Ladder safe base and method for utilization thereof

Abstract

A coupling member for securing a ladder base end positionable against an unstable or uneven supporting surface. The coupling member includes a pair of receiving members disposed parallel and spaced apart for positioning the ladder base end thereupon and proximal of the supporting surface. A stabilizing cross-member extends between inner walls of the receiving members and is slidably adjustable in a width dimension to span a variety of ladder base widths. Outboard of each receiving member is disposed a side sleeve having an axially oriented channel therethrough in which a fixation member is slidably inserted to extend a contacting end against the supporting surface. Each fixation member is adjustable in height relative to respective side sleeves, thereby allowing the coupling member to be adjusted in a level orientation proximal the supporting surface with stabilization of the ladder base ends restrained in respective receiving members during load-bearing activity on the ladder.

1 . An apparatus for securing a ladder base during load-bearing activities on a ladder having base ends positioned proximal of a supporting surface, comprising: 
 a coupling member including first and second receiving members arranged in substantially parallel orientation having a spaced apart distance therebetween, said first and second receiving members having respective inner and outer side walls bounding openings therebetween, each opening having an adequate width for accommodation therein of the ladder base ends with said coupling member positioned on the supporting surface;    first and second cross-members extended inwardly from respective inner side walls of said first and second receiving members, said first and second cross-member being disposed in an axially slidable relationship, whereby said first and second receiving members are adjustable relative to each other for receipt of the ladder base ends within respective first and second openings in each receiving member; and    securing means for releasably locking said first cross-member in engagement with said second cross-member, whereby said spaced apart distance is maintained between said first and second receiving members for retention of the ladder base ends within said first and second receiving members.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 first and second side sleeves attached against opposed outer side walls of said first and second receiving members, each first and second side sleeve having at least one axially aligned outer wall bore therein and having respective first and second interior channels axially oriented therethrough; and    fixation means including a first fixation member configured to be slidably insertable through either first and second interior channel, said first fixation member having an elongated body having a plurality of axially aligned holes therein and having a contacting end tapered to be extended from a distal end of either side sleeve when said first fixation member is inserted a sufficient depth through either side sleeve thereby extending said contacting end against the supporting surface, said first fixation member being retained at said sufficient depth within either side sleeve by insertion of a connecting member through any one of said plurality of axially aligned holes when aligned with said axially aligned outer wall bore in either of said first and second sleeves, whereby said first fixation member being retained at said sufficient depth through either side sleeve for substantially level alignment of said first receiving member relative to said second receiving member when positioned proximal of the supporting surface;    whereby at least one of said first and second side sleeves is restrained from lateral movement relative to the supporting surface by said first fixation member with resultant stabilization of the ladder base ends restrained within respective first and second receiving members of said coupling member.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said first and second receiving members including: 
 said first receiving member having said first inner and outer side walls extended substantially in parallel orientation with said first opening therebetween, said first inner and outer side walls and first base surface having an open end and an opposed closed end formed by a first guide wall;    said second receiving member having said second inner and outer side walls extended substantially in parallel orientation with said second opening therebetween, said second inner and outer side walls and second base surface having an open end and opposed closed end formed by a second guide wall; and    at least one connector hole through a mid-segment of each first and second outer side walls, said connector hole being sized to accept therein said connecting member extended through said first fixation member thereby securing said first fixation member in either said first or second side sleeves.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said first and second guide walls are each angled inwardly at an angle between about 60 degrees to about 75 degrees from said base surface being substantially horizontal, said first and second guide walls being angled inwardly toward said open ends of respective first and second openings thereby providing a inner guide wall surface against which each respective ladder base end is positioned upon receipt within respective first and second openings in said first and second receiving members.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said fixation means further including a like-configured second fixation member sized to be slidably inserted through either first and second interior channel lacking said first fixation member therein, said second fixation member being inserted a sufficient depth through either side sleeve to secure a contacting end of said second fixation member against the supporting surface, said second fixation member being retained at said sufficient depth within either side sleeve by insertion of a second connecting member through any one of said plurality of axially aligned holes through said second fixation member when aligned with said axially aligned outer wall bore in said first and second sleeves, whereby said second fixation member being retained at a sufficient depth through either side sleeve for level alignment of said first and second receiving members relative to the supporting surface.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said first and second fixation member including: 
