Ladder Accessory with Rung Locking Brackets for Tool-Free Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ladder accessories are either unstable, difficult to mount and dismantle, or hinder the ordinary use of ladders, failing to meet European safety standards and requiring tools for installation.

Innovation Solution

A ladder accessory with rung holding and rung locking brackets that allows for easy mounting and dismantling without tools, featuring a support structure with non-slip feet or wheels, and adjustable angles for stability and compactness, ensuring safe and efficient use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the accessory is designed to be stable and safe according to European standards, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability and safetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory is divided into separate functional components: mounting elements with rung holding brackets and rung locking brackets, wall distance elements, and support structures. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall stability and safety according to European standards, without requiring the entire structure to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory incorporates adjustable and foldable elements that can change position between active and inactive states. The wall distance elements can be adjusted to different angles, and the support structures can be folded, providing dynamic adaptability that maintains reliability across different usage scenarios while reducing complexity when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the accessory is designed for easy mounting and dismantling without tools, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting and dismantling easeVSAvoidmounting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting and dismantling process is designed to be self-service, requiring no external tools. The rung holding brackets and rung locking brackets are configured to be manually operated, allowing users to quickly install and remove the accessory by hand while still achieving reliable, tool-free attachment to the ladder structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary components such as the rung holding brackets and rung locking brackets that act as mediators between the accessory and the ladder structure. These intermediaries enable easy manual attachment and detachment while ensuring reliable connection during use, bridging the gap between ease of operation and mounting reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the accessory is designed to be compact for storage, then volume is reduced, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory employs dynamic, foldable support structures and adjustable wall distance elements that can be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage. When deployed, these same elements extend to provide the necessary working space and functionality, allowing the accessory to transition between compact storage and full operational states without compromising usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory design allows components to be nested within each other when not in use. The support structures can be folded inward, and the wall distance elements can be positioned to occupy minimal space, creating a nested configuration that reduces storage volume while maintaining ease of operation when deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If the accessory uses multiple locking mechanisms for stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoiddismantling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple locking functions are merged into integrated rung holding brackets and rung locking brackets that work together as a unified system. This combination allows the accessory to achieve reliable attachment stability through multiple locking points while maintaining ease of operation, as the merged design enables simultaneous engagement and disengagement of all locking mechanisms through a single operational action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2172615B1An accessory for a ladder, a ladder, and a method for mounting an accessory for a ladder on a ladder
Publication Date: 2011.08.10 PETERSEN
  • EP2172615B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2172615B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2172615B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An accessory for a ladder comprising a mounting element (1) and a wall distance element (2), wherein the mounting element (1) and the wall distance element (2) each comprises two longitudinal profiles (3, 11) having a first end (19, 21) and a second end (20, 22). The mounting member (1) further comprises at least two transverse profiles (4) interconnecting the two longitudinal profiles (3), and each of the longitudinal profiles (3) is provided with at least one rung holding bracket (8) and at least one rung locking bracket (9) and a first connecting means (5) and a second connecting means (6) for fastening the wall distance element (2) to the mounting element (1). The wall distance element (2) further comprises at least two transverse profiles (12) interconnecting the two longitudinal profiles (11), at least one transverse support structure (16) connected to the wall distance element (2) at the second end (22) of the longitudinal profiles (11) of the wall distance element (2), and each of the longitudinal profiles (11) is provided with a first connecting means (13) and a second connecting means (14) for fastening the wall distance element (2) to the mounting element (1).