Improvements in Folding Ladders and Scaffolding.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1899
1
Improvements in Folding Ladders and Scaffolding.
I, VICTOR FORIR, of Rue du Curé 3, Aiseau, Hainaut, Belgium, Draughtsman,
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 my present invention is to provide a folding ladder, adapted to
be readily converted to a straight ladder, and the invention consists in the con-
struction, combination and arrangement of parts, fully described hereinafter
and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1. Is a sectional view of the jointing of two ladder portions.
Fig. 2. Is a plan view of same.
Fig. 3. Is a perspective view of a portion of the ladder in folded position.
Fig. 4. Is a perspective view of same in straight position.
The improved ladder is composed of a number of sections; the beams of each
section have at their adjacent ends, metal mounting 1, 1, and to each end is
secured by means of bolts 2, 2, an U shaped part 3 having two extensions 4 in
which is secured a pin 5. Over the latter is fitted a socket ü, made solid with the
part 7 which part is fitted over and secured to another ladder section. Each end
of the beams 8 fits into the corresponding part 3 when the ladder is straightened,
as seen in Figs. 1 & 4. Both sections are held in line to constitute a straight
ordinary ladder, by means of two loops 9 provided with set screws 10 and fitted
over the parts 3 after straightening the ladder; in order to facilitate the sliding
of said loops, the sides of the parts 7 are let into the material of the beams 8 as
seen in the drawings.
The steps may be made of wood or iron and the step 11 connecting the beans
of the section carrying the parts 3 is formed of a tube, in which is secured a
pin 12 by means of nuts 13.
The above described ladder may be straightened to serve as an ordinary ladder
by folding its sections in line; said ladder may also be folded to serve as a
double folding ladder (Fig. 3), and when the ladder is composed of three or more
sections, it may be employed to form a scaffolding, the end sections being folded.
at a suitable angle to support the central sections, held in horizontal position.
The improved ladder may be folded so as to occupy small room and to be easily
transported.
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 improved folding ladder, comprising a number of sections, a suitable
device for connecting these sections by pairs, and means for holding said sections
in line as desired, all substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth, and
described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In an improved folding ladder the combination with the beams of the

page_text: ladder-sections, of metal mountings 1 secured to the ends of said beams U shaped
metal parts 3 suitably secured to said beam-ends pins 5 secured to said parts 3,
metal sockets 6 fitted over said pins and made solid with heads 7, fitted over the
end of the corresponding beams of another ladder-section, loops 9 fitted over said
heads, and means for securing said loops in place, substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth, and described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
3. The improved folding ladder, constructed and arranged substantially as
herein set forth and described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of November 1899.
REGINALD W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent, 56, Ludgate Hill, London, E.C.