 a first and second pivoting bracket releasably attached through one of said plurality of axially aligned holes proximal of said contacting end of said first fixation member,    a second pivoting bracket releasably attached through one hole of said plurality of axially aligned holes proximal of a contacting end of said second fixation member,    each first and second pivoting bracket having respective first and second distal ends on which foot-pads are attached, each first and second distal ends being pivotably extended to cover each respective contacting end of said first and second fixation members whereby each foot-pad is disposed against the supporting surface when each contacting end of said first and second fixation member is extended distally of said first and second side sleeves.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said first and second fixation members further including a stop member removably and swiveling attached by a connecting member through one of said plurality of axially aligned holes proximal of said contacting end of either said first and second fixation member, said stop member having a planar pad extended laterally from said connecting member whereby said planar pad is swivelled to contact the supporting surface upon insertion of said first or second fixation members against the supporting surface thereby preventing either fixation member from being inserted beyond a preferred depth of penetration into the supporting surface during load-bearing activities on the ladder having base ends within said first and second receiving members.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further including: 
 first and second retaining devices releasably positioned proximally adjacent of either end of said first and second base surfaces of said first and second receiving members, said retaining devices are releasably attachable against the supporting surface being substantially planar and nonporous.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said retaining devices include suction devices joined by a chain or a like-flexible connector to either end of said first and second base surface, said suction devices are releasably attachable against the supporting surface thereby limiting lateral movement of said first and second receiving members when positioned on the supporting surface being substantially planar and nonporous.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further including: 
 said first and second cross-members including respective first and second distal ends, said first cross-member distal end having a sufficient opening diameter to slidingly engage therein said second cross-member distal end for a selected depth of insertion;    said first cross-member having a first slot opening disposed lengthwise from said first distal end;    said second cross-member having a second slot opening disposed lengthwise from said second distal end, said second slot opening aligned with said first slot opening;    whereby said second cross-member distal end is inserted axially into said first cross-member distal end with said first and second slot opening being aligned, said depth of insertion being sufficient to separate said first and second inner side walls said spaced apart distance for positioning respective ladder base ends within respective openings in said first and second receiving members; and    said securing means including a clamp assembly having a plurality of interconnecting segments including: 
 an outer clamping member sized in width and depth to be slidingly disposed within said first slot opening for movement along a longitudinal length of said first slot opening, said outer clamping member having an axial hole extended therethrough;  
 an inner clamping member having an axial hole being aligned with said outer clamping member axial hole, said inner clamping member being sized in width and depth to be slidingly disposed within said second slot opening for movement along a longitudinal length of said second slot opening; and  
 screw adjusting means inserted through said outer clamping member axial hole and said an inner clamping member axial hole, said screw adjusting means is manipulated by a user to secure said outer clamping member against said surfaces bounding said first slot opening and to secure said inner clamping member against surfaces bounding said second slot opening;  
 whereby said clamp assembly being retained within aligned first and second slot openings in both said unlocked and said locked positions.  
   
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for securing a ladder base during load-bearing activities on a ladder having base ends positioned against an uneven supporting surface, comprising: 
 first and second receiving members arranged in substantially parallel orientation having a spaced apart distance therebetween, said first and second receiving members having respective inner and outer side walls bounding respective first and second openings therebetween, each opening having a sufficient width for accommodation therein of each of the ladder base ends when the ladder and said first and second receiving members are positioned proximal of the supporting surface;    first and second cross-members extended inwardly from respective inner side walls of said first and second receiving members, said first and second cross-members being disposed in an axially slidable relationship, said first and second receiving members are adjustable in said spaced apart distance therebetween for receipt of the ladder base ends within respective first and second openings in each receiving member;    securing means for releasably locking said first cross-member in engagement with said second cross-member, whereby said spaced apart distance is maintained between said first and second receiving members for retention of the ladder base ends within said first and second receiving members; and    fixation means positioned proximal of respective outer side walls of said first and second receiving members, said fixation means retaining said first and second receiving members from movement relative to the supporting surface.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 first and second side sleeves attached against opposed outer side walls of said first and second receiving members, each first and second side sleeve having at least one axially aligned outer wall bore therethrough and having respective first and second interior channels axially oriented therethrough; and    said fixation means including a first fixation member configured to be sidably insertable through either first and second interior channel, said first fixation member having an elongated body having a plurality of axially aligned holes therein and having a contacting end tapered to be extended from a distal end of either side sleeve when said first fixation member is inserted a sufficient depth through either side sleeve thereby extending said contacting end against the supporting surface, said first fixation member being retained at said sufficient depth within either side sleeve by insertion of a connecting member laterally extended through any one of said plurality of axially aligned holes when aligned with one of said axially aligned outer wall bore in either of said first and second sleeves, whereby said first fixation member being retained at said sufficient depth through either side sleeve for substantially level alignment of said first receiving member relative to said second receiving member when positioned proximal of the supporting surface;    whereby at least one of said first and second side sleeves is restrained from lateral movement on the supporting surface by said first fixation member with resultant stabilization of the ladder base ends restrained within respective first and second receiving members.