LADDERS AND METHOD FOR MAKING A LADDERS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ladder, in particular a rung ladder, with at least two stiles on the outside of the ladder and with a plurality of rungs connecting the stiles, wherein the ladder has at least one fall arrest rail. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a ladder.

[0002] Ladders of the type mentioned above, which have a fall arrest rail, are generally known in practice in various designs. Fall arrest rails or fall arrest systems are used in particular for ladders with a climbing distance of more than five meters. Such ladders are installed, for example, in wind turbines or other structures of great height. The fall arrest rails usually extend in the longitudinal direction of the ladder and serve to protect people from falling when climbing the ladder. For this purpose, a fall arrest runner is usually brought into interaction with the fall arrest rail, in particular with a runner support rail of the fall arrest rail, and is preferably plugged onto the fall arrest rail or runner support rail at any point or threaded onto the fall arrest rail or runner support rail.The fall arrester is connected to the person climbing the ladder and runs along the fall arrest rail as the person climbs up or down the ladder.

[0003] DE 103 19 175 A1 discloses a ladder according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] In practice, fall protection rails are usually retrofitted to ladders or rung ladders after they have been manufactured. In this context, it is common practice to connect the fall protection rails to the ladder rungs using screw connections. For this purpose, holding elements are used, for example, which grip the individual rungs and are screwed to the fall protection rail. However, it has been shown that the installation of the fall protection rails or the corresponding retrofitting of the ladders using the measures known from practice is very complex and requires a large number of work steps. An optimal compromise between the production effort for a ladder equipped with a fall protection rail, the functional reliability of the fall protection system or the fall protection rail, and the stability of the ladder has not yet been achieved. This is where the invention comes in.

[0005] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a ladder of the type mentioned above, in which the disadvantages described above can be effectively and reliably avoided, which is characterized in particular by low-cost production, and which nevertheless meets all requirements – particularly with regard to fall protection and / or ladder stability. Furthermore, the invention is based on the technical problem of providing a method for producing such a ladder.

[0006] To solve the technical problem, the invention teaches a ladder, in particular a rung ladder, according to independent claim 1 with at least two stiles on the outside of the ladder and with a plurality of rungs connecting the stiles to one another, wherein the ladder has at least one fall protection rail which is arranged between the stiles and extends in the ladder longitudinal direction L, in particular parallel or substantially parallel to the stiles, wherein the fall protection rail is non-detachably connected to at least one rung of the ladder, preferably to the rungs of the ladder.

[0007] In the context of the invention, the longitudinal direction L of the ladder means in particular the direction extending along a longitudinal axis of the ladder. The at least one fall protection rail extends according to the invention in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder and is preferably arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the at least two outside-side stiles of the ladder. The at least two outside-side stiles expediently extend in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder and are preferably arranged parallel or substantially parallel to one another. Thus, the two outside-side stiles and the at least one fall protection rail are preferably arranged parallel to one another and particularly preferably each extend in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder. According to the recommended embodiment, the rungs of the ladder are arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the extension of the stiles of the ladder and thus preferably also extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly or substantially parallel to the extension of the stiles of the ladder.essentially perpendicular to the ladder's longitudinal direction L. The individual rungs of the ladder are preferably arranged parallel or essentially parallel to one another. Here and below, particular reference is made to the operating state of the ladder in which the ladder's longitudinal direction L runs in the vertical direction. The ladder according to the invention preferably has two outer sides, which are defined by the outer-side stiles. Furthermore, the ladder according to the invention preferably has two sides, from which the ladder can generally be used by climbing the rungs.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the rungs and / or the stiles of the ladder are designed as hollow profiles, wherein the rungs preferably have a rectangular, in particular a square or substantially square cross-section and / or wherein the stiles preferably have a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0009] The fact that the fall protection rail is permanently connected to at least one rung of the ladder, preferably to the rungs of the ladder, means in particular in the context of the invention that the fall protection rail cannot be removed from the ladder or from at least one rung of the ladder, preferably from the rungs of the ladder, without causing damage. Preferably, the fall protection rail is permanently connected to at least two rungs of the ladder, preferably to at least three rungs of the ladder. More preferably, the fall protection rail is permanently connected to a majority of the rungs of the ladder and very particularly preferably to all or essentially all of the rungs of the ladder. When reference is made here and below to the connection of the at least one fall protection rail to at least one rung of the ladder, this means in particular the inventive permanent connection between the fall protection rail and at least one rung of the ladder.

