CA2315585A1 - Step stool - Google Patents
Step stool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2315585A1 CA2315585A1 CA002315585A CA2315585A CA2315585A1 CA 2315585 A1 CA2315585 A1 CA 2315585A1 CA 002315585 A CA002315585 A CA 002315585A CA 2315585 A CA2315585 A CA 2315585A CA 2315585 A1 CA2315585 A1 CA 2315585A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- front leg
- rear leg
- leg
- link
- guide
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C1/00—Ladders in general
- E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
- E06C1/38—Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders
- E06C1/387—Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders having tip-up steps
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06C—LADDERS
- E06C1/00—Ladders in general
- E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
- E06C1/38—Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders
- E06C1/39—Ladders having platforms; Ladders changeable into platforms
- E06C1/393—Ladders having platforms foldable with the ladder
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- Ladders (AREA)
Abstract
A foldable step stool includes a frame having a front leg and a rear leg pivotably coupled to the front leg. A first step is pivotably coupled to the front leg, a second step is arranged to underlie the first step and is pivotably coupled to the front leg, and a step guide link is pivotably coupled to the first and second steps and slidably coupled to the rear leg.
Description
STEP STOOL
Bac)~round and Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a step stool, and particularly, to a foldable step stool having legs that fold between an opened use position and a collapsed storage position. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable step stool including a step-folding linkage.
According to the present invention, a foldable step stool includes a frame, first and second steps coupled to pivot on a front leg of the frame, and a step guide link. The step guide link is coupled to pivot on the first and second steps and to slide on a rear leg of the frame during movement of the rear leg relative to the front leg between an opened use position and a closed storage position.
In preferred embodiments, the step guide link is formed to include a guide slot and the rear leg includes a guide pin arranged to slide in the guide slot during movement of the rear leg between the opened use position and the closed storage position. One step guide link is provided on the left side of the first and second steps and another step guide link is provided on the right side of the first and second steps. Left and right guide pins included in the rear leg slide in guide slots formed in the left and right step guide links to control pivoting movement of the first and second steps relative to the front and rear legs during opening and closing of the foldable step stool.
Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
Brief Description of the Drawings The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures 3 0 in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a step stool in accordance with the present invention showing front and rear legs of the step stool in an opened use position, a top step pivotably coupled to the front leg, a bottom step rivotably coupled ?0341-66914 to the front leg beneath the top step, and a step guide link pivotably coupled to the top and bottom steps and slidably coupled to the rear leg to slide a shown, for example, in Figs. 2-4;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1 showing the step stool in the use position with the top and bottom steps in a substantially horizontal position, the step guide link being formed to include a guide slot, and the rear leg including a guide pin positioned at an upper end of the slot to ride therein;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1, with portions broken away, showing the step stool in a partly closed position with the top and bottom steps tilted and the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to lie between the upper and lower ends of the guide slot;
Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1 showing the step stool in a closed storage position with the top and bottom steps in a substantially vertical position and the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to lie at the lower end of the slot;
Fig. 5 is front view of the step stool of Fig. 1 showing the top and bottom steps in the vertical storage position;
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1, with portions broken away, showing the step stool in the use position and the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to lie in a notch positioned to communicate with an upper end of the guide slot;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6 showing the rear leg pivotably coupled to the front leg;
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a step stool, with portions broken away, showing the step stool having a top step formed to include a notch for receiving a guide pin of the rear leg when the step stool is in the opened use position; and Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8 showing the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to extend through a rear leg member, the step guide link, and a side wall of the top step to provide additional support for the top step when the step stool is in the opened use position.
