Ladder stabilisation and safety system

A device, the device comprising an expandable load bearing device, and the device further comprising:

• an outer member;
• an inner member movable within the outer member;
• and
• ratchet apparatus having a pawl attachable to the outer member and a rack attachable to the inner member, the outer member having a load transfer member, the pawl being movable into and out of engagement with the rack to prevent movement of the inner member with respect to the outer member, and the pawl having a shoulder arranged to bear upon the load transfer member when the pawl is in engagement with the rack.

A device, the device comprising an expandable load bearing device, the device for attachment to a thing, the thing being one of ladder, table leg, and access tower, and the device further comprising:

• an outer member;
• an inner member movable within the outer member;
• and
• ratchet apparatus having a pawl attachable to the outer member and a rack attachable to the inner member, the outer member having a load transfer member, the pawl being movable into and out of engagement with the rack to prevent movement of the inner member with respect to the outer member, and the pawl having a shoulder arranged to bear upon the load transfer member when the pawl is in engagement with the rack;
• spring apparatus to urge the pawl into engagement with the rack;
• the pawl having a plurality of pawl teeth and the rack having a plurality of rack teeth;
• and
• the rack teeth and pawl teeth rebated to assist in retaining engagement therebetween.

A method of fitting to a ladder a device, the ladder having a ladder stile, the ladder having at least a first rung and a second rung, the device comprising an expandable load bearing device, and the device further comprising an outer member, an inner member movable within the outer member, and ratchet apparatus having a pawl attachable to the outer member and a rack attachable to the inner member, the outer member having a load transfer member, the pawl being movable into and out of engagement with the rack to prevent movement of the inner member with respect to the outer member, and the pawl having a shoulder arranged to bear upon the load transfer member when the pawl is in engagement with the rack, an extension leg carrying the rack, the pawl carrier carrying pivoted thereto an operating arm and spring apparatus urging the pawl into engagement with the rack, the pawl having also a shoulder arranged to abut the load transfer member when the pawl and the ratchet rack are in engagement and the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a rectangular aperture in a ladder stile below the second rung;
• sliding the extension leg carrying the rack within the ladder stile;
• and
• fitting through the rectangular aperture first the shoulder and then the pawl carrier.