[0010] A particularly preferred embodiment of the ladder according to the invention is characterized in that the fall protection rail is connected to at least one rung of the ladder, preferably to the rungs of the ladder, without the need for a weld. The fall protection rail is therefore preferably permanently connected to at least one rung of the ladder, in particular to the rungs of the ladder, without the need for a weld. The fall protection rail is preferably connected to at least two rungs of the ladder, more preferably to at least three rungs of the ladder, very preferably to a majority of the rungs of the ladder, and very particularly preferably to all or substantially all of the rungs of the ladder, without the need for a weld. This embodiment of the ladder according to the invention is based on the knowledge that the manufacturing outlay for the ladder is thereby further reduced. In addition, undesirable temperature effects on the ladder oron the rungs that usually occur during welding processes.

[0011] It is within the scope of the invention that the at least one fall protection rail of the ladder has at least one runner receiving rail extending in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder for receiving at least one fall protection runner. The at least one runner receiving rail is recommended to be arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the at least two outside stiles of the ladder and preferably extends along the entire length of the fall protection rail or substantially along the entire length of the fall protection rail. Preferably, the at least one runner receiving rail is designed such that a fall protection runner can be brought into interaction with the runner receiving rail and in particular such that it can be encompassed by a fall protection runner. For this purpose, the at least one runner receiving rail particularly preferably has a corresponding width extension transversely, in particular vertically oressentially perpendicular to its extension in the conductor's longitudinal direction L. The rotor support rail is then designed, in particular, as a rotor support bar. In principle, other configurations of the at least one rotor support rail are also within the scope of the invention, for example, a rotor support rail with a C-shaped cross section.

[0012] It is within the scope of the invention that the ladder has at least two runner support rails. One embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one fall arrest rail has at least two, in particular two, runner support rails extending in the ladder's longitudinal direction L, each for accommodating at least one fall arrest runner. Preferably, the at least two, in particular two, runner support rails are arranged opposite one another on each side of the ladder or on each side of the fall arrest rail.

[0013] In principle, however, it is also within the scope of the invention that the ladder has two fall protection rails and that at least one runner support rail, in particular one runner support rail, is provided on each of the fall protection rails, wherein each side of the ladder is then particularly preferably assigned one of the fall protection rails.

[0014] The embodiment of the ladder according to the invention with at least two runner support rails, each arranged on a ladder side, is based on the knowledge that the ladder can be used or climbed from both sides using one runner support rail. In this context, the embodiment in which the ladder has only one fall arrest rail is preferred, which has at least two, in particular two runner support rails extending in the ladder longitudinal direction L, wherein the runner support rails are preferably arranged opposite one another on one ladder side or on one side of the fall arrest rail. The two runner support rails then preferably extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another.

[0015] It is within the scope of the invention that the fall arrest rail has at least one wall, in particular at least two walls. The at least one wall or the at least two walls of the fall arrest rail expediently extend in the ladder longitudinal direction L and, with respect to their planar extent, are preferably arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly, to the extension of the rungs.

[0016] The ladder according to the invention is characterized in that the rungs of the ladder, which are permanently connected to the fall protection rail, are each guided through at least one wall, preferably through at least two walls, of the fall protection rail and, for this purpose, are each guided through at least one opening in at least one wall, preferably through openings in at least two walls, of the fall protection rail. Due to the above-described, preferred planar extension of the at least one wall of the fall protection rail transversely, in particular perpendicular or substantially perpendicular, to the extension of the rungs, the rungs can be guided through the at least one wall and in particular through at least one opening in the at least one wall of the fall protection rail.If the fall protection rail according to a preferred embodiment has at least two walls through which the rungs of the ladder are guided, then it is preferred that the two walls extend in the ladder longitudinal direction L, are arranged parallel or substantially parallel to one another and, in addition, with regard to their planar extent, are preferably arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the extent of the rungs between the two outside stiles of the ladder.

[0017] The passage of the rungs through at least one wall or through at least two walls of the fall protection rail enables a functionally reliable connection between the rungs of the ladder and the fall protection rail. The openings in the at least one wall of the fall protection rail are preferably designed as punched out sections. More preferably, the cross-section of the openings or punched out sections corresponds approximately to the cross-section of a rung of the ladder. The rungs of the ladder preferably extend uninterruptedly or in one piece between the two outside stiles of the ladder and are thus more preferably passed uninterruptedly through the wall or walls of the fall protection rail.

[0018] The at least one runner receiving rail provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is, with regard to its planar extent, preferably aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the planar extent of the at least one wall, in particular the at least two walls, of the fall arrest rail. The assembly comprising at least one wall of the fall arrest rail and the at least one runner receiving rail is preferably designed as a one-piece assembly. If the fall arrest rail according to the invention, according to one embodiment, has at least two runner receiving rails, which are arranged in particular opposite one another on a respective ladder side or on a respective side of the fall arrest rail, then the second runner receiving rail is expediently also aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly, with regard to its planar extent.aligned substantially perpendicular to the planar extension of the at least one wall, preferably to the planar extension of the at least two walls, of the fall protection rail.

