The present invention relates generally to ladders and, more particularly, to ladders having components and features to provide selective adjustability as well as methods of making and using such ladders.
Ladders are conventionally utilized to provide a user thereof with improved access to elevated locations that might otherwise be inaccessible. Ladders come in many shapes and sizes, such as straight ladders, straight extension ladders, stepladders, and combination step and extension ladders. So-called combination ladders may incorporate, in a single ladder, many of the benefits of multiple ladderdesigns.
Ladders known as straight ladders or straight extension ladders are ladders that are conventionally positioned against an elevated surface, such as a wall or the edge of a roof, to support the ladder at a desired angle. A user then ascends the ladder to obtain access to an elevated area, such as access to an upper area of the wall or access to the roof. Straight ladders and straight extension ladders are referred to as being “straight” because their rails are typically straight and generally parallel to one another throughout the length of the ladder. A pair of feet or pads, one being coupled to the bottom of each rail, are conventionally used to engage the ground, a floor or some other supporting surface.
The rails of such ladders are conventionally spaced apart approximately 16 to 18 inches. In some applications, such as when the ladder is very tall, it may become desirable to have the feet spaced apart a greater distance to provide a widened footprint and improve stability. Such may also be the case in other types of ladders (e.g., combination ladders or step ladders). Additionally, oftentimes it is desired to use a ladder in a location where the ground or other supporting surface is not level. Positioning the ladder on such an uneven support surface, without taking further action, results in the ladder ascending at an undesirable lateral angle and likely makes use of the ladder unsafe.
There have been various efforts to remedy such issues with conventional ladders. For example, various embodiments of leg levelers—accessories that attach to the bottom portion of a ladder's rails—have been utilized to compensate for uneven surfaces by “extending” the length of the rail. Additionally, various embodiments of ladder stabilizers have been utilized wherein additional structural components are coupled to the ladder rails to alter the “footprint” of the ladder, typically making the footprint wider, in an effort to improve the stability to such ladders.
However, such efforts to provide additional stability to ladders have also had drawbacks. Often, leg levelers and stabilizers are provided as aftermarket items and are attached to the ladder by an end user. Such installation may not always be done with the appropriate care and attention. Additionally, such attachments or accessories are often intended to be removed after use meaning that they may be lacking in their structural integrity in their coupling with the ladder.
There is a continuing desire in the industry to provide improved functionality of ladders while maintaining or improving the safety and stability of such ladders. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide ladders with adjustable components that enable the ladder to be used on a variety of support surfaces while also perhaps providing enhanced stability. It would also be advantageous to provide methods related to the manufacture and use such ladders.
The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of ladders.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, each support member being selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.
In one embodiment, one or more locking mechanisms may be provided wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock at least one of the pair of lateral support members at a desired lateral position relative to its associated rail. Additionally, at least one adjustment mechanism may be provided, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to maintain the first end of an associated adjustable leg at a desired position relative to its associated rail.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, another ladder is provided that includes a pair of rails and a plurality of rungs coupled therebetween. The ladder further includes a pair of adjustable legs, each adjustable leg having a first end selectively positionable with respect to an associated rail, and a second end selectively positionable with respect to its associated rail independent of the location of the first end of the adjustable leg.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a foot for a ladder is provided. The foot includes a bracket for coupling with a leg of a ladder and a non-linear engagement surface configured to engage a supporting surface. In one embodiment, the non-linear engagement surface may further include a cushioned material such as a rubber or polymer material. In another embodiment, the foot may further include a plurality of spikes arranged in a non-linear pattern adjacent to the non-linear engagement surface. Each of the plurality of spikes may be located at a peripheral edge of the non-linear engagement surface.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention a method is provided for adjusting a ladder having a first rail, a second rail and a plurality of rungs extending between the first and second rails. The method includes selectively displacing a first end of an adjustable leg that is slidingly coupled to the first rail and selectively displacing a second end of the adjustable leg relative to the first rail independent of the displacement of the first end of the adjustable leg.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a ladder is provided. The method includes providing a pair of rails, coupling a plurality of rungs between the pair of rails, moveably coupling a lateral support member to a first rail of the pair of rails, slidably coupling an adjustable leg with the first rail, and slidably coupling the adjustable leg with the lateral support member.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
Referring generally to
The ladder 100 shown in
The first and second assemblies 102 and 108 may be formed of a variety of materials and using a variety of manufacturing techniques. For example, in one embodiment, the rails 104 and 110 may be formed of a composite material, such as fiberglass, while the rungs and other structural components may be formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In other embodiments, the assemblies 102 and 108 (and their various components) may be formed of other materials including other composites, plastics, polymers, metals and metal alloys.
An adjustable leg 114 is coupled to each rail 104 of the first assembly 102. The adjustable leg 114 is slidably coupled to its associated rail 104 and is also slidably coupled to an associated telescoping lateral support member 120. The lateral support members 120 are selectively positionable in a variety of lateral positions relative to the rails 104 of the first assembly 102. In one embodiment, the lateral support members 120 may extend within an interior portion of a rung 106 of the first assembly 102. The lateral support members 120 may be positioned adjacent one another such that they slide past one another when displaced to a selected position. In another embodiment, one lateral support member 120 may be positioned within an interior portion of the other lateral support member 120 in a telescoping relationship such that one slides within the other when displaced to a selected position.
