A-Frame Ladder with a Flexible Gate/Barrier

Abstract

An A-frame ladder has a first ladder and a second ladder. The first ladder has two rails interconnected by a plurality of steps and a first set of grooves that receive a gate/barrier device to inhibit a person from using the first ladder's steps. The second ladder also has two rails interconnected by a plurality of steps and a second set of grooves, interconnected to the first set of grooves, that receive the gate/barrier device so the first ladder and the second ladder can be used and inhibits a person from entering the area between the first ladder and the second ladder through the second ladder's steps.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

An A-frame ladder is the object of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to molded articles which may be blow molded such as a blow-molded ladder or a blow-molded staircase for a swimming pool.

Swimming pool ladders or staircases and various other articles have been made from a plastic material by a process known as “blow-molding,” as exemplified in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,647 to Confer, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,614 to Confer et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,833 to Schurman, all of which patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the process of blow molding, a hollow thin-walled structure is formed having an exterior surface separated from an interior surface by the thin wall, and the hollow structure contains a fluid, in most cases air and/or water.

Pool Ladders with Vandal Guards

By way of background, swimming pool ladders of an A-frame type are positioned straddling a pool wall with the pool side having a ladder for entering and leaving the water (a.k.a., in-pool ladder) and an outside ladder for climbing over the outside of the pool wall (a.k.a., staircase ladder). In the past certain ladders of the foregoing type had relatively unwieldy structures for placing the outside ladder in an inaccessible position so as to prevent unauthorized entry into the pool. Also, insofar as known, ladders of the foregoing type, when disassembled, were not of a size which would fit into a box which was within the dimensions acceptable to commercial shippers. Other types of pool ladders were relatively complicated and difficult to assemble.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,674; St-Hilaire wrote, “A door ladder assembly for use with the [sic] an above ground swimming pool, the assembly comprising a ladder having a plurality of steps, a door with a first side hingedly connected to one side of the ladder and arranged to hingedly move between open and closed positions, a handle being located at the top portion of the door, and a door lock to lock the door in a closed position, the door being provided with a lock operator to unlock the lock, the lock operator being located proximate the handle. The arrangement provides for easy access for an adult, while preventing a child from having access to the unlocking mechanism.” A prior version of a door gate for a pool ladder was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,863 to Ludlow and U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,857 to Bryan. Each of these prior pool ladder barriers are doors that swing on a hinge and are positioned over the A-frame ladder's staircase ladder. These barriers are variations of conventional vandal guards used in other industries.

An alternative vandal guard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,197 to Spurling. Spurling wrote, “A ladder shield for use in preventing toddlers and the like from climbing the steps of a ladder, such as an above-ground swimming pool ladder, when the ladder or the device to which the ladder is coupled is unattended is disclosed. The ladder shield comprises a rigid yet slightly flexible shell of plastic which is sized and shaped to fit around the front and sides of the ladder so as to block access to the steps on the ladder. The ladder shield is removably secured to the ladder by a removable locking bar which when inserted extends through a pair of holes in the side walls of the shield. The locking bar is secured in place by a lock. When not being used to prevent access to the steps of the ladder, the ladder shield may be used as a mini-foot wash.”

Ladders with a Tambour

A tambour device is defined at www.dictionary.com as “a flexible shutter used . . . in place of a door, composed of a number of closely set wood strips attached to a piece of cloth, the whole sliding in grooves along the sides or at the top and bottom.” Applicant conducted a search to determine if any ladder was associated with a tambour device. The closest reference, not a relevant reference, was U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,582 to Albrecht for a foldable ladder combination with truck cargo carrier. Albrecht wrote, “Commercial truckers frequently have situations arise where they require personal access to the elevated bed of the truck's cargo carrier. The cargo carrier may be mounted on the truck frame itself as in the case of a so-called bob-tail truck; or, the cargo carrier may be a trailer pulled by a truck tractor. In either case, the conventional truck cargo carrier includes an elongated approximately horizontal cargo bed elevated about four to five feet above ground level, and an elongated structural cargo enclosure extending upwardly from, and substantially covering the cargo bed. The cargo bed has a rear end from which cargo is loaded into and unloaded from the cargo carrier, and the structural cargo enclosure has at its rear end right and left side edges in the form of vertical posts extending upward from adjacent the rear end of the cargo bed, and typically has either a single “roll-up” tambour rear door which is engaged in slots disposed at the inboard lateral faces of the posts, or has a pair of swinging doors hinged to such vertical posts, for opening and closing the rear end of the structural cargo enclosure to provide loading and unloading rear access to the structural cargo enclosure and cargo bed.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An A-frame ladder has a first ladder and a second ladder. The first ladder has two rails interconnected by a plurality of steps and a first set of grooves that receive a gate/barrier device to inhibit a person from using the first ladder's steps. The second ladder also has two rails interconnected by a plurality of steps and a second set of grooves, interconnected to the first set of grooves, that receive the gate/barrier device so the first ladder and the second ladder can be used and inhibits a person from entering the area between the first ladder and the second ladder through the second ladder's steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the A-frame ladder positioned over a pool wall (dotted lines).

FIG. 2 illustrates an angled view of FIG. 1 that illustrates portions of both sets of rail structures for A-frame ladder.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a step and its male interconnection.

