The present disclosure is directed generally to the field of ladders. The present disclosure relates specifically to a ladder with increased and/or improved functionality.
Ladders are often used to facilitate accessing higher locations and to hold equipment. Components of a ladder may provide varying functions, such as being support users, tools and/or inventory.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a ladder configured to couple to a stackable storage unit, the ladder including a top shelf including an upper surface, a coupling component extending from the upper surface of the top shelf, the coupling component configured to couple the upper surface of the top shelf to the stackable storage unit, a pair of front legs pivotally coupled to the top shelf, a plurality of steps extending between the pair of front legs, and a pair of back legs pivotally coupled to the top shelf.
In a specific embodiment the ladder also includes a platform pivotally coupled to the pair of front legs, the platform including an upper surface, and a second coupling component extending from the upper surface of the platform, the second coupling component configured to couple the upper surface of the platform to the stackable storage unit. In a specific embodiment the ladder also includes a padding coupled to a leg of one of the pair of front legs or one of the pair of back legs.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a ladder configured to couple to a stackable storage unit, the ladder including a top shelf, a pair of front legs pivotally coupled to the top shelf, a plurality of steps extending between the pair of front legs, a pair of back legs pivotally coupled to the top shelf, a support bar extending between the pair of back legs, a tray pivotally coupled to the support bar, the tray actuating between an open position and a closed position, and a slide slidably coupled to the tray. The slide actuates between a first position in which the slide interfaces with the support bar to restrict the tray from pivoting from the closed position to the open position, and a second position in which the slide no longer interfaces with the support bar to restrict the tray from pivoting to the open position.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a ladder configured to couple to a stackable storage unit, the ladder including a top shelf, a pair of front legs pivotally coupled to the top shelf, a plurality of steps extending between the pair of front legs, a pair of back legs pivotally coupled to the top shelf, a support bar extending between the pair of back legs, a pair of locking supports that extend between the pair of front legs and the pair of back legs, and a handle that extends between the pair of locking supports.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a ladder that is configured to be coupled to a modular storage unit. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a ladder with measuring indicia extending along at least one of the legs. Another embodiment of the invention relates to relates to a ladder with handles and/or pads to facilitate carrying the ladder. Another embodiment of the invention relates to relates to a ladder with mounts and/or cleats coupled to the ladder. Another embodiment of the invention relates to ladder that includes a rail extending along at least one of the legs to which a device can be mounted.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description included, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.
In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring generally to the figures, depicted is one or more ladders with increased and/or improved functionality. Applicant has discovered that increasing the functionality of a ladder can improve the productivity of the worker(s) using the ladder. The ladder(s) described herein provide various improvements to the field of ladders.
Referring to
Top shelf 60 is coupled to ladder 10 at or near top 12. Top shelf 60 includes upper surface 66. Second interface 82 extends from upper surface 66 and is configured to couple with a bottom surface of a storage units, such as modular storage unit 95. Additionally, top shelf 60 includes tool storage slots and holes for holding tools.
Shelf 24 includes upper surface 68. First interface 80 extends from upper surface 68 and is configured to couple with storage units, such as modular storage units.
Turning to
Ladder 10 also includes padding, shown as pads 32, that can be used to move ladder 10. As shown in
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Turning to
In specific embodiments, interfaces 80, 82, 84, and 86 couple to a modular storage unit via an interface compatible with the coupling mechanism(s) described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/044629.
In a specific embodiment, a rail or a slot extends along at least one of legs 16. The rail or slot provides a continuous mounting location to couple a device. For example, a level, such as a laser level, can be coupled along the rail or slot. In a specific embodiment a single leg 16 includes a rail or slot to which a laser level can be coupled. In another specific embodiment, two or more legs include a rail or slot to which devices can be coupled. In yet another embodiment, a ferrous or magnetic strip is coupled to one or more of the legs. A device, such as a laser level with a magnetic coupling component (e.g., a magnetic mount) is used to couple a device to the strip.
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When slide 92 is in a locked position (
Slide 92 is coupled to tray 90 via fasteners 94, which extend through aperture 102 in slide 92. Aperture 102 permits fasteners 94 to slide along axis 100 between the locking position in
In one or more embodiments top surface of tray 90 has a similar and/or the same interface as one of interfaces 80, 82, 84, and/or 86.
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To secure ladder 6 in the open and locked position, handle 110 can be used to reverse the process. After ladder 6 is placed in the desired location, handle 110 can be used to force pivot 37 downward, opening the arms of locking support 36 until they enter the locked position.
Ladder 6 also comprises shoulder pad 114, which extends between and is coupled to support bars 20. Shoulder pad 114 can be used to carry around ladder 6 when ladder 6 is collapsed.
It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for description purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one.
Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.
The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/908,243, filed Sep. 30, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/895,220, filed Sep. 3, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62895220 | Sep 2019 | US | |
62908243 | Sep 2019 | US |