Detailed Description of the Drawings As shown in Fig. 1, foldable step stool 10 includes a frame 12 having a front leg 14 and a rear leg 16 pivotably coupled to front leg 14. Step stool 10 also includes a top step 18 pivotably coupled to front leg 14, a bottom step 20 pivotably coupled to front leg 14, and a step guide link 22 pivotably coupled to top and bottom steps 18, 20 and slidably coupled to rear leg 16. Rear leg 16 includes a rear leg member 46 and a guide pin 64 coupled to rear leg member 46 and arranged to slide back and forth in a guide slot 62 formed in step guide link 62 as rear leg 16 moves between an opened use position at an angle to front leg 14 as shown, for example, in Figs. 1, 2, and 6 and a closed storage position alongside front leg 14 as shown, for example, in Figs. 4 and 5.
Frame 12 of step stool 10 is foldable between an opened use position, shown in Fig. l, in which a bottom end 24 of front leg 14 is spaced apart from a bottom end 26 of rear leg 16 to form a Y-configuration and a collapsed storage position, as shown in Fig. 4, in which front and rear legs 14, 16 are folded together.
The overall length of step stool 10 in the storage position is no longer than the overall length in the use position to provide a compact unit. Frame 12 is converted easily between the use position and the storage position by pulling upwardly on a rear end 28 of top step 18 and tilting step stool 10 to the left. In response to gravity, rear leg 16 automatically pivots toward front leg 14 causing step stool 10 to assume the collapsed or closed storage position.
As shown in Fig. 1, front leg 14 of frame 12 includes opposite front leg members 30, 32 each including a bottom end 24 and an opposite top end 34, end caps 31 coupled to bottom ends 24 of front leg members 30, 32, and a handle portion extending between leg members 30, 32. While front and rear legs 14, 16 of frame 12 are preferably constructed of steel tubing, a wide variety of materials may be used.
As shown in Fig. 1, top and bottom steps 18, 20 of frame 12 extend between leg members 30, 32 spaced-apart from handle portion 36. Top step 18 is positioned to lie spaced-apart from top end 34 of front leg 14 and bottom step 20 is positioned to lie between top step 18 and bottom end 24 of front leg 14. Top and bottom steps 18, 20 include step surfaces 38 and support panels 40 extending from step surfaces 38 toward end 24.
Step stool 10 further includes a plurality of pivot pins 42 having a cylindrical stepped portion 43 pivotably coupling top and bottom steps 18, 20 to front leg members 36, 38 so that step surfaces 38 of top and bottom steps 18, 20 tilt relative to front leg 14 as frame 12 is moved between the use and storage positions.
Stepped portions 43 are positioned to lie between top and bottom steps 18, 20 and front leg members 30, 32. Although the step stool 10, shown in Figs. 1-7, includes only one bottom step 20 beneath top step 18, it is within the scope of the disclosure for additional steps that are similar to bottom step 20 to be coupled to front leg 14 above and/or below top step 18.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, rear leg 16 of frame 12 is coupled to front leg 14 by pivot pin 44. Rear leg 16 includes first and second rear leg members 46, 48, a cross strut 50, and a pair of corner stabilizer feet 52 coupled to cross strut 50. Cross strut 50 extends between rear leg members 46, 48. Upper ends 54 of first and second rear leg members 46, 48 are flattened to fit in slots 56 formed in front leg members 30, 32.
Step stool 10 further includes a plurality of pivot pins 58 having cylindrical stepped portions 60 pivotably coupling top and bottom steps 18, 20 to step guide link 22. Stepped portions 60 are positioned to lie between top and bottom steps 18, 20 and rear leg members 46, 48 as shown, for example, in Fig. 5. Step guide link 22 maintains a substantially parallel relation between top and bottom steps 18, 20 during movement of step stool 10 between the use and storage positions as shown in Figs.2-4.
Step guide link 22 is formed to include a guide slot 62 and rear leg 16 further includes a rear leg member 46 and a guide pin 64 positioned to slide in guide slot 62 during movement of step stool 10 between the use and storage positions.
