Improvements in Stays for Step Ladders and other Hinged Articles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 12th Jan., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stays for Step Ladders and other Hinged
Articles.
I, RICHARD WHITAKER of 724 Rochdale Road Harpurhey Manchester in the
County of Lancaster Hardware Factor do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
I make this stay in three parts, which I name respectively the keep, as in Fig. 1.
the clip, as in Fig. 2 and the bracket, as in Fig. 3. The clip, Fig. 2, is so shaped
that the keep, Fig. 1. can only be put on at its smal end, the keep is therefore put
on to the clip at its small end, and the pivot B 1 Fig. 3 formed in the casting of the
bracket is passed through the collar C5, Fig. 2. formed in the shaping of the clip, a
washer is put on the end of the pivot B 1, Fig. 3. and rivetted up.
I make the stay as one article attachable by four screws so that any person of
ordinary skill may, with nothing more than a screw driver attach it to a step
ladder or other hinged articles in a few minutes. The parts shown as Figs. 1 and 3
I make of any suitable metal, but preferably malleable iron, but the part shown as
Fig. 2 I make of iron, steel or brass rod, in one piece, that is to say there is no
joint or welding whatever in it, but I make it by taking a suitable length of rod,
of the metal required, and bending it into the shape shown in Fig. 2, this stay
may be made righthanded or lefthanded but I make it preferably righthanded,
that is to say for that side which is on the right hand of a person when ascending
the step ladder, I do this so that a person standing in front of the step ladder as if
about to ascend may by pulling the top of the ladder towards him with the left
hand, and pressing together the two keys C1 and C2 Fig. 2 of the clip with the
thumb and forefinger of the right hand cause the ladder to close instantly, this is
caused by the weight of the back flap inclining downward and pressing the clip
upward through the keep Fig. 1. the clip then lies snugly along the side of the
closed ladder under the projecting portion of the top step, as in Fig. 5. In a similar
manner by reversing the foregoing instructions an operater may open the ladder
just as quickly as he can close it, videlicet by standing in front of the ladder as if
about to ascend, and with the thumb of the right hand pressing downward upon
that key C2 Fig. 2 of the clip nearest him he will cause the clip to run through
the keep until the inbends C3 and C4 Fig. 2 of the clip close upon the nugs KI
and K 2, Fig. 1, of the keep with a snap, this action causes the back flap to fly
out behind at the same time the operater allows the top of the ladder to fall from
him.and it is instantly open, it is then as firm and rigid as if built in the open
position as in Fig. 4. and cannot possibly be opened further, or closed without
operating the stay, the ladder may also be opened in the usual way by standing at
the side and holding the front of the ladder with one hand and the back flap with
the other, and seperating them until the inbends C3 and C4 Fig. 2. of the clip
spring upon the nugs of the keep K 1 K 2 Fig. 1.
Dated this 7th day of May 1894.

page_text: Improvements in Stays for Step Ladders and other Hinged
Articles.
I RICHARD WHITAKER of 724 Rochdale Road Harpurhey Manchester, in the
County of Lancashire, Hardware Factor 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 :—
I make this stay in three parts, which I name respectively, the keep, as in Fig. 1
the circular spring clip, as in Fig. 2. and the bracket, as in Fig. 3 The clip Fig. 2
is so shaped that the keep Fig. I can only be put on at its small end, I then place
the pivot B1 Fig. 3 through the collar C5 Fig. 2 which is formed in shaping the
clip, a washer is put on end of pivot and rivetted up, moreover the pivot B1 Fig. 3
is placed a little out of centre of bracket, so that it can be made to work either
right, or left hand of ladder, by simply reversing the bracket. I make the stay as
one article attachable by four screws, the parts shown as in Figs. 1 and 3 I make
of any suitable metal, but preferably malleable iron, the circular spring clip shown
in Fig. 2. I make of iron, steel, or brass rod, of one piece, in the shape and thickness
required, the opening of ladder into the position as in Fig. 4 is done by drawing
out the back legs or flaps until the inbend or key C 1 of Fig. 2 grips the nugs of
keep K 1 & K 2. with a strong spring snap, and thereby holding the ladder as
rigid as if it were built in one piece, the closing of ladder into position of Fig. 5
is done simply by lifting the spring end of clip Fig. 2 clear of the nug of keep
Fig. 1 K 2 and thereby to allow the clip Fig. 2 to slide through keep Fig. 1. so as
to lodge under the top step of ladder without projecting over either the back or
front of ladder when closed. Thus it will be seen that the stay does not project
over the outer edges of ladder whether it be open or closed. For some purposes
the bracket Fig. 3 may be dispensed with, and a screw, bolt, or nail passed through
the collar would act as a pivot when screwed or driven into an article.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
1st. A circular spring stay in one piece, having inbends or keys wrought in the
same, fitted with suitable brackets, keeps and screws, for attachment, substantially
as and for the purpose herein before described.
2nd. I claim the method of attaching the same to step ladders, and other hinged
articles for their better security and automatic action when in use.
Dated this Third day of December 1894.
RICHARD WHITAKER.