Ladder Trolley Rollers for Stable Vertical Payload Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for vertically transporting payloads, such as construction materials, face challenges including labor intensity, risk of injury, high costs, and inefficiencies with machinery, and issues with uneven weight distribution leading to tilting and shifting of ladder lifts.
Innovation Solution
A ladder trolley system with resiliently biased ladder side rollers that maintain orientation relative to the ladder, using a trolley frame with side flanges and webbing to stabilize the payload and prevent tilting, featuring adjustable ladder holding arms and rollers that engage with ladder rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional machinery is used to raise payloads vertically, then lifting capability is achieved, but equipment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ladder as an intermediary structure that serves dual purposes: as a traditional access tool and as a support rail for the trolley system. The trolley engages with the ladder rails through rollers, using the ladder itself as the guiding and supporting mechanism, thereby eliminating the need for complex dedicated lifting machinery while achieving vertical payload transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder is given multiple functions: it serves as both a traditional climbing structure for personnel and as a guided rail system for automated payload transport. The trolley system utilizes the existing ladder structure for support and guidance, making the ladder a multi-functional element that reduces overall system complexity and cost
2Ease of manufacture
If payloads are transported manually up ladders or stairs, then equipment cost is reduced, but labor intensity and injury risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley system is designed to be self-propelling through a winch mechanism that winds a cable to pull the trolley upward along the ladder. Once positioned, the payload is secured to the trolley which then automatically travels to the upper level, eliminating the need for manual carrying while keeping equipment simple and cost-effective
Solution Approach 2:
The trolley acts as an intermediary device between the payload and the ladder system. It provides a mechanical interface that allows payloads to be transported without direct human physical effort, using a simple winch mechanism rather than complex automated systems, thus reducing labor intensity while maintaining equipment simplicity
3Productivity
If ladder lifts are used for vertical transport, then lifting efficiency improves, but uneven weight distribution causes tilting and shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley employs asymmetrically positioned rollers on opposite sides of the ladder rails. These rollers are laterally moveable and resiliently biased to engage with the rails, creating an asymmetric engagement that naturally compensates for uneven weight distribution. The resilient bias allows the rollers to self-adjust their engagement pressure, maintaining stable alignment even when payloads are not perfectly centered
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers are designed with lateral moveability and resilient bias rather than fixed rigid positioning. This dynamic design allows the rollers to automatically adjust their position and engagement force in response to shifting weight distribution, maintaining stable contact with the ladder rails and preventing tilting during the lifting process
4Device complexity
If fixed roller positioning is used in ladder trolleys, then structural simplicity is maintained, but engagement with ladder rails becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The rollers are designed with lateral moveability combined with resilient bias, allowing them to dynamically adjust their engagement with the ladder rails. This dynamic positioning capability ensures reliable engagement across varying ladder tolerances and payload conditions while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation through spring-loaded or elastomeric biasing mechanisms
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 ensures stable, efficient vertical transport of payloads by maintaining alignment with the ladder, reducing friction and preventing tilting, shifting, and damage, thereby enhancing safety and reducing setup time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of ladder side rollers moveably connected to the trolley frame. Each pair of ladder side rollers has a first ladder side roller and a second ladder side roller, the first and second ladder side rollers being laterally moveable and resiliently biased laterally into the channel
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder trolley includes a trolley frame having an upper end longitudinally spaced apart from a lower end. The trolley frame has longitudinally extending laterally spaced apart first and second side flanges; webbing connecting the first and second side flanges; and a ladder travel channel extending from the upper end to the lower end. The channel is defined by at least the first and second side flanges and the webbing and is open at the upper and lower ends. The ladder trolley includes at least one pair of ladder side rollers moveably connected to the trolley frame. Each pair of ladder side rollers has first and second ladder side rollers being laterally moveable and resiliently biased laterally into the channel. The ladder trolley includes a payload support connected to the trolley frame exterior to the ladder travel channel.