US 12,246,682 B2
Device and method for securing a ladder to a ladder rack
William Webster Kain, Montpelier, VA (US); Ryan Beaver, Richmond, VA (US); and William Myles Riley, Henrico, VA (US)
Filed by William Webster Kain, Montpelier, VA (US)
Filed on May 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/735,883.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/184,491, filed on May 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0355742 A1, Nov. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. B25B 5/00 (2006.01); B60R 9/048 (2006.01); F16B 2/12 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 9/0485 (2013.01) [F16B 2/12 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for securing equipment to a rack, the device comprising:
a first pole segment, the first pole segment being straight and having a length;
a second pole segment substantially parallel to the first pole segment, the second pole segment being straight and having a length, the length of the first pole segment being greater than the length of the second pole segment;
a connecting segment connecting a distal end of the first pole segment and a distal end of the second pole segment;
a handle affixed to a proximal end of the first pole segment; and
a clamping bar slidably engaged with the first pole segment and selectively slidably engaged with the second pole segment, the clamping bar comprising:
a trigger handle pivotable from a first position to a second position, the trigger handle defining a hole through which the first pole segment passes;
a walking plate pivotable in conjunction with the trigger handle from a first position to a second position, the walking plate defining a hole through which the first pole segment passes;
a first biasing spring biasing the walking plate, and thereby the trigger handle, into their respective first positions;
a release bar pivotable from a first position to a second position, the release bar defining a hole through which the first pole segment passes; and
a second biasing spring biasing the release bar into the first position;
wherein pivoting the trigger handle and thereby the walking plate from their respective first positions to their respective second positions causes an edge of the hole in the walking plate to apply sufficient pressure against the first pole segment such that the walking plate and the first pole segment move in unison, thereby moving the clamping bar proximally-to-distally along the first pole segment such that the clamping bar moves closer to the connecting segment;
wherein repeatedly pivoting and releasing the trigger handle moves the clamping bar proximally-to-distally along the first pole segment such that the clamping bar slidably engages a proximal end of the second pole segment;
wherein, when the release bar is in the first position, an edge of the hole in the release bar applies sufficient pressure against the first pole segment such that movement of the first pole segment relative to the release bar is inhibited in at least one direction, thereby inhibiting movement of the clamping bar along the first pole segment in at least one direction;
wherein, when the release bar is in the second position, the edge of the hole in the release bar applies no pressure or less pressure than when the release bar is in the first position against the first pole segment such that movement of the first pole segment relative to the release bar is not inhibited, thereby allowing movement of the clamping bar along the first pole segment in either direction; and
wherein the clamping bar is selectively rotatable about the first pole segment when the clamping bar is not engaged with the second pole segment.