[0019] In a cross-section of the fall protection rail, if one wall and one runner support rail are provided, the fall protection rail preferably has a T-shape; if one wall and two runner support rails are provided, the fall protection rail preferably has a double T-shape; if two walls and one runner support rail are provided, the fall protection rail preferably has a TT-shape, in which the underside can be closed according to a very preferred embodiment explained in more detail below; and if two runner support rails and two walls are provided, the fall protection rail preferably has a double double T-shape. Very preferred within the scope of the invention is an embodiment in which the ladder only has one fall protection rail with only one runner support rail. It is within the scope of the invention that the at least one runner support rail forms the at least one wall of the fall protection rail orThe arrangement of the two walls extends beyond the ladder in the width direction, so that the runner support rail can preferably be encompassed by a fall arrest runner. Within the scope of the invention, the width direction of the ladder refers in particular to the direction transverse, in particular perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the ladder's longitudinal direction L.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, the rungs of the ladder which are permanently connected to the fall protection rail have at least one widening in the region of at least one wall of the fall protection rail, preferably in the region of at least two walls of the fall protection rail, wherein the at least one widening is produced by forming from the inside of the rung. The rungs which are permanently connected to the fall protection rail therefore each have at least one such widening in the region of at least one wall of the fall protection rail. The at least one widening is preferably arranged in the region of the opening or openings in the wall or walls of the fall protection rail. The at least one widening is - in particular in the case of the preferred design of the rungs with a rectangular, preferably square orSubstantially square cross-section, preferably designed such that the rung is widened on at least one rung side, preferably on at least two rung sides, preferably on at least three rung sides, particularly preferably on at least four or all rung sides. Most preferably, the widened portion completely or essentially completely surrounds the rung circumference.

[0021] To create the at least one widened portion, a forming tool is particularly preferably inserted into the rung. By widening the rung in the area of ​​at least one wall of the fall arrest rail, the fall arrest rail is secured against displacement, and the rung is firmly connected to the fall arrest rail in the area of ​​the wall or the opening in the wall associated with the widened portion—in particular, by means of a force-locking and / or positive-locking connection or press connection.

[0022] Within the scope of the invention, the at least one widened portion serves in particular to secure the position of the fall protection rail on the respective rung of the ladder. This position is secured by means of the widened portion, in particular by the frictional connection and / or positive connection between the rung or its widened portion and the wall of the fall protection rail. The fall protection rail is thus expediently fixed to the respective rung of the ladder, on the one hand, by the rung passing through the at least one wall of the fall protection rail and, on the other hand, according to a preferred embodiment, by the at least one widened portion in the region of the at least one wall of the fall protection rail, and in particular is non-detachably connected to the respective rung.

[0023] It is within the scope of the invention that the rungs of the ladder that are permanently connected to the fall protection rail have a widening on one side and / or both sides of at least one wall of the fall protection rail through which they are led. If, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two walls are provided for the fall protection rail, it is possible for the rungs of the ladder that are permanently connected to the fall protection rail to have a widening on one side and / or both sides or on the outside and / or inside of the wall of at least one wall of the fall protection rail, in particular on both walls of the fall protection rail. In the context of the invention, inside of the wall means in particular facing the other wall of the at least two walls of the fall protection rail, and outside of the wall thus means in particular facing away from the other wall of the at least two walls of the fall protection rail.Particularly preferably, in the case of a fall arrest rail with at least two walls, the rungs of the ladder are each widened at least on the inside of the wall, in particular only on the inside of the wall. Then, for each rung of the ladder that is permanently connected to the fall arrest rail, two widened portions associated with the fall arrest rail are provided.

[0024] Another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, in the case of a fall arrest rail with at least two walls, one widening, in particular only one, associated with the fall arrest rail is provided for each rung of the ladder permanently connected to the fall arrest rail, and that this widening is particularly preferably arranged between the two walls of the fall arrest rail. It is also possible for the provided at least one widening of the ladder rungs permanently connected to the fall arrest rail to be arranged on the same and / or different wall sides of a wall of the fall arrest rail—for example, alternating.

[0025] The fact that a widened portion of a rung is arranged in the region of a wall of the fall protection rail preferably means that the widened portion is arranged next to, in particular directly next to, the wall of the fall protection rail, and that the widened portion creates a particularly force-fitting and / or positive connection between the rung and the wall of the fall protection rail. It is particularly preferred that the widened portions taper substantially conically toward the at least one associated wall of the fall protection rail or toward the corresponding opening in the wall.

