Ladder

Abstract

Ladder, with a foot leg (12) and a support leg (14) connected to it via a joint (22), characterized in that the joint (22) is adjustable, and that the ladder (10) automatically locks into position at 0°, between 25° and 45°, between 100° and 120° and at 180° with the aid of the joint (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an offset ladder according to the preamble of claim 1, 4 or 5.

[0002] Ladders with two legs have long been known as stepladders. The two legs are connected by a hinge and can pivot relative to each other. The pivot angle is appropriately limited, e.g., to 45 degrees, and (at least) one of the legs has treads, usually in the form of steps, so that it forms a stepping leg, while the other forms a support leg.

[0003] Such a ladder is distinct from a leaning ladder. A leaning ladder has the advantage over a stepladder that, with the same amount of material, it can achieve almost twice the climbing height.

[0004] To combine the advantages of both ladder types, so-called multi-purpose ladders were developed. These also have two ladder legs connected by a hinge, but the swivel angle of this hinge is limited to approximately 180 degrees. The hinge also allows the two ladder legs to be fixed or locked together at a variety of swivel angles. These types of ladders typically have treads on both ladder legs, often consisting partly of steps and partly of rungs.

[0005] Extendable or telescopic ladders are also known, in which one ladder section is movable relative to another. When combined with multi-purpose ladder technology, both ladder sections, or at least one, can be extended. This then has two ladder sections, one closer to the joint and one further away. Ladders with multiple joints are also known.

[0006] The ladder sections must be secured against each other before climbing to prevent them from slipping into each other or accidentally swinging apart. Typically, a hook or similar device is provided on one ladder section for length adjustment. This hook rests against a rung or step of the other ladder section. In this way, the extendable ladder section can be used at various lengths, incrementally adjusted to the length of a rung or step.

[0007] Multi-purpose ladders reach their limits when it comes to working on a roof, which is typically at a considerable height. In such cases, it would be advantageous to be able to work at a distance from the roof. However, for this type of work, special ladders are required, namely offset ladders. These have a support leg extending at an angle of, for example, approximately 110 degrees to the ladder's rungs, which serves solely to brace the ladder against the building's facade.

[0008] Roof overhangs, however, are by no means always the same, but typically vary from house to house. Therefore, the support leg of a ladder is usually designed for a moderate roof overhang. If, consequently, only a ladder with a support leg that is too short is available, there is a risk that the user will use it and lean back while working at a great height on the roof. This not only poses a risk of the user losing their balance, but depending on the chosen leaning angle, there is even a risk that the ladder, with the user standing on it at a great height, will become too heavy and pull away from the wall, causing the user to fall to the ground, which can even lead to fatal injuries.

[0009] WO 2021 / 053590 A1 discloses a ladder with a lockable swivel device.

[0010] EP 0 000 848 A1 discloses a joint for folding ladders, comprising, on the one hand, side plates, one of which has several notches and the other only one notch, arranged on the same radius with respect to the pivotable hollow shaft of the side plate, each connected to a ladder stile, and, on the other hand, a spring-operated locking finger with the specification that the side plate which first receives the locking finger has several notches if the other side plate has only one.

[0011] In contrast, the invention is based on the objective of creating an offset ladder according to the preamble of claim 1, 4 or 5 that is less prone to accidents and meets the requirements of virtually all possible applications.

[0012] This problem is solved according to the invention by an object according to one of claims 1, 4 or 5. Technically advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0013] This task is accomplished by a ladder with a foot section and a support section connected to it via a joint, characterized in that the joint is adjustable and that the ladder automatically locks into place at 0°, between 25° and 45°, between 100° and 120°, and at 180° using the joint. The support section serves to variably support the foot section of the ladder. The joint is adjustable with respect to the pivot angle between the foot section and the support section. In particular, the ladder can automatically lock into place at 0°, 35.5°, 110°, and 180° using the joint.