While in the use position, guide pin 64 is positioned to lie in an upper end 66 of guide slot 62 as shown in Fig. 6. While in the storage position, guide pin 64 is positioned to lie in a lower end 68 of slot 62 as shown in Fig. 4. Upper end 66 of guide slot 62 is formed to communicate with a notch 70 formed in step guide link 22 and provided with a lower edge 72 positioned to "capture" guide pin 64 while step stool 10 is in the opened use position.
Step guide link 22 further includes a tab 74 coupled to a lower end (link member) 76 of step guide link 22 and a pin-receiving notch 78 formed in a middle portion 80 of link 22. Tab 74 is positioned to engage front leg 14 when step stool 10 is in the storage position. Pin-receiving notch 78 is positioned to receive stepped portion 43 coupling top step 18 to front leg 14 as suggested in Figs. 4 and 5.
To fold frame 12 of step stool 10 from the use position to the storage position, the user grasps handle portion 36 and tilts step stool 10 to the left and lifts up on rear end 28 of top step 18 to pull guide pin 64 from notch 70. When guide pin 64 is free of notch 70, gravity pulls bottom end 26 of rear leg 16 toward bottom end 24 of front leg 16 and guide pin 64 slides down through guide slot 62 as shown in Fig. 3.
Guide pin 64 continues to travel down through guide slot 62 until engaging lower end 68 of guide slot 62 with step stool 10 in the flattened storage position as shown in Fig. 4.
Pin-receiving notch 78 permits step stool 10 to be folded to a substantially flat position by providing clearance between step guide link 22 and stepped portion 43 of pivot pin 42 coupled to top step 18 as shown in Fig. 4.
Tab 74 is positioned to engage front leg 14 while step stool 10 is in the storage position to prevent step guide link 22 and bottom step 20 from traveling over center.
To expand step stool 10 from the storage position to the use position 23, the user pivots rear leg 16 on front leg 14. As shown by arrow 84 in Fig.
Bac)~round and Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a step stool, and particularly, to a foldable step stool having legs that fold between an opened use position and a collapsed storage position. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable step stool including a step-folding linkage.
According to the present invention, a foldable step stool includes a frame, first and second steps coupled to pivot on a front leg of the frame, and a step guide link. The step guide link is coupled to pivot on the first and second steps and to slide on a rear leg of the frame during movement of the rear leg relative to the front leg between an opened use position and a closed storage position.
In preferred embodiments, the step guide link is formed to include a guide slot and the rear leg includes a guide pin arranged to slide in the guide slot during movement of the rear leg between the opened use position and the closed storage position. One step guide link is provided on the left side of the first and second steps and another step guide link is provided on the right side of the first and second steps. Left and right guide pins included in the rear leg slide in guide slots formed in the left and right step guide links to control pivoting movement of the first and second steps relative to the front and rear legs during opening and closing of the foldable step stool.
Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
Brief Description of the Drawings The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures 3 0 in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a step stool in accordance with the present invention showing front and rear legs of the step stool in an opened use position, a top step pivotably coupled to the front leg, a bottom step rivotably coupled ?0341-66914 to the front leg beneath the top step, and a step guide link pivotably coupled to the top and bottom steps and slidably coupled to the rear leg to slide a shown, for example, in Figs. 2-4;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1 showing the step stool in the use position with the top and bottom steps in a substantially horizontal position, the step guide link being formed to include a guide slot, and the rear leg including a guide pin positioned at an upper end of the slot to ride therein;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1, with portions broken away, showing the step stool in a partly closed position with the top and bottom steps tilted and the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to lie between the upper and lower ends of the guide slot;
Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1 showing the step stool in a closed storage position with the top and bottom steps in a substantially vertical position and the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to lie at the lower end of the slot;
Fig. 5 is front view of the step stool of Fig. 1 showing the top and bottom steps in the vertical storage position;
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the step stool of Fig. 1, with portions broken away, showing the step stool in the use position and the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to lie in a notch positioned to communicate with an upper end of the guide slot;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6 showing the rear leg pivotably coupled to the front leg;
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a step stool, with portions broken away, showing the step stool having a top step formed to include a notch for receiving a guide pin of the rear leg when the step stool is in the opened use position; and Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8 showing the guide pin of the rear leg positioned to extend through a rear leg member, the step guide link, and a side wall of the top step to provide additional support for the top step when the step stool is in the opened use position.
Detailed Description of the Drawings As shown in Fig. 1, foldable step stool 10 includes a frame 12 having a front leg 14 and a rear leg 16 pivotably coupled to front leg 14. Step stool 10 also includes a top step 18 pivotably coupled to front leg 14, a bottom step 20 pivotably coupled to front leg 14, and a step guide link 22 pivotably coupled to top and bottom steps 18, 20 and slidably coupled to rear leg 16. Rear leg 16 includes a rear leg member 46 and a guide pin 64 coupled to rear leg member 46 and arranged to slide back and forth in a guide slot 62 formed in step guide link 62 as rear leg 16 moves between an opened use position at an angle to front leg 14 as shown, for example, in Figs. 1, 2, and 6 and a closed storage position alongside front leg 14 as shown, for example, in Figs. 4 and 5.
Frame 12 of step stool 10 is foldable between an opened use position, shown in Fig. l, in which a bottom end 24 of front leg 14 is spaced apart from a bottom end 26 of rear leg 16 to form a Y-configuration and a collapsed storage position, as shown in Fig. 4, in which front and rear legs 14, 16 are folded together.
The overall length of step stool 10 in the storage position is no longer than the overall length in the use position to provide a compact unit. Frame 12 is converted easily between the use position and the storage position by pulling upwardly on a rear end 28 of top step 18 and tilting step stool 10 to the left. In response to gravity, rear leg 16 automatically pivots toward front leg 14 causing step stool 10 to assume the collapsed or closed storage position.
As shown in Fig. 1, front leg 14 of frame 12 includes opposite front leg members 30, 32 each including a bottom end 24 and an opposite top end 34, end caps 31 coupled to bottom ends 24 of front leg members 30, 32, and a handle portion extending between leg members 30, 32. While front and rear legs 14, 16 of frame 12 are preferably constructed of steel tubing, a wide variety of materials may be used.
As shown in Fig. 1, top and bottom steps 18, 20 of frame 12 extend between leg members 30, 32 spaced-apart from handle portion 36. Top step 18 is positioned to lie spaced-apart from top end 34 of front leg 14 and bottom step 20 is positioned to lie between top step 18 and bottom end 24 of front leg 14. Top and bottom steps 18, 20 include step surfaces 38 and support panels 40 extending from step surfaces 38 toward end 24.
Step stool 10 further includes a plurality of pivot pins 42 having a cylindrical stepped portion 43 pivotably coupling top and bottom steps 18, 20 to front leg members 36, 38 so that step surfaces 38 of top and bottom steps 18, 20 tilt relative to front leg 14 as frame 12 is moved between the use and storage positions.
Stepped portions 43 are positioned to lie between top and bottom steps 18, 20 and front leg members 30, 32. Although the step stool 10, shown in Figs. 1-7, includes only one bottom step 20 beneath top step 18, it is within the scope of the disclosure for additional steps that are similar to bottom step 20 to be coupled to front leg 14 above and/or below top step 18.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, rear leg 16 of frame 12 is coupled to front leg 14 by pivot pin 44. Rear leg 16 includes first and second rear leg members 46, 48, a cross strut 50, and a pair of corner stabilizer feet 52 coupled to cross strut 50. Cross strut 50 extends between rear leg members 46, 48. Upper ends 54 of first and second rear leg members 46, 48 are flattened to fit in slots 56 formed in front leg members 30, 32.
