Patent ID: 12246682

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” and the like designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Embodiments of the invention comprise a device and method for securing one or more ladders (or other suitable tool or piece of equipment) to any suitable vehicle rack upon which equipment, tools, etc. are routinely mounted and preferably secured. The device of embodiments of the invention provides a novel way of securing one or more ladders to a vehicle rack in a manner that is safe, secure, and easy to set up and remove. While embodiments of the invention are described and illustrated herein as devices and methods for securing a ladder to a ladder rack, devices and methods of embodiments of the invention may be used to secure other types of tools and equipment to other types of vehicle-mounted or non-vehicle-mounted racks.

As seen inFIGS.1-4, the ladder securing device10comprises an elongated first post12, a second post16that is substantially parallel to and shorter than the first post12, and a connecting bar14joining the top ends of the first and second posts. The first post12, the second post16, and the connecting bar14are constructed of any suitable material that is rigid, strong, durable, and weather-resistant, such as any suitable metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel).

A clamping bar20is slidably engaged with the first post12and selectively slidably engaged with the second post16. The clamping bar20comprises a main hub21through which the first post12is slidably engaged. An arm extends from the hub21. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm comprises a perpendicular portion22(so termed because the perpendicular portion22is substantially perpendicular to the first post12and the second post16) and a parallel portion24(so termed because the parallel portion24is substantially parallel to the first post12and the second post16). The parallel portion24has a through-hole30. It is the parallel portion24that is selectively slidably engageable with the second post16, as described below. The hub21and the arm22,24are constructed of any suitable material that is rigid, strong, durable, and weather-resistant, such as any suitable metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel) or any suitable plastic.

The clamping bar20features a squeeze-to-advance/quick-release mechanism that comprises a fixed handle26, a movable handle30that is pivotable toward the fixed handle26when squeezed by a user and biased away from the fixed handle by a biasing spring54(which may comprise a compression spring) (or any other suitable biasing mechanism), and a pivotable release bar32. When the movable handle26is squeezed by a user, a pivotable walking plate52pivots in unison. The movable handle26and the walking plate52both have holes through which the first post12passes. The hole in the walking plate52is only slightly larger in diameter than is the first post12(in the illustrated embodiment, the first post12has a diameter of 0.50 inches and the diameter of the hole in the walking plate52is 0.51 inches). In a manner identical or nearly so to a quick-release woodworking trigger clamp, the clamping bar20is mechanically advanced along the first post12toward the connecting bar14by grasping the handles26,30and squeezing the movable handle30toward the fixed handle26. The pivoting movement of the movable handle30pivots the walking plate52such that the top and bottom edges of hole in the walking plate52(top is toward the proximal end50of the movable handle30and bottom is toward the distal end) press into the first post12, applying sufficient pressure to draw the first post12through the hub21such that the clamping bar20moves along the first post12toward the connecting bar14(this is the movement to secure the device10to a ladder rack and ladders, as described below).

The release bar32has a hole through which the first post12passes. The hole in the release bar32is only slightly larger in diameter than is the first post12(in the illustrated embodiment, the first post12has a diameter of 0.50 inches and the diameter of the hole in the release bar32is 0.51 inches). A biasing spring56(in the illustrated embodiment, as stacked wave disc spring (also called a wave spring) is used, but any other suitable type of spring may be used) (or any other suitable biasing mechanism) biases the release bar32forward (i.e., away from the movable handle30and toward the connecting bar20). When the release bar32is biased forward, the top and bottom edges of hole in the release bar32(top is toward the proximal end (i.e., the end enclosed within the structure of the clamping bar) of the release bar32and bottom is toward the distal end (i.e., the end outside of the structure of the clamping bar)) press into the first post12and thereby resist movement of the first post12relative to the clamping bar20. This pressure is sufficient to be effective at resisting movement of the clamping bar20away from the connecting bar14but it is typically possible for a user to move the clamping bar20toward the connecting bar14as it is only necessary to overcome the resistance of the biasing spring56. To move the clamping bar20away from the connecting bar14, the release bar32is depressed toward the fixed handle26and held in the depressed position (thereby aligning the hole in the release bar32with the first post12and removing the applied pressure) to enable the clamping bar20to be freely slid along the first post12toward the connecting bar14or away from the connecting bar14.

