Ladder Safety Lock with Hinged Flap Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ladder safety solutions are complex, expensive, and ineffective in securely stabilizing ladders, particularly for untrained homeowners, leading to potential injuries from unbalanced movements and ladder instability.

Innovation Solution

A ladder safety lock system comprising a rod with hinged flaps that can be inserted through ladder rungs and anchored to a structure, preventing lateral movement and providing a secure attachment point, optionally integrated with a product lift system for raising tools to a safe height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing ladder safety tools are used, then ladder stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder stabilityVSAvoidtool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety lock is divided into separate modular components: a rod for insertion through the ladder rung, hinged flaps for attachment to the structure, and optional integration with a product lift system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential safety function from complex existing systems by using a simple rod-flap mechanism that can be inserted through a ladder rung and anchored to a structure, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or electronic stabilization systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If existing ladder safety tools are used, then ladder stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder stabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinged flaps are pre-configured to fold against the rod, and the rod is designed with features that facilitate easy insertion through the ladder rung. The product lift integration allows tools to be raised beforehand to a safe height, preparing the workspace before the user begins work on the ladder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hinged flaps provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the safety lock to adapt to different ladder rung positions and structural anchor points while maintaining secure attachment. The product lift also provides dynamic height adjustment for tool placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a simple rod and flap system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but attachment reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The safety lock combines different material properties in the rod and flap components to achieve both simplicity and secure attachment. The rod is designed to fit tightly within the ladder rung cavity while the hinged flaps provide anchoring capability to the structure, creating a composite attachment system that is both simple and reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11149494B2Ladder safety lock system

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 TORRGRAM LLC

AI summary

A ladder safety lock disclosed herein includes a rod adapted for insertion through a ladder rung and at least one hinged flap attached an end of the rod that is configured for attachment to a free-standing secure structure, such as a portion of a roof or wall.