An Improved Stepladder applicable also as an Artist's Easel.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 24th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
An Improved Stepladder applicable also as an Artist's Easel.
ALEXANDER LEECE KNEALE 6 Brisbane Street Douglas Isle of Man Joiner and
Cabinet Maker I do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
(1) Neither Ropes nor Hinges required.
(2) Closes up within itself compactly.
(3) No danger when open of slipping twisting or expanding, as those depending
upon Ropes now in use.
(4) The Back is bolted firmly to the sides of the steps with Iron Bolts and
iron plates of suitable strength according to the different sizes of the ladders.
(5) Adaptable for Artists Easels also.
The invention is the Folding over of the Back supports by placing one half on each
side of the steps and firmly securing each half by Bolts to alternate sides as shown in
drawing.
The back support of the ladder is attached to the front at (A) by two Bolts and
Nuts, one at each side; of a size and strength according to the size of ladder, that
shown in the drawing having 2 in. x in. Bolts. There are Iron plates at (B) on
both sides of bolt holes, firmly screwed. Underneath the Head of ladder at (C) is a
cross-piece projecting over the width of the ladder, the bottom of which forms a jam
with the cut in the Back support when open. (D) are Blocks screwed upon the sides
which act with the jam, making it impossible to open the ladder further, and thus
doing away with hinges and ropes, and also preventing the ladder slipping, as is too
often the case with roped-ladders. (E) are small holes prepared for Hooks when used
as an easel. (F) are the steps. (G) Bars on the Back.
Dated this the Thirty-first March 1897
An Improved Stepladder applicable also as an Artists' Easel.
I ALEXANDER LEECE KNEALE 6 Brisbane Street Douglas I. O. Man, Joiner and
Cabinetmaker, 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 :-
An improved step-ladder (without hinges or rope) applicable also as an Artist's easel
and claimed to be steadier when in use than those with ropes and hinges, in place of
which the back supports (or legs) are fastened to the front by bolts with screw nuts
and hole plates at each side, while a cross piece of wood underneath the head,

page_text: projecting at each side, and which fits into a cut in the Back supports when extended,
thereby forming a complete jam stop. On the out sides of the ladder are blocks one
at each side screwed on upon which the back rests when open. These with the cut
or jam before mentioned, adds considerably to strengthen the ladder, making it
capable of bearing much extra weight, as also the impossibility of opening further,
or of slipping. The strength of the bolts fastening the back and front together are
according to the size of Ladders. The hole plates are for minimising the wear and
tear. In the front are small holes wherein to put screw hooks when used as an artist's
easel.
The back support of the ladder is attached to the front at (A) by two bolts and
nuts one at each side of a sufficient strength according to the size of ladder shown in
the accompanying drawing having 2 in. xin. Bolts.
There are Iron plates at (B) on both sides of Bolt-holes firmly screwed and
underneath the Head of Ladder at (C) is a projecting cross-piece the bottom edge of
which forms a jam with the cut in the back support (or legs) when open. (D) are
Blocks screwed upon the sides which act with the jam, making it impossible. to open
further, and thus doing away with hinges and ropes, and also preventing the ladder
slipping, as is too often the case with roped ladders.
(E) are small holes prepared for Hooks when used as an Easel.
(F) are the steps.
(G) Bars on back.
The ladders are hand made of selected wood with iron bolts and hole plates. The
top and bottom steps are morticed through the sides and the Back Bars are notched
and screwed into the uprights or back supports, and altogether the whole is finished
in a workmanlike manner.
Dimensions of a 4 ft. Ladder. As per drawings left with the Provisional
Specification.
Sides 4 ft. 5 in. x by 3 in.
Cross bars, in back 2in. wide.
Width of ladder at bottom 15 in. outside measurement.
Top width 12 in. outside.
Rise of steps 9 in.
Breadth of steps 4 in.
Bevel of steps, i.e., one inch and one quarter inch.. lin.
Top or Head 14 × 5in.
Cross-piece under head 14 × 4 in.
The whole cut out of in. Timber in thickness.
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 :-
1st. That the .cross piece underneath the Head projecting the thickness of the
Back Supports and fitting into a cut in the said supports when opened is the chief
feature of the Invention. The blocks on the sides added to give extra strength.
2nd. Having no Hinges or Ropes the danger of slipping is comparatively done
away with.
3rd. The back or legs when closed overlaps the Sides (and not up to the ladder as 4
hinged ladders) gives a more compact appearance and is more portable, and the cost
of production considerably lessened by the very simplicity of manufacture.
Dated this Twenty-first day of April 1897.
ALEXANDER LEECE KNEALE.