An Improved Apparatus Capable of being Used as a Ladder, an Extensible Ladder, a Pair of Steps or a Trestle.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 27th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1900
DIEUTICATION.
An Improved Apparatus Capable of being Used as a Ladder, an
Extensible Ladder, a Pair of Steps or a Trestle.
J, ANDREW BARR, of Camphill Cottage, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Joiner, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus capable of being used as a
ladder, an extensible ladder, a pair of steps or a trestle and it is a development
of my prior Invention No. 24183 of 1896.
In constructing the apparatus I make it, by preference, of two parts each
provided with either steps or rungs as desired and also with a guide roller or it.
equivalent. At the upper end of each part are suitable holes through which a
metal pin or bar can be inserted. At the lower end of what I may term the
second part is a swivelling metal catch or pivotted bent plate so arranged that it
can grip the rungs of the first part. This swivelling catch or bent plate nor-
mally hangs down being heavier at one end than the other.
One or both parts may be provided with a guide roller or wheels so as to run
against the wall or building when the ladder is being set up.
If so desired a third part may be added which would be of the same con-
struction as the second part and be also provided with a swivelling catch or
pivotted bent plate.
If so desired instead of having a swivelling catch or pivotted bent plate a
sliding catch or plate may be used.
In conjunction with the apparatus there is provided a cross bar with notches
at each end adapted to catch on the rungs and if desired supporting struts having
bent spikes at their upper ends for insertion in holes in the ladder.
The main ladder or first part can be extended by merely pushing up the second
part on it and also, when necessary, by pushing up the third part on the second
part. The swivelling catches or pivotted plates automatically lock the parts
together.
When it is desired to use the apparatus as a pair of steps the second part is
hinge connected to the first part by means of the metal pin or bar.
When it is desired to use the apparatus as a trestle it is first made to form a
pair of steps in the manner last described and then the cross bar is fitted on
to the rungs of the two parts so as to hold them in place. Planks can be rested
upon the cross bar.
Dated this 27th day of October 1899.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.

page_text: An Improved Apparatus Capable of being Used as a Ladder, an
Extensible Ladder, a Pair of Steps or a Trestle.
I, ANDREW BARR, of Camphill Cottage, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Joiner, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus which is capable of being
used as a ladder, an extensible ladder, a pair of steps, or a trestle and is a
development of my prior Invention No. 24183 of 1896.
In order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon:-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a ladder made of three parts and extended to its
utmost length.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the ladder when in
only.
use, but made up of two parts
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus when the two lower parts (Fig. 1)
are used as a pair of steps.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus when in use as a trestle.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the catch which catches on the rungs
when the apparatus is extended.
In constructing the apparatus I preferably make it in either three parts a, b, c,
as at Fig. 1, or in two parts a, b. Each of these parts is provided with rungs a¹,
b, c, or steps as may be desired. At the upper end and in front of the parts a,
and b, are guide rollers or equivalent d, d, and at the upper end but at the
back of the parts b, c, are guide rollers c, e¹, or equivalent. The rollers e, e¹,
facilitate the running up of the apparatus against a wall when so desired.
Each of the upper parts b, and c, is provided, at its lower extremity, with a
swivelling metal catch or pivotted bent plate f. This catch is shown clearly at
Fig. 6. It consists of a bent strip of metal having a hook hand a weight f¹.
The catch is pivotted to the apparatus at g¹, g², by passing a bolt through the
hole g.
The swivelling catches are so arranged, that when the ladder is in its upright
position (see Fig. 1) the part f of the one catch falls on a rung b₁ of the part b
and of the other catch on a rung of the part c. The hooks h of the catches fall
on a rung a¹ of the part a and b of the part b. In this manner the three parts
of the ladder are locked or held securely together.
When not in use, or when the ladder is in its horizontal position, the catches
assume a horizontal position owing to the fact that they are heavier at the end f¹
than at the end h.
At the upper ends of the parts a, b, are holes 1, 1, through which, when it is
desired to use the apparatus as a pair of steps or a trestle as shown at Figs. 4
and 5, a bar pis inserted and this bar p constitutes a hinge pin or pivot for
the parts a, b, to turn upon.
In conjunction with the apparatus there is, preferably, provided a cross bar m
having a series of notches in it adapted to catch on the rungs. This bar
as shown at Fig. 4 serves to hold the parts a, b, in position. It may be also
be used as a support for a plank or such like.
As shown at Fig. 5 there may be also used in conjunction with the apparatus
supporting struts o having bent spikes r at their upper ends which enter holes >

page_text: in the parts a, b. These struts prevent the ladder moving side ways when it is
being used as a trestle or support for scaffolding. In Fig. 5 the dotted lines s, s',
indicate planks. The cross plank s may be laid on the rungs and the plank si
laid upon it.
The main ladder or first part a can be extended by merely pushing up the
second part upon it and also, when desired, by pushing up the third part c
upon the second part in the manner shown at Figs. 1 and 2. The pivotted
catches f automatically lock the parts together.
When it is desired to use the apparatus as a pair of steps the part e is with-
drawn and the part 6 is hinged jointed to the part a by means of the bar P.
in the manner already described.
When it is desired to use the apparatus as a trestle it is made up in the manner
shown at Fig. 5.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: —
1. An apparatus capable of being used as a ladder, an extensible ladder, a
pair of steps or a trestle and constructed substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the drawings annexed.
2. The pivotted or swivelling catch f, or its equivalent, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Dated this 25th day of August 1900.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent