US2518107A - Shin shield for stepladders - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 8, 1950 .T. D. WILSON SHIN SHIELD FOR \STEPLADDERS Filed May '13, 1948 Thomas D. Wilson IN V EN TOR.

Patented Aug. 8, 1950 STATE-S PATE T OFFICE SHIN-SHIELD FOR STEPLADDERS Thomas 1). Wilson, New Yolk, .N. Y. Application Mayan, 1943, Serial No. 26,890 g The present. invention relates to an attachment for the steps of stepladders and has reference in particular to a shin-shield, that is, a cushioned device which, when properly applied assists the user of the stepladder in more effectively using the latter.

Itv is common practice, when one is standing on the step of a stepladderto leanthe shins against the edge of the step justabove'the onewhich is occupied and to thus brace ones self sufliciently that fbothhands 231.8 ffree to work with. The trouble with such practice, however, is that the shins become bruised and sore from the hard edgeof the stated step. The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a rubber or equivalent cushion and means for attaching same to'the step, whereby 'to provide a satisfactory shin-shield. In carrying out the principleszof the invention Ihave evolved and produced-.a-simple and economical shield which is such that it maybe readily changedfrom one step to another, may be quickly applied andremoved and which fits with suflicientwsurenesson the. .step:that the cushion is in constant alignment with thelfront'edge of the step. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a protector shield of the nature described which will withstand rough usage and will not be harmed by a user ascending or descendin the steps. In addition the device may be left on the I ladder and will not interfere with the closing or opening of the ladder sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide attaching devices for the cushion means which devices are bendable and therefore adjustable to accommodate steps of different widths and thicknesses.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a section of a stepladder, showing the attachment or shield in operative place on the lower step of the ladder for illustrative purposes only;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, lookin in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the attachment per se.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference characters, the ladder section is denoted by the reference character A and includes customary stiles B and cross-steps C.

5 Claims. (Cl. 228-60.)

The attachment comprises a substantially channel-shaped member having slots, the channel being denoted by the numeral Sand the slots '(see Figure 2) being denoted by the numerals 6 and 1. The duplicate brackets or'fixturessS are employed for attachin the device in place and each bracket includes a primary limb 9 which extends 'across the top of the step and has a downbent forward end portion In and a return bend U, the latter forming a retaining finger. vIt will be noticed that the portions '9, l0 and H are passed through the. slots 6 and I and in practice are welded securely to the channel member. :In addition the elongated sponge rubber block, whichv is the cushion, is denoted by the numeral 12 and this is also securely anchored in the channel and protrudes to the desired degree. The rear ends ofthe straps or limbs are readily down-bent as at if! to engage over the rear edge of the :step and the. terminal portion 14 is laterally turned and bent to underlie the step and terminates'in a coil l5.

The mere fact that the attachment is shown in use on the lower step of the step ladder is of no consequence since .innactual practice it is applied to the step above the one occupied by the user of the stepladder. If for example the user is occupying or standing on the first step, then the attachment is applied so that the cushioning means is along the adjacent forward or outer edge of the second step. The cushion then serves as an effective brace permitting the user to lean against the edge with hisshins with reasonable comfort and allow having accessible and free use of both hands. As before stated the attachment will fit almost'any make of stepladder, it is very simple to change from one step to another. The user simply hooks the shield on the front edge of the step and springs the retaining elements l3 and I4 over the rear edge and allows same to takev the position shown in Figure 2, The brackets or fixtures conform to the shape of the step and therefore the attachment with its hooks will not become disconnected from the step. Ascending and descending the ladder is freely permissible since the shin-shield does not in any way interfere with such activities. As previously stated the straps are such in construction that the retaining element l I at the front may be bent down,

that is angled in respect to the channel to accommodate different thicknesses of steps and the same is true of the end portion I4 since it too is bendable and may be sprung to th desired position for satisfactory fitting purposes. The metal straps may be made so that the end portions I3 and I 4 may be straightened out somewhat and the coil [5 uncurled to give a greater length to accommodate steps of widths greater than those depicted in the drawings.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure i made from the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An attachment for the step of a stepladder comprising an elongated channel-shaped member, an elongated block of sponge rubber anchored in said channel-shaped member, and brackets connected to end portions of said chann'el-shaped member, and including hooks at opposite ends engageable over front and rear edge portions of a step. '2. An attachment of the class described comprising attaching brackets each including an elongated strap having hook-shaped end portions adapted to releasably engage over edge portions of a ladder step, a channel-shaped member connected to the forward hook portions, and a rubber cushion mounted in said channel-shaped member.

3. An attachment for a stepladder step comprising a pair of duplicate attaching brackets each including an elongated strap having hookshaped attaching members at opposite ends, the bill portions of said members being bendable to permit same to accommodate steps of varying widths and thicknesses, a channel-shaped member connected to the forward hook members by the respective brackets, and a protective cushion mounted in said channel-shaped member.

4. A shin-shield attachment for the front longitudinal'edge of a step on a stepladder comprising a pair of attaching brackets each including a flat elongated strap having hook-shaped attaching members at opposite ends adapted to releasably engage over forward and rearward edge portions of the stated step in a manner not to interfere with the act of freely using such step for climbing and standing, a rigid member connecting said brackets together in spaced relationship, and a compressible cushion mounted on and carried by said membensaid cushion serving to permit the user of the stepladder to lean and brace his shins against the cushion, as is customarily done, without encountering the annoying pressure of the step against the shins.

5. An attachment for a conventional-type stepladder which embodies vertical stiles and intervening steps rigidly mounted between the stiles comprising an elongated compressible cushion of a length substantially commensurate with the length of the step and of a cross section substantially equal to the thickness of the step, a rigid base member to which'said cushion is attached, said base member being adapted to reside in firm contact with the coacting forward edge of said step, and a pair of brackets attached at right angles to end portions of said base member, said brackets having forward and rearward resilient hooks to engage over the forward and rearward edge portions of the step.

" 'TI-IOMAS'D. WILSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Brande1" -Q. Feb. 6, 1945

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