Improvements in and relating to Ladder Bases.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 26th Aug.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ladder Bases.
I, FREDERIC SCOTT SEAGRAVE, of 128, West Lanc Avenue, in the City of
Columbus, County of Franklin and State of Ohio, United States of America, 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:
My invention relates to improvements in ladder bases, and the objects of
my invention are to provide a ladder or the lower section thereof with a detachable
bearing base, whereby a substantial and firm bearing of the ladder upon the
ground, pavement, flooring or other surface is attained and whereby any tendency
of said ladder to slip or tip after the same has been set for use, is entirely obviated;
to accomplish these objects in a simple and inexpensive manner and to produce
other improvements which will be more specifically pointed out hereinafter.
These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower portion of a ladder having my
base attachment thereon, and Figure 2 is a detail view in perspective of one of
the base retaining brackets which I employ in the manner hereinafter described.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
1 represents the legs of a portion of a ladder or the lower section thereof, each
of said legs at a short distance above its lower bearing end being provided with
a base supporting or attaching bracket which is indicated at 2. As shown in
the drawing, each of these brackets preferably consists of a vertical plate 3 which
is bolted or otherwise firmly secured to the outer face of the lower portion of
the ladder leg and from the upper portion of which projects outwardly and thence
downwardly an angular arm 4, the latter being provided with one or more pin
openings 5 therethrough, which are arranged opposite corresponding openings 6
in the body or vertical portion of the bracket.
7 represents the body of my improved ladder base which as indicated in the
drawing is in the form of a beam, which is of considerably greater length than
the width of the ladder. This beam or body 7 is provided on its under side with
a metal plate 8 which extends throughout the length of said body and as indicated
at 8 has its ends turned upward to embrace or partially embrace the ends of
the beam. As indicated at 9, I provide each of the ends of the beam 7 with a
downwardly projecting foot which is preferably in the nature of a casting having
a channeled under surface whereby a bearing edge is provided on each side of said
casting. The upper yoke shaped portion of each of these feet embraces and is
secured to the sides of the end portions of the beam 7, and the space remaining
between the lower face of the plate 8 and the upper surfaces of of the horizontal
As indicated in the draw-
plates of the feet 9 are filled with a blocks of wood 9º.
ing, the lower bearing surfaces of the feet 9 are designed to be below a plane
common to and corresponding with the under surfaces of the legs of the ladder.
The base thus formed is designed when the ladder is in use, to be connected
17

page_text: transversely with the lower portion of the ladder, the body of said beam being
embraced between the down-turned portions of the bracket arms 4 and the
vertical plate portions 3 of said brackets, the beam being held in this position
through the medium of cotters or short detachable pins 10, which are adapted
to pass through the openings 5 and 6 of the brackets and through corresponding
pin openings in said beam. When the ladder is not in use, or being carried on
a truck, it is obvious that the base attachment herein described may be readily
removed by withdrawal of the cotter pins and said base laid upon and carried
lengthwise with the ladder.
It is well known that a large proportion of the accidents to which firemen and
others whose business or duty requires the climbing of ladders are liable, are due
either to a slipping of the lower bearing end of the ladder or to the sinking of
one leg of the ladder below the other, whereby the lateral tipping is occasioned.
In view of these facts and in order to reduce the danger to which firemen are
subjected when mounted upon ladders, I have provided the improved detachable
brace herein-described.
It will be observed that by the use of said base the laterally extending portions
of the same provide bearings at a distance from the ladder which operate not only
to overcome the tendency of the ladder toward a lateral inclination, but further
operate to provide an extended lateral bearing which will reduce the sinking of
said side or leg of the ladder below the other side to a minimum. It will also
be observed that by the additional bearing provided and consequent additional
frictional contact or engagement with the ground, the tendency of the ladder
toward slipping outward is obviated.
It will be seen that my improved attachment may be readily applied to any
of the ordinary forms or constructions of ladders at a reasonable expense.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
--
1. In a base attachment for ladders, the combination with a ladder frame, of
a base or beam of greater length than the width of said ladder and means for
detachably securing said base to said ladder in a transverse position, substantially
as specified.
2. In a base attachment for ladders, the combination with a ladder frame and
attaching brackets projecting therefrom, of a base beam adapted to be detachably
supported in said brackets, said base beam being of greater length than the width
of the ladder and having downwardly projecting feet at its ends, substantially
as specified.
Dated thin 10th
1000