  2    taken along line III-III; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a portion of a ladder that incorporates an aspect of the ladder securing device and shown in each of the attaching position and the bypass position; 
         FIG.  5    is a side elevational view of an aspect of the ladder securing device separated from a ladder; 
         FIG.  6    is a side perspective view of the ladder securing device of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the ladder securing device of  FIG.  6    taken along line VII-VII; 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view of the ladder securing device of  FIG.  5   ; and 
         FIG.  9    is a linear flow diagram illustrating a method for securing a ladder to an adjacent support structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; 
     however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in  FIG.  1   . However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a ladder securing apparatus that maintains the position of a ladder with respect to a support substrate. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point. 
     The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other. 
     As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , reference numeral  10  generally refers to a securing device that is attached to a ladder  12  for securing the ladder  12  to an adjacent support structure  14 . The adjacent support structure  14  can include, but is not limited to, a tree, a utility pole, a fence, a wall, or other similar structure that a ladder  12  can be leaned against to allow a worker or other individual to climb the ladder  12 . According to the various aspects of the device, the securing device  10  for the ladder  12  includes a housing  16  having a rotating interface  18  that is configured to attach to a portion of the ladder  12 . The housing  16  is rotationally operable between an attaching position  20  and a bypass position  22 . A reel  24  is disposed within the housing  16 . The reel  24  includes a strap  26  and a biasing mechanism  28 . The biasing mechanism  28  is disposed proximate the reel  24  and biases the reel  24 , and, in turn, the strap  26  to a coiled position  30  around a spool  32  of the reel  24  and within the housing  16 . A retainer  34  is attached to an outer end  36  of the strap  26 . The retainer  34  is configured to attach to a portion of the ladder  12  or a portion of the housing  16  for the securing device  10 . Typically, the retainer  34  will attach to a side rail  38  of the ladder  12  or a rung  40  of the ladder  12 . The bypass position  22  of the housing  16  is configured to place the housing  16  in alignment with one of the rungs  40  of the ladder  12 . Conversely, the attaching position  20  of the housing  16  orients the housing  16  to be perpendicular to the rung  40  of the ladder  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the ladder  12 , typically in the form of an extension ladder  12 , can extend to a significant height to allow a user to climb and access various locations that are a significant distance above the ground  60 . An extension ladder  12  typically includes a fly section  62  that is slidably operable relative to a base section  64  where each of the fly section  62  and base section  64  include opposing side rails  38  and a plurality of rungs  40  that extend between the side rails  38 . As the fly section  62  slidably operates relative to the base section  64 , the extension ladder  12  increases or decreases in length or height of an engaging end  72  of the fly section  62  depending on the orientation of the ladder  12 . The engaging end  72  of the fly section  62  is typically configured to rest against or otherwise engage the adjacent support structure  14 . Certain ladders  12  can have additional features such as a rung lock  66  that secures the fly section  62  to the base section  64  at a particular height. A rope and pulley system  68  is typically included within longer models of extension ladders  12 . 
     The base section  64  of the extension ladder  12  can include various feet  70  or anti-slip features that can be used to secure the ladder  12  to a substrate, such as the ground  60 . While these anti-slip features are useful on stable substrates, such as concrete, structural floors, and other level surfaces, these feet  70  may have difficulty in securing the ladder  12  within open terrain, gravel and other non-paved surfaced or other non-finished surfaces. Accordingly, the securing device  10  is attached to the ladder  12 , typically within the base section  64 , for securing the ladder  12  to the adjacent support structure  14  to address possible slippage of the ladder  12  away from the adjacent support structure  14  or falling of the ladder  12  away from the adjacent support structure  14 . 
     The securing device  10  is attached to a side rail  38  of the base section  64  for a ladder  12  using a bracket  90  that can be attached via the fasteners, welding, or other similar securing mechanism or method and can fixedly secure the bracket  90  to the side rail  38 . The housing  16  is attached to the bracket  90  via the rotating interface  18 , such as a hinge, that allows the housing  16  to move between the attaching position  20  and the bypass position  22 . The rotating interface  18  can also include an articulating mechanism that selectively biases the housing  16  at least toward the bypass position  22  and, in certain aspects of the device, the attaching position  20 . This articulating mechanism can also be used to selectively and temporarily secure the housing  16  in the attaching position  20  and the bypass position  22 . The housing  16  in the bypass position  22  is typically oriented and positioned within a storage space  92  that is defined between adjacent rungs  40  of the base section  64  and opposing side rails  38  of the base section  64  for the extension ladder  12 . When in use, the securing device  10  for the ladder  12  can be rotated from the bypass position  22  to the attaching position  20 . In this manner, the housing  16  is rotated to extend outward from the storage space  92  that is defined between the adjacent rungs  40  and side rails  38  for the base section  64  of the ladder  12 . In addition, the attaching position  20  orients the housing  16  to extend from the storage space  92 . In certain aspects of the device, such as particularly long extension ladders  12 , each of the base section  64  and the fly section  62  can include a dedicated securing device  10 . These securing devices  10  can be used to provide multiple layers of support for securing the ladder  12  to the support structure  14 . 
