Tackling two major issues for Australian tradies, this Queensland innovation can prevent accidents caused by loose ladders on the roads and is set to save lives and dramatically increase driver safety.
It’s such a simple and effective way of securing ladders to vehicles for safe travel, you’ll wonder why it hasn’t been thought of sooner.
Some of the best inventions are born from necessity, but for LadderLocker founder and CEO Chris Renouf, the driving force behind the new lockable ladder system was something more urgent—improving road safety.
Chris was inspired to design The Claw after witnessing a tragic accident on the M1 Motorway while on his way to Brisbane.
“A tradie’s extension ladders came loose in front of me, and they were like missiles before hitting the road and separating, spreading across four lanes of traffic travelling at 110kph,” he says.
“It was catastrophic and fatal, and the event still affects me to this day. Since then, I’ve been wrestling with the idea of how to prevent this problem, and during the COVID lockdown when I had spare time, I set about creating a solution.”
This gave way to The Claw. A patented Australian made product being manufactured on the Gold Coast.
“There are many tradespeople commuting with ladders every day, so it was crucial to develop a solution that addresses the unique challenges faced by tradies and anyone transporting ladders,” he says.
Hours of trial and error and 36 prottoypes later, Chris created a ‘safety first design’ with the ability to quickly secure ladders on vehicle roof racks.
“It truly is a game changer and a small price to pay to prevent potential accidents and theft,” says Chris. “It’s the quickest installation of any ladder securing device currently in the marketplace and is compatible with all different ladder types, sizes, and roof rack configurations.”
With the unique clip-in device, tradies can do away with the hassle of ropes and straps and instead, have their ladder secure within 30 seconds. Designed with versatility in mind, The Claw fits any standard roof rack and is made with reinforced steel straps and a chrome plated lock.
“It’s incredibly straightforward and takes less than 30 seconds to use,” says Chris.
Indeed it is, simply place your ladder on your vehicle’s rack. Align The Claw with your ladder and the rack. Pull down the handle and engage the device’s integrated lock. And just like that, you’re all set.
“From tradespeople transporting their tools daily to the DIY enthusiast, this is a unique clip-in device suitable for anyone who uses a ladder,” he says. “Even occasional users will find the fast, secure, and reliable mechanism of The Claw invaluable.
It truly is a game changer and a small price to pay to prevent potential accidents and theft.
“Tools and ladders are critical for getting the job done, and with the increase in vehicle break-ins, tradies need a reliable solution, whether they are driving between jobs or parked at home overnight,” says Chris.
“While traditional methods like ratchet traps and bungee cords may secure ladders to vehicles, they won’t stop someone from stealing them and with ladders costing up to $3,000, replacement can hit tradies and businesses hard, which is where The Claw comes in.”
Creating The Claw’s base platform injection mould is no simple or small feat. In fact, it weighs the same as an average car and takes three months of expert precision to bring to life.
“The Claw may weigh less than two kilos, but producing it requires state of the art machinery and highly skilled labour,” says Chris.
This mould is packed with intricate details: two halves that form The Claw’s shape, injection ports perfectly positioned for smooth, even filling, and a high-tech hot runner system that keeps materials flowing seamlessly. Slide inserts make complex shapes possible, while cooling channels speed up production. Ejector pins pop The Claw out without a hitch, air vents keep it bubble free and a textured surface finish gives it the right grip and look.
The result? A streamlined process that delivers The Claw with perfect detail and efficiency, every time.
The Claw is being manufactured in Australia by injection mould specialists AMEC Plastics on the Gold Coast and will be available for purchase from February 2025.
