PORTABLE EXTENSION LADDERS
Year: 1885

page_text: .
I, JACOB NEILD, of 107 Liverpool Road, Manchester, in the County of Lancashire,
Wheelwright and Ladder Maker, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
PORTABLE EXTENSION LADDERS to be as follows:—
They consist of two or more ladders, joined together by means of improved,
metal clips, with rollers in, one of which is fixed on the underside of the bottom,
of the top ladder, and a corresponding one is fixed on the upperside of the top, of
the bottom ladder, and clips top and bottom of each intermediate ladder in a
similar manner.
By means of this improvement, by being slipped in the clips, the ladders can be
put together while slanted against a wall, which facilitates and lightens the labour
in rearing. When they are thus connected; on the upper ladder being lifted up,
an improved self-acting pawl is brought into operation, this pawl is fixed on the
bottom stave of each ladder, excepting the bottom one, and arranged to catch on
each stave of the ladder below. As the top ladder is lifted up the upper part of
pawl slides along the stave above and rises the hooked part of pawl, which on
becoming level with each stave falls and hooks on it; secureing the top ladder from
slideing down again, and thereby enabling the ladders to be used in lengths
varying only according to the distance, or rise, between each stave, to within about
two feet of its total length. The pawl is so made that on it becoming desirable to
shorten the ladder when extended, it is only nescersary to press a lever on the
bottom end of the pawl to prevent it falling, and thus allow the top ladder to slide
freely down. The tops of the top ladder is fitted with small wheels when desirable
so that it can be raised with greater ease when against a wall of uneven surface.
When three ladders are attached together, I propose to elevate the two upper ones
by means of a rope and pulley attached to the top of the bottom ladder.
T

page_text: JACOB NEILD, Wheelwright and Ladder Maker, corner of Potatoe Wharf Liverpool
Road, Manchester, in the County of Lancashire I do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for A PORTABLE EXTENSION LADDER and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement -
This invention consists of two parallel ladders, which can be used separately, or
when joined together by means of the improved metal clips A, one of which is
affixed, by means of screw bolts, to the bottom end of the top ladder C, and a
corresponding clip is affixed in the same manner to the top end of the bottom
ladder D.
To connect, rear the ladder D in a slanting position with the part H resting
against a wall, or other perpendicular surface.
Rear the ladder O and place it as closely against and in front with the hooks G
of pawls in a falling position, as the projecting clip at foot of C will allow, raise the
ladder D sufficiently high, and lower the foot into the clip at foot of ladder C.
The ladder C can then be raised rung by rung until the clip at foot of C reaches
the metal guiders K, which act as guiders for ladder O also as stoppers to prevent
ladder C being raised too high.
The pawls F are secured to the ladder O by means of the collared metal rung R
being passed through the bosses P and move freely upon it with a riseing and
falling semi circular motion.
As the ladder C is raised the upper parts of pawla F alides along the rung
immediatly above it in ladder D until the points of hooks G passes, when it falls
upon the rung and thus automaticaly locks or hooks the two ladders securely
together, either when extended to part or all of its length,
The stoppers L are to prevent the pawls F from falling lower than is nescersary
for their action.
When the ladder O has been raised or extended to all or part of its length, to
lower, it must be raised about 1 inch or sufficient to enable the hooks G to clear the
rung, upon the levers M of pawls, either one or both, being pressed horizontaly.
The connecting bar E is to enable the two pawls F to work or act simultaneously
upon either of the levers M being pressed, it can also be used in lieu of the levers
to raise the pawls out of action in lowering ladder C.
Upon the bearing parts B of metal clips A are loose pieces of hollow metal tube
which revolve upon the spindle, thereby lessening friction.
Upon the upper ends of ladder Care metal wheels with India Rubber tyres S
to enable the ladder to be raised or extended with greater ease when leaning
against uneven surfaces.
The rungs are all of wood, with the exception of the metal one R, iron tie rods
being placed underneath at intervals.

page_text: Upon the ends of each rung where the hooks catch, are metal ferrules N to
prevent wearing away too rapidly.
View 1 is a front view of both ladders connected.
View 2 is an edge view of both ladders connected.
View 8 is a sectional view of both ladders connected.
View 4 is a back view of both ladders connected.
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
The improved clips used for connecting the ladders, and the improved pawls for
securing them together, as herein before described.