[0026] By connecting the fall arrest rail, in particular the force-locking and / or positive connection, to at least one rung of the ladder by passing the rung through at least one wall of the fall arrest rail and further by at least one widening of the rung in the area of ​​at least one wall of the fall arrest rail, a highly functionally reliable fastening of the fall arrest rail to the ladder or to the rungs of the ladder can be achieved. This can nevertheless be achieved using minimally complex measures and, in particular, by avoiding screw and / or welded connections. The fall arrest rail can be installed during ladder production, thus eliminating the need for a separate assembly or retrofitting step.Furthermore, these measures according to the invention significantly increase the resistance of the individual rungs of the ladder to deflection when climbing the ladder, and the fall arrest rail can also advantageously transfer loads to other rungs. The ladder according to the invention is therefore also characterized by very advantageous stability.

[0027] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the fall protection rail has a hollow profile extending in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder and having at least two walls, and wherein at least one runner receiving rail is preferably arranged, in particular formed, on the hollow profile. When the fall protection rail is designed with a hollow profile extending in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder and a runner receiving rail arranged thereon, in particular formed, the cross-section preferably results in the TT shape already described above, which is closed on the underside. According to a preferred embodiment, the hollow profile of the fall protection rail has a rectangular or essentially rectangular shape in cross-section and is preferably designed as a rectangular tube. Further preferably, at least one runner receiving rail is arranged, in particular formed, on the hollow profile, in particular on the section which is rectangular or essentially rectangular in cross-section.The at least one runner support rail is arranged, in particular molded, on a substantially rectangular hollow profile, preferably on the rectangular tube. Preferably, the assembly comprising the hollow profile and the at least one runner support rail is formed as a one-piece assembly.

[0028] The rungs of the ladder that are permanently connected to the fall protection rail are preferably each passed through the at least two walls of the hollow profile. The rungs of the ladder that are permanently connected to the fall protection rail are preferably each passed through openings in the at least two walls of the hollow profile of the fall protection rail. If the hollow profile according to a preferred embodiment has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section, then the rungs of the ladder that are permanently connected to the fall protection rail are preferably each passed through openings in the two walls of the hollow profile of the fall protection rail that form the long sides of the rectangle. These two walls of the hollow profile are preferably arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the extension of the rungs with regard to their planar extent.Preferably, the rungs of the ladder that are permanently connected to the fall protection rail have at least one widened portion—in particular described in more detail above—in the region of at least one wall, preferably in the region of at least two walls, of the hollow profile and preferably in the region of the respective openings in the walls of the hollow profile. The widened portions can preferably be provided on one side and / or both sides of at least one wall, in particular of the at least two walls, of the hollow profile through which the rungs pass. Preferably, a widened portion is provided on the inside and / or outside of the wall, in particular on the inside of the wall, preferably only on the inside of the wall, in the region of both walls of the hollow profile through which the rungs pass.According to a further very preferred embodiment of the invention, each rung of the ladder which is permanently connected to the fall protection rail has one, in particular only one, widening associated with the fall protection rail, which is particularly preferably arranged between the two walls of the hollow profile through which the rungs are guided.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment of the fall protection rail, which is a hollow profile extending in the ladder's longitudinal direction L, with at least one runner support rail arranged or molded thereon and rungs extending through at least two walls of the hollow profile, each preferably provided with at least one widening, the fall protection rail represents a "third ladder stile" that is arranged between the stiles on the outside of the ladder and contributes to the ladder's stability while also fulfilling the function of the fall protection rail. The at least one runner support rail arranged on the hollow profile, in particular molded thereon, expediently projects beyond the hollow profile in the width direction of the ladder, so that a fall protection runner can preferably grip around the runner support rail.

[0030] It is preferred that the fall protection rail is arranged in a central section or middle section with respect to the stile spacing A of the ladder and in particular in the range between 35% and 65%, preferably between 40% and 60%, particularly preferably between 45% and 55% of the stile spacing A. Stile spacing A here means the internal distance or smallest internal distance of the stiles on the outside of the ladder transversely, in particular perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the ladder longitudinal direction L. Preferably, the at least one fall protection rail is arranged centrally or essentially centrally with respect to the stile spacing A of the ladder. The embodiment in which the fall protection rail is arranged in a central section or middle section with respect to the stile spacing A of the ladder is based on the knowledge that there is then sufficient space on both sides of the fall protection rail for one foot of the person using or climbing the ladder.In addition, the arrangement of the fall protection rail in this area of ​​the rungs leads to a particularly reliable increase in the resistance to deflection when climbing the ladder.

