WhyNot?

Ladder with extension cord

Category: Product
Responses: 14 (14 in support, 0 neutral, 0 in opposition)
Number of views: 1408
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Anyone who has worked with a wired power tool on a ladder knows how sketchy it can be. You are balancing on a small step and seemingly a little off-balance. You are holding a tool in your hand which is connected to a long orange cord which runs to your outdoor outlet.

What happens if you drop the tool? What happens if someone on the ground trips over the cord? What happens if the extension cord gets tangled around your ankle? Whatever it is, it's not good.

Solution to reduce "not good" outcomes: An extension cord that runs inside the ladder.

The ladder would have an extension plug at the base for your extension cable. This plug would have a quick release element in case it gets pulled, and there would be a robust plug to keep it clean while not in use.

The ladder would have a plug at the top for you to plug in your tool. Next to the plug would be a hook for the wire to go through so if the tool is dropped it will only fall as far as the cord extends (in stead of being disasembled by gravity). For safety, a sturdy quick release could be built in case the wire gets tangled up with anything.

Conclusion:What happens if you drop the tool? It falls as far as the cord allows.

What happens if someone on the ground trips over the cord? It releases from the base of the ladder.

What happens if the extension cord gets tangled around your ankle? There is no cord to get tangled up with.

Originally posted on RandomEgg.com

RandomEgg, Jun 17 2007

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Comments from other members:

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It seems to be a sensible idea. On a long ladder it might be useful to have several sockets long the way to make easy access for power.

sand, Jun 17 2007

Also hooks next to each socket to hang the power tool when not in use.

sand, Jun 17 2007

This is a decent marketing idea. The cord would need to retract automatically as the ladder is collapsed without tangling and without rubbing the insulation off of the cord through repeated use. I'm sure this can be done, but it will take some engineering. The concept might better adapt to fiberglass ladders because of rain and the potential for electrocution under certain failure modes.

jamesbdunn, Jun 17 2007

I would like to see an extension ladder with the top splayed without rungs up about 3 feet above the top rung, so that I can stay centered in the ladder as I get on and off a roof. Sometimes on steep roofs it's tricky getting on and off a ladder at the top.

jamesbdunn, Jun 18 2007

a wobble sensor cutout. I like this idea, having just put a metal roof on ashed, and very frustrated with electric cord getting caught on ladder, poppingout as it was dragged all round building to hammer-drill in fixings. I figurethe only time when i want the electrics to fail is when the ladder is fallingover, as then's a bad time for a saw to be spinning... a clever engineer couldput in a level switch that would make the electric point safer.

I wish the wall standoffs were easier to adjust working round buildings to keepthe ladder just below gutter level; and that somehow without the super duperstands, ladder's would compensate for bad ground... god's ladder, stands straight, never wobbles, and is easy to access from any roof pitch.

sweetheart, Jul 09 2007

how about a ground wire, just in case you're working during electrical storms, or hit a power line...

m_for, Aug 30 2007

Good idea, but weight is the issue. I don't know how much is added with the copper wire, but it could be a deal killer. That said, I like it!

edmcclelland, May 20 2008

I think these wouldn't sell that well, because people at the time of purchase wouldn't realize the long-term benefit. Few people buy the more expensive ladders with other advanced features, like leveling legs, etc.

I think a "homebrew" implementation of this idea would be helpful (unless I've overlooked something, which I probably have). Take a ten-foot outdoor extension cord with an attached socket protector on the lower end and secure it to the side of the ladder with heavy duty, long-length twisties (or whatever). If the topmost twistie is just above a step, it won't slide down if the tool is dropped and the cord is stressed.

Roger Knights, May 26 2008

PS: Of course this wouldn't work with sliding ladders, only stepladders.

Roger Knights, May 26 2008