Ladder, wide rung and method

Abstract

A ladder having a first rail and a second rail. The ladder having a standard rung having a width permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The ladder having a first wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung, which is permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The ladder having a second wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung, which is permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The first wide rung and the second wide rung are disposed in a work zone of the ladder. The work zone of the ladder is where a user typically stands on the ladder while performing tasks. The standard rung is disposed outside the work zone. A wide rung. A method for using a ladder. A method for producing a ladder.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a ladder having wide rungs located in a work zone of the ladder. (As used herein, references to the “present invention” or “invention” relate to exemplary embodiments and not necessarily to every embodiment encompassed by the appended claims.) More specifically, the present invention is related to a ladder having wide rungs located in a work zone of the ladder where the wide rungs are attached with fasteners through covers to the rails of the ladder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention. The following discussion is intended to provide information to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that statements in the following discussion are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

When using a ladder, the wider the rung that the user stands on, typically the more secure the user feels standing on the rung because the wider the rung the wider the surface area for the user to place his or her feet on the rung. By having a greater surface area, it feels more like standing on the ground or a floor that is the natural position for user when standing.

The width of a rung is determined by the amount of material used for the wrong, how the rung is attached to a rail, and that the rung does not interfere with the operation or the use of the ladder. The amount of material is desired to be minimized to reduce the weight that the rung contributes to the overall weight of the ladder, yet still be strong enough to support the necessary weight of the user. The rung needs to be securely attached to the rails of the ladder so there is no issue that when the user stands on the rung, the rung will not come loose a break away from the rails. The rung cannot be so wide that it interferes with the user climbing the rungs and possibly catching a foot on the rung is a user climbs a ladder, or striking a knee against the rung as the user lifts his or her leg there's the user climbs the ladder. In addition, the rung should not be so wide that it could catch on an object when the ladder is being moved, where make it difficult for the ladder to be stored. Furthermore, in regard to an extension ladder, the rungs should not interfere with the movement of the sections of the extension ladder. In regard to a stepladder, the rungs should not impede with the opening and closing of the sections. Accordingly, it is generally desired to provide for a rung with a width as large as possible given the aforementioned constraints.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a ladder. The ladder comprises a first rail. The ladder comprises a second rail. The ladder comprises a standard rung having a width permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The ladder comprises a first wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung, which is permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The ladder comprises a second wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung, which is permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The first wide rung and the second wide rung are disposed in a work zone of the ladder. The work zone of the ladder is where a user typically stands on the ladder while performing tasks. The standard rung is disposed below the work zone.

The present invention pertains to a wide rung for attachment to a first rail and a second rail of a ladder. The wide rung comprises a top portion and a front and a back and a right side and a left side. The wide rung comprises first segment connected to and extending down from the front of the top portion, a second segment connected to and extending down from the back of the top portion, a third segment connected to and extending inward toward the back from the first segment, a fourth segment connected to and extending down from the second segment inward toward the front and connected to the third segment two. The wide rung comprises a first boss adjacent the front of the top portion, a second boss adjacent the back of the top portion, and a third boss adjacent to the third and fourth segments. The wide rung is hollow and a one piece extrusion and having a somewhat D-shaped cross-section.