[0031] It is within the scope of the invention that the fall protection rail is formed on the basis of the same material as the at least two stiles and / or the rungs of the ladder and wherein the fall protection rail preferably consists of the same material or essentially consists of the same material as the at least two stiles and / or the rungs of the ladder.

[0032] It is particularly preferred that the fall protection rail and / or the stiles and / or the rungs of the ladder are formed from at least one metal and in particular consist of or essentially consist of at least one metal, and wherein the at least one metal is preferably aluminum and / or an aluminum alloy. Particularly preferably, the fall protection rail and / or the stiles and / or the rungs of the ladder are made of aluminum and / or an aluminum alloy. However, it is also within the scope of the invention for the rungs of the ladder to be formed from a material different from the material of the stiles and / or the fall protection rail.

[0033] A particularly preferred embodiment of the ladder according to the invention is characterized in that the rungs of the ladder are each passed with their end sections through at least one wall - preferably at least through an inner wall and an outer wall - of the at least two stiles on the outside of the ladder, and wherein for this purpose corresponding stile openings are preferably provided in the at least one wall - in particular in the inner wall and in the outer wall - of the stiles. The stile openings are preferably punched out. The passage of the rungs through the wall or walls of the stiles serves in particular to fix the rungs to the stiles. It has proven useful for the stiles on the outside of the ladder to be each designed as a hollow profile, in particular as a hollow profile with a rectangular orare formed with a substantially rectangular cross-section, and that the two long sides of the rectangle expediently form the walls of the stiles through which the rungs are passed. The inner wall of a stile preferably refers to the wall of a stile facing the inside of the ladder or the fall arrest rail. The outer wall, on the other hand, refers in particular to the side of a stile facing away from the inside of the ladder or the fall arrest rail.

[0034] It is very particularly preferred that the rungs of the ladder that pass through the stiles each have a widening at least in the area of ​​one wall of a stile, preferably at least in the area of ​​the inner wall of a stile, particularly preferably in the area of ​​the inner wall of both stiles. The widening is expediently created by forming technology from the inside of the rung. In this way, the rungs of the ladder are functionally reliably connected to the stiles by frictional and / or positive locking and secured against changes in position. Furthermore, it has proven particularly useful for the rungs of the ladder to be flanged on the outer wall of the stiles. This provides further functionally reliable fixing of the rungs to the stiles.

[0035] To solve the technical problem, the invention also teaches a method for producing a ladder as described above, comprising the following steps: Introduction - preferably by punching out - of a plurality of openings in at least one wall, preferably in at least two walls, of a fall protection rail and a plurality of stile openings in the walls of at least two stiles, wherein the openings and the stile openings are provided for receiving rungs. Leading the rungs through the openings in at least one wall of the fall protection rail, preferably through the openings in at least two walls of the fall protection rail, particularly preferably through the openings in at least two walls of a hollow profile of the fall protection rail. Widening of the rungs in the region of at least one wall of the fall protection rail, in particular in the region of the at least two walls of the fall protection rail orof the hollow profile, passage of the rungs through the openings in the walls of the two rails, preferably widening of the rungs in the area of ​​at least one wall of the rails, in particular in the area of ​​the inner wall of the rails.

[0036] It is within the scope of the method according to the invention that the method steps are carried out consecutively as described above. The widening of the rungs in the region of at least one wall of the fall protection rail, in particular in the region of the at least two walls of the fall protection rail or the hollow profile, can take place on one side and / or both sides of the respective wall within the scope of the method according to the invention. If the fall protection rail is designed with a hollow profile, in particular a hollow profile designed as a rectangular tube, the widenings can be provided on the outside and / or on the inside of at least one wall, in particular of the at least two walls of the hollow profile, through which the rungs are passed.

[0037] It is within the scope of the method according to the invention that the rungs - preferably after their widening in the region of at least one wall of the stiles, in particular in the region of the inner wall of the stiles - are each flanged on the outer wall of the stiles.

[0038] It is within the scope of the method according to the invention that the widening of the rungs in the region of at least one wall of the fall protection rail and / or in the region of at least one wall of the stiles is produced from the inside of the rung and is carried out by inserting a forming tool into the rung. Within the scope of the invention, the rungs are each designed as a hollow profile with a rectangular, in particular square or essentially square cross-section. The forming tool is inserted into this hollow profile according to the method according to the invention to produce the widening(s) of the rung. The forming tool is preferably a multi-part forming tool or a multi-part mandrel.

