# US 4,399,891 A · Anchoring device for flexible ladder

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,399,891 A
- Document ID: US4399891A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/357,046
- Filed: 1982-03-11
- Granted: 1983-08-23
- Earliest claimed: 1982-03-11
- Assignees: Ray-Jens Corporation
- Inventors: Jens A. Heilskov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399891A

## CPC

- E06C 1/36: Ladders suspendable by hooks or the like {(ladderhooks E06C7/505)}
- E06C 9/14: with non-rigid longitudinal members, e.g. rope or chain ladders, ladders of the lazy-tongs type
- E06C: LADDERS (E04F11/00 takes precedence; step-stools A47C12/00; adaptation of ladders to use on ships B63B, to use on aircraft B64; scaffolding E04G)

## Abstract

An anchoring device for use with a flexible ladder. The ladder is provided with an upper end having connecting elements. The anchoring device is arranged to connect the upper end of the ladder to an upstanding annular access manhole projection, such as provided on a storage spheroid. The anchoring device includes an arcuate caster support having opposite end portions to which are connected the opposite ends of a flexible connector to which the connecting elements of the ladder are movably connected. The caster support is provided with a plurality of casters rotatably mounted to roll about the manhole projection so that the flexible ladder may be hung from the projection for ready adjustability on the spheroid about the vertical axis thereof.

## Claims

### Claim 1

For use with a flexible ladder having an upper end provided with connecting elements, an improved anchoring device for connecting said upper end to an upstanding annular access manhole projection such as provided on a storage spheroid, said anchoring device comprising:
an arcuate caster support extending at least approximately 180.degree. and having opposite spaced distal ends;
a plurality of casters rotatively mounted to said caster support at circumferentially spaced positions for radially inner rolling engagement with said access manhole projection; and
a flexible connector having ends secured to said caster support distal ends and arranged to have said flexible ladder connecting element movably connected thereto whereby the flexible ladder may be hung from the access manhole projection for ready adjustability on the spheroid about the vertical axis of said access manhole projection.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said caster support comprises a rigid tubular element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said caster support comprises a steel tube.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said caster support comprises a fiberglass rod.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said flexible connector comprises a wire rope.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said flexible connector comprises a wire rope having eye splices at its opposite ends connected to said distal ends of the caster support.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of casters includes a caster mounted to said caster support at each of said distal ends.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said distal ends comprise rectilinear portions extending parallel to each other.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of casters includes a caster mounted to said caster support at diametrically opposite portions thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The flexible ladder anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said caster support distal ends are arranged to project away from the access manhole projection for positioning a ladder upper end connected thereto in spaced relationship to the access manhole projection for free rolling movement of the anchoring device about the access manhole projection when desired.