     As exemplified in  FIGS.  2 - 4   , the strap  26  can be in a coiled position  30  within the housing  16  and around the reel  24  that is positioned within the housing  16 . As discussed herein, the strap  26  is biased toward the coiled position  30  using the biasing mechanism  28 . This biasing mechanism  28  is typically in the form of a rotationally-operable spring, such as a clock spring, or other similar spirally-wound spring. When the ladder  12  is to be attached to a support structure  14 , the strap  26  is selectively extendable from the reel  24  and the housing  16  and can be placed around the support structure  14  in an extended position  100 . In this manner, the strap  26  can be used to encircle or partially encircle the adjacent support structure  14 , in an encircling position, to maintain the ladder  12  is a consistent relative position with respect to the adjacent support structure  14 . The retainer  34  that is attached to the outer end  36  of the strap  26  is secured to a portion of the ladder  12 . The biasing mechanism  28  included within the reel  24  serves to take up any excessive slack that may be present within the strap  26  when the retainer  34  is attached to the ladder  12 . In addition, the securing device  10  can include a locking mechanism  80 , such as a reel lock that secures the strap  26  in the extended position  100  and prevents further extension of the strap  26  away from the desired extended position  100 . This locking mechanism  80  can also include a ratcheting mechanism that allows for incremental retracting movements of the strap  26  with respect to the reel  24 . 
     As exemplified, in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , when the strap  26  is secured around the support structure  14 , the strap  26  defines a retaining force  110  that prevents slippage or falling of the ladder  12  away from the support structure  14 . This is particularly useful in conditions where the ladder  12  is placed on an unstable surface, such as gravel, or on a sloped surface where the ladder  12  may tend to slide away from the support structure  14 . Using the strap  26 , the base section  64  of the ladder  12  can be secured to the support structure  14  to prevent slippage away from the support structure  14 . In addition, the positioning of the securing device  10  prevents the ladder  12  from rotating away from the support structure  14 . 
     Where the ladder  12  is placed on a slope, certain slippage may occur when the securing device  10  is engaged with the support structure  14  in a securing position  112 . This slippage, due to the presence of the securing device  10 , can be limited to a small range of slippage. As the ladder  12  slides away from the support structure  14 , the retainer  34 , the strap  26  and the housing  16  of the securing device  10  limits the outward movement  114  of the base section  64  away from the support structure  14 . Accordingly, the base section  64  of the ladder  12  can only move a small distance from the support structure  14 . At this point, the strap  26  is made even more taught and the ladder  12  is made secure to prevent further slippage or other outward movement  114  away from the support structure  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  2 - 4   , the strap  26  for the securing device  10  can be attached to a side rail  38  for the ladder  12  via the reel  24  and the housing  16 . In addition, the retainer  34  for the strap  26  can also be attached to the rung  40  of the ladder  12  as well as a portion of the housing  16  for the securing device  10 . Typically, the retainer  34  will be attached to the side rail  38  of the ladder  12 , where the ladder  12  is shaped and configured to a specific portion of the side rail  38 . The retainer  34  can be configured to attach to a connection between a rung  40  and a side rail  38 . In such an aspect of the device, the connection between the rung  40  and the ladder  12  can include a recess within which the retainer  34  can engage the ladder  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , the housing  16  for the securing device  10  is positioned within the storage space  92  to allow for manipulation of the fly section  62  of the ladder  12  relative to the base portion of the ladder  12 , without interference from the housing  16  relative to the securing device  10 . In this manner, a ladder  12  can be manufactured with an aspect of the securing device  10  or retrofitted with an aspect of the securing device  10 . Accordingly, the securing device  10  will be readily available for use each time the ladder  12  is utilized for accessing higher areas of a support structure  14 . When the ladder  12  is in the proper or desired length (or height), the engaging end  72  of the ladder  12  can be positioned against the support structure  14 . At this point, when the ladder  12  is properly configured as desired or according to the needs of the user, the housing  16  for the securing device  10  can be rotated from the bypass position  22  to the attaching position  20 . When in the attaching position  20 , the strap  26  in the coiled position  30  can be extended from the housing  16  and the reel  24  within the housing  16 . The strap  26  is then moved to an extended position  100  and placed around the support structure  14  and secured to an opposing side rail  38  for the base section  64  of the ladder  12 . It is contemplated the the extended position  100  of the strap  26  can be a desired extended position  100  that is one of a plurality of extended positions  100 . The length of the desired extended position  100  can depend on the size of the adjacent support structure  14 , the distance the ladder  12  is from the adjacent support structure  14  and other similar considerations. 