[0014] According to the invention, the length of the ladder's support leg is adjustable in fine increments. This allows for precise length adjustment of the support leg, even when the ladder is erected against buildings with varying roof overhangs. The ladder according to the invention is an offset ladder with an adjustable offset.

[0015] For safety reasons, to prevent falls, the user will first adjust the support leg to a length that is at least equal to the estimated roof overhang. In this adjusted position, they will lean the ladder against the house and confirm that the adjustable support leg is sufficiently long. If they find that the support leg is too short, they will adjust the ladder to the desired roof overhang before climbing, i.e., lengthen the support leg.

[0016] Preferably, the ladder is set up so that the support leg is longer than the roof overhang, for example, by 10 cm to 50 cm. Furthermore, it should run essentially horizontally. This results in a predetermined leaning angle of the ladder against the house or other building.

[0017] The joint's adjustable angle allows it to be set as desired. For example, if... . If a leaning angle of 20 degrees is desired, the joint is adjusted to an angle of 110 degrees between the footrest and the support leg. This automatically results in a horizontal alignment of the support leg.

[0018] The double adjustability according to the invention allows the risk of accidents associated with previous ladders to be safely eliminated when handled correctly, and also allows a variety of different climbing situations to be safely covered according to the invention.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the adjustable ladder leg has two ladder sections that can be adjusted relative to each other in one movement, i.e., completely. These ladder sections are guided against each other and are slidable relative to each other. Each ladder section forms a kind of mini-ladder with fixed stiles, which improves stability. One of these ladder sections has a locking device with a locking element. The other ladder section has a series of recesses or projections.

[0020] The recesses or projections are adjacent to one another. The locking element is designed to fit into a recess or engage with a projection. When the locking element engages in the recess or with the projection, the two conductor sections are fixed against each other and form a partial conductor of a specific length. The length depends on the recess into which the locking element engages. However, the recesses or projections are spaced such that sufficient material remains between them to ensure the locking element is securely held in place.

[0021] The recesses or projections are formed in the stile, or preferably in both stiles, of one ladder section, in a row with a predetermined grid dimension. If the recesses or projections are located in or on both stiles, two locking elements extend into them, simultaneously into recesses or projections that are at the same height. This double-sided support results in a particularly stable and torsionally rigid base for the ladder leg, which supports the two ladder sections.

[0022] According to the invention, the grid spacing of the recesses or projections is significantly less than half the distance between the steps or rungs, i.e., the treads. The number of recesses or projections between the treads depends considerably on the type of ladder. For a heavily used ladder or an industrial ladder, it is necessary that more material remains between the recesses or projections than for a DIY ladder. The number of recesses or projections between the treads can, for example, range from 4 to 40, but can also be lower or higher.

[0023] The locking elements preferably extend substantially horizontally and penetrate the stiles from the inside, i.e., from the area of ​​the center between the stiles. The recesses are preferably designed as openings in the stiles, but can also be blind holes. The projections can be designed in any suitable way. They can, for example, be pins or blocks projecting from the stile, preferably from its inner wall. Combinations of projections and recesses are also possible according to the invention, e.g., ribbing on the stile(s).

[0024] In general, any three-dimensional structure suitable for positive locking against the locking element can be used as a projection and / or recess. The locking element in question enters the recess and passes through it at least partially, or rests against the projection. Preferably, however, it does not project, or does not project significantly, beyond the spar on its outer surface.

[0025] If the beam has a hollow profile, such as a rectangular profile, it is also possible that the locking element only engages the inner wall of the beam and the recess is only provided in this wall. The outer wall is then closed, and the locking element is not visible from the outside.

[0026] According to the invention, the locking elements are spring-loaded so that they enter recesses or engage with the projections as soon as they are aligned with them. This solution ensures that the ladder sections are always fixed against each other and do not accidentally slip into one another.