[0039] The invention is based on the finding that the ladder according to the invention is provided with a fall protection rail which is very simply and reliably permanently connected to at least one rung or rungs of the ladder, without the need for complex assembly or retrofitting steps. By passing the rungs of the ladder through at least one wall of the fall protection rail and further by at least one widening of the respective rung in the region of at least one wall of the fall protection rail, on the one hand, a very advantageous position securing of the fall protection rail on the respective rung and a permanent connection between the respective rung of the ladder and the fall protection rail can be achieved, and on the other hand, the resulting ladder is characterized by surprisingly low manufacturing costs.The fall protection rail can be installed during the manufacturing process and is therefore preferably integrated into the ladder.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the inventive arrangement of the fall protection rail on the ladder or on the rungs of the ladder increases the resistance of the rungs to deflection and that, in particular, the fall protection rail also advantageously dissipates forces to the other rungs of the ladder. The invention thus provides a ladder with an integrated fall protection rail or integrated fall protection, which is characterized by very advantageously low manufacturing effort and thus also by low manufacturing costs and in which, moreover, the resistance of the rungs to deflection is advantageously increased, in particular by up to 50%. Overall, the ladder according to the invention is thus characterized by very advantageous stability and nevertheless meets all requirements for fall protection.Compared to known measures such as subsequently screwing the fall arrest rail to the rungs, the overall weight of the ladder can be reduced with the inventive design. The inventive method is also distinguished from the known measures in practice by its simplicity and high cost-effectiveness.

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that represents only one exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows a schematic representation: Fig. 1 a section of a ladder according to the invention in a perspective view Fig. 2 the object according to Fig. 1 in another perspective view Fig. 3 the object according to Fig. 1 in a second embodiment.

[0042] The figures show a ladder 1 according to the invention, which is preferably and in the exemplary embodiment designed as a rung ladder. The ladder 1 preferably has, and in the exemplary embodiment, two stiles 2 on the outside of the ladder and a plurality of rungs 3 connecting the stiles 2 to one another. The two stiles 2 on the outside of the ladder expediently extend, according to the figures, in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder and are preferably arranged parallel or substantially parallel to one another. In the context of the invention, the term “longitudinal direction L” refers in particular to the direction extending along a longitudinal axis of the ladder. The rungs 3 of the ladder 1 expediently extend, and in the exemplary embodiment, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the ladder. The individual rungs 3 of the ladder 1 are preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, arranged parallel or substantially parallel to one another.The rungs 3 and the stiles 2 of the ladder 1 are preferably and, according to the figures, also designed as hollow profiles, wherein the rungs 3 preferably and in the exemplary embodiment have a square or substantially square cross-section and wherein the stiles 2 preferably and in the exemplary embodiment have a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0043] In addition, the ladder 1 expediently and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures has a fall protection rail 4 which is arranged between the two outside stiles 2 of the ladder and extends in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder and preferably and in the exemplary embodiment parallel or essentially parallel to the stiles 2. According to the invention, the fall protection rail 4 is permanently connected to at least one rung 3 of the ladder 1 and, in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, is permanently connected to the rungs 3 or to all rungs 3 of the ladder 1. In addition, the fall protection rail 4 is preferably connected without welds to at least one rung 3 of the ladder 1, preferably and in the exemplary embodiment to the rungs 3 of the ladder 1 or to all rungs 3 of the ladder 1.

[0044] Preferably and in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 The fall protection rail 4 has a runner receiving rail 5 extending in the ladder longitudinal direction L for receiving at least one fall protection runner 12. In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 and further preferably, the fall protection rail 4 has two runner receiving rails 5 extending in the ladder longitudinal direction L for receiving a respective fall protection runner 12, wherein the runner receiving rails 5 are expediently and in the embodiment according to the Fig. 3 are arranged opposite each other on one side of the conductor. In this way, the conductor 1 in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 can be climbed from both sides of the ladder using the fall protection rail 4 or the respective runner support rail 5.

[0045] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, the fall arrest rail 4 has a hollow profile 9 extending in the ladder longitudinal direction L with at least two walls 6a, 6b. The hollow profile 9 is preferably and in the exemplary embodiment designed as a hollow profile with a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section and in particular as a rectangular tube and preferably and in the exemplary embodiment a runner receiving rail 5 ( Fig. 1 ) or two runner support rails 5 ( Fig. 3 ) and is preferably formed in the exemplary embodiment. The runner support rail 5 or the runner support rails 5 project beyond the hollow profile 9, preferably and in the exemplary embodiment in the width direction of the ladder 1, so that they can be encompassed in particular by the fall arrest runner 12.

