Self-Stabilizing Collapsible Ladder With Adjustable Spring-Loaded Feet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ladders are often unstable during use, leading to injuries and accidents, and existing solutions require additional personnel or costly scaffolding for stability.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible multi-surface, self-supporting ladder system with parallel support rails, cross members, a pivotally attached rod, and adjustable spring-loaded shafts with shoes for enhanced stability without the need for a second person or extensive assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a second person is positioned at the base of the ladder to stabilize it, then the stability of the ladder is improved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder stabilization device is designed to be self-adjusting and self-locking. The spreader mechanism automatically spreads the support rails apart when inserted, and the ratchet mechanism automatically locks the spreader in place without requiring a second person to manually adjust or secure the stabilization structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates a ratchet mechanism that allows the spreader to be easily opened for insertion but automatically locks in the opened position. This dynamic mechanism transforms a static stabilization requirement into an automatic one, where the device maintains its stabilized state without continuous human intervention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If scaffolding is constructed to provide stability, then the stability of the ladder is improved, but the time required for assembly and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization device is divided into separate modular components: support rails, spreaders, and ratchet mechanisms. These segments can be independently handled and assembled, allowing the device to be quickly attached to the ladder without requiring the construction of a complete scaffolding structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-assembled into a complete stabilization unit with the spreader and ratchet mechanism already integrated. This preliminary assembly allows the entire stabilization system to be attached to the ladder in a single operation, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site construction of scaffolding.
3Ease of operation
If a collapsible ladder system is designed, then the ease of storage and transport is improved, but the stability during use may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a ratchet mechanism that provides dynamic stabilization. When the spreader is opened, the ratchet automatically locks in the opened position, providing stable support during use. When not in use, the mechanism can be easily reversed to collapse the structure for compact storage, maintaining both stability during operation and ease of storage when not needed.
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 system provides increased stability to ladders, reducing the risk of injuries and eliminating the need for additional personnel or costly assembly, while being adaptable to various ladder types and surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable spring-loaded shaft located at the second end of each support rail
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder system is disclosed which allows for stabilizing a ladder on multiple surfaces without the need for a second person or a great deal of setup time. The collapsible ladder system includes a larger ladder section and a smaller ladder strut section which are pivotally connected at a point which is at or below the midpoint of the larger ladder section. The larger ladder section and smaller ladder strut section are connected by a rigid adjustable linkage, or spreader, at a point that is below the pivotable connection. The ladder further includes a means for stability on a variety of surfaces. At the ground contact point, the point where the ladder side rail ends and the ground meet, there are adjustable gripping feet, which can be independently or in combination vertically or angularly adjusted for maximum stability.