Step Ladder Leg Support

In using stepladders, particularly with just one worker present, many accidents occur because of the need to climb high on the ladder, and the resulting top heavy imbalance, or where the ladder is used on the ground, uneven terrain prevents a firm footing for the ladder, with the same resulting danger. An easily portable and readily adaptable means for guarding against such accidents is definitely needed in the industry, and is the object of this invention.

A stepladder supporting means consisting of a pair of pivotally mounted members detachably secured to the upper portion of a stepladder, having means for distributing the load over both front and rear sets of the stepladder legs, said means having pivotally mounted feet adapted to provide secure contact with the ground, and having means for telescopically adjusting the length of the pivotal members.

FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of a stepladder with the supporting members mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the view shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the pivotal member and collar.

In the drawings, the numerals 1, 1 designate the forward set of legs of the conventional stepladder, which has the usual steps 2, 2 and extension lock 3. Mounted on the upper end of the front set of legs 1, 1 and the rear set of legs 4, 4 are the collars 5, 6 which are maintained in place by means of the set screws 7, 7. One side of the collar 5 is extended inwardly and has the facing brackets 8, 8 fixedly mounted thereon. A pin 9 extends transversely through said brackets and through the eye 11 mounted in the upper end of the pivotal member 12. A sliding bar 13 is pivotally mounted on the collar 6 and extends through the slot 14 in the brackets 8, 8, distributing the load between the respective collars.

The pivotal members 12, 12 have the telescoping extensions 15, 15 and passageways are formed in the lower portion of the pivotal members 12, 12 and in the upper portion of the extensions 15, 15 by receiving the locking pins 16, 16 at the selected position. Flat, rectangular feet 17, 17 are pivotally mounted on the extended ends of the extensions 15, 15 by means of the eye 18, through which the pins 16 pass, and the brackets 20, 20 also through which the pin 19 passes. Non-skid, two directional flexible grips 21, 21 are mounted at the bottom of the feet 17, 17.

In use, where the step ladder is being used on a level surface, such as a building floor, or the like, the pivotal members 12 may be inactive, the extensions 15 being pinned out of contact with the floor. If there is need for the support, the pivotal members 12 are swung outwardly, and the extension members 15 pinned so that the feet 17 are firmly in contact with the floor, with the non-skid grips preventing the feet from sliding. If the stepladder is being used on the ground, where the terrain is uneven, the pins permit adjustment of the extension members individually so that the ladder will be equally secured from both sides.