# US 9,038,775 B2 · Ladderway system for underground raises

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- Number: US 9,038,775 B2
- Document ID: US9038775B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/521,575
- Filed: 2010-12-24
- Published: 2012-11-15
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2010-01-13
- Assignees: Hiram (Wa) Pty Ltd
- Applicants: Steven Peter Durkin
- Inventors: Steven Peter Durkin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038775B2

## CPC

- E06C 1/28: multi-part (with movable supporting struts formed as ladders E06C1/18)
- E02D 29/12: Manhole shafts; Other inspection or access chambers; Accessories therefor (for underground tanks B65D90/10; for sewerage E03F5/02 {; climbing irons or ladders E06C9/00})
- E02D 29/122: {Steps or handrails for shafts}
- E06C 1/38: Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders
- E06C 7/084: {Rungs comprising projecting tabs or flanges}
- E06C 9/02: rigidly mounted
- E21D 5/00: Lining shafts; Linings therefor (E21D11/00 takes precedence {; sinking with simultaneous lowering of the lining E21D1/08})
- E21F 11/00: Rescue devices or other safety devices, e.g. safety chambers or escape ways (breathing aids for curative purposes A61H31/00; respiratory apparatus A62B7/00; breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons A62B33/00)
- 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)
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}
- E21D: SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS (soil-conditioning or soil-stabilising materials C09K17/00; drilling or cutting machines for mining or quarrying E21C; safety devices, transport, rescue, ventilation or drainage E21F)
- E21F: SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS

## Abstract

An improved ladderway system 30 for an underground raise. The system comprises an elongate tube 32 made of a suitably rigid plastics material and adapted to be received in the raise. The tube has a series of steps 34 moulded into an interior side wall thereof so as to form a ladder extending substantially the full length of the tube 32.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An improved ladderway system for an underground raise, the system comprising:
an elongate tube made of a substantially rigid plastic material and adapted to be received in the raise, the tube having a series of steps moulded into an interior side wall thereof so as to form a ladder extending substantially a full length of the tube, each step comprising a generally planar platform protruding inwardly from the interior side wall of the tube;
a pair of elongate handrails attached to the steps and extending substantially the full length of the tube; and,
wherein a plurality of the steps are each formed with a pair of enlarged side wings, each of the side wings of the pair of enlarged side wings is moulded with a recess for receiving a respective handrail of the pair of elongate handrails therein, and wherein the plurality of the steps formed with the pair of enlarged side wings is less than the total number of steps so that the recesses for receiving the respective handrails are provided at spaced vertical intervals which are larger than spaced vertical intervals between adjacent steps when in use.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The improved ladderway system as defined in claim 1, wherein the pair of enlarged side wings is provided on every second step.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The improved ladderway system as defined in claim 1, wherein each handrail is in the form of a substantially rigid member of circular cross-section having an outside diameter that can be gripped by a person's hand.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The improved ladderway system as defined in claim 3, wherein each handrail is formed with a protruding portion of reduced diameter at a top end, which is adapted to be received in a matching recess provided in a bottom end of corresponding handrail on an adjacent tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The improved ladderway system as defined in claim 3, wherein the handrails are manufactured from a substantially rigid plastic material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The improved ladderway system as defined in claim 1, wherein the ladderway system is a modular system and the elongate tube is one of a plurality of elongate tubes adapted to be joined end to end in the raise.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The improved ladderway system as defined in claim 6, wherein each of the tubes is tapered at one end so that the ends of adjacent tubes can overlap when joined end to end.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The improved ladderway system as defined in claim 7, wherein the taper provided on each tube has a planar section which is adapted to interlock with a matching planar section on an adjoining tube to ensure that the tubes are vertically aligned.