Patent Application
20220346571
The present invention relates generally to the field of devices used for accessing attic areas. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand tool for opening an attic door, attaching to an attic access ladder and pulling the attic access ladder. The hand tool specifically obviates the need of using a stepstool, a ladder or any other makeshift elevation tool for accessing the attic door. The tool includes a pole that can be telescoping and a hook that locks onto an eyehook of the attic door to pull down the door in order to open the door. The hook is also used to lock to a side hook of the access ladder to pull down the ladder. The handle enables the user to stand on the floor and extend the pole to allow the hook to reach the eyehook and side hook. The tool is also used for pushing the ladder back up into the attic space and for closing the door. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, attics typically include the space between the roof of the house and the ceiling of the highest floor of the house. Usually, attics are full of insulation and sometimes heating and/or air conditioning equipment as well. Attic areas are spacious and provide cost-free and nearby storage space. Attic areas are accessed through one or more access openings which are generally covered by a hinged door. The door remains in a closed position and is opened by a user for accessing the attic area. Generally, attic doors come along with retractable folding step ladders that are pulled manually, unfolded and then used for accessing the attic. However, accessing and unfolding attic ladders is generally difficult and cumbersome.
Generally, a user cannot reach the attic door as the door is positioned at a considerable height. A user has to use a stepstool, ladder or any other makeshift elevation mechanism to reach the attic door. A hook or a cord attached to the door is then grabbed by the user to open the door. A user trying to open the attic door while standing on a temporary elevation tool is exposed to the danger of falling off of the temporary elevation tool. This can be due to loss of balance, trying to stretch the body to reach the door and more. This can cause serious injuries to the user. Similarly, a user has to use the elevation tools to pull the corresponding ladder from the door. This requires strength and the user may not be able to effectively pull the ladder to the unfolded position and may also fall during the operation.
The traditional process described supra requires a person to search for makeshift elevation tools that are neither safe, nor efficient or effective. Further, elderly individuals and individuals with limited physical strength are typically prohibited from accessing the attic areas.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved device that facilitates opening of an attic door, pulling an access ladder and unfolding same in a safe manner. There is also a long felt need in the art for a device that enables individuals to easily access attic areas. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved attic access device that obviates the use of stepstools, ladders and other makeshift elevation tools for accessing the attic. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that enables individuals to open attic doors while standing on the floor. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved method of opening or actuating attic doors that does not require physical dexterity. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an attic access device that offers a safe and convenient method for actuating and closing the attic door, and for pulling, unfolding and retracting the access ladder without worry of injury or strain to a user.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an attic access hand tool. The attic access hand tool is used for opening an attic door and pulling an attic access ladder without need for a user to use of a makeshift elevation mechanism or tool. The tool further includes an elongated or telescoping pole that includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end includes an ergonomic grip for comfortably grasping the tool while in use and the second end having a hook integrally or removably-attached thereto. The tool is extended upwards or telescoped by a user in order for the hook to engage or couple to an eyehook positioned at the door of the attic. The door can be pulled down by applying a minimal pull force by the user, and then the hook can be coupled to the attic ladder's side hook for pulling down the access ladder.
In the aforementioned manner, the attic access hand tool of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a unique device capable of grabbing the eye hook on an attic door, pulling upon the eye hook, and opening the attic door with ease. The handle/pole can be extended or telescoped, thereby enabling the user to reach, engage and open the door and then subsequently pull the ladder, thus obviating the need of any makeshift elevation mechanism. The tool enables users to easily pull out both the door and the ladder without having to use a chair, stepstool, etc., and can also be used to close the attic door once access is no longer desired.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an attic access hand tool. The attic access hand tool is designed to open an attic door, engage an attic ladder and lower the attic ladder without need of a user to use a makeshift elevation mechanism or tool. The tool further comprising an elongated handle having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end having an ergonomic grip for comfortably grasping the tool in use, the second end having a hook integrally or removably-attached to the handle, wherein the tool is extended upwards by a user for the hook to couple or engage to an eyehook positioned at the door of the attic. The door can be pulled down by applying a minimal pulling force by the user, and then subsequently the hook can be coupled to the attic ladder's side hook for pulling down the access ladder.
In yet another embodiment, the elongated handle is a telescoping handle that can be extended and retracted to adjust a length of the attic access tool.
In yet another embodiment, the ergonomic grip includes a strap for further enabling the user to firmly grasp the attic access tool during use.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an attic door and access ladder opening tool is disclosed. The tool comes along with an eyehook that is configured to attach to an attic door, and a side hook that is configured to attach to an attic access ladder. The tool includes a pole having a hook at one end and a grip at the opposite end, wherein the hook can be engaged to the eyehook positioned on the attic door, enabling a user to pull down and open the door. The hook is further configured to engage or secure with the side hook, thereby enabling a user to pull down and unfold the ladder in order to access the attic.
