Angled Ladder Support for Hoistway Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder support devices fail to securely hold ladders in elevator hoistways, risking ladder slippage and requiring maintenance personnel to manually stabilize the ladder, which can be unsafe and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A ladder support apparatus featuring an angled base plate with a ladder engaging part that prevents slippage by engaging with the ledge, providing a nonslip grip and mechanical fastening options to secure the ladder in place, allowing the ladder to be safely positioned without manual holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a maintenance person manually holds the base of the ladder to prevent sliding, then the ladder can be secured in the elevator hoistway, but the maintenance person may become distracted or insufficient strength to prevent slippage, creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder support apparatus enables self-service by allowing the ladder to secure itself to the ledge through its own weight and the mechanical engagement of the base plate, eliminating the need for continuous manual holding while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The angled base plate acts as an intermediary between the ladder and the ledge, providing a mechanical connection that transfers the ladder's weight to the ledge structure, thereby securing the ladder without requiring direct human intervention
2Reliability
If existing ladder support devices are used, then the base of the ladder is held, but they fail to address the specific situation of elevator hoistways where ladders may slip on landings
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is specifically designed with an angled configuration and ledge engagement features tailored for the elevator hoistway environment, providing localized adaptation to the specific geometric and functional requirements of this application
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate engages the ledge in multiple dimensions - horizontally through the angled base contact and vertically through the ledge engagement features - creating a multi-dimensional secure connection that addresses the specific slippage risks of elevator hoistways
3Productivity
If the ladder base is secured to eliminate manual holding, then productivity increases, but the support device must provide sufficient support to prevent slippage without human assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder support apparatus is pre-configured with the angled base plate and ledge engagement features before use, so that when deployed, it immediately provides the necessary support capacity without requiring adjustment or manual intervention during operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively prevents ladder slippage and ensures safe access to elevator hoistways by providing stable support, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing maintenance personnel to focus on their tasks without manually holding the ladder.
Implementation Method 1
a nonslip grip surface may be formed or provided on a bottom side of the first portion of the base plate
Implementation Method 2
the angled base is angled to engage a ledge such that the first portion is engageable with a top horizontal surface of the ledge and the second portion is engageable with a front vertical surface of the ledge
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder landing support apparatus includes an angled base plate including a first portion and a second portion defining an angle with the first portion, and a ladder engaging part extending upwardly from a top side of the first portion, the ladder engaging part being engageable with feet of a ladder so as to substantially prevent slippage thereof in a direction parallel to the first portion, wherein the angled base plate is angled to engage a ledge such that the first portion is engageable with a top horizontal surface of the ledge and the second portion is engageable with a front vertical surface of the ledge.