Improvements in Ladders and Step Ladders.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct.,
1898
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Feb., 1899-Accepted, 8th Apr., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ladders and Step Ladders.
WILLIAM WHARLDALL, Cabinet Maker, South Gate, Pontefract, Yorkshire,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The sides or uprights may be made of bamboo cane preferably, of of any suit-
able material combining lightness and strength. The steps or rungs are made
of two parallel pieces of wood or other suitable material, and are so constructed
that each piece or part, shall have on its inner edge, and near to each end, a
recess or cavity, somewhat in the form of a half circle, so that when the two
parts are brought together, they shall clasp, at a suitable angle, the sides or
uprights of the ladder or steps. Through these parts or pieces shall pass two
screw bolts, one opposite each recess, and also through the sides or uprights of
the ladder, and when these bolts are screwed up, the two parts of the step or
rung are drawn closer together, and firmly grip or bind upon the uprights
or side staffs; by this means each step or rung, so constructed and fastoned,
becomes equal to a solid piece, through which the uprights passing, are held
firmly in position and cannot move except by breaking the steps or rungs.
Dated this 8th day of October 1898.
Improvements in Ladders and Step Ladders.
I, WILLIAM WHARLDALL, Cabinet Maker, of South Gate, Pontefract, York-
shire, 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:-
-
The object of this invention is to provide means by which ladders or step
ladders may be constructed which shall be conveniently light whilst produced at
a moderate price.
The sides or uprights may be made of any light and strong material bamboo
cane being however preferred.
The steps or rungs are made of parallel pieces of wood or other suitable
material, and are so constructed that each piece or part shall have on its inner
edge, and near to each end, a recess or cavity, somewhat in the form of a half
circle, so that when the two parts are brought together they shall clasp at a
suitable angle the sides or uprights of the ladder or steps. These two parts or
pieces are provided with bolt holes which pass through those portions in which
Din 971

page_text: the cavities or recesses referred to above are. situated. When placed in position
upon the uprights bolts may be passed through these holes and through corre-
sponding holes in the uprights so that when the two parts of the steps or rungs
are drawn towards one another by screwing up the nuts on the said bolts the
two parts of the steps or rungs may be made to grip the uprights and thus
become firmly attached to the same.
My invention will be clearly understood by reference to the accompanying
drawing which shows in perspective' a step' ladder constructed according to this
invention.
The front bamboo uprights A are shown as slightly inclined towards' one
another at the top as is also the case with the rear uprights A¹. The steps B
are constructed of two similar parts each part being provided at each end with
a cavity or recess B¹.
The cavities B¹ must be cut at an angle in the parts of the steps B and at such
a distance apart in each step that when the steps are placed in position upon the
uprights A the uprights may be kept the required distance apart and the steps
assume the required angle relatively to the same.
The corresponding halves of each step B are placed one on either side of the
uprights A so that the cavities B₁ receive the same, and bolts C are passed
through the ends of the steps and through the bamboo uprights. By screwing
up the bolts C the two halves of the step are drawn together and made to grip
the uprights A as described above.
The rear uprights A¹ are provided with stays D, D' constructed and attached
in the same manner as the steps B. The top stay D₁ is provided with a hinge
or hinges by which the two parts of the step ladder are held together. The
hinges are preferably placed beneath the top step B and stay D¹ in order that
the said step and stay may butt one against the other and thus prevent the
step ladder from opening beyond a given distance.
A flap F may be hinged to either the back or front uprights, or to the second
step as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. When the steps are closed
the flap is folded back upon its hinges F¹ and lies against the uprights A but
when the steps are opened it falls forward until caught by projecting pins or
stops F2 mounted on the uprights A¹. The flap F when in this position forms
a strut which effectually prevents the steps being closed until it is first raised
and folded back as described. The steps can thus be lifted and moved from
place to place without their closing.
It is obvious that the flap may be arranged to operate as described in various
ways but the above is given as a simple and convenient form of construction.
The ends of the bamboo cane or other uprights employed may be provided with
metal or other caps or ferrules E to give additional strength or finish.
It is obvious that the uprights A might each comprise two bamboo canes, or
longitudinal pieces of other material placed one behind the other. In this
case the steps B might be constructed of three pieces placed parallel to one
another, the centre piece being provided with cavities or recesses on each side
so that it might act as a distance piece between the two members composing each
upright; the whole could then be bolted through and secured as in the case
illustrated. Or the steps might be formed of one piece only corresponding to
the central piece just described which could be secured in the same manner by
means of bolts passed through the uprights and the ends of each step.
A ladder could be constructed on exactly the same lines as the step ladders
described or illustrated by omitting the rear members marked A¹ in the accom-
panying drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In the construction of ladders or step ladders the combination with unrighte

page_text: of bamboo cane or similar material of rungs or steps bolted to and partly or
entirely surrounding such uprights substantially as described.
2. In a ladder or step ladder the combination with tubular sides or uprights of
flat steps surrounding the sides substantially as described.
3. The complete ladder or step ladder substantially as described or illustrated
in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 16th day of Innu
1900
WILLIAM WHARLDALL,
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.