[0027] According to the invention, the locking mechanism is preferably released by an actuating device. The actuating device acts on the locking element(s) and disengages them from the recesses. The locking element is withdrawn from the respective recess, allowing the ladder sections to slide relative to each other. When the actuating device is released, the locking elements are automatically pre-tensioned in the direction of the recesses. When the ladder sections are then moved relative to each other, the locking elements engage in the next adjacent recess. This occurs automatically due to the spring-loaded pre-tension of the locking elements, thus preventing incorrect operation.

[0028] The actuating device can have any suitable configuration. It is designed to disengage the detent elements. For this purpose, for example, an angle bracket can be attached to the detent element, extending transversely to its path and projecting upwards or, preferably, downwards. By actuating the angle bracket against the force of the spring element acting on the detent element, the detent element is retracted and is no longer engaged with the recess. By appropriately designing the angle brackets of the detent device, both detent elements can also be retracted simultaneously. The actuating device then forms a one-handed operating device, meaning it can be operated by the user with one hand.

[0029] Preferably, the locking elements, the locking mechanism, and the actuating device are located where they do not interfere with operation. It is particularly advantageous if the actuating device is positioned approximately midway between the uprights.

[0030] Further advantages, details and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing.

[0031] They show: Fig. 1A a perspective view of a ladder according to the invention in one embodiment, with the adjustable ladder leg extended; Fig. 1B the embodiment according to Fig. 1A , however, in the front view; Fig. 1C the embodiment according to Fig. 1A , however in side view; Fig. 2A the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , however with the adjustable ladder leg retracted; Fig. 2B the embodiment according to Fig. 2A , however, in the front view; Fig. 2C the embodiment according to Fig. 2A , however, in the side view Fig. 3 the locking device of the ladder according to the invention in section in an extended position of the locking elements; Fig. 4 side views of the ladder with different angular positions of the joint; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the ladder with an angular position of the joint of 0°; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the ladder with an angular position of the joint of 35.5°; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the ladder with an angular position of the joint of 110°; and Fig. 8 a perspective view of the ladder with an angular position of the joint of 180°.

[0032] In Fig. 1A Figure 10 shows a ladder consisting of two ladder legs, namely a foot leg 12 and a support leg 14. The foot leg 12 has two stiles 16 and 18, between which a plurality of steps 20 extend. In the illustrated embodiment, the five steps are designed as treads.

[0033] The stiles 16 and 18 converge upwards, meaning they are closer together at the top than at the bottom. The two ladder legs 12 and 14 are connected to each other via joints, one of which, 22, consists of Fig. 1A The support leg 14 consists of a ladder section 24 near the joint and a ladder section 26 farther from the joint.

[0034] The two ladder sections 24 and 26 are movably mounted to one another. They have stiles 28 and 30. The stiles 28 and 30 extend parallel to each other. The stiles 28 and 30 each have a C-shaped cross-section. The two C-shaped cross-sections of the ladder sections 24 and 26 overlap. In the illustrated embodiment, the stiles of the ladder section 26 furthest from the hinge overlap the stiles of the ladder section 24 closest to the hinge. A kinematic reversal is, of course, also possible.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the ladder section 26 furthest from the joint has a plurality of recesses 32 in its stiles. The recesses 32 extend along the central leg of the C-shaped profile of the stiles 28 and 30. The recesses 32 extend in a row at a grid spacing. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 32 are designed as circular holes. Their diameter is approximately one-third of the horizontal extent of each stile 28 and 30. The vertical distance between the recesses 32 is slightly less than the diameter of the holes. The grid spacing of the row of recesses 32 is therefore slightly less than twice the diameter, in the illustrated embodiment approximately 170% of the diameter.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, 9 recesses 32 are provided between adjacent steps, which are designed here as rungs 40. It is understood that the exact number of recesses between steps can be adapted to the requirements in many areas. The number of recesses between adjacent steps is at least two or more, preferably four or more.