A locking mechanism28comprises a pivoting latch arm36that is selectively movable between a locked position (best seen inFIG.4) and an unlocked position (best seen inFIGS.2and3). In the locked position, a hook at the distal end of the latch arm36engages with a pin38in the movable handle30. To lock the device, a key (not illustrated) is inserted into keyhole34, the movable handle30is depressed, and the key is turned to pivot the latch arm36into the locked position engaging the pin38. This holds the movable handle30in the depressed position, which holds the walking plate52in position in which the top and bottom edges of the hole apply pressure against the first post12which in turn prevents the clamping bar20from moving relative to the first and second posts12,16. The key would be removed to prevent unauthorized removal of the device. To unlock the device, the key is inserted into the keyhole34and turned to pivot the latch arm36into the unlocked position, which disengages the pin38and allows the movable handle30and the walking plate52to return to its neutral position away from the fixed handle26. The locking mechanism28(or any other suitable locking mechanism) prevents the clamping bar20from sliding off the lower end of the second post16(when engaged as described below), thereby ensuring that the device10stays in its securing position relative to the ladder rack and ladder. Using such a locking mechanism helps prevent an unauthorized person from removing the device10and thereby removing the ladder(s).

The first post12, connecting bar14, and second post16are labeled as three separate components, however, these components are preferably formed as a unitary, cylindrical component that is generally J-shaped. Such a cylindrical cross-section would enable the clamping bar20to rotate about the first post (as indicated by the circular arrow inFIG.2) to move the clamping bar20out of the way to better facilitate placement of the device into its securing position. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated) the first post, connecting bar, and second post are formed as separate components joined at right angles.

The first and second posts should be parallel or nearly so (no more than two degrees from parallel, and preferably no more than one degree from parallel) to ensure that the clamping bar can properly slidably engage both the first and second posts.

The first post12is longer than the second post for at least two reasons: (1) a user can grasp the device by handle18at the lower (proximal) end of the first post12and raise the device high enough to enable the lower (proximal) end of the second post16to rise above the ladders for placement of the device (described further below), and (2) the clamping bar20can slide off the second post16but remain slidably engaged with the first post12.

To use the device to secure one or more ladders to a ladder rack, the release bar32is depressed to enable the clamping bar20to freely slide along the first post12and the clamping bar20is slid toward the lower (proximal) end of the first post12such that the clamping bar20disengages from the second post16(if initially engaged). Typically, the clamping bar20will then be rotated approximately 30-180 degrees away from its position when the parallel portion24is aligned with the second post16to ensure that the clamping bar20is not blocking access to the space between the first and second posts, although it may not be necessary to rotate the clamping bar that much in all instances. Standing by the side of the vehicle and near one of the crossbars of the ladder rack, the user grasps the handle18and lifts the device10up until the lower (proximal) end (the end opposite the connecting bar14) of the second post16is higher than the topmost side of the ladder46(or of the topmost ladder if multiple ladders are stacked on the ladder rack). The user then moves the device10toward the ladder(s)46until the lower end of the second post16is past the ladder side rail that is closer to the user. The user rotates the device10slightly such that the connecting bar14crosses over the ladder rack crossbar44. The user then lowers the device10such that the lower end of the second post16is lowered through the ladder(s)46and a portion of both the ladder side rail and the ladder rack crossbar44enter the space between the first and second posts. The user continues to lower the device10until the connecting bar14contacts the topmost side of the ladder side rail. The user then rotates the clamping bar20back toward the second post16, depresses the release bar32(this may not be necessary), and slides the clamping bar20upward such that the parallel portion24of the clamping bar20engages (or re-engages, previously engaged) the second post16. The user continues to slide the clamping bar20upward until the clamping bar20contacts the underside of the ladder rack crossbar (alternatively, the user could use the handle30to advance the clamping bar20into this position, but it is easier to use the release bar32instead). The user then squeezes the handle30one or more times to tighten the clamping bar20upward against the underside of the ladder rack crossbar, which also tightens the connecting bar14downward against the ladder(s) and squeezes the ladder(s) against the crossbar, thereby holding the ladder(s) securely in the ladder rack. This type of clamping mechanism is able to produce a significant amount of clamping force to securely hold the ladder(s) in place on the ladder rack. To prevent the device10from opening up and possibly dislodging, with the handle30depressed and the key inserted into the keyhole, the user turns the key to engage the latch arm36with the pin38. The user would then typically remove the key until it is time to unlock and remove the device. There are other steps and other orders of steps that may be performed to use the device to secure one or more ladders to a ladder rack, as long as at least a part of the ladder and at least a part of the ladder rack are secured within the space between the first and second posts.

The device may be any suitable size, depending on the number and size of ladders to be secured. In one exemplary embodiment, the first post is about 32 inches long, the second post is about 18 inches long, and the distance between the first and second posts is about 8 inches, and the first, second, and connecting posts are constructed from a single piece of stainless-steel tubing (e.g., grade A240 304).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below (if any) are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.