A locking mechanism 122 may be associated with each lateral support member 120. For example, a locking mechanism may include a lever 124 having a pin or engagement member (not shown) that engages aligned holes or apertures in both the rung 106 and the lateral support member 120 extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the lever 124 may be biased so as to maintain engagement of the pin with the aligned holes. The locking mechanism 122 may be used to enable selective positioning of the lateral support member 120 at a variety of lateral positions and maintain the lateral support member 120 at a desired position. As discussed in further detail below, other structures or mechanisms may be used for providing selective adjustment and locking of the lateral support 120 relative to the first assembly 102.
An adjustment mechanism 130 is also associated with each adjustable leg 114. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 130 includes a geared rack 132 coupled with an associated rail 104 of the first assembly 102. A body, such as a block member 134 or other structural component, is slidably coupled with the rail 104 and may include, for example, a ratcheting mechanism 135 that engages the geared rack 132 and enables displacement of the block member 134 relative to the rail 104 in a first direction (i.e., downward when the ladder is in an orientation for intended use) while preventing displacement of the block member 134 in a second direction opposite that of the first direction (i.e., upward when the ladder is in an orientation of intended use). As seen in
It is noted that the locking mechanism 122 and the adjustment mechanism 130 are merely examples of potential mechanisms that may be used. In other embodiments, other appropriate adjustment and locking mechanisms may be utilized. Additionally, the locking mechanism 122 may be configured more similarly to the described adjustment mechanism 130 (with a gear and ratchet) or vice versa.
For example, referring to
Referring generally back to
Thus, during use, and as seen more particularly in
The adjustability of each adjustable leg 114, independent of one another other, in terms of height adjustment, width adjustment, and angular adjustment enables the ladder 100 to be utilized in a variety of conditions, including on uneven ground, while providing enhanced stability as compared to numerous prior art ladders. Such adjustability may be seen by comparing the left hand adjustable leg 114 with the right hand adjustable leg 114 shown in
As seen in
Referring briefly to
Each foot 170 is coupled to an associated leg 114 by a pivoting connection that enables the foot 170 to pivot between a first position relative to the legs 114 (i.e., as shown in
Referring briefly to
It is noted that, the presently described embodiment, the adjustable legs 114 and the feet 160 are the sole support of the ladder 100 on the ground or base surface. This is in contrast to numerous prior art configurations which employ angled support braces configured to augment primary feet or support structures of the ladder rather than act as the primary or sole support structures of the ladder. As such, the adjustable legs 114 are considered an integral and permanent part of the ladder 100 in the presently described embodiment. In other embodiments, such adjustment assemblies could be added to existing ladders even though such ladders already have dedicated feet acting as primary support structures.
Referring briefly now to
Besides accommodating the adjustment of the adjustable leg 114, the bracket 200 also provides reinforcement to the adjustable leg 114 at a location of applied force. In other words, a substantial portion of the weight of the ladder 100, a user standing thereon, and any tools or other materials they may be carrying, is ultimately transferred through the adjustable legs 114 and through its connections to the first assembly 102 (i.e., through its hinged connection at the upper end of the adjustable leg 114 and through its coupling with the lateral support member 120). This can create local points or regions of increased stress. Use of the bracket 200 assists in providing structural integrity to the adjustable leg 114 such that it doesn't fail by bending or twisting, for example.
Referring now to
The adjustment mechanism 230 may also include additional features. For example, a shroud or housing element 242 may be placed over the various components for aesthetics and for safety in preventing pinching of a users hand or fingers during operation of the adjustment mechanism. Additionally, one or more levels or position indicators 244 and 246 may be associated with the adjustment mechanism 230 or otherwise coupled with some other portion of the ladder 100. For example, a first position indicator 244 may include a bubble or “spirit” level that indicates when the ladder 100 is at a safe climbing angle when being positioned up against a wall or other elevated structure. Additionally, another position indicator 246 may include a bubble level or a weighted indicator to help identify if the rungs 106 and 112 (as they extend between associated spaced apart rails 104 and 110, respectively) are level relative to the ground. While not specifically shown in
While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/624,360 filed 17 Feb. 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,214,961 entitled ADJUSTABLE LADDERS AND RELATED METHODS, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/733,733 filed 3 Jan. 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,973,710 entitled ADJUSTABLE LADDERS AND RELATED METHODS, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/714,313 filed 26 Feb. 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,865, entitled ADJUSTABLE LADDERS AND RELATED METHODS, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/157,109 filed 3 Mar. 2009, entitled ADJUSTABLE LADDERS AND RELATED METHODS, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/175,589 filed 5 May 2009, entitled ADJUSTABLE LADDERS AND RELATED METHODS, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/175,731 filed 5 May 2009, entitled LADDERS, LADDER COMPONENTS, LADDER ACCESSORIES, LADDER SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
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20190186200 A1 | Jun 2019 | US |
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61175589 | May 2009 | US | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14624360 | Feb 2015 | US |
Child | 16284801 | US | |
Parent | 13733733 | Jan 2013 | US |
Child | 14624360 | US | |
Parent | 12714313 | Feb 2010 | US |
Child | 13733733 | US |