FIG. 4 is a view of a step securely positioned in a rail structure looking at the interior side of the rail structure.

FIG. 5 a view of a step securely positioned in a rail structure looking at the exterior side of the rail structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a step just prior to entering a rail structure's female opening.

FIG. 7 a illustrates the female opening of FIG. 6 taken along the lines 7-7.

FIG. 7 b illustrates FIG. 7a with the step positioned in the female opening's receiving section.

FIG. 8 a illustrates the female opening of FIG. 6 taken along the lines 8-8.

FIG. 8 b illustrates FIG. 7a with the step positioned in the female opening's locking area.

FIG. 9 a illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 7b along the lines 9a-9a.

FIG. 9 c illustrates a cross-section of FIG. 8b along the lines 9c-9c.

FIG. 9 b illustrates a transition between FIGS. 9a and 9c.

FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged view of FIG. 1 looking at an angle toward rail structure 30b—which is missing to illustrate the grooves and the interconnection of the bridge structures to the rail structures.

FIG. 11 illustrates a rigid non-flexible material prior to forming the flexible gate/barrier device.

FIG. 12 illustrates the flexible gate/barrier device.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of FIG. 12 taken along the lines 13-13.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of a locking pin.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of a locking pin in the ladder.

FIG. 18 illustrates FIG. 17 without the locking pin.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 taken along the lines 19-19.

FIG. 20 illustrates a view of FIG. 19 taken along the lines 20-20.

FIG. 21 illustrates an alternative view of FIG. 19 wherein the locking pin does not interfere with the movement of the gate/barrier from a first position to a second position and vice versa.

FIG. 22 illustrates a view of FIG. 21 taken along the lines 21-21.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiments, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Summarizing briefly in advance, the improved plastic pool ladder of the present invention comprises a plurality of molded plastic parts which are of a size so that they can be packaged conveniently for shipping within containers which are readily acceptable by the shippers and which can be assembled by interfitting connections and the use of a simple tool such as an assembler's weight, arms, foot, and possibly a hammer. Additionally, the A-frame of the ladder is assembled by the use of interfitting parts so that it is stable.

Referring now collectively to the various drawing figures and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the present invention provides an improved freestanding reinforced A-frame plastic ladder structure, generally indicated at 20, which is particularly adapted to bridge an object 21, one example of which is shown as being the upstanding side wall structure of an above-ground swimming pool, such side wall structure being depicted in phantom in FIG. 1. Of course, it will be readily appreciated that the inventive ladder structure herein illustrated and described is not limited to this particular end use, and possesses general utility in other applications apart from this specific swimming pool environment.

The pool ladder 20 includes a plurality of molded plastic parts, certain of which are identical and assembled in mirror-image relationship to provide the completed pool ladder assembly 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2). At this point it will be noted that the mirror-image parts described hereafter are identical and will be designated by the same numbers even though they are assembled in mirror-image relationship, as will be apparent from the drawings. As noted above, the A-frame ladder structure is fabricated of molded high density polyethylene, polypropylene and/or conventional polymers. The flexible gate/barrier device used in the A-frame ladder structure can also be a fabricated of molded high density polyethylene, polypropylene and/or conventional polymers or other flexible material.

The improved pool ladder 20 includes an A-frame ladder formed of (a) an in-pool ladder 22 having opposed rail structures 30a, 30b (see FIG. 2) and steps 14; (b) a staircase ladder 23 having opposed rail structures 40a, 40b and steps 14 interconnecting the opposed rail structures; (c) opposing bridge structures 50a, 50b that interconnect (i) rail structures 30a and 40a together and (ii) rail structures 30b and 40b together; and (d) a platform 60 that secures opposing bridge structures, in-pool ladder and staircase ladder together. So there is no confusion, the platform 60, the in-pool ladder 22, the staircase ladder 23, and opposing bridge structures 50a, 50b are, preferably, blow-molded plastic materials, such as, for example, high density polyethylene or other suitable material to have a hollow interior. A gate/barrier device 90 may also be a blow-molded plastic material, such as, for example, high density polyethylene or other suitable material to have portions with a hollow interior.

Staircase Ladder

As previously stated, the staircase ladder's opposed rail structures 40a, 40b, and steps 14 are blow-molded of plastic, such as, for example, high density polyethylene, polypropylene and/or or other suitable material, to have a hollow interior. Each opposed rail structure 40a, 40b has a bottom edge 62, a proximal edge 63, and a distal edge 64 (proximal and distal edges for the staircase ladder are in relation to the in-pool ladder 22). See FIG. 2. The pair of identical generally planar parallel vertical opposed rail structures 40a, 40b define the sides of the staircase ladder 23 and are interconnected by a series of alternating horizontal steps 14 preferably having suitable non-slip step surfaces. Vertical risers are optional for the staircase ladder except vertical risers cannot be located between the staircase ladder's top step and the platform 60 and/or where the staircase ladder's grooves (described later) extend toward the in-pool ladder. As seen in FIG. 2, the staircase ladder 23 has five steps 14 whereby the steps are spaced closer together than in typical four-step staircases to make it easier to enter and exit the pool.