The present invention pertains to a method for climbing a ladder. The method comprises the steps of placing a foot by a user on a standard rung attached to a first rail and a second rail of the ladder, the standard rung having a width. There is the step of placing the foot of the user on a first wide rang attached to the first rail and the second rail of the ladder. The first wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung. The ladder having a second wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung attached to the first rail and the second rail. The first wide rung and the second wide rung disposed in a work zone of a ladder. The standard rung disposed outside the work zone of the ladder. The first wide rung is hollow and a one piece extrusion having a right side and a left side and a somewhat D-shaped cross-section formed of a top portion having a width greater than the width of a standard rung, and a front and a back. A first segment is connected to and extending down from the front of the top portion. A second segment is connected to and extending down from the back of the top portion. A third segment is connected to and extending inward toward the back from the first segment. A fourth segment is connected to and extending down from the second segment inward toward the front and connected to the third segment. There is a first boss adjacent the front of the top portion, a second boss adjacent the back of the top portion, and a third boss adjacent to the third and fourth segments. The ladder including a right cover attached to the right side of the first wide rung, a left cover attached to the left side of the first wide rung. Each cover having a cross-section which conforms with the cross-section of the first wide rung, a closed face having a first hole and a second hole in a third hole whose locations in the lace align with the first boss and second boss and third boss, respectively. Each cover has a top side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the top portion and is positioned over the top portion, a first side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the first segment and is positioned over the first segment, a second side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the second segment and is positioned over the second segment, a third side that extends inward from the face in alignment with, the third segment and is positioned over the third segment, and a fourth side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the fourth segment and is positioned over the fourth segment. The ladder including right side fasteners which extend through the first rail and the first and second and third holes of the right cover and the first and second and third bosses, respectively, to attach the right side of the first wide rung and the right cover to the first rail, the ladder including left side fasteners which extend through the second rail and the first and second and third holes of the left cover and the first and second and third bosses, respectively, to attach the left side of the first wide rung and the left cover to the second rail.

The present invention pertains to a method for producing a ladder. The method comprises the steps of attaching a standard rung having a width to a first rail and a second rail of a ladder. There is the step of attaching a first wide rung to the first rail and the second rail of the ladder, the first wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung. There is the step of attaching a second wide rung to the first rail and the second rail of the ladder. The second wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which:

FIG. 1 shows a ladder of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ladder.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wide rung.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wide rung.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a left cover.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the right cover.

FIG. 7 is an overhead view of a cover.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cover.

FIG. 9 is a back view of the cover.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the cover.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the ladder using rung plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a ladder 10. The ladder 10 comprises a first rail 12. The ladder 10 comprises a second rail 14. The ladder 10 comprises a standard rung 16 having a width permanently attached to the first rail 12 and the second rail 14. The ladder 10 comprises a first wide rung 18 having a width greater than the width of the standard rung 16, which is permanently attached to the first rail 12 and the second rail 14. The ladder 10 comprises a second wide rung 20 having a width greater than the width of the standard rung 16, which is permanently attached to the first rail 12 and the second rail 14. The first wide rung 18 and the second wide rung 20 are disposed in a work zone 72 of the ladder 10. The work zone 72 of the ladder 10 is where a user typically stands on the ladder 10 while performing tasks. The standard rung 16 is disposed below the work zone 72.

The first wide rung 18 may be hollow and include a one piece extrusion having a right side 22 and a left side 24 and a somewhat D-shaped cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The first wide rung 18 may be formed of a top portion 26 having a width wider than the width of the first rail 12 find a front 28 and a back 30, a first segment 32 connected to and extending down from the front 28 of the top portion 26, a second segment 34 connected to and extending down from the back 30 of the top portion 26, a third segment 36 connected to and extending inward toward the back 30 from the first segment 32, a fourth segment 38 connected to and extending down from the second segment 34 inward toward the front 28 and connected to the third segment 36. The first wide rung 18 may include a first boss 40 adjacent the front 28 of the top portion 26, a second boss 42 adjacent the back 30 of the top portion 26, and a third boss 44 adjacent to the third and fourth segments 36, 38.

As shown in FIGS. 5-10, the first wide rung 18 may include a right cover 46 attached to the right side 22 of the first wide rung 18. The first wide rung 18 may include a left cover 48 attached to the left side 24 of the first wide rung 18. Each cover may have a cross-section which conforms with the cross-section of the first wide rung 18, a closed face 50 having a first hole 52 and a second hole 54 in a third hole 56 whose locations in the face 50 align with the first boss 40 and second boss 42 and third boss 44, respectively. Each cover may include steps a top side 66 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the top portion 26 and is positioned over the top portion 26, a first side 58 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the first segment 32 and is positioned over the first segment 32, a second side 60 that extends inward from the lace 50 in alignment with the second segment 34 and is positioned over the second segment 34, a third side 62 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the third segment 36 and is positioned over the third segment 36, and a fourth side 64 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the fourth segment 38 and is positioned over the fourth segment 38.