[0037] According to the invention, a locking device 34 is provided, which consists of Fig. 1B somewhat more clearly visible. The locking device 34 comprises two locking elements 36 and 38. The locking elements 36 and 38 are designed in the form of tubes or rods. The front ends of the locking elements 36 and 38 can each enter a recess 32. From Fig. 1A It is evident that the locking element 38 passes through the uppermost recess 32 and protrudes outwards from it.

[0038] The locking device 34 is described in detail below.

[0039] Out of Fig. 1B The ladder 10 is visible in the top or front view. It is clearly evident that the stiles 16 and 18 converge upwards and diverge downwards. The stiles 28 and 30 extend parallel to each other, so that the ladder sections 24 and 26 can easily be moved by the stiles 28 and 30 sliding against each other. The same reference symbols here, as in the other figures, indicate identical parts and require no further explanation.

[0040] Fig. 1C Figure 1 shows ladder 10 in a side view. In this position, ladder 10 forms a stepladder. The angle of extension of the support leg 14 is limited by the foot section 10 in a manner known per se. In the illustrated embodiment, this limitation is achieved by the joint 22. It is understood that, alternatively, a chain or strap can be provided in a manner known per se, connecting stiles 18 and 30 on the one hand and 16 and 28 on the other.

[0041] The Figuren 2A, 2B und 2C corresponding Figuren 1A, 1B und 1C The difference is that the support leg 14 at Fig. 2 driven in and at Fig. 1 is extended. The condition of ladder 10 according to Fig. 2 is particularly suitable if the ladder 10 is to be used as an offset ladder leaning against a building.

[0042] As especially from Fig. 2C As can be seen, the support leg 14 and the foot leg 12 then form an angle of approximately 110 degrees to each other. The angle is adjusted by the joint 22. The joint 22 has a locking mechanism for this purpose. When this is actuated, the two legs 12 and 14 can pivot freely relative to each other. When it is released, the locking mechanism engages at the current angular position, thus fixing the pivot angle of the legs 12 and 14 relative to each other. In this state, the support leg 14 of the ladder 10 is significantly shorter than the foot leg 12.

[0043] When leaning against the building, the support leg 14 should run horizontally or substantially horizontally. The preferred leaning angle is between 15 and 25 degrees, so that the joint 22 is preferably set to an angle between 105 and 115 degrees.

[0044] According to the invention, the multi-purpose ladder is also designed for working on roof overhangs. It then forms an offset ladder. For this purpose, the Fig. 2C The position of the ladder shown (10) is suitable. With the support leg (14) fully retracted, it is possible to work on a roof overhang of, for example, 50 cm or 80 cm.

[0045] The special feature of the ladder 10 according to the invention is the free and precise adjustability of the length of the support leg 14. If the roof overhang is 1 m or 1.20 m, the support leg 14 is extended by 20 cm or 40 cm, respectively, via the locking device 32 according to the invention. When the actuating device 52 is released, the set length of the support leg is locked. The user then automatically has a sufficient working distance or offset from the wall, so that they cannot lean back dangerously. For large roof overhangs, the support leg 14 is fully extended. This allows safe work even on the largest roof overhangs encountered in practice, up to 2 m. In this respect, the fine adjustment of the length of the support leg 14 according to the invention allows for precise adaptation to the respective application, for example, to the different sized roof overhangs on which the ladder according to the invention is to be used.

[0046] If work is to be carried out on the wall of the building (not shown), there are two options. Either the support leg 14 is adjusted to its minimum length, i.e., fully retracted. In this case, the user stands on a tread 20 of the foot section 12 at a distance from the wall, e.g., 1 m. This position is useful for certain tasks, for example, when a larger area of ​​the wall needs to be worked on in one go with a long-handled tool, such as a brush or a hose nozzle attached to a handle for cleaning the building. This reduces the number of ladder repositionings required, which improves working speed.

[0047] Or the joint is brought into a joint position in which the support leg 12 and the foot leg 12 extend at an angle of 180 degrees to each other. In this joint position, the multi-purpose ladder according to the invention is a leaning ladder.