In-Pool Ladder

The in-pool ladder's opposed rail structures 30a, 30b, and steps 14 are blow-molded of plastic, such as, for example, high density polyethylene, polypropylene and/or or other suitable material, to have a hollow interior. Each opposed rail structure 30a, 30b has a bottom edge 602, a proximal edge 603, and a distal edge 604 (proximal and distal edges for the in-pool ladder are in relation to the staircase ladder 23).

The bottom edge 602 slopes upwardly at or near the proximal edge 603 thereof, as illustrated at 72. Among the steps 14, the bottom edge 602 and the proximal edge 603, the opposed rail structures 30a, 30b can have a plurality of horizontally spaced generally rectangular elongate vertical cut-outs or openings 620. These ventilation openings 620 allow water to circulate through the in-pool ladder system to decrease algae growth.

The opposed rail structures 30a, 30b that extend from the steps 14 toward the pool wall 21 also inhibit individuals from swimming between the in-pool ladder system and pool wall 21. That safety feature was previously disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,156 to Lipniarski, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The pair of identical generally planar parallel vertical opposed rail structures 30a, 30b define the sides of the in-pool ladder 22 and are interconnected by a series of alternating horizontal steps 14 preferably having suitable non-slip step surfaces. Vertical risers are not required for the in-pool ladder for reasons disclosed later. As seen in FIG. 2, the staircase ladder has five steps 14 whereby the steps are spaced evenly as the typical four (4) step ladder (or staircase) and requires no height adjustment for various depth pools.

Steps, Rails and Interconnection System Thereof

The steps 14 are conventional polymeric steps as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,156 to Lipniarski except for the interconnection mechanism to the rail structures 30a, 40a, 30b, 40b. Each step 14 has a tread section 140 having a top surface 147, a front side 141, a back side 142, a bottom surface 146 (which can be identical or distinct (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) to the top surface 147) and two opposing joining ends 143. Each joining end 143 has an essentially planar section 144 designed to contact a portion of the respective rail structure 30a, 40a, 30b, 40b; and a plurality of transition sections 145a, 145b, 145c, and 145d that are more rounded in relation to the essentially planar section 144. The first transition section 145a is between the top surface 147 and the essentially planar section 144; the second transition section 145b is between the bottom surface 146 and the essentially planar section 144; the third transition section 145c is between the front side 141 and the essentially planar section 144; and the fourth transition section 145d is between the back side 142 and the essentially planar section 144. Each transition section 145a, 145b, 145c, and 145d may have a different configuration and/or contour due to the transition from the essentially planar section 144 to the respective surface which may have a different shape and/or contour to the other step surfaces.

Protruding from each joining end 143 is a male interconnection 200 (see FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6). The male interconnection 200 can have numerous and various configurations. A fundamental feature of each male interconnection 200 is that it has an insertion section 202 and a locking section 206. Generically, the insertion section 202 is essentially perpendicular in relation to the joining end and the locking section 206 is angled, preferably perpendicular, to the insertion section 202. Exemplary configurations of the male interconnection 200 include and are not limited to the “T” shape, the “J” shape, a “L” shape, a serpentine (“S”) shape, a zig-zag (“Z”) shape, and variations thereof.

For this application we will direct our attention to the “T” shape formation. The “T” shape male interconnection 200 has a length less than the width of the respective rail structure; a maximum height equal to, or slightly less than, the essentially planar section's 144 height; and various widths depending on the “T” shape formation's section. The insertion section protrudes from the joining end a distance greater than one/tenth and equal to or less than half the width of the rail structure.

The insertion section 202 is a narrow section with a predetermined height (H1), a predetermined width (W1), and a predetermined length (L1). The predetermined height, length and width correspond with the rail structure's locking area's first gap area 778 for width and length and walls 784, 786 for height and length, illustrated at FIG. 7a and described later. At the narrow section's distal end 204 (in relation to the joining end 143), is the locking section 206.

The locking section 206 (see FIG. 3) has a top surface 210, a bottom surface 212 (see FIG. 6), a front surface 214 (see FIG. 3), a back surface 216 (see FIG. 6), a pressure surface 218 (see FIG. 3); a slope section 250 (see FIG. 3), and respective rounded transition surfaces between (a) portions of the top surface 210 and portions of the pressure surface 218; (b) the top surface 210 and (i) the front surface 214 and (ii) the back surface 216; (c) the bottom surface 212 and (i) the front surface 214 and (ii) the back surface 216; (d) the narrow section 202 and (i) the front surface 214 and (ii) the back surface 216; (e) the pressure surface 218 and (i) the front surface 214 and (ii) the back surface 216; (f) portions of the bottom surface 212 and portions of the pressure surface 218. See FIGS. 3 and 6.

The bottom surface 212, the front surface 214, the back surface 216, the slope section 250, and the pressure surface 218 are essentially planar surfaces that contact a portion of the respective rail structure at one point when the step 14 is being inserted and/or secured into a rail structure's female opening 300.

The top surface 210 also has an essentially planar surface and it is shaped like the letter “T”. The top of the “T” 222 extends from the narrow section's distal end 204; while the bottom of the “T” (a.k.a., locking ledge) 224 extends toward the locking section's distal end 230. The top of the “T”'s 222 width is broader than the insertion section's 202 predetermined width (W1); while the locking ledge 224 is the same width as or wider than the rail structure's female opening's 300 protruding locking mechanism 302, (see FIGS. 4, 7a,9a,9b, and 9c) which will be described in greater detail later in this specification.