The first wide rung 18 may include right side fasteners 68 which extend through the first rail 12 and the first and second and third holes 52, 54, 56 of the right cover 46 and the first and second and third bosses 40, 42, 44, respectively, to attach the right side 22 of the first wide rung 18 find the right cover 46 to the first rail 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The first wide rung 18 may include left side fasteners 70 which extend through the second rail 14 and the first and second and third holes 52, 54, 56 of the left cover 48 and the first, and second and third bosses 40, 42, 44, respectively, to attach the left side 24 of the first wide rung 18 and the left cover 48 to the second rail 14. The rails have predrilled holes aligned with the holes in the covers and the three bosses to facilitate the placement of the fasteners.

The first and second wide rungs 18, 20 may be the only wide rungs attached to the first and second rails 12, 14, although there may be a third or a fourth or even more wide rungs attached to the first and second rails 12, 14 in the work zone 72, as needed indicated by the use. Each cover may be made of plastic and each wide rung may be made of aluminum. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, each cover may have a first plate 74 extending inward from the face 50 and in parallel and spaced relation from the top side 66 to define a first slot 80 in which the lop portion 26 is disposed, a second plate 76 extending inward from the face 50 and in parallel space relation from the third side 62 to define a second slot 82 in which the third segment 36 is disposed, and a third plate 78 extending inward from the face 50 and in parallel and spaced relation from the fourth side 64 to define a third slot 84 in which the fourth segment 38 is disposed.

The present invention pertains to a wide rung for attachment to a first rail 12 and a second rail 14 of a ladder 10. The wide rung comprises a top portion 26 and a front 28 and a back 30 and a right side 22 and a left side 24. The wide rung comprises first segment 32 connected to and extending down from the front 28 of the top portion 26, a second segment 34 connected to and extending down from the back 30 of the top portion 26, a third segment 36 connected to and extending inward toward the back 30 from the first segment 32, a fourth segment 38 connected to and extending down from the second segment 34 inward toward the front 28 and connected to the third segment 36 two. The wide rung comprises a first boss 40 adjacent the front 28 of the top portion 26, a second boss 42 adjacent the back 30 of the top portion 26, and a third boss 44 adjacent to the third and fourth segments 36, 38. The wide rung is hollow and a one piece extrusion and having a somewhat D-shaped cross-section.

The present invention pertains to a method for climbing a ladder 10. The method comprises the steps of placing a foot by a user on a standard rung 16 attached to a first rail 12 and a second rail 14 of the ladder 10, the standard rung 16 having a width. There is the step of placing the foot of the user on a first wide rung 18 attached to the first rail 12 and the second rail 14 of the ladder 10. The first wide rung 18 having a width greater than the width of the standard rung 16. The ladder 10 having a second wide rung 20 having a width greater than the width of the standard rung 16 attached to the first rail 12 and the second rail 14. The first wide rung 18 and the second wide rung 20 disposed in a work zone 72 of a ladder 10. The standard rung 16 disposed outside the work zone 72 of the ladder 10. The first wide rung 18 is hollow and a one piece extrusion having a right side 22 and a left side 24 and a somewhat D-shaped cross-section formed of a top portion 26 having a width greater than the width of a standard rung 16, and a front 28 and a hack 30. A first segment 32 is connected to and extending down from the front 28 of the top portion 26. A second segment 34 is connected to and extending down from the back 30 of the top portion 26. A third segment 36 is connected to and extending inward toward the back 30 from the first segment 32. A fourth segment 38 is connected to and extending down from the second segment 34 inward toward the front 28 and connected to the third segment 36. There is a first boss 40 adjacent the front 28 of the top portion 26, a second boss 42 adjacent the back 30 of the top portion 26, and a third boss 44 adjacent to the third and fourth segments 36, 38. The ladder 10 including a right cover 46 attached to the right side 22 of the first wide rung 18, a left cover 48 attached to the left side 24 of the first wide rung 18. Each cover having a cross-section which conforms with the cross-section of the first wide rung 18, a closed face 50 having a first hole 52 and a second hole 54 in a third hole 56 whose locations in the face 50 align with the first boss 40 and second boss 42 and third boss 44, respectively. Each cover has a top side 66 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the top portion 26 and is positioned over the top portion 26, a first side 58 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the first segment 32 and is positioned over the first segment 32, a second side 60 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the second segment 34 and is positioned over the second segment 34, a third side 62 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the third segment 36 and is positioned over the third segment 36, and a fourth side 64 that extends inward from the face 50 in alignment with the fourth segment 38 and is positioned over the fourth segment 38. The ladder 10 including right side fasteners 68 which extend through the first rail 12 and the first and second and third holes 52, 54, 56 of the right cover 46 and the first and second and third bosses 40, 42, 44, respectively, to attach the right side 22 of the first wide rung 18 and the right cover 46 to the first rail 12, the ladder 10 including left side fasteners 70 which extend through the second rail 14 and the first and second and third holes 52, 54, 56 of the left cover 48 and the first and second and third bosses 40, 42, 44, respectively, to attach the left side 24 of the first wide rung 18 and the left cover 48 to the second rail 14.

