Improved Hand Rail for Steps and Ladders.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Oct., 1892-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Hand Rail for Steps and Ladders.
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We, WILLIAM BRACEWELL of Mitre Timber Works, Burnley, in the County
of Lancaster, Timber Merchant, and ROBERT HOLDEN of 12, Marlborough Street,
Burnley aforesaid, Joiner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
!
This invention relutes more particularly to that class of steps or ladders having
a movable leaf or support; and consists essentially in the application of a self
adjusting hand rail, which is capable of being closed, so as to lie close and parallèl
at the side of the ladder by the closing of the supporting leaf, and simultaneously
therewith:-
This is effected by means of radial arms, one of which is attached to or may form
part of the supporting leaf, whilst the other is jointed to the side of the ladder near
to the foot. The free extremities of these arms are attached to the rail, and act in
a similar manner to the radial arms of a parallel ruler. When, therefore, the
ladder is required for use, the supporting leaf is then thrown outwards in the
ordinary way, which movement will cause the arm attached to or forming part of
the leaf to radiate upon its hinge or joint, so as to automatically raise the rail, and
at the same time compel the other arm also to radiate by the longitudinal movement
of the rail, so as to keep the ladder true and parallel, whether the latter be open or
closed.
•
To prevent the supporting leaf from shooting outwards at the foot beyond a
determined distance, it is arrested by a suitable stop fixed to the side of the ladder.
We would here observe that although we have only described the application of
one hand rail, two may be used, if desired, one on each side of the ladder.
In some instances, my invention may be applied to ordinary ladders, which are
used without a movable leaf or support, in which case the radial arms, carrying the
hand rail, may come against a suitable stop when in position.
Dated this 28th day of January 1892.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Acent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Hand Rail for Steps and Ladders:
We, WILLIAM BRACEWELL of Mitre Timber Works, Burnley, in the County
of Lancaster, Timber Merchant, and ROBERT HOLDEN of 12, Marlborough Street,
"Burnley aforesaid, 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 more particularly to that class of steps or ladders having
a movable leaf or support; and consists essentially in the application of a self
adjusting hand rail, which is capable of being closed, so as to lie close and parallel
at the side of the ladder by the closing of the supporting leaf, and simultaneously
therewith.
This is effected by means of radial arms, one of which is attached to or may form
part of the supporting leaf, whilst the other is jointed to the side of the ladder near
the foot. The free extremities of these arms are attached to the rails, and act in a
similar manner to the radial arms of a parallel rule. When, therefore, the ladder
is required for use, the supporting leaf is then thrown outwards in the ordinary
[Price 8d.]

page_text: way, which movement will cause the arm attached to or forming part of the leaf to
radiate upon its hinge or joint, so as to automatically raise the rail, and at the same
time compel the other arm also to radiate by the longitudinal movement of the rail,
so as to keep the latter true and parallel, whether the ladder be open or closed.
To prevent the supporting leaf from shooting outwards at the foot beyond a
determined distance, it is arrested by a suitable stop fixed to the side of the ladder.
We would here observe, that although we have only described the application
of one hand rail, two may be used, if desired, one on each side of the ladder.
In some instances our invention may be applied to ordinary ladders, which are
used without a movable leaf or support, in which case the radial arms carrying the
hand-rail may come against a suitable stop, when in position.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is an elevation of our improved step ladder, having its movable leaf B
opened fully outwards, and constructed with a hand rail E on both sides of the
ladder.
Fig. 2 is a similar view of the ladder, but in this instance, it is constructed with
only one hand rail E as shewn.
Fig. 3 shews the position of the ladder when closed.
Referring to Fig. 1, A is the step or ladder supported by the movable leaf B,
which is made to swing on the stud pin or bolt C, and extended beyond the usual
limits so as to form a support at D for the hand-rail E, which is also supported at
its lower extremity by the radial arm F fixed to the ladder near the foot as
.shewn.
It will be readily seen that when the ladder is opened or closed, the radial arms
will act after the manner of a parallel rule.
In order to limit the movement of the radial arms, and render them serviceable
for the purposes of our invention, stops G and H are provided. These may be
made of wood, and screwed or otherwise fixed to the side of the ladder. Stop G is
essential to prevent the movable leaf B from going beyond the required distance
when the ladder is opened, whereas the stop H comes in useful to check the
*movement of the radial arm F when the ladder is closed.
The hook I is serviceable for suspending therefrom a pail or other object for the
use of the person using the ladder.
1..5
When the ladder is closed as seen in Fig. 3, it may be reared against a wall, and
employed in the same way as an ordinary step ladder; the hand-rail E increasing
its length.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A step ladder, having folding hand-rail or rails E with radial arms and
stops G and H, substantially as described and illustrated.
2. Hook I for the support of a pail or other object suspended therefrom,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 30th day of September 1892.