The pressure surface 218 and the locking ledge 224 contact each other at an angle that will ensure the protruding locking mechanism positions itself over the locking ledge—is at or close (including rounded edges) to 90°. The remainder of the pressure surface 218 and the top of the “T” 222 are interconnected through the rounded transition surfaces. The rounded transition surface and the locking ledge 224 are connected by planar walls (essentially vertical).

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom surface 212 has an essentially planar surface and a portion thereof that terminates at the inclined surface 250. The inclined surface's distal end 252 (in relation to the step 14) is at the pressure surface 218 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The inclined surface 250, portion of the pressure surface 218, and the locking ledge 224 have the same width and are aligned with each other.

This alignment of the inclined surface 250, portion of the pressure surface 218, and the locking ledge 224 is desired so that when the inclined surface 250 is positioned over the protruding locking mechanism 302 (see FIGS. 7b and 9a) and an appropriate force is applied upon (a) the step 14 (arrow A) and/or (b) the rail structure (arrow B), the inclined surface 250 forces the protruding locking mechanism 302 (and possibly the rail structure (in particular a back wall 780 described later) and/or the male interconnection 200) to gradually deform (see FIG. 9b) so the protruding locking mechanism 302 is eventually positioned against the pressure surface 218 until the pressure surface 218 is positioned below the protruding locking mechanism 302 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9c. At which time, the protruding locking mechanism 302 reverts to its original shape and/or position and is positioned over at least a portion of the locking ledge 224. The step 14 is then securely positioned in the rail structure.

Obviously the female opening 300 (positioned on the rail structure's interior surface 500—not the interior wall that defines the cavity of the hollow structure, but the interior surface of the rail structure that contacts the step's joining end) is designed to securely receive the male interconnection 200 to the rail structure. Each female opening 300 has two sections. The first section is a receiving section 310 (see FIGS. 4, 6 and 7a—looking down into the opening). The receiving section 310 is an open cavity (see FIG. 7a [no male interconnect therein—the dash-dot lines indicate the rail material that defines the bottom surface of the locking area 320 and diagonal lines indicate the locking area's narrow section 907 and bottom surface 776a,b] of the receiving section 310, and 7b—a male interconnect therein) that receives the male interconnection 200 with the protruding locking mechanism 302 therein. The receiving section receives the entire male interconnection 200 (see FIGS. 7b and 9a). The protruding locking mechanism has a bottom 314 (see FIGS. 5, 9a-c). The bottom 314 along with wall 776a,b differentiates the receiving section from a locking area.

The second section is a locking area 320. The locking area 320 is shaped as the mold for the male interconnection 200 (see FIG. 8a (no male interconnect therein and the dash-dot lines indicate the rail material that defines the bottom surface of the locking area 320) and 8b), and may be just slightly larger as in many male/female interconnections. On the interior surface 500 of the rail structure and positioned below the locking area 320 are support projections 324 that contact the step's bottom surface 146 when the step is securely positioned in the locking area 320.

To promote fluid circulation which decreases the growth of undesirable particulates (for example and not limited to bacteria, and mold) and to provide sufficient expansion area not to damage the rail structure and the step 14 when the step is being inserted into the rail structure, the locking area 320 has an aperture 322 (a.k.a., no back wall) on the exterior surface 502 (opposite side of where the step's male interconnection enters the female opening) of the rail structure (see FIGS. 5, 7a, 7b, 9a-c).

The protruding locking mechanism 302 can be triangular as illustrated, squared, rectangular, polygoned or a half a ball shape. The only requirements are that the bottom 314 of the protruding locking mechanism 302 be sufficiently protruding to securely lock (contact) the step 14 into the rail structure and able to deform the back wall 780 when the male interconnect 200 is being positioned into the locking area 320. Obviously the step 14 can be removed from the rail structure by excessive forces, such as sledge hammer. In view of the obvious, step 14 is designed not be removed from the rail structures through conventional forces.

In generic terms, the female opening for the T-shaped male connector is a hollow molded object having a first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface is separated from the exterior surface by a thickness of the first wall. The interior surface defines a cavity to contain a fluid and a portion of the exterior surface surrounds an opening. The opening has the receiving section 310 and the locking section 320.

As illustrated, the receiving section has (A) a first inside wall 770 (see FIGS. 4, 6, 7a), (B) a second inside wall 772, (C) a third inside wall 774 (see FIG. 6), (D) a first part of a fourth inside wall 776a, (E) a second part of a fourth inside wall 776b, (F) a first gap area 778 between the first part and the second part of the fourth inside wall, (G) a back wall 780, and (H) a second gap area 782 (i) having a width equal to the combined widths of the first gap area, the first part of the fourth inside wall and the second part of the fourth inside wall, and (ii) is between (a) the first part of the fourth inside wall, the second part of the fourth inside wall and the first gap area, and (b) the back wall.

The first inside wall, the second inside wall, the third inside wall, the first part and the second part of the fourth inside wall, extend substantially perpendicular to the portion of the exterior surface wherein (a) the first inside wall and the second inside wall are opposite each other and (b) (i) the third inside wall and (ii) the first part and the second part of the fourth inside walls are opposite each other.