The present invention pertains to a method for producing a ladder 10. The method comprises the steps of attaching a standard rung 16 having a width to a first rail 12 and a second rail 14 of a ladder 50. There is the step of attaching a first wide rung 18 to the first rail 12 and the second rail 14 of the ladder 10, the first wide rung 18 having a width greater than the width of the standard rung 16. There is the step of attaching a second wide rung 20 to the first rail 12 and the second rail 14 of the ladder 10. The second wide rung 20 having a width greater than the width of the standard rung 16.

This invention consists of extruded aluminum ladder 10 rungs specifically designed to be used in the “work zone 72” at the upper end of an extension ladder fry section. These rungs are wider from front 28 to rear so as to provide a more comfortable standing surface than conventional round or D-shaped rungs. Because of their wider and flatter shape, these rungs are not swaged to the rails in the usual fashion but are designed with integral bosses to receive self-threading screws to hold them solidly to the rails.

The use of wider rungs in the “work zone 72” of climbing products can be applied to step ladders, MT ladders, M ladders, and attic ladders, etc. The use of wide rungs provides significantly increased comfort for ladder users working in the work zone 72 near the top of the ladder 10. As an example, the top portion 26 of each wide rung may be between 2 inches and 4 inches and preferably about 2.5 inches wide, and the length of each wide rung is between 12 inches and 16 inches and preferably about 14.5 inches. The top side 66 of each cover is about 0.1 inches wider than the width of the top portion 26 so the top side 66 can snugly and tightly fit over the top portion 26. The length of the sides of each cover is about an inch to two inches. The width of the rails, preferably about 3 inches, is slightly larger than the width of the cover so the cover and the wide rung do not extend beyond the width of the rails.

Each cover has a cover channel 86 disposed at the center of the top side 66 which aligns with a rung channel 88 disposed about the center of the top portion 26. The rung channel 88 serves to facilitate the proper placement of a cover with the rung. The cover channel 86 is positioned to fit into the rung channel 88 when each cover is placed onto an end of the rung so each cover is in proper position.

FIG. 11 shows the use of a right rung plate 90 and a left rung plate 92 to secure and attach the first wide rung 18 to the first rail 12 and second rail 14, respectively, as an alternative technique to the use of the right cover 46 and the left cover 48. Each rung plate has a center portion 96 with at least one, and preferably three plate holes 98. The right rung plate 90 receives right side fasteners 68, preferably screws, in each of the plate holes 98 that engage with first, second and third bosses to attach the right rung plate 90 to the first wide rung 18. Similarly, left side fasteners 70, preferably screws, extend through the three plate holes 98 in the left rung plate 92 into the first, second and third bosses to attach the left rung plate 92 to the first wide rung 18. In turn, the right rung plate 90, now attached to the first wide rung 18, is attached to the first rail 12 with rivets 94 that extends through the first rail 12, preferably at a web 100 of the first rail 12 and into the upper flange holes 102 of an upper flange 104 of the first rung plate, and lower flange holes 106 of lower flange 108 of the first rung plate 92, to secure the first rung plate 90 to the first rail 12. The lower flange 108 is connected to and below the center portion 96 and the upper flange 104 is connected to and above the center portion 96. The left rung plate 92, now attached to the first wide rung 18, is similarly attached to the second rail 14 as the right rung plate 90 is attached to the first rail 12. In this way, the right and left rung plates act as intermediary components to attach the first wide rung 18 to the first and second rails. Whether covers or rung plates are used to attach the wide rungs to the rails, the wide rungs support at least 250 lbs., and preferably at least 400 lbs. without failure.

Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.

Claims

1. A ladder comprising: a first rail;a second rail;a first rung having a width and being attached to the first and second rails;a second rung which is hollow and being of a one piece extrusion; the second rung having a right side and a left side and a generally D-shaped cross-section formed of a top portion having a width which is wider than the width of the first rung, a front and a back, a first segment connected to and extending down from the front of the top portion, a second segment connected to and extending down from the back of the top portion, a third segment connected to and extending inward toward the back from the first segment, a fourth segment connected to and extending down from the second segment inward toward the front and connected to the third segment, a first boss adjacent the front of the top portion, a second boss adjacent the back of the top portion, and a third boss adjacent to the third and fourth segments;a right cover attached to the right side of the second rung;a left cover attached to the left side of the second rung, each cover having a cross-section which conforms with the cross-section of the first wide rung, a closed face having a first hole and a second hole and a third hole whose locations in the face align with the first boss and second boss and third boss, respectively, a top side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the top portion and is positioned over the top portion, a first side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the first segment and is positioned over the first segment, a second side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the second segment and is positioned over the second segment, a third side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the third segment and is positioned over the third segment, and a fourth side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the fourth segment and is positioned over the fourth segment;right side fasteners which extend through the first rail and the first and second and third holes of the right cover and the first and second and third bosses, respectively, to attach the right side of the second rung and the right cover to the first rail;left side fasteners which extend through the second rail and the first and second and third holes of the left cover and the first and second and third bosses, respectively, to attach the left side of the second rung and the left cover to the second rail; anda third rung having a width greater than the width of the first rung and attached to the first and second rails; andwherein the second and third rungs are attached to the first and second rails along one portion of the ladder and the first rung is attached to another portion of the ladder does not include the second and third rungs.

2. The ladder of claim 1 wherein the second and third rungs are the only rungs of their respective widths attached to the first and second rails.

3. The ladder of claim 2 wherein each cover is made of plastic and each of the second and third rungs are made of aluminum.

4. The ladder of claim 3 wherein each cover has a first plate extending inward from the face and in parallel and spaced relation from the top side to define a first slot in which the top portion is disposed, a second plate extending inward from the face and in parallel space relation from the third side to define a second slot in which the third segment is disposed, and a third plate extending inward from the face and in parallel and spaced relation from the fourth side to define a third slot in which the fourth segment is disposed.

5. A ladder comprising: a first rail;a second rail;a first rung having a width and attached to the first and second rails;a second rung which is hollow and being of a one piece extrusion; the second rung having a right side and a left side and a generally D-shaped cross-section formed of a top portion having a width wider than the width of the first rung and a front and a back, a first segment connected to and extending down from the front of the top portion, a second segment connected to and extending down from the back of the top portion, a third segment connected to and extending inward toward the back from the first segment, a fourth segment connected to and extending down from the second segment inward toward the front and connected to the third segment, a first boss adjacent the front of the top portion, a second boss adjacent the back of the top portion, and a third boss adjacent to the third and fourth segments;a right rung plate attached to the right side of the second rung;a left rung plate attached to the left side of the second rung, each rung plate having a center portion having a first center hole and a second center hole and a third center hole whose locations in the center portion align with the first boss and second boss and third boss, respectively, an upper flange that extends from and above the center portion, and a lower flange that extends from and below the center portion, the upper flange having upper flange holes and the lower flange having lower flange holes, rivets extending through the first rail and the second rail into the upper flange holes and the lower flange holes of each rung plate to attach the right rung plate and the left rung plate to the first rail and second rail, respectively, and thus the second rung to the first rail and the second rail; anda third rung having a width greater than the width of the first rung and attached to the first and second rails, andwherein the second and third rungs are attached to the first and second rails along one portion of the ladder and the first rung is attached to another portion of the ladder does not include the second and third rungs.