In yet another embodiment, the pole can be used for pushing the ladder to the folded and retracted position, and then can be used to close the attic door.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tool is used for opening doors and pulling extendable ladders that are retracted in attics and oriented in both vertical and horizontal directions.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for actuating an attic door and pulling down an extendable attic access ladder without using a stepstool, ladder or any other makeshift elevation tool by a user is described. The method includes the step of extending a hand tool having a hook to reach a first eyehook positioned on the attic door, then securing the hook to the eyehook and pulling upon the pole of the tool to open the attic door. The method further includes the step of removing the hook from the first eyehook and then engaging a second eyehook affixed or positioned to a side area of the attic access ladder, and finally pulling upon the pole of the tool to unfold and lower the attic access ladder.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved device that facilitates opening of an attic door, pulling an access ladder, and unfolding or extending same in a safe manner. There is also a long felt need in the art for a device that enables individuals to easily access attic areas. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved attic access device that obviates the use of stepstools, ladders and other makeshift elevation tools for accessing the attic. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that enables individuals to open attic doors while standing on the floor. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved method of opening or actuating attic doors that does not require physical dexterity. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an attic access device that offers a safe and convenient method for actuating and closing the attic door; and, for pulling, unfolding/extending and retracting the access ladder without worry of injury or strain to a user.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel attic door and access ladder opening tool. The tool includes a separate eyehook that is configured to attach or engage to an attic door and also engage to a side hook that is configured to attach to an attic access ladder. Further, the tool includes a pole that includes a hook at one end and a grip at the opposite end. The hook is locked or secured to the eyehook positioned on the attic door, enabling a user to pull down and open the door. The hook is further configured to lock or engage with the side hook of the access ladder, thereby enabling a user to pull down the ladder and access the attic.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The eye hook 112 is configured to engage or secure to the hook embedded on the attic door for opening the door (as best shown in
The handle 102 can be a telescoping handle with a plurality of telescoping slots 102a,102b,102c and telescoping sections 103a,103b,103c disposed along the length of the handle/pole 102. This enables a user to extend or retract the length of the tool 100, and enables use of the tool 100 for attics at various ceiling heights.
Similarly, after use of the attic 208, the ladder can be retracted and the door 210 can be positioned to close the attic 208, by pushing the door 210 from the lowered position using the tool 100. The hook 112 secured to the door eyehook 214 pushes the door 210 upward to close the attic 208 and the tool 100 can then be securely stored in the home. The hook 112 provides better control of the load of the door 210 without compromising the operator's 202 safety.
It should be appreciated that the present embodiment shows the use of the tool 100 for opening the attic door 210 of the attic 208 installed in a horizontal orientation. However, the tool 100 can be used for opening the attic door of an attic used in vertical orientation, such as for a knee wall.
Once the hook 112 is secured to the ladder side hook 402, the tool 100 is pulled by the user 202 using the handle 102 and thus the ladder 212 is lowered (i.e. extended) and accessed by the user 202. Thereafter, the ladder 212 can be fully telescopically extended by the user 202. Similarly, the ladder 212 can be retracted by the user 202 and then can be pushed back towards the door 208 by pushing upward using the tool 100 engaged with the side hook 402.
The hook 112 of the tool 100 provides a secure engagement with the ladder side hook 402 and provides an easy way for the user 202 to pull down and extend the ladder 212. As shown in
It should be noted that in one embodiment of the present invention, the tool 100, the door eyehook 214 and the ladder side hook 402 are commercially available as a kit and can be purchased together by consumers.
The handle 102 is made from a rust-free and lightweight material such as wood, aluminum or stainless steel. The handle 102 can be telescopic or can have a fixed length. The wing nut 114 is integrally connected to the hook 112, however, the wing nut 114 can be detached from the second end 106 of the handle 102. The handle 102 can have a length in the range from about three feet to about seven feet or can telescope in a range from about three feet to about seven feet.
Any or all of the exemplary embodiments and dimensions of the tool 100 can be modified or adapted to suit the user's requirements and the structural specifications of the building into which the attic is installed.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “attic access tool”, “attic door and ladder access tool”, “tool”, “attic access hand tool”, “device”, and “portable attic access tool” are interchangeable and refer to the portable attic door and ladder access tool 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the portable attic door and ladder access tool 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the portable attic door and ladder access tool 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the portable attic door and ladder access tool 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the portable attic door and ladder access tool 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the portable attic door and ladder access tool 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/180,871, which was filed on Apr. 28, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63180871 | Apr 2021 | US |