The back wall 780 has the locking projection 302 that projects toward the opening and has the bottom layer 314 that is the same plane as the first part and the second part of the fourth wall.

The locking section 320 has no back wall (a.k.a., aperture 322—see FIG. 5), a second part of the first inside wall 770a, a second part of the second inside wall 772a, a fifth inside wall 784, a sixth inside wall 786, a first part of a seventh inside wall 788a, a second part of the seventh inside wall 788b, and an eighth inside wall 790.

The fifth inside wall extends substantially perpendicular to the portion of the exterior surface and the first part of the fourth inside wall. The sixth inside wall extends substantially perpendicular to the portion of the exterior surface and the second part of the fourth inside wall. The first gap area is also between the fifth inside wall and the sixth inside wall. A portion of the eighth inside wall extends substantially perpendicular to the portion of the exterior surface, the fifth inside wall and the sixth inside wall. The first part of the seventh inside wall extends substantially perpendicular to the first part of the fourth inside wall and the fifth inside wall. The second part of the seventh inside wall extends substantially perpendicular to the second part of the fourth inside wall and the sixth inside wall. The remaining portion of the eighth wall defines a base wall of the second gap area and covers the area of the missing back wall. The second part of the first inside wall defines a first side wall of the second gap area and covers the area of the missing back wall; while the second part of the second inside wall defines a second side wall of the second gap area and covers the area of the missing back wall. The second part of the first inside wall, the second part of the second inside wall, the fifth inside wall, the sixth inside wall, the first and second parts of the seventh inside walls have a predetermined height that corresponds to the height of the corresponding male interconnect.

What is unique about this interconnection system is that the entire interconnection is a polymeric material and it does not use any screws, nails, or equivalent structures. Moreover, the male interconnection 200 securely fits within the female opening 300 without damaging the step 14 and/or rail apparatus. This polymeric interconnection of the male interconnection 200 within the female opening 300 is so secure that the connection will not be dislodged under conventional forces being applied to the step 14 and/or rail apparatus.

Flexible Barrier Embodiment

Vertical risers were required in the prior art for the in-pool ladder to inhibit individuals from swimming between the steps. Without those vertical risers, there is an increased potential the individual can position themselves by swimming and/or sliding between the steps. That action allows the individual an opportunity to be stuck between the steps and/or trapped between the in-pool ladder system and pool wall 21. Neither opportunity is desired; and the present invention solves that problem and the pool ladder barrier problem by a different means.

That different means is a flexible gate/barrier device 90. The gate/barrier device 90 is preferably a plurality of polymer hollow tubing 91 interconnected to each other through a thin, flexible polymeric plate 92 (see FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) to form a flexible and durable tambour gate/barrier device that is blow-molded; a flexible polymeric material which can be blow-molded or not, a flexible metallic material, a flexible polymeric screen material, a flexible metallic screen material, any other flexible material that can operate as desired for this invention, or combinations thereof. The flexible gate/barrier device 90 can be defined with or without a flexible frame.

In the tambour embodiment the polymeric hollow tubing has a diameter ranging from 1/16 inch to 1 inch and a wall thickness ranging from 0.01 to 0.90 inches. Preferably the thin polymeric plate ranges from 0.01 to 0.08 inches thick.

In the process to form the blow molded tambour gate/barrier device, the plurality of polymer hollow tubing 91 and the thin, flexible polymeric plate 92 positioned between each tubing 91 has a handle end 910 which has the handle 900, a terminal end 912 that is opposite the handle end 910, and two side ends 914a, 914b. When the blow molded tambour embodiment is initially made, the terminal end 912 and two side ends 914a, 914b are defined by a blow channel 916. The blow channel 916 receives and directs the air during the conventional blow molding process to form the plurality of polymer hollow tubing 91. The blow channel 916 does not direct sufficient air, during the blow molding process, to form polymer hollow tubing structures where the thin, flexible polymeric plate 92 are formed. The intermediate product during the blow-molded process is illustrated at FIG. 11.

The intermediate product illustrated in FIG. 11 is rigid. To create the desired flexible embodiment, the rigid intermediate product's blow channels are removed. One method to remove the blow channels is through a router, a saw, or a blade. Once the blow channels are removed, the rigid intermediate product is a flexible and durable tambour gate/barrier device that has open-ended polymer hollow tubes 91 separated by the thin, flexible polymeric plate 92 as illustrated at FIG. 13-a side view of FIG. 12 taken along the lines 13-13.

Whatever flexible gate/barrier device 90 is utilized, the flexible gate/barrier device 90 must provide the desired strength and flexibility to (a) inhibit an individual from getting caught between the steps and/or between the in-pool ladder system 22 and the pool wall 21 when the staircase ladder is suppose to be opened; and (b) create a barrier for individuals from climbing the staircase ladder 23 when the pool should not be used.

The gate/barrier device 90 is positioned within a groove 70 (see FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 7a-b, 8a-b, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23). The groove 70 has a width and depth that allows the flexible gate/barrier device 90 to move freely up and down. On the staircase ladder, the bridge and the in-pool ladder, the groove 90 is positioned on the interior surface 500. On the staircase ladder, the grooves are positioned between the steps 14 and the rail structure's distal edge 600 (furthest edge from the pool wall 21) (see FIGS. 2, 10 and 23). In this position, the gate/barrier device 90 inhibits individuals from climbing the steps 14. In many embodiments, the grooves do not extend to the bottom step. Instead, the grooves extend to the second last step to allow an individual to easily lock/unlock the gate/barrier device 90 to the second last step.