[0046] The rungs 3 of the ladder 1, which are permanently connected to the fall protection rail 4, are expediently and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures each passed through openings 7a, 7b in the two walls 6a, 6b of the hollow profile 9 of the fall protection rail 4. The two walls 6a, 6b of the hollow profile 9, through which the rungs 3 of the ladder 1 are passed, are expediently and in the exemplary embodiment the walls 6a, 6b of the hollow profile 9, which, with respect to their planar extent, extend perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the extent of the rungs 3 between the stiles 2 of the ladder 1, and thus preferably and in the exemplary embodiment the longitudinal sides of the hollow profile 9 of the fall protection rail 4, which has a rectangular or essentially rectangular cross-section, in particular as a rectangular tube.The rungs 3 of the ladder 1 are preferably and in the exemplary embodiment also guided without interruption through the walls 6a, 6b of the fall protection rail 4 or the hollow profile 9 and are in particular and in the exemplary embodiment formed in one piece.

[0047] According to a very preferred embodiment of the ladder 1 according to the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, the rungs 3 of the ladder 1, which are permanently connected to the fall arrest rail 4, have a widened portion 8 in the region of each of the two walls 6a, 6b of the fall arrest rail 4 or the hollow profile 9. The widened portions 8 are created by forming technology from the inside of the rungs. Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, a widened portion 8 is arranged on the outer side of each of the walls 6a, 6b, which serves in particular to secure the position of the fall arrest rail 4 by means of frictional and / or positive locking.In principle, the widened portions 8 can also be arranged on both sides of the respective walls 6a, 6b within the scope of the invention or only on the inside of the wall, or according to one embodiment, one widened portion 8 can be provided for each rung 3, in particular only one widened portion 8 assigned to the fall arrest rail 4, which widened portion 8 can particularly preferably be arranged between the two walls 6a, 6b. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, the widened portions 8 are provided directly next to the associated wall 6a, 6b of the fall arrest rail 4 or the hollow profile 9 and preferably taper essentially conically towards the associated opening 7a, 7b of the respective wall 6a, 6b. The widened portions 8 preferably encircle the rung circumference and, in the exemplary embodiment, also encircle it completely or essentially completely.

[0048] Preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, the fall protection rail 4 is arranged in a central section or middle section with respect to the stile spacing A of the ladder 1. Stile spacing A here means in particular the smallest internal spacing of the stiles 2 of the ladder 1 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the ladder longitudinal direction L and, in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, in particular the spacing A of the inner walls 10a of the stiles 2 on the outside of the ladder. Very preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, the fall protection rail 4 is arranged in the range between 40% and 60% of the stile spacing A with respect to the stile spacing A and is arranged in particular centrally or substantially centrally between the two stiles 2 of the ladder 1.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, the fall protection rail 4 may, moreover, be formed on the basis of the same material as the two stiles 2 and the rungs 3 of the ladder 1. Expediently and in the exemplary embodiment, the fall protection rail 4 and the stiles 2 and the rungs 3 of the ladder 1 may consist or substantially consist of at least one metal, and this may expediently and in the exemplary embodiment be aluminum and / or an aluminum alloy.

[0050] Conveniently and in the embodiment according to the figures, the rungs 3 of the ladder 1 are each guided with their end sections through an inner wall 10a and an outer wall 10b of the two stiles 2 and for this purpose, appropriately and in the embodiment, corresponding stile openings 11 are provided in the inner wall 10a and in the outer wall 10b of the stiles 2 ( Fig. 2). Recommended and in the exemplary embodiment, the rungs 3 of the ladder 1 extending through the stiles 2 have a widened portion 8 in the region of the inner wall 10a of both stiles 2. This widened portion 8 serves to secure the position of the rungs 3 relative to the stiles 2 and is produced, in particular, by forming from the inside of the rungs. Further preferred and in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the rungs 3 each have a flange on the outer wall 10b of the stiles 2.

Claims

1. Ladder, in particular a rung ladder, having at least two side rails (2) on the outside of the ladder and having a plurality of rungs (3) connecting the side rails (2) to one another, wherein the ladder (1) has at least one fall arrest rail (4) which is arranged between the side rails (2) and extends in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder, in particular parallel or substantially parallel to the side rails (2), wherein the fall arrest rail (4) is nondetachably connected to the rungs (3) of the ladder (1), wherein the rungs (3) of the ladder (1), which are nondetachably connected to the fall arrest rail (4), are respectively guided through at least one wall (6), preferably through at least two walls (6a, 6b), of the fall arrest rail (4) and are for this purpose respectively guided through at least one opening (7) in at least one wall (6), preferably respectively through openings (7a, 7b) in at least two walls (6a, 6b) of the fall arrest rail (4), characterized in that the rungs (3) of the ladder (1), which are nondetachably connected to the fall arrest rail (4), have at least one expansion (8) in the area of at least one wall (6, 6a, 6b) of the fall arrest rail (4), preferably in the area of the at least two walls (6a, 6b) of the fall arrest rail (4), wherein the at least one expansion (8) is generated from the inside of the rungs using forming technology.