[0048] Out of Fig. 2A It is also evident that in this state of the ladder 10, the locking element 38 extends out of a recess 32 located far from the joint 22. Therefore, the position shown corresponds to a significantly retracted state of the support leg 14 of the ladder 10.

[0049] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a section through part of the support leg 14, illustrating the locking device 34. The locking device 34 includes, in addition to the locking elements 36 and 38, a spring 46. The spring 46 is designed as a compression spring and pushes the two locking elements 36 and 38 apart.

[0050] In the Fig. 3 In the relaxed state of the spring 46 shown, the locking elements 36 and 38 engage in recesses 32 in the stile of the ladder section 26 furthest from the joint. Both locking elements 36 and 38 can be moved towards each other against the force of the spring 46. Angles 48 and 50 serve this purpose. Angle 48 is fixedly connected to locking element 36, and angle 50 is fixedly connected to locking element 38. The two angles extend away from the joint 22. Their distance from each other is chosen so that they can easily be grasped with one hand, for example between the thumb and forefinger, and moved towards each other to release the locking elements 36 and 38 from engaging in their respective recesses and thus unlocking the locking mechanism. In this respect, the ladder 10 according to the invention allows one-handed operation when adjusting the length of the support leg 14.

[0051] The locking elements 36 and 38 and the angles 48 and 50, in combination with the spring 46, form an actuating device 52 for the locking device 34. When the angles 48 and 50 are compressed, the locking elements 36 and 38 are disengaged from the recesses 32. This allows the ladder section 26 furthest from the joint and the ladder section 24 closest to the joint to slide freely relative to each other. When the angles 48 and 50 are released, the two ladder sections can still slide relative to each other, but the locking elements 36 and 38 press from the inside against the central legs of the stiles 30 and 28 of the lower ladder section 26.

[0052] Only a small force is required for the movement. As soon as the locking elements 36 and 38 align with the next recess 32, they engage with it and lock into place. The ladder 10 is then in a fixed position and can be erected stably.

[0053] Out of Fig. 3 It is clearly evident that the locking device 34 is guided on the ladder section 24 closest to the joint. The recesses 32 are formed in the ladder section 26 furthest from the joint and extend distally from it. The locking elements 36 and 38 are guided in a sleeve 56, which also accommodates the spring 46.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking elements 36 and 38 are designed as tubes. The distal ends of the locking elements 36 and 38 are closed with plugs 54. Alternatively, they can also be designed as rods.

[0055] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows side views of ladder 10 with different angle positions of the joint 22. In the closed position with an angle of 0°, ladder 10 can serve as a folded short extension ladder. In the position with an opening angle of 35.5°, the ladder can be used as a stepladder on level ground. The fine-tuning adjustment of the support leg 14 allows ladder 10, in the position with an opening angle of 35.5°, to be used as a stepladder with different height levels between the climbing leg 12 and the support leg 14, e.g., on steps with an opening angle of 35.5°. In the position with an opening angle of 110°, ladder 10 can be horizontally supported by means of the support leg 14, e.g., against a wall. For this purpose, the support leg 14 is extended to a maximum of 1.20 m. This is made possible by the incremental adjustment on the support leg 14. In the position with an opening angle of 180°, ladder 10 serves as an unfolded long extension ladder.

[0056] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of ladder 10 with the joint 22 at an angle of 0°. The ladder has two legs: a foot section 12 and a support section 14. Analogous to the previous figures, the foot section 12 has two stiles 16 and 18, between which a plurality of steps 20 extend. The stiles 16 and 18 converge upwards, meaning they are closer together at the top than at the bottom. The two ladder legs 12 and 14 are connected to each other by joints 22. In the closed position with the joint 22 at an angle of 0°, ladder 10 can serve as a folded short extension ladder.