The gate/barrier device 90 has a handle area 900 (see FIGS. 2, 11, 12 and 14). The handle area 900 has a pulling/pushing mechanism 902 and an aperture 904. When the gate/barrier device 90 is positioned in front of the steps 14 of the staircase ladder, the aperture 904 is positioned above the second last step when the bottom step contacts the ground or is close to the ground. Thereby a conventional locking system, for example an oval-shaped locking system, a lock and cable system or equivalents thereof can be inserted into the aperture and around the second last step to securely lock the gate/barrier device 90 over the staircase ladder's steps. The cable should have a length that does not allow the gate/barrier device 90 to expose the second last step without removing the locking system.

Obviously if the bottom step is above the ground and a conventional locking system can easily be used, the gate/barrier device 90 can extend to the bottom step and have the aperture positioned above the bottom step to allow the conventional locking system to be used.

When the gate/barrier device 90 is unlocked from the staircase ladder, a person lifts and/or pushes the gate/barrier device 90 to the in-pool ladder in order to expose the staircase ladder's steps. The gate/barrier device 90 remains in the grooves and the grooves for the in-pool ladder are positioned between the steps 14 and the rail structure's proximal edge 603 (closest edge to the pool wall 21) (see FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 10). In the in-pool ladder, the grooves extend to the ladder bottom 602 so the gate/barrier device can be inserted into the ladder system. When operating, the groove extends to the bottom step, which is positioned on the pool floor and the gate/barrier device 90 should contact the bottom step when the gate/barrier device 90 is positioned on the in-pool ladder. That way the gate/barrier device 90 inhibits individuals from getting stuck or caught between the stairs and/or between the in-pool ladder and the pool wall 21.

After the swimmers have left the pool, the user pulls and/or pushes the flexible gate/barrier device 90 over the staircase ladder. Thereby the staircase ladder is blocked and the water in the pool can circulates more freely within the ladder area, which decreases the chance of stagnant water and adverse results therefrom.

Interconnecting Platform, Bridge and Ladders

The bridge structure 50a interconnects rail structures 30a and 40a together and the bridge structure 50a interconnects rail structures 30b and 40b together. The interconnection is performed by a conventional tongue and groove system between the bridge structures and the respective rail structures. To ensure the bridge structures 50a,b do not move, platform 60 interconnects to the bridge structures 50a,b through a tongue and groove system. In the latter embodiment, each bridge structure has a tongue that extends intone corresponding groove in the platform 60; or vice versa. Thereby the platform secures the bridge structures 50a, 50b and the rail structures 30a, 30b, 40a, and 40b together.

Alternatively, each rail structures 30a, 30b, 40a, and 40b can have a handle 700 section that extends through a respective aperture 62a, 62b, 62c, and 62d. Each handle section interconnects to a corresponding handle section—for example handles of rail structures 30a and 40a interconnect together and handles of rail structures 30b and 40b interconnect together to form a respective upside-down “U” figure on and over the platform 60—for safety reasons.

Alternative Locking Systems

The gate/barrier device 90 is manufactured with the above-identified process. The difference in this alternative embodiment is that when the rigid intermediate product's blow channels are removed, the process also includes creating a first distal locking area 820, a second distal locking area 820b, and a proximal locking area 825 on side end 914a (as illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17), on side end 914b or both side ends 914a, 914b of the gate/barrier 90.

The proximal locking area 825 is close to the handle end 910. The proximal locking area 825 receives a locking pin 830 (illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22 and discussed later) when the gate/barrier device inhibits an individual from getting caught between the steps and/or between the in-pool ladder system and pool wall 21 when the staircase ladder is suppose to be opened.

The first distal locking area 820 is close to the terminal end 912. The first distal locking area 820 receives the locking pin 830 when the gate/barrier device inhibits an individual from using the staircase ladder.

The locking pin 830 is capable of being positioned within the ladder's groove 70. Moreover, the locking pin 830 is positioned on the side of the ladder that allows the locking pin 830 to be positioned into the gate/barrier's (a) first distal locking area 820 to inhibit an individual from using the staircase ladder, or (b) proximal locking area 825 to inhibit an individual from getting caught between the steps and/or between the in-pool ladder system and pool wall 21 when the staircase ladder is suppose to be opened.

In a preferred embodiment the locking pin 830 has a body area 610, and a secure aperture area 620. See FIGS. 13 and 14.

The secure aperture area 620 is wider area than (a) the ladder's pin aperture 700 (discussed below) and (b) the body area 610 that has a portion thereof that slidingly fits within the pin aperture 700. Within the secure aperture area 620 is a finger aperture 622. The finger aperture 622 is able to receive an individuals finger or a locking mechanism like a padlock, cable lock, or equivalents thereof. When the finger aperture 622 receives a finger, the person should be attempting to pull the secure aperture 620 away from the ladder.