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 said first receiving member including an inner side wall segment and an outer first arm member extended in parallel orientation and joined at base ends to a first guide wall, said inner side wall segment being truncated in length relative to said outer first arm member, said inner side wall segment having an interior disposed surface on which said first cross-member is attached to extend toward said second receiving member, said outer arm member having an outer surface on which said first side sleeve is attached;    said first cross-member having an internal diameter sized for sliding insertion of said second cross-member longitudinally into said first cross-member;    said second receiving member including an inner side wall segment and an outer second arm members extended in parallel orientation and joined at base ends to a second guide wall, said inner side wall segment being truncated in length relative to said outer second arm member, said inner side wall segment having an interior disposed surface on which said second cross-member is attached to extend toward said first receiving member, said outer second arm member having an outer surface on which said second side sleeve is attached;    said outer first and second arm members are spaced apart a sufficient distance for positioning respective ladder base ends therebetween, whereby the ladder side rails are leaned against said respective first and second guide walls when the ladder base ends are positioned proximal of the receiving surface; and    at least one bore hole through a mid-segment of each outer first and second arm member, said bore hole sized to accept a removable connecting member therethrough, whereby said first fixation member is temporarily secured in either one of said first or second side sleeves with said removable connecting member.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said first and second cross-members including: 
 a first elongated slot extended longitudinally along said first cross-member attached to said inner side wall segment of said first arm member;    a second elongated slot extended longitudinally along said second cross-member attached to said inner side wall segment of said second arm member;    said first and second cross-members including respective first and second distal ends, said first cross-member distal end having a sufficient opening diameter to slidingly engage therein said second cross-member distal end for a selected depth of insertion;    said first cross-member having a first slot opening disposed lengthwise from said first distal end;    said second cross-member having a second slot opening disposed lengthwise from said second distal end, said second slot opening aligned with said first slot opening;    whereby said second cross-member distal end is inserted axially into said first cross-member distal end with said first and second slot opening being aligned, said depth of insertion being sufficient to separate said first and second inner side walls said spaced apart distance for positioning respective ladder base ends within respective openings in said first and second receiving members.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said securing means including a clamp assembly having a plurality of interconnecting segments including: 
 an outer clamping member sized in width and depth to be slidingly disposed within said first slot opening for movement along a longitudinal length of said first slot opening, said outer clamping member having an axial hole extended therethrough;    an inner clamping member having an axial hole being aligned with said outer clamping member axial hole, said inner clamping member being sized in width and depth to be slidingly disposed within said second slot opening for movement along a longitudinal length of said second slot opening; and    screw adjusting means inserted through said outer clamping member axial hole and said an inner clamping member axial hole, said screw adjusting means is manipulated by a user to secure said outer clamping member against said surfaces bounding said first slot opening and to secure said inner clamping member against surfaces bounding said second slot opening;    whereby said clamp assembly being retained within aligned first and second slot openings in both said unlocked and said locked positions.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for securing a ladder base on a ladder having spaced apart base ends positioned against an unstable supporting surface, comprising: 
 a first and second receiving members adjacently disposed a spaced apart distance for receipt therein of the ladder base ends positioned proximal of the supporting surface, said first and second receiving members each including respective inner and outer side walls bounding a slot opening therebetween for receipt therein of respective ladder base ends;    first and second cross-members extended inwardly from respective inner side walls of said first and second receiving members, said first and second cross-member being aligned axially to slidingly engage against each other, thereby defining said spaced apart distance between said inner side walls of said first and second receiving members;    securing means for releasably locking said first cross-member in engagement with said second cross-member, whereby said spaced apart distance is maintained between said inner side walls for retention of each respective ladder base end within respective receiving members; and    fixation means positioned proximal of at least one inner or outer side walls of said first and second receiving members, said fixation means retains said first and second receiving members from lateral movement on the supporting surface.