Ladder Blocking Device Using Segmented Prongs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ladder blocking devices are cumbersome to carry, often block only lower rungs, and can be easily bypassed or removed by unauthorized users, posing safety hazards and access risks.

Innovation Solution

A portable ladder blocking device with a support assembly that spans multiple stringers, featuring prongs and shields attached via secure means, allowing for easy placement and locking to prevent unauthorized access, with optional additional prongs to obstruct climbing and enhance security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a covering device is attached to the ladder to prevent climbing, then access to upper rungs is blocked, but the device becomes clumsy to carry and only blocks lower rungs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking device is divided into multiple independent prongs that can be separately attached to different rungs, allowing selective blocking of specific rungs rather than requiring a large continuous covering. This segmentation enables effective blocking while maintaining device compactness and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a horizontal covering that extends across the ladder, the invention uses vertical prongs that extend downward from individual rungs. This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical orientation allows effective blocking with minimal material usage, improving both portability and blocking effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a covering device is attached to the ladder, then climbing is prevented, but the attachments are easily reached and removed by unauthorized users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidease of bypass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each prong is independently attached to specific rungs with localized attachment means that are difficult to reach from the ground. The attachment points are positioned at specific locations on the ladder structure where unauthorized access is most difficult, creating local security zones that are hard to compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The prongs serve as intermediary elements between the ladder rungs and the blocking function. Instead of directly attaching a large covering to the ladder, the prongs act as intermediaries that extend the blocking function while their attachment points remain secure and difficult to access from below.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a pivotable blocking plate is used, then access can be controlled, but the plate pivots into the user creating a safety hazard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess controlVSAvoidsafety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a pivotable plate that swings into the user's path, the invention uses fixed downward-extending prongs that do not move. This inversion of the blocking mechanism from movable to fixed eliminates the safety hazard of pivoting plates while maintaining effective blocking of access to upper rungs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11692395B1Ladder blocking device

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 BULLOCK ROBERT WADE

AI summary

The invention presented is a ladder blocking device attached to a ladder to prevent unauthorized use of the ladder. In one embodiment, the device includes a plurality of prongs that extends from a support system that holds the device onto the ladder. In one alternate embodiment, a shield rests over and is supported by the prongs. In second alternate embodiment, the shield is attached directly to the support system without the presence of the prongs.