Besides being designed to slidingly fit within the pin aperture 700, the body area 610 is shaped to inhibit the movement of the gate/barrier when the body area's terminal end 612 is positioned in the first distal locking area 820 or the proximal locking area 825. When the body area's terminal end 612 is positioned in the first distal locking area 820 or the proximal locking area 825 the body area's terminal end 612 is in the groove 70 as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The terminal end 612 can be positioned in the groove 70 to interfere with the movement of the gate/barrier only when the gate/barrier's first distal locking area 820 or proximal locking area 825 is positioned to receive the terminal end. Otherwise, the terminal end 612 does not protrude into the groove 70 to interfere with the movement of the gate/barrier from (a) inhibiting an individual from getting caught between the steps and/or between the in-pool ladder system and pool wall 21 when the staircase ladder is suppose to be opened to inhibiting an individual from using the staircase ladder and (b) vice versa. See FIGS. 21 and 22.

When the terminal end 612 interferes with the movement of the gate/barrier 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 17, 19 and 20, the base area 610 has a lock aperture 616 positioned to coordinate with a ladder's receiving aperture 616b, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 15, 16, 17 and 18. The lock aperture 616 and receiving aperture 616b are designed to receive a locking mechanism like a padlock, cable lock, or equivalents thereof to inhibit the movement of the locking pin 830. When the locking pin 830 is secured in position, then hooligans will difficulty moving the gate/barrier to cause havoc to others.

The locking pin 830 is also unable to be removed from the pin aperture 700, without undue force. This inability to remove the locking pin 830 from the pin aperture 700 is accomplished by (a) a rib (or a plurality of ribs) 614 positioned on the body area and at a first predetermined distance from the secure aperture area 620 and a second predetermined distance from the body area's terminal end 612 and (b) the secure aperture area 620. Like the secure aperture area, the body area combined with the rib has an outer diameter greater than the ladder's pin aperture 700. Thus the locking pin 830 is securely positioned in the pin aperture 700.

The locking pin 830 is positioned in the pin aperture 700 shortly after the pin aperture 700 is formed. Shortly after being formed, the pin aperture 700 is “hot” and the locking pin 830 can be inserted therein without damaging the pin aperture 700. When the pin aperture is “cool”, then the pin aperture 700 can be damaged when the locking pin is removed.

The pin aperture 700 is positioned to allow the locking pin 830 enter the groove 70 and the gate/barrier's (a) first distal locking area 820 to inhibit an individual from using the staircase ladder, or (b) proximal locking area 825 to inhibit an individual from getting caught between the steps and/or between the in-pool ladder system and pool wall 21 when the staircase ladder is suppose to be opened. The pin aperture 700 can be positioned anywhere on the ladder, however, it has been determined that the pin aperture 700 should be positioned on the bridge structure 50a or 50b, or bridge structures 50a and 50b to obtained the desired results.

The pin aperture 700 extends from the ladders exterior surface toward the groove 70. The groove that has the pin aperture is the groove that receives the gate/barrier's first distal locking area 820, and proximal locking area 825. The pin aperture 700 has a proximal area 702 and a distal area 704.

The distal area 704 has a depth that receives the area between the rib 614 and the terminal end 612 when the terminal end is not to interfere with the movement of the gate/barrier in the groove 70. When the terminal end does not interfere with the movement of the gate/barrier in the groove 70, the rib 614 may contact the distal area's proximal end 706. See FIG. 21. In a preferred embodiment, the distal area's distal end 708 contacts the groove 70 and has a wider perimeter than the proximal end 706. Preferably, the wider perimeter should allow the body area 610 sufficient area to move freely.

The proximal area 702 receives the body area 610 between the rib 614 and the secure aperture area 620. It allows that area to slidingly move but it has a perimeter that inhibits the locking pin 830 from being removed therefrom.

The second distal locking area 820b is positioned between the first distal locking area 820 and the proximal locking area 825. The second distal locking area 820b receives a conventional lock when the gate/barrier device inhibits an individual from using the staircase ladder.

When the gate/barrier device inhibits an individual from using the staircase ladder, the second distal locking area 820b is positioned near a step in the staircase ladder 23. Around that position, there is a secondary locking area 850. The secondardy locking area 850 has two apertures (see FIG. 21) that receive a locking mechanism, like a padlock, a cable lock, or equivalents thereof, to be applied from the exterior of the ladder into the groove and within the second distal locking area 820b. When the locking mechanism is within the second distal locking area 820b, the gate/barrier is unable to move.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The A-frame ladder embodiment need not be a polymeric material. Instead it can be made of a metal material. That being said, the present invention is directed to blow-molding process for the A-frame ladder material since the Applicant's primary business is directed to blow-molded plastic products. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An A-frame ladder: a first ladder having a plurality of steps positioned between a first rail structure and a second rail structure wherein the first rail structure and the second rail structure have a distal edge in relation to a second ladder;the second ladder having a plurality of steps positioned between a third rail structure and a fourth rail structure wherein the third rail structure and the fourth rail structure have a proximal edge in relation to the first ladder;a first bridge structure that interconnects the first rail structure to the third rail structure;a second bridge structure that interconnects the second rail structure to the fourth rail structure;a first groove positioned on the first bridge structure, the first rail structure and the third rail structure wherein the first groove is positioned on (a) the first rail between the steps and the first rail's distal edge and (b) the third rail between the steps and the third rail's proximal edge;a second groove positioned on the second bridge structure, the second rail structure and the fourth rail structure wherein the second groove is positioned on (a) the second rail between the steps and the second rail's distal edge and (b) the fourth rail between the steps and the fourth rail's proximal edge;a flexible gate/barrier device having a distal end, a proximal end, a first side and a second side;the flexible gate/barrier device's first side is positioned in the first groove and the flexible gate/barrier device's second side is positioned in the second groove;in a first position, the flexible gate/barrier device extends the length of the second ladder to (a) allow the second ladder and the first ladder to be used, and (b) inhibit entering between the second ladder's steps an area between the second ladder and a structure positioned below the first bridge structure and the second bridge structure and between the first ladder and the second ladder;in a second position, the flexible gate/barrier device extends a predetermined length of the first ladder as an obstacle for a person to use the first ladder;the flexible gate/barrier device moves between the first position and the second position.