[0057] Fig. 6 shows another perspective view of ladder 10 analogous to Fig. 5 , however, now with an angle of the joint of 35.5°. The support leg 14 consists of a ladder section 24 near the joint and a ladder section 26 further away from the joint, which are movably mounted against each other. The ladder section 26 further away from the joint has rungs 40 and the ladder section 24 near the joint has steps 42 as treads.

[0058] In the position with an opening angle of 35.5°, the ladder serves as a stepladder on level or uneven surfaces. Since the support leg 14 consists of two sliding ladder sections 24 and 26 with fine-tuning adjustment, its length can be adapted to the ground conditions. For example, the support leg 14 can be extended to the same length as the step leg 12, allowing the ladder 10 to be used as a stepladder on level surfaces. However, the support leg can also be retracted, so that the step leg 12 and support leg 14 are at different heights, enabling the ladder 10 to be used as a stepladder on uneven surfaces, such as stairs. Depending on how far the support leg 14 is retracted, the stepladder can also be adjusted to the incline of the stairs.

[0059] Fig. 7 shows another perspective view of ladder 10 analogous to Fig. 5 or 6 However, with a joint angle of 110°. In this 110° opening position, the ladder 10 can be horizontally supported by the support leg 14, for example, against a wall. For this purpose, the two sliding ladder sections 24 and 26 of the support leg 14 are retracted to their maximum extent. The support leg 14 then has a maximum length of, for example, 1.20 m. Because the two ladder sections 24 and 26 are retracted to their maximum extent, further retraction is impossible, so the ladder 10 can be securely leaned against the wall. This prevents the risk of the two ladder sections 24 and 26 being pushed further inward by the force exerted on the support leg 14 during this use, potentially endangering the user, in a simple and reliable manner.

[0060] Fig. 8 shows another perspective view of ladder 10 analogous to Fig. 5 - 7 , however, with a joint angle of 180°. In the position with an opening angle of 180°, the ladder 10 serves as an unfolded long extension ladder. The length of the ladder 10 as an unfolded long extension ladder can be adjusted to the respective conditions by means of the two sliding ladder sections 24 and 26 of the support leg 14.

[0061] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

Claims

1. An offset ladder with adjustable offset, comprising a step leg (12) and a support leg (14) connected thereto via a joint (22), wherein the joint (22) is adjustable, and wherein the ladder (10) latches automatically with the joint (22) in the angular positions at 0°, between 25° and 45°, between 100° and 120° and at 180°, characterized in that the support leg (14) is adjustable with regard to its length, that the support leg (14) has a ladder part (24) close to the joint and a ladder part (26) remote from the joint, that one ladder part (24, 26) of the support leg (14) has a row of recesses (32) or projections on at least one stringer (28, 30), and that a latching device (34) on the other ladder part (24, 26) has two latching elements (36, 38) which can be introduced into a respective recess (32) on the one ladder part (24, 26) or can be brought into engagement with a respective projection on the one ladder part (24, 26), wherein the two latching elements (36, 38) of the latching device (34) are mounted in an area between the stringers (28, 30) and move away from each other during latching, and that at least one spring (46) of the latching device (34) presses both latching elements (36, 38) away from each other, and that a common spring (46) is provided for the two latching elements (36, 38) which presses the two latching elements (36, 38) towards the stringers (28, 30).

2. The offset ladder according to claim 1, characterized in that the support leg (14) is adjustable with regard to its length in a predetermined grid dimension by means of the latching device (34).

3. The offset ladder according to claim 2, characterized in that the recesses (32) or projections are spaced apart from one another by less than half the distance of the treads (40, 42).

