AU739582B2 - Stabilising foot - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent APPLICANTS AND INVENTORS: ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: MINOGUE Robin William WORTHINGTON Ian Malcolm Ronald PO Box 23 Grenfell NSW 2810 Stabilising Foot ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION:. NIL The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: P:\WPDOCS\GLF\ASspeci\7620630.doc-21/08101 -1- This invention relates to means for stabilising temporary work structure and walking aids.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

The invention aids the stability of temporary work structures such as ladders and light scaffolding, as well as walking sticks and frames. These all have a tendency to slip or move and often rely on wedges or chocks for stability, however these wedges or chocks are easily dislodged when used on uneven or irregular surfaces. In the case of walking sticks they have only one point of contact and due to the small area over which weight is exerted slipping often occurs. The use of a second person to steady a ladder rarely occurs and injury results.

o. These problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides a pyramid shaped foot, 15 having four legs, these four legs fixed to a central joint allow the weight applied to be spread over a greater area. The legs are fixed to a lower part which can move only in both axis, *".(forward to rear and side to side), which allows the foot to conform with the surface upon which it is placed. The upper part of the joint can move (orbit) 360 deg. while not being able to rotate (spin).

one form of the invention an offset plate may be fitted, this would cause the foot to return to a position and a spring between the plate and the upper part would ensure that weight is required to alter this set position. This may be desired on a walking stick. As the spring tension is overcome by the weight applied the foot would remain in-situe until the weight was released. This as well as the movement being at the ball type joint would give greater stability on any surface.

In another form of the invention the spring return is done away with and the stabilising foot allowed to move within its limits, This allows the attached item (ladder) to be inclined to its position for use, and creates a more stable base when used on level, uneven or irregular surfaces. In this case a pair (2) stabilising foot assemblies are used.

In yet another form of the invention the legs have a brace fitted between them for added strength, these braces increase the load capacity of the foot when used for stabilizing a ladder or light scaffold. In this situation the upper ball section of the foot is lengthend and threaded at the time of manufacture, thereby allowing independant adjustment of height when attached by a threaded ladder/scaffold attachment.

.e 1 The stabilizing foot can be made from aluminium alloy, steel, plastic compound or other suitable material. It can be cast extruded or machined as a two part assembly.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show an example of the invention.

Fig.1 shows one example of a stabilizing foot according to this invention.

Fig.2 shows one application of such stabilizing foot attached to a ladder.

Fig.3 shows one application of such stabilizing foot attached to a walking stick.

Referring to Fig.1 it can be seen that the stabilizing foot according to this invention comprises an upper ball section 1 which has a cross slotted hole in it 1A this cross slotted hole allows the upper section to move through 360 deg. but not to rotate when it is fitted into the lower socket section 2.

P;\WPDOCS\GLF\AS\speci\7620630.doc-2I1/08/01 -3- The upper section 1 is retained in the lower section 2 by means of a pin3. The legs 4 are attached to the lower section 2 and splayed at an angle. The bracing struts 5 are attached to the legs 4 for added strength. 1IA shows in more detail of upper section 1, as can be seen the upper section 1 can be adapted, in this case threaded, to allow attachment to a ladder or scaffold. The lower section 2 when attached to the upper section 1 can not rotate as the slotted hole and pin 3 only allow the lower section to move back and forth and side to side. 2A shows lower section 2 in more detail, the socket in which 1A fits is the load bearing surface, the lower section 2 is drilled to accommodate the retaining pin 3.

Fig. 2 shows the stabilising foot in use attached to a ladder 1 the upper threaded section 2 is attached to the ladder 1 by means of a threaded attachment 3 this then allows adjustment sideways of the lad I after the stabilising feet 4 are in position, thereby assuring the stability of S*,o the ladder I1. Movement of the ladder I is now restricte to incline only.

e* 15 Fig. 3 shows the stabilising foot in use attached to a walking aid, 1. In this case a walking stick. The aid 1 may be attached by a threaded connection or may be cast as part of the upper section 2. As can be seen in Fig. 3 the walking aid 1 can be inclined via the upper section 2 with the lower part of the stabilising foot 3 placed on the ground the walking aid 1 can have weight placed upon it and movement through pivot point 4 with out the lower section 3 being 20 disturbed. The walking aid can move in an orbital motion but can not rotate at pivot point 4.

By the use of a stabilising foot of this type, whether singularly or in multiples, greater stability of many items will be gained and safety increases.

°o It will be realised that the stabilising foot according to this invention is not restricted to the form described, as length of the legs, size of the ball type joint and angle at which the legs are splayed are dependent upon the purpose for which the stabilising foot is to be used.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modification which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described.