FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to a ladder step extension platform, and more particularly, to a device attachable to a ladder step to provide increased standing area.
BACKGROUND
Ladders, and in particular A-frame ladders, have two side rails hinged together. The section are unfolded for use and folded for storage and transportation. The ladders include a number of steps for supporting a user; however, the steps are typical shallow in depth and only support a portion of a user's feet.
In certain trades, a user can stand on a ladder for hours a day as they install ceilings, install electrical wiring and fixtures, or paint ceiling or upper wall portions. The limited depth of the steps puts increased pressure on the user's feet making it uncomfortable. In addition, the limited depth restricts a user's ability to adjust their position while on the ladder. Therefore, the user has to frequently come down the ladder and reposition it.
Devices for attachment to a ladder step for extending its width are know in the art. However, such devices can be unstable when in use since the have limited engagement with the ladder. In addition, they need to be separated from the ladder during storage and transportation. This increases the likelihood that the device will be lost or misplaced.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a device that is attachable to a ladder step that increases the standing area and that can remain attached to the ladder when the ladder is folded into the storage position.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a step extension platform for attachment to a ladder step having a step. The step extension platform includes a main body having a platform for supporting a user thereon. A first segmented portion is secured to the platform by a first hinge, and the first hinge has an axis of rotation extending along a width of the platform. A second segmented portion is secured to the second segmented portion by a second hinge, and the second hinge has an axis of rotation extending along the width of the platform. The platform, the first and the second segmented portions each being pivotal between an open storage position and a closed working position to form a step channel adapted to surround and accommodate the ladder step. A bracket is secured to the second segmented portion and defining a space adapted to contain at least a portion of the ladder step.
The present disclosure also provides a step extension platform for attachment to a ladder step having a step including a main body having a platform for supporting a user thereon. An extension member is translatably secured to the main body and translatable between a retracted and an extended position, wherein the first extension member projects beyond a width of the platform. A first segmented portion is secured to the platform by a first hinge. The first hinge has an axis of rotation extending along a width of the platform. A second segmented portion is secured to the second segmented portion by a second hinge. The second hinge has an axis of rotation extending along a width of the platform. A bracket is secured to the second segmented portion and defines a space adapted to contain at least a portion of the ladder step. The first and second segmented portions are pivotal between an open storage position and a closed working position in which step channel, adapted to surround and accommodate the ladder step, is formed. The platform in the working position is generally parallel with the step surface, and the platform in the storage is generally perpendicular to the step surface.
The present disclosure further provides a method of securing a step extension to a ladder having a step supported between two side rails comprising:
- obtaining a step extension having a main body having a platform for supporting a user thereon; a first segmented portion secured to the platform by a first hinge, the first hinge having an axis of rotation extending along a width of the platform; a second segmented portion secured to the second segmented portion by a first hinge, the first hinge having an axis of rotation extending along a width of the platform; the platform, the first and segmented portions being pivotal between an open storage position and a closed working position to form a step channel adapted to surround and accommodate the ladder step; and a bracket secured to the second segmented portion and defining a space adapted to contain at least a portion of the ladder step;
- placing the bracket around a ladder step; and
- rotating the platform relative to the first and second segmented portions until the main body engages the bracket and the platform extends across a top of the ladder step and the platform is parallel to a top surface of the ladder step.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a ladder step extension platform shown in an open position.
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the ladder step extension platform shown in the open position with extension wings extending outwardly.
FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the ladder step extension platform and a spacer.
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the ladder step extension platform prior to attachment to a ladder.
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the ladder step extension platform attached to a ladder and shown in the operating position.
FIG. 6 is detailed view of a latch engaging a ladder rail.
FIG. 7 a top perspective view of the ladder step extension platform attached to a ladder and shown in the storage position.
FIG. 8 is cross-sectional view taken through line 8-8 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view taken through line 9-9 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the ladder step extension platform attached to a ladder and shown in the operating position with a portion of a platform and a step removed for illustrative purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIGS. 1, and 5-7, a step extension platform 10 for use with a ladder 12 is shown. The step extension 10 may be removably secured to a step 14 or rung of a standard A-frame ladder 12 and provides an increased standing area to make working on the ladder more comfortable and steady. The ladder 12 may be a typical A-frame ladder having top cap 16 from which side rails 18 are pivotally attached. The side rails 18 have a generally U-shaped cross-section with a back wall 19 and two side walls 21 extending orthogonally outwardly therefrom to form a channel 23. A plurality of steps 14 extends between, and are secured to, the side rails 18. Spreaders 20 extend between the side rails 18 to permit the ladder 12 to be retained in an open position and then folded at a pivotally connected mid-section to a closed storage position in a manner well known in the art. The step extension 10 may be secured to a ladder in an operating position, providing a standing surface for a user, as shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10 and selectively moved to a storage position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.