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 first and second side sleeves positioned on opposed outer side surfaces of said first and second receiving members, said first and second side sleeves having a lengthwise opening therethrough and having at least one axially aligned outer wall bore therethrough; and    said fixation means including a first fixation member having a contacting end slidably insertable through either of said first and second side sleeves, said first fixation member being inserted a sufficient depth through either side sleeve to secure said contacting end of said first fixation member against the supporting surface, said first fixation member being retained at said sufficient depth within either side sleeve by insertion of a first connecting member through any one of a plurality of axially aligned holes through said first fixation member when aligned with one of said axially aligned outer wall bore in either of said first and second sleeves, whereby said first fixation member is retained at said sufficient depth through either side sleeve for level alignment of said first and second receiving members relative to the supporting surface;    whereby at least one of said first and second side sleeves is restrained proximal of the supporting surface by said first fixation member with resultant stabilization of the ladder base ends restrained within each receiving member.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said first and second receiving members including: 
 said first receiving member having said first inner and outer side walls extended vertically from a first base, said side walls joined at respective base ends to a first guide wall, said first inner side wall having said first cross-member releasably attached thereto,    said second receiving member having said second inner and outer side walls extended vertically from a second base, said side walls joined at respective base ends to a second guide wall, said second inner side wall having said second cross-member releasably attached thereto,    said first and second cross-members having respective first and second distal ends extended to intersect between said first and second inner side walls, said first cross-member distal end having an opening of sufficient diameter to slidingly engage therein said second cross-member distal end;    said first and second cross-members are manipulated relative to each other to provide said spaced apart distance for positioning each respective ladder base ends within respective first and second receiving members, whereby the ladder side rails are leaned against said respective first and second guide walls when the ladder is leaned against the receiving surface; and    said at least one axially aligned outer wall bore including a plurality of bore holes disposed in paired vertical orientation along a mid-segment of each first and second outer side wall, each of said plurality of bore holes sized to accept at least one connector member therethrough for securing said first fixation member at said sufficient depth in either said first or second side sleeves.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said fixation means further including a like-configured second fixation member sized to be slidably inserted through either first and second interior channel lacking said first fixation member therein, said second fixation member being inserted a sufficient depth through either side sleeve to secure a contacting end of said second fixation member against the supporting surface, said second fixation member being retained at said sufficient depth within either side sleeve by insertion of a second connecting member through any one of a plurality of axially aligned holes through said second fixation member when aligned with one of said plurality of bore holes in either of said first and second sleeves, whereby said second fixation member being retained at a sufficient depth through either side sleeve for level alignment of said first and second receiving members relative to the supporting surface.  
   
   
       20 . A method for securing a ladder having base ends positioned proximal of a supporting surface, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a coupling member including first and second receiving members separated by a spaced apart distance and interconnected by a stabilizing member slidably adjustable therebetween;    positioning said receiving members on a supporting surface, said positioning step includes manipulating said stabilizing member to slidably adjust said receiving members to a sufficient spaced apart distance therebetween for insertion of the ladder base ends in respective first and second receiving members;    securing said receiving members having said sufficient spaced apart distance therebetween by manipulating a securing means for locking said stabilizing member in a non-sliding position;    leveling said first receiving member relative to said second receiving member, said leveling step includes inserting at least one fixation member against said first receiving member thereby providing substantially level first and second receiving members having the ladder base ends secured therein; and    inserting the ladder base ends against respective first and second receiving members without decoupling attachments to either ladder base end.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of: 
 repositioning said coupling member from a first position to a second position including moving the ladder base ends inserted against said first and second receiving members by moving respective receiving members from the first position to the second position against the supporting surface; and    repeating said step of leveling said first receiving member relative to said second receiving member upon repositioning at the second position, said leveling step includes inserting at least one fixation member against said first receiving member thereby providing substantially level first and second receiving members having the ladder base ends secured therein for support of load-bearing activities on the ladder without movement of the ladder base ends.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of: 
 repositioning said coupling member from a first position to a second position including releasing the ladder base ends from said first and second receiving members followed by moving the ladder base ends inserted against said first and second receiving members by moving respective receiving members from the first position to the second position against the supporting surface; and    repeating said step of leveling said first receiving member relative to said second receiving member upon repositioning at the second position, said leveling step includes inserting at least one fixation member against said first receiving member thereby providing substantially level first and second receiving members having the ladder base ends secured therein for support of load-bearing activities on the ladder without movement of the ladder base ends.