LADDER ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

• US 20120186066A1
• Filed: 01/25/2011
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Trench Safety, LLC
• Original Assignee: National Trench Safety, LLC
• Inventors: Chilton, Ronald W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,004,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/525.01
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/182 situated at the top of the ladder
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/48 Ladder heads; Supports for heads of ladders for resting against objects ladders attachable to structures such as poles E06C1/34
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a ladder access system. The ladder access system may include a base having a clamp disposed proximal an excavation end thereof. The clamp may be configured to secure the base to an excavation support structure. A first side rail may be disposed on a first side of the base and a second side rail may be disposed on a second side of the base. The ladder access system may also include a gate disposed at a surface end of the base and extending between the first and second side rails. The ladder access system may further include a ladder support disposed proximal the excavation end of the base and extending from the first or second side rail, the ladder support being configured to uphold an upper end of a ladder disposed in an excavation and leaning thereupon.

Claims

1. A ladder access system, comprising:

a base having a clamp disposed proximal an excavation end thereof, the clamp being configured to secure the base to an excavation support structure;

a first side rail disposed on a first side of the base and a second side rail disposed on a second side of the base;

a gate disposed at a surface end of the base and extending between the first and second side rails; and

a ladder support disposed proximal the excavation end of the base and extending from the first or second side rail, the ladder support being configured to uphold an upper end of a ladder disposed in an excavation and leaning thereupon.

2. The ladder access system of claim 1, wherein the clamp has an excavation side configured to be disposed adjacent a front side of the excavation support structure and a surface side configured to be disposed adjacent a back side of the excavation support structure.

3. The ladder access system of claim 2, wherein the surface side of the clamp comprises a biasing device configured to place the excavation side in biasing engagement with the front side of the excavation support structure, thereby securing the clamp thereto.

4. The ladder access system of claim 1, further comprising a floor disposed on the base.

5. The ladder access system of claim 4, wherein the floor is removable.

6. The ladder access system of claim 4, wherein the floor comprises grating.

7. The ladder access system of claim 1, wherein the ladder support is an elongate member having a first end and a second end, the second end being removably secured to the first or second side rail.

8. The ladder access system of claim 7, wherein the first end of the ladder support has a stop disposed thereon configured to prevent the ladder from sliding off the ladder support.

9. The ladder access system of claim 1, wherein the ladder support is disposed at a height of about 0.9 meters or more above a level of the base.

10. The ladder access system of claim 1, further comprising one or more eyelets secured to the clamp.

11. The ladder access system of claim 1, wherein the gate is self-closing.

12. The ladder access system of claim 1, wherein the first and second side rails are formed of welded pipes.

13. The ladder access system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first gap filling rail disposed on the first side rail and extending perpendicular therefrom; and

a second gap filling rail disposed on the second side rail and extending perpendicular therefrom.

14. A ladder access system, comprising:

a clamp disposed on a base proximal an excavation end of the base, the clamp having an excavation side and a surface side configured to extend over an excavation support structure such that the excavation support structure is interposed therebetween;

a biasing device coupled to the surface side of the clamp and configured to place the excavation side in biasing engagement with a front side of the excavation support structure, thereby securing the clamp thereto;

a first side rail disposed on a first side of the base and a second side rail disposed on a second side of the base;

a gate disposed proximal a surface end of the base and extending between the first and second side rails;

a ladder support disposed proximal the excavation end of the base and extending from the first or second side rail, the ladder support being configured to uphold an upper end of a ladder disposed in an excavation and leaning thereupon; and

a stop disposed on an end of the ladder support, the stop being configured to prevent a ladder from sliding off the ladder support.

15. The ladder access system of claim 14, wherein the excavation support structure is a trench shoring wall, a trench shield wall, an aluminum trench box wall, a shoring panel, or a slide rail panel.

16. The ladder access system of claim 14, further comprising eyelets secured to the clamp and disposed through the floor.

17. A method for preventing falls from ladder access points in an excavated area, comprising:

disposing an excavation side of a clamp on a front side of an excavation support structure, the clamp being secured to a base proximal an excavation end of the base, wherein the base has first and second side rails disposed on opposing sides of the base and a gate disposed on one of the side rails adjacent a surface end of the base;

disposing a surface side of the clamp proximate a back side of the excavation support structure such that excavation support structure is at least partially interposed between the excavation and surface sides of the clamp;

securing the clamp to the excavation support structure; and

securing a ladder support to one of the side rails proximal the excavation end of the base.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein securing the clamp to the excavation support structure comprises actuating a biasing device disposed through the surface side of the clamp to force the excavation side into biasing engagement with the front side of the excavation support structure.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

leaning an upper end of a ladder on the ladder support, wherein a lower end of the ladder extends into the excavated area below; and

securing the upper end of the ladder to the ladder support.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein disposing the excavation side of the clamp on the front side of the excavation support structure comprises:

attaching lifting equipment to one or more eyelets fastened to the clamp, the lifting equipment being configured to lift the clamp; and

positioning the clamp over the excavation support structure such that the excavation support structure is at least partially interposed between the excavation and surface sides of the clamp.