4. An offset ladder with adjustable offset, comprising a step leg (12) and a support leg (14) connected thereto via a joint (22), wherein the joint (22) is adjustable, and wherein the ladder (10) latches automatically with the joint (22) in the angular positions at 0°, between 25° and 45°, between 100° and 120° and at 180°, characterized in that the support leg (14) is adjustable with regard to its length, that the support leg (14) has a ladder part (24) close to the joint and a ladder part (26) remote from the joint, that one ladder part (24, 26) of the support leg (14) has a row of recesses (32) or projections on at least one stringer (28, 30), and that a latching device (34) on the other ladder part (24, 26) has two latching elements (36, 38) which can be introduced into a respective recess (32) on the one ladder part (24, 26) or can be brought into engagement with a respective projection on the one ladder part (24, 26), wherein the latching device (34) acts jointly on both latching elements (36, 38) and on both stringers (28, 30) and both latching elements (36, 38) can be actuated jointly with the latching device, and that at least one spring (46) of the latching device (34) presses both latching elements (36, 38) away from each other, and that a common spring (46) is provided for the two latching elements (36, 38) which presses the two latching elements (36, 38) towards the stringers (28, 30).

5. An offset ladder with adjustable offset, comprising a step leg (12) and a support leg (14) connected thereto via a joint (22), wherein the joint (22) is adjustable, and wherein the ladder (10) latches automatically with the joint (22) in the angular positions at 0°, between 25° and 45°, between 100° and 120° and at 180°, characterized in that the support leg (14) is adjustable with regard to its length, that the support leg (14) has a ladder part (24) close to the joint and a ladder part (26) remote from the joint, that one ladder part (24, 26) of the support leg (14) has a row of recesses (32) or projections on at least one stringer (28, 30), and that a latching device (34) on the other ladder part (24, 26) has two latching elements (36, 38) which can be introduced into a respective recess (32) on the one ladder part (24, 26) or can be brought into engagement with a respective projection on the one ladder part (24, 26), wherein the two latching elements (36, 38) are preloaded towards the stringers (28, 30) by a common spring (46).

6. The offset ladder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses (32) or projections are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined recess grid dimension or projection grid dimension, which grid dimension is between 1 cm and 10 cm, in particular between 2 cm and 4 cm, and particularly preferably between 2 cm and 4 cm.

7. The offset ladder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support leg (14) can be pivoted with the joint (22) into a position spread by more than 90 degrees relative to the step leg (12), in particular into a horizontal position when the ladder (10) is leant.

8. The offset ladder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint (22) has a joint latching device known per se, with which the pivoting angle of the joint (22) can be adjusted and fixed, and / or that the ladder leg forming a step leg (12) has stringers (16, 18) and treads (20) between the stringers (16, 18), and the support leg (14) of the ladder (10) has stringers (28, 30), connecting elements or treads (40, 42).

9. The offset ladder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses (32) or projections in the one ladder part (24, 26) are configured in the inner wall of the stringer (28, 30) facing the treads (40, 42) or connecting elements, or, in the presence of an outer wall facing away from the treads (40, 42) or connecting elements, also in the outer wall, or exclusively in the inner wall.

10. The offset ladder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching elements (36, 38) are in the form of rods or tubes, and / or that the recesses (32) or projections have a diameter 2% to 50% larger than the latching elements (36, 38), and / or that the latching elements (36, 38) have lead-in chamfers, in particular lead-in chamfers pointing toward the joint (22), and / or that the latching elements (36, 38) are guided at their stringer-side ends in guide elements whose play relative to the latching elements (36, 38) is less than the play of the latching elements (36, 38) in the recesses (32).

11. The offset ladder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for both latching elements (36, 38) an actuating device (52), in particular a single-handed actuating device, is provided which acts jointly on these two latching elements and with which the latching elements (36, 38) can be disengaged from the recesses (32) or projections in the one ladder part, and / or that the latching elements (36, 38) can be moved towards one another with an actuating device (52), and in particular can be disengaged from the recesses (32) or projections with the actuating device (52).

12. The offset ladder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuating device (52) of the latching device (34) has an angle (48, 50) each acting on a latching element (36, 38), each of which angles is closer to the center between the stringers (28, 30) than to the stringers (28, 30), wherein in particular the actuating device (52) is arranged below a tread (40, 42) or connecting element and closer thereto than to the next tread (40, 42) or connecting element further remote from the joint.

Images