With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the step extension 10 includes a main body 22 having a rigid planer platform 24 that provides a standing surface 25 for a user. The platform 24 is larger in area than the ladder step's top standing surface 26. Therefore, the user's feet are more fully supported. The platform 24 may include a nonslip element 27 such as friction tape, other nonslip element, to increase the traction between the user and the platform 24.
The main body 22 has a first segmented portion 28 having a first edge 30 pivotally secured by a first hinge 32 to a platform edge 34. The first segmented portion 28 has a planer configuration and has width W that tapers inwardly at it extends from the platform 24. This taper 39 provides clearance for ladder step braces found on some ladders. The first segmented portion 28 has a second edge 36 pivotally secured by a second hinge 38 to a second segmented portion 40. In one embodiment, the first and second hinges 32 and 38 may be piano-style continuous hinges that extend along the length of the joined edges. The second segmented portion 40 has a planer configuration and has the same or similar width as the width of the end of the first segmented portion 28 to which it is attached. The first and second segmented portions 28 and 40 rotate relative to each other and the platform 24 such that the second segmented portion 40 can be moved into an opposed spaced relation to a platform undersurface 42. When the platform 24 is in this position, a step channel 44 is formed for accommodating a ladder step 14 to extend there through when the step extension 10 is secured to the ladder. The platform 24 and first and second segmented portions 28 and 40 may be formed of steel, aluminum or other rigid material.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second segmented portion 40 includes bracket 46 having a J-shaped cross-section profile which hooks around a ladder step 14. The bracket 46 may include two spaced bracket elements 46a and 46b, each forming a step receiving space 48a and 48b, respectively to accommodate the step 14 therein. Alternatively, the bracket 46 may include a single elongate member (not shown) extending along a portion of the width of the second segmented portion and having a L or J shaped cross-sectional profile that forms a space 48 for receiving the step 14. The bracket 46 performs the function of removably attaching the step extension 10 to a ladder step 14 and for securing the step extension 10 in an operating position as will be described below. In both embodiments, the bracket 46 has a first extent 50 fixedly secured to the second segmented portion 40. A bracket second extent 52 projects from the first extent 50 upwardly away from the second segmented portion 40. The second extent 52 forms an obtuse angle with the first extent 50. A third bracket extent 54 projects from the second extent such that it is in opposed spaced relation to the first extent 50. The third extent 54 may have a length greater than a length of the first extent 50. The three bracket extents 50, 52 and 54 form the step receiving space 48.
With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 8, and 10, a spacer 90 may be disposed under the step 14 and project downwardly therefrom. The spacer 90 may have a generally parallelogram cross-section and be sized to fit in a step recess 92 formed on the undersurface of the step 14. Such recesses 92 are typically present in metal steps found on A-frame ladders. The spacer 90 provides a uniform distance D between the top of the step and the bottom of the spacer 91. This distance corresponds to a distance between the undersurface of the brackets second extends 52 and the second segmented portion 40 between which the spacer 90 is received. In this way, should a particular ladder have different step dimensions, the spacer 90 provides a uniform dimension so that the step extension 10 will be securely held in place on the ladder step 14 to which it is attached. When the step extension 10 is rotated in in the operating position so that is may stood upon by a user, the spacer 90 is sandwiched between the second segmented portion 40 and the step undersurface as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.
With reference to FIGS. 2-4, and 10, the main body 22 includes a wing housing 60 formed on the platform undersurface 42 for holding a first extension wing 62 and a second extension wing 64. The first and second extension wings 62 and 64 each translate outwardly from the platform side edges 66 in opposed directions along the same linear axis L-L. Thus, when the first 62 and second 64 wings are extended, they project beyond the width of the platform 24 and provide additional standing area upon which a user can stand. The wing top surface may have ridges or other slip resistant features to aid in providing sure footing for a user. The distal ends of each of the wings include an end plate 68 secured thereto. Each end plate 68 has a lug 70 projecting therefrom. The lugs 70 project perpendicular to the length of the wings 62, 64 and engage the step top standing surface 26 on which the step extension 10 is secured. This engagement provides additional support for the wings 62 and 64 and platform when they are stood upon as will be described further below.
The first and second wings 62 and 64 are each extendable and retractable relative to the main body 22. Retention devices 70, such as fasteners, are disposed between the wing housing 60 and each wing to selectively fix the position of the first and second wings 62, 64 relative to the housing 60. In one embodiment, the wing housing 60 includes a pair of longitudinally extending slots 72, one for each wing, and a threaded member 74 extends from the fastener through the slot 72 and into an internally threaded bushing (not shown) secured to each wing. Each threaded member 70 rides along its respective slot 72 as the wings are extended. The fastener 70 may be turned to selectively lock the wings 62, 64 in place and then unlocked them to permit the wings to extend outwardly, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 10, and retract into the wing housing 60 as shown, e.g., in FIG. 4.