     A reel lock or other locking mechanism  80  can be used to secure the reel  24  and the strap  26  in a particular extended position  100 . The reel lock that maintains the position of the reel  24  and prevents further outward extension of the strap  26  can be automatically engaged via a tensioning mechanism or an internal actuator. The reel lock can also be manually engaged by the user to secure the position of the reel  24  and the strap  26  relative to the housing  16 , the support structure  14  and the remainder of the ladder  12 . After use of the ladder  12  is completed, the reel lock can be disengaged, and the strap  26  can be retracted back into the housing  16  and around the reel  24  using the biasing mechanism  28  contained within the housing  16 . The housing  16  can then be rotated from the attaching position  20  back to the bypass position  22  and the ladder  12  can be retracted back to its original compact state. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5 - 8   , the securing device  10  can include the housing  16  that can be attached to a rotating handle  120  that extends from the bracket  90  to the housing  16 . This rotating handle  120  can include the rotating interface  18  and extends between the housing  16  and the bracket  90  to allow for rotational operation of the securing device  10  between the attaching position  20  and the bypass position  22 . The reel  24  typically rotationally operates relative to the housing  16  to allow for extension and retraction of the strap  26  between the coiled position  30  and any one of the various extended positions  100  that can be used to secure the ladder  12  to the support structure  14 . Various reel pins  122  and reel bushings  124  are used to attach the reel  24  to the housing  16  to secure the reel  24  within the housing  16  and also to provide for rotational operation of the reel  24  relative to the housing  16 . 
     According to various aspects of the device, the strap  26  is typically made of a vinyl or nylon fabric that is generally inelastic or substantially inelastic. The strap  26  is sturdy to account for the tension-type retaining force  110  that may be experienced when the securing device  10  is in use for securing the ladder  12  to the support structure  14 . Also, the material of the strap  26  is be sturdy to withstand scratching, friction, and other abuse-type loads experienced when the strap  26  is extended and retracted from the housing  16  and also when the strap  26  is in use. 
     According to various aspects of the device, use of the securing device  10  for the ladder  12  can provide for an additional safety feature of the ladder  12  when used in the field. The securing device  10  is attached to the ladder  12  and is conveniently accessible for use in many conditions. The securing device  10  can be used in connection with a support structure  14 , such as a utility pole, that the strap  26  can extend around to attach to the side rail  38  of the ladder  12 . It is also contemplated that the securing device  10  can be used in connection with other support structures  14  that the strap  26  may not be able to extend around. The retainer  34  can include any one of various shapes that can be used to attach to larger support structures  14 , such as walls, large posts and other structures. Where a larger support structure  14  is present, the retainer  34  can be used to attach directly to the support structure  14 . 
     In addition, use of a ladder  12  in the field typically requires one or more people at the base of the ladder  12  to monitor the ladder  12  and prevent the ladder  12  from sliding or falling away from the support structure  14 . Use of the securing device  10  can, in certain conditions, be used by a single person. When the ladder  12  is secured to the support structure  14  using the strap  26  of the securing device  10 , the ladder  12  is prevented or substantially prevented from sliding away from the support structure  14 . Accordingly, a single individual can use the ladder  12 , in conjunction with the support device, when in the field. Typically, at least one other person will be present when using the ladder  12  as an additional layer of safety when using the ladder  12  in the field. The securing device  10  provides a primary safety feature to prevent the ladder  12  from sliding away from the support structure  14  while a person is on the ladder  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 9   , having described various aspects of the securing device  10  for the ladder  12 , a method  400  is disclosed for securing a ladder  12  to a support structure  14 . According to the method  400 , the fly section  62  and the base section  64  of the ladder  12  are operated relative to one another to define a desired length (step  402 ). Once in the desired length, the ladder  12  is positioned against the support structure  14  (step  404 ). The housing  16  for the securing device  10  is rotated from the bypass position  22  to the attaching position  20  (step  406 ). The strap  26  is then extended from the coiled position  30  within the housing  16  and is moved to the extended position  100  to be wrapped around the support structure  14  (step  408 ). The retainer  34  for the strap  26  is attached to the ladder  12  and the biasing mechanism  28  of the reel  24  takes up or generally eliminates slack present within the strap  26  (step  410 ). The reel  24  within the housing  16  is then secured in a rotational position by activating a reel lock or other locking mechanism  80  that prevents further extension of the strap  26  from the reel  24  (step  412 ). After use of the ladder  12  is complete, the retainer  34  is disengaged from the ladder  12  and retracted back into the housing  16  and around the reel  24  (step  414 ). The housing  16  can then be rotated from the attaching position  20  back to the bypass position  22  (step  416 ). The ladder  12  can then be retracted back to its original state (step  418 ). 
     Utilizing the various aspects of the device, the securing device  10  for the ladder  12  can be used in the field to prevent slippage of the ladder  12  away from a support structure  14  or unintentional rotation or falling of the ladder  12  away from the support structure  14 . The securing device  10  can provide users of the ladder  12  with peace of mind and confidence that the ladder  12  will be secured against the support structure  14 . 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.