Ground-Operated Ladder Clamp and Strap Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ladder stabilizing systems require users to climb unstable ladders to secure them, increasing the risk of injury from falls.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first bracket attached to the upper portion of a ladder's side rail, a second bracket to the lower portion, and a strap that is tensioned via a ratchet mechanism, allowing the ladder to be secured against a structure while the user is on the ground, eliminating the need for climbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional ladder stabilizing system is used, then the ladder can be secured to a structure, but the user must climb the unstable ladder to secure it, increasing the risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is attached to the ladder and the structure is secured in advance before the user climbs the ladder. The extension pole allows the user to reach and secure the clamp to the structure from the ground level, performing the stabilization action preliminarily before exposure to danger.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension pole serves as an intermediary tool that allows the user to operate the clamp and secure the ladder to the structure from a safe distance on the ground, eliminating the need to climb the unstable ladder while still achieving the stabilization function.
2Ease of operation
If the ladder is placed against a structure without securing mechanisms, then the user can access the structure easily, but the ladder may slip and cause the user to fall
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is pre-attached to the ladder and the extension pole is prepared in advance. The user can then quickly secure the ladder to the structure by extending the pole and engaging the clamp, performing the stabilization action preliminarily before climbing, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
3Reliability
If the user climbs the ladder to secure it to the structure, then the ladder can be stabilized, but the user exposes themselves to fall hazards during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The extension pole acts as an intermediary that extends the user's reach, allowing them to secure the clamp to the structure from ground level. This eliminates the need to climb the ladder for stabilization while maintaining the reliability of the securing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is attached to the ladder in advance, and the extension pole is prepared beforehand. This preliminary preparation allows the user to secure the ladder from the ground without climbing, improving user safety while achieving the same stabilization result.
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 stabilizes the ladder effectively against structures like roofs, reducing the risk of falls and injuries by securing the ladder without requiring the user to climb it.
Implementation Method 1
a clamp (110) and a threaded rod (260) of the clamp are disposed in an extension pole (290). The clamp is then lifted, via the extension pole, to the object above the ground surface. The clamp is then clamped to the object by rotating the extension pole in a first direction while the threaded rod is disposed within the extension pole (290).
Implementation Method 2
a clamp (110) and a threaded rod (260) of the clamp are disposed in an extension pole (290). The clamp is then clamped to the object by rotating the extension pole in a first direction while the threaded rod is disposed within the extension pole (290).
Implementation Method 3
The ladder is then secured against the object by generating a tension on the strap (140), via the strap ratchet (131). The tension draws the ladder towards the object and secures the ladder against the object while the user is on the ground surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a clamp that includes a first arm, a second arm, and a threaded rod coupled to the first arm and the second arm. The threaded rod is configured to be substantially vertical when the clamp is clamped to the static structure. The clamp is configured to, while the user on a ground surface and in response to the nut being rotated about the threaded rod, a first jaw is urged towards a second jaw such that the static structure is clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw. The system further includes a first bracket configured to be releasably affixed to an upper portion of a first side rail of a base station of an extension ladder, and a second bracket that is configured to be releasably affixed to a lower portion of the first side rail of the base station of the extension ladder.