2. Ladder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fall arrest rail (4) is connected to the rungs (3) of the ladder (1) without the use of welded joints.

3. Ladder according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one fall arrest rail (4) has at least one slider receiving rail (5), extending in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder, for receiving at least one fall arrest slider (12).

4. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one fall arrest rail (4) has at least two, in particular two, slider receiving rails (5), extending in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder, for respectively receiving at least one fall arrest slider (12), wherein the slider receiving rails (5) are preferably arranged opposite one another on respectively one side of the ladder or on one side of the fall arrest rail (4).

5. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fall arrest rail (4) has a hollow profile (9), extending in the longitudinal direction L of the ladder, with at least two walls (6a, 6b), and wherein at least one slider receiving rail (5) is preferably arranged, in particular molded, on the hollow profile (9).

6. Ladder according to claim 5, wherein the rungs (3) of the ladder (1), which are nondetachably connected to the fall arrest rail (4), are respectively guided through openings (7a, 7b) in the at least two walls (6a, 6b) of the hollow profile (9) of the fall arrest rail (4).

7. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fall arrest rail (4) is arranged, with respect to the distance A between the side rails of the ladder (1), in a central section or middle section, and in particular in the range between 35% and 65%, preferably between 40% and 60%, particularly preferably between 45% and 55% of the distance A between the side rails.

8. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fall arrest rail (4) is formed based on the same material as the at least two side rails (2) and / or the rungs (3) of the ladder (1), and wherein the fall arrest rail (4) preferably consists of the same material or substantially consists of the same material as the at least two side rails (2) and / or the rungs (3) of the ladder (1).

9. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fall arrest rail (4) and / or the side rails (2) and / or the rungs (3) of the ladder (1) are formed based on at least one metal, and in particular consist of or substantially consist of at least one metal, and wherein the at least one metal is preferably aluminum and / or an aluminum alloy.

10. Ladder according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the rungs (3) of the ladder (1) are respectively guided with their end sections through at least one wall (10) - preferably respectively through at least one inner wall (10a) and one outer wall (10b) - of the at least two side rails (2) on the outside of the ladder, and wherein corresponding side rail openings (11) are preferably present in the at least one wall (10) - in particular in the inner wall (10a) and in the outer wall (10b) - of the side rails (2).

11. Ladder according to claim 10, wherein the rungs (3) of the ladder (1), which are guided through the side rails (2), respectively have an expansion (8) at least in the area of a wall (10) of a side rail (2), preferably at least in the area of the inner wall (10a) of a side rail (2), particularly preferably in the area of the inner wall (10a) of both side rails (2).

12. Method for producing a ladder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: - Introducing - preferably by punching - a plurality of openings (7) in at least one wall (6), preferably in at least two walls (6a, 6b), of a fall arrest rail (4), and a plurality of side rail openings (11) in the walls (10) of at least two side rails (2), wherein the openings (7) and the side rail openings (11) are provided for receiving rungs (3) - Guiding the rungs (3) through the openings (7) in at least one wall (6) of the fall arrest rail (4), preferably through the openings (7a, 7b) in at least two walls (6a, 6b) of the fall arrest rail (4), particularly preferably through the openings (7a, 7b) in at least two walls (6a, 6b) of a hollow profile (9) of the fall arrest rail (4) - Expanding the rungs (3) in the area of at least one wall (6, 6a, 6b) of the fall arrest rail (4), in particular in the area of the at least two walls (6a, 6b) of the fall arrest rail (4) or of the hollow profile (9) - Guiding the rungs (3) through the side rail openings (11) in the walls (10) of the two side rails (2) - Preferably expanding the rungs (3) in the area of at least one wall (10) of the side rails (2), in particular in the area of the inner wall (10a) of the side rails (2).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the rungs (3) - preferably after their expansion in the area of at least one wall (10) of the side rails, in particular in the area of an inner wall (10a) of the side rails (2) - are respectively flanged on the outer wall (10b) of the side rails (2).

14. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the expansion of the rungs (3) in the area of at least one wall (6) of the fall arrest rail (4) and / or in the area of at least one wall (10) of the side rails (2) is generated from the inside of the rungs and, in particular, is carried out by inserting a forming tool into the rung (3).