With reference to FIGS. 3-6, the wings 62 and 64 each include a latching member 80 pivotally secured to the endplates 68. The latching members 80 have a generally L-shaped configuration, with a first leg 82 secured to the endplate 68 by a fastener 84 that permits the latching member 80 to rotate relative to the endplate 68. Extending orthogonally outwardly from each first leg 82 is a second leg 86 having a flat abutment surface 88. Each second leg 86 is sized such that it extends into the side rail channel and abuts against the side rail wall 21. When a user steps on the device 10, the second leg abutment surfaces 88 are urged against their respective rail side walls 21. This engagement resists platform rotational movement or platform flexing when the platform 24 is stood upon by the user. For example, the engagement restricts the platform from pivoting around the step 14. Such motion is also resisted by the lugs 70 that abut against the step top surface 26 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. Thus, the platform 24 is securely braced on the ladder, and it does not move when stepped upon by a user.
A manner in which the extension step platform 10 is secured to a ladder step 14 will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 10. The spacer 90 may be place beneath the step 14 to which the step extension 10 is to be attached. In some cases depending on the step, the space may be held in the space by a close frictional fit with the step. The first and second segmented portions are pivoted away from the main body 22. The ladder step 10 to which the device is to be secured is slid into the step receiving space 48 formed by the bracket 46. The second segmented portion 40 is then rotated toward the main body 22 such that the main body and first and second segmented portions 28 and 40 wrap around and capture the step 14 and the spacer 90 disposed beneath the step 14 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The bracket second extent 52 resiliently engages a side wall 61 of the wing housing (FIG. 3) and snaps into a closed position. The side wall 61 may be formed at an incline such that the side wall 61 forms an acute angle with the bottom of the platform as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8.
When in the closed or working position, the bracket second extent 52 lies against the side wall 61 and the third bracket extent 54 abuts against the platform undersurface 42 as shown in FIG. 8. The second segmented portion 40 lies against the bottom of the insert 90. In this closed or working position, the step extension platform 10 is retained on the step 14 and the platform 24 and step top surface 26 are parallel to each other and generally lie in the same plane. The platform 24 is in a generally horizontal operating position. The step channel is configured such that when the step extension platform is secured to the step 14, the platform 24 does not rotate relative to the step 14. The platform 24, therefore, provides an area, greater than that provided by the step alone, upon which a user can comfortably stand and perform their necessary work.
In order to further increase the standing area, a user may extend the wings 62 and 64 outwardly until they abut the ladder side rails 18. The lugs 70 rest on the top of to the ladder step as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10. When extended, the user may tighten the fastener 74 in order to lock the wings 62, 64 in the extended position. When a user steps on the platform 24, the lugs 70 are brought into forced engagement with the step 14 and they resist any downward rotation of the platform 24. The latching members 80 may then be rotated in place such that they engage the side rail walls. The latching members 80 further resist movement of the platform 24 caused by the weight of the user.
After a user has completed their work, they can fold the ladder 12 to the closed position while keeping the step extension platform 10 secured to the ladder as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. The step extension platform 10 has a storage position, in which it is retained on the ladder, but permits the ladder 12 to be folded into its closed position. To move the step extension platform to the storage position, the platform 24 is rotated from its generally horizontal position away from the step 14, approximately 90 degrees, until the wings 62 and 64 align with the ladder side rails 18. The wings 62, 64 are then extended outwardly to engage the side rails 18. For ladders in which the side walls a U-shaped profile and form a channel 23, the wings are extended until the ends of the wings sit within the channels 23. The engagement between the wings 62, 64 and the side rail side walls 21 retain the platform 24 in a position in which it lies generally vertically between two ladder steps. In this position, the step extension platform 10 does not extend beyond the side rails 18 and the ladder 12 can be placed in the closed position. This permits the ladder 12 to be transported and stored with the step extension platform 10 attached to the ladder where it is ready to be employed the next time the ladder 12 is to be used.
When a user desires to use the ladder 12 again, they can retract the first and second extension wings 62 and 62 and rotate the platform 24 to the horizontal working position such that the bracket second extent 52 resiliently engages a side wall 61 of the wing housing (FIG. 3) and snaps into a closed position. The extension wings 62, 64 can then be extended and the latching members 80 rotated to abut against the adjacent side rail wall 21 as described above.
It will be appreciated that various forms of the above-disclosed features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different apparatus and systems. It will also be appreciated that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art that are also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments and the following claims.
Patent Application
20250084698
