Patent Publication Number: US-2013239388-A1

Title: Extension ladder slippage and damage reduction pad

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/611,167, filed Mar. 15, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to ladder accessories and, more particularly, to a set of pads, such as rubber pads, for use with an extension ladder to reduce slippage and damage. 
     Extension ladders are often placed against a structure to reach a roof level thereof. These extension ladders are usually made of fiberglass or aluminum and the ladders are often placed against an eave or a gutter. 
     The friction between the ladder rails and the structure (the eaves or gutter) is minimal and the ladder can easily slide therealong. When the ladder is able to slide along the structure, the user&#39;s safety can be at risk. Should the ground settle or the user shift their weight on the ladder, it may slide along the structure and fall. 
     Moreover, a ladder rails on a structure, such as on a building&#39;s gutters, can cause damage to the gutters, possibly scraping paint away from the gutters or causing a dent to the gutters. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a device to increase friction between a ladder placed against a structure while also reducing or eliminating damage to the structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a extension ladder slip and damage reduction pad comprises a pad body; a first strap disposed through first and second strap slots disposed proximate to a first end of the pad body; a second strap disposed through third and fourth strap slots disposed proximate to a second, opposite end of the pad body; and attachment mechanisms disposed to adjustably attach ends of the first strap together and to adjustably attach ends of the second strap together. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a extension ladder slip and damage reduction pad comprises a rubber pad body; a first strap disposed through first and second strap slots disposed proximate to a first end of the pad body; a second strap disposed through third and fourth strap slots disposed proximate to a second, opposite end of the pad body; attachment mechanisms disposed to adjustably attach ends of the first strap together and to adjustably attach ends of the second strap together; and a male buckle disposed proximate to a first end of the first and second straps and a female buckle disposed proximate to a second, opposite end of the first and second straps. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing slippage of a ladder placed against a structure comprises attaching pads to a portion of rails of an extension ladder, the pads having a pad body, a first strap disposed through first and second strap slots disposed proximate to a first end of the pad body, a second strap disposed through third and fourth strap slots disposed proximate to a second, opposite end of the pad body, and attachment mechanisms disposed to adjustably attach ends of the first strap together and to adjustably attach ends of the second strap together; and placing the extension ladder against the structure so that the pads are disposed between the extension ladder and the structure. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an extension ladder rail pad, in use on a ladder placed against a structure, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the extension ladder rail pad of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the extension ladder rail pad of  FIG. 1 , in use on a ladder placed against a structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a set of pads, such as rubber pads, for use with an extension ladder to reduce slipping and prevent damage to the structure on which it is placed. The rubber pads can be attached to the side rails of the extension ladder at a predetermined height. When the ladder is placed against an eave or gutter of the structure, the rubber pads provide a slip resistant protective barrier. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a rubber pad  28  can include a pad body  10  having a first and second set of strap slots  12  disposed at ends of each end of the body  10 . Typically, the strap slots  12  are disposed at corners of the body  10 . The strap slots  12  can be sized to receive a strap  14  therethrough. 
     A female buckle  16  can be disposed at one end of the strap  14  and a male buckle  18  can be disposed at the other end of the strap  14  and one strap can be disposed at each end of the body  10  of the rubber pad  28 . The strap  14  can be threaded through one or both of the male buckle  18  and the female buckle  16  in an adjustable manner so that the length of the strap  14  can be adjusted. 
     The rubber pad  28  can be applied to a rail  30  of an extension ladder  24  by wrapping the straps  14  around the rail  30  and inserting the male buckle  18  into the female buckle  16  and tightening the strap  14 . The rubber pad  28  can be placed on any location along the ladder rail  30 . In some embodiments, the rubber pad  28  can be placed so that one of the straps  14  can be wrapped around the rail  30  above one ladder rung  36  and the other strap  14  can be wrapped below one lower ladder rung  36 , thereby preventing movement up and down the extension ladder  24 . 
     As shown in the Figures, the extension ladder  24  can, with the rubber pads  28  attached, be placed against a gutter  22  of a structure  20 . The rubber pads  28  create an increased friction between the ladder  24  and the gutter  22 , virtually eliminating the possibility of the ladder slipping during use. Moreover, the rubber pads  28  can help prevent damage from the ladder rails  30  contacting the gutters  22 . 
     The straps can be formed from various strapping material and can typically be about 1 inch wide and from about 20 to 25 inches long. The body  10  of the rubber pads  28  can be formed, for example, from sheet rubber that is about ½ to about 1-inch thick, typically about ¾ inch thick. 
     While the above describes a rubber pad  28 , the pad can actually be formed from various materials, provided that the material provides an increased friction as compared to the ladder alone being rested directly against the structure. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.