Pivotable Ladder Holding Device with Magnetic Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder holding devices require two operators, one to climb and another to hold the ladder, leading to inefficiency and safety concerns on construction sites, with existing safety devices being cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with a structure that includes pivotable holding elements capable of adapting to the ladder's inclination, featuring a mounting system with magnetic adhesion and adjustable spacing to securely hold the ladder against a surface, allowing a single operator to use the ladder safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a ladder is used on a construction site, then work can be performed at height, but another operator must hold the ladder to prevent falling, resulting in loss of efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder support device enables the ladder to stabilize itself automatically against the wall through pivotable retaining elements that adapt to the ladder's inclination, eliminating the need for another operator to manually hold the ladder. The device serves itself by using the ladder's own weight and position to trigger the retaining elements into the locked position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of one operator holding the ladder with an automated mechanical system featuring pivotable retaining elements that automatically engage and lock the ladder in place through gravitational force and geometric constraints.
2Reliability
If safety devices to prevent ladder slipping are used, then operator safety is improved, but the devices are cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into distinct functional segments: a structure with mounting elements for wall attachment, and separate pivotable retaining elements that independently engage the ladder. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply and effectively without unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the ladder's inclination angle. This dynamic capability enables the device to maintain stability across different ladder positions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a simple and lightweight ladder support device is designed, then ease of operation and portability are improved, but ensuring sufficient holding strength becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the ladder's own weight as a counterforce. The pivotable retaining elements are positioned and dimensioned so that the ladder's weight creates a mechanical advantage that locks the retaining elements in place, transforming the ladder's weight from a potential hazard into the stabilizing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements engage the ladder in multiple dimensions: horizontally through clamping action and vertically through the pivotable locking mechanism. This multi-dimensional engagement provides strong holding capability while keeping the individual components lightweight and simple.
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 device allows a single operator to use a ladder safely by securely holding it against a surface, improving efficiency and safety while being lightweight and compact, with magnetic adhesion providing strong resistance to forces.
Implementation Method 1
at least one mounting element enabling the structure to be mounted on the surface... with a resistance to forces strong enough to guarantee the stability of the ladder against the surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present exposition relates to a retaining device configured to hold a ladder against a surface, the retaining device comprising: a structure defining a support plane intended to be disposed facing the surface; at least one mounting element enabling the structure to be mounted on the surface; a first retaining element and a second retaining element configured to cooperate with the ladder so as to hold the ladder against the surface, the first and second retaining elements being mounted on the structure and being disposed facing each other in a clamping direction, the first and second retaining elements being configured to be moved relative to each other in the clamping direction so as to be spread apart or tightened together, wherein each of the first and second retaining elements is capable of pivoting so as to accommodate the inclination of the ladder.