2. The A-frame ladder of claim 1 further comprising a platform that secures the first bridge, second bridge, first ladder and second ladder in place.

3. The A-frame ladder of claim 1 wherein the flexible gate/barrier device has a handle area that allows the person to push and/or pull the flexible gate/barrier device to the first position, the second position or a position between the first position and the second position.

4. The A-frame ladder of claim 3 wherein the handle area has an aperture.

5. The A-frame ladder of claim 4 wherein the aperture receives a locking system to secure the flexible gate/barrier device in place.

6. The A-frame ladder of claim 1 further comprising the gate/barrier having a first distal locking area and a proximal locking area;the A-frame ladder having a locking pin;the locking pin is positioned in (a) the groove and (b) the first distal locking area when the gate/barrier is in the first position;the locking pin is positioned in the groove and the proximal locking area when the gate/barrier is in the second position; andwhen the gate/barrier is capable of moving from the first position to the second position or the second position to the first position, the locking pin does not interfere with that movement of the gate/barrier.

7. The A-frame ladder of claim 6 wherein the flexible gate/barrier device in the first position contacts the second ladder's bottom step.

8. The A-frame ladder of claim 1 wherein the flexible gate/barrier device is locked when the flexible gate/barrier device is in the second position.

9. The A-frame ladder of claim 2 wherein railings extend from the platform.

10. An A-frame ladder: a first ladder having a plurality of steps positioned between a first rail structure and a second rail structure wherein the first rail structure and the second rail structure have a distal edge in relation to a second ladder;the second ladder having a plurality of steps positioned between a third rail structure and a fourth rail structure wherein the third rail structure and the fourth rail structure have a proximal edge in relation to the first ladder;a first groove positioned on the first rail structure and the third rail structure wherein the first groove is positioned on (a) the first rail between the steps and the first rail's distal edge and (b) the third rail between the steps and the third rail's proximal edge;a second groove positioned on the second rail structure and the fourth rail structure wherein the second groove is positioned on (a) the second rail between the steps and the second rail's distal edge and (b) the fourth rail between the steps and the fourth rail's proximal edge;a flexible gate/barrier device having a distal end, a proximal end, a first side and a second side;the flexible gate/barrier device's first side is positioned in the first groove and the flexible gate/barrier device's second side is positioned in the second groove;in a first position, the flexible gate/barrier device extends the length of the second ladder to (a) allow a person to use the second ladder and the first ladder, and (b) inhibit the person from being positioned in an area between the second ladder and the first ladder by entering between the second ladder's steps;in a second position, the flexible gate/barrier device extends a predetermined length of the first ladder as an obstacle for a person to use the first ladder;the flexible gate/barrier device moves between the first position and the second position.

11. The A-frame ladder of claim 10 further comprising: a first bridge structure that interconnects the first rail structure to the third rail structure;a second bridge structure that interconnects the second rail structure to the fourth rail structure;the first groove is also positioned on the first bridge structure; andthe second groove is also positioned on the second bridge structure.

12. The A-frame ladder of claim 11 further comprising a platform that secures the first bridge, second bridge, first ladder and second ladder in place.

13. The A-frame ladder of claim 10 wherein the flexible gate/barrier device has a handle area that allows the person to push and/or pull the flexible gate/barrier device to the first position, the second position or a position between the first position and the second position.

14. The A-frame ladder of claim 13 wherein the handle area has an aperture.

15. The A-frame ladder of claim 14 wherein the aperture receives a locking system to secure the flexible gate/barrier device in place.

16. The A-frame ladder of claim 10 further comprising the gate/barrier having a first distal locking area and a proximal locking area;the A-frame ladder having a locking pin;the locking pin is positioned in (a) the groove and (b) the first distal locking area when the gate/barrier is in the first position;the locking pin is positioned in the groove and the proximal locking area when the gate/barrier is in the second position; and

17. The A-frame ladder of claim 16 wherein the second ladder has a bottom step at ground level and the flexible gate/barrier device in the first position contacts the second ladder's bottom step.

18. The A-frame ladder of claim 10 wherein the flexible gate/barrier device is locked when the flexible gate/barrier device is in the second position.

19. The A-frame ladder of claim 12 wherein railings extend from the platform.

20. The A-frame ladder of claim 10 wherein the first ladder and the second ladder are blow-molded plastic materials.