Werner [www.wernerco.com] recently announced an easy-operating extension ladder with a breakthrough innovation: a patent-pending lift-assist technology. The system helps the end user comfortably raise and lower the ladder’s fly section. The Werner GLIDESAFE™ Extension Ladder features Werner’s patent-pending technology, which provides up to 50% assistance to “raise” the ladder in addition to speed-controlled lowering.
“This first-to-world innovation helps prevent fatigue on the jobsite,” said Carla Ramalho, Werner’s senior product manager over climbing products. “During field visits, our team recognized that extending fiberglass ladders all day, and being able to control the tall and heavy ladders took a toll on ladder users. We quickly went to the drawing board to find ways to solve these pain points. Our team is excited to announce we’ve created an extension ladder that not only addresses these concerns but improves the comfort of our end users!”
Patent-Pending Technology
Within the lift-assist technology the internal spring mechanism operates like a garage door system. It provides assistance to raise it when it’s needed most. As the user pulls the internal lift cable, the spring releases tension and helps lift the extension ladder’s fly section with less effort required. When the fly section is lowered, it reloads tension on the spring, providing resistance that keeps the ladder’s fly section from slamming to the ground.
The lift assist mechanism is connected through an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene rope, the same material used for lines on sport parachutes and in the marine industry. The result of the lift-assist technology is a pro-grade fiberglass extension ladder that slides up and down smoothly and with less effort, removing common pain points caused by free-moving fly sections.
In terms of added safety, a built-in auto-lock automatically engages when the extension ladder is fully collapsed. A yellow tab must be pressed to unlock the ladder and allow it to extend. The GLIDESAFE extension ladder also comes with built-in transportation latches that can be buckled around the rungs of both ladder sections. The latches help ensure safe transportation of the ladder, keeping it from extending during travel.