Step stool 10 further includes a plurality of pivot pins 58 having cylindrical stepped portions 60 pivotably coupling top and bottom steps 18, 20 to step guide link 22. Stepped portions 60 are positioned to lie between top and bottom steps 18, 20 and rear leg members 46, 48 as shown, for example, in Fig. 5. Step guide link 22 maintains a substantially parallel relation between top and bottom steps 18, 20 during movement of step stool 10 between the use and storage positions as shown in Figs.2-4.
Step guide link 22 is formed to include a guide slot 62 and rear leg 16 further includes a rear leg member 46 and a guide pin 64 positioned to slide in guide slot 62 during movement of step stool 10 between the use and storage positions.
While in the use position, guide pin 64 is positioned to lie in an upper end 66 of guide slot 62 as shown in Fig. 6. While in the storage position, guide pin 64 is positioned to lie in a lower end 68 of slot 62 as shown in Fig. 4. Upper end 66 of guide slot 62 is formed to communicate with a notch 70 formed in step guide link 22 and provided with a lower edge 72 positioned to "capture" guide pin 64 while step stool 10 is in the opened use position.
Step guide link 22 further includes a tab 74 coupled to a lower end (link member) 76 of step guide link 22 and a pin-receiving notch 78 formed in a middle portion 80 of link 22. Tab 74 is positioned to engage front leg 14 when step stool 10 is in the storage position. Pin-receiving notch 78 is positioned to receive stepped portion 43 coupling top step 18 to front leg 14 as suggested in Figs. 4 and 5.
To fold frame 12 of step stool 10 from the use position to the storage position, the user grasps handle portion 36 and tilts step stool 10 to the left and lifts up on rear end 28 of top step 18 to pull guide pin 64 from notch 70. When guide pin 64 is free of notch 70, gravity pulls bottom end 26 of rear leg 16 toward bottom end 24 of front leg 16 and guide pin 64 slides down through guide slot 62 as shown in Fig. 3.
Guide pin 64 continues to travel down through guide slot 62 until engaging lower end 68 of guide slot 62 with step stool 10 in the flattened storage position as shown in Fig. 4.
Pin-receiving notch 78 permits step stool 10 to be folded to a substantially flat position by providing clearance between step guide link 22 and stepped portion 43 of pivot pin 42 coupled to top step 18 as shown in Fig. 4.
Tab 74 is positioned to engage front leg 14 while step stool 10 is in the storage position to prevent step guide link 22 and bottom step 20 from traveling over center.
To expand step stool 10 from the storage position to the use position 23, the user pivots rear leg 16 on front leg 14. As shown by arrow 84 in Fig.
6, a user steps on bottom step 20 to tilt bottom step 20 to the horizontal use position, pull step guide link 22 downwardly, and tilt top step 18 toward the horizontal use position.
Because guide pin 64 of rear leg 16 is constrained to move in guide slot 62 of step guide link 22, bottom end 26 of rear leg 16 swings away from bottom end 24 of front leg 14. As the user continues to step on bottom step 20, bottom step 20 and top step 18 continue to move toward the horizontal use position and rear leg 16 continues to swing out from front leg 14 until guide pin 64 engages upper end 66 of guide slot 62 to place step stool 10 in the use position as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6.
Guide pin 64 of rear leg 16 then becomes lodged in notch 70 so that lower edge 72 of guide slot 62 prevents downward movement of guide pin 64 in guide slot 62 until a user desires to move step stool 10 to the storage position.
Thus, step stool 10 provides a support structure that folds to a substantially flat position with limited components. Furthermore, notch 70 communicating with guide slot 62 "self locks" step stool 10 into the use position to prevent step stool 10 from folding inadvertently if a user steps on a front end of lower step 18. During folding of step stool 10 between the storage and use positions, top and bottom steps 18, 20 remain substantially parallel to one another. Tab 74 prevents steps 18, 20 from going over center to prevent potential jamming of the step guide linkage system. Notch 68 provides clearance for stepped portion 43 of pivot pin 42 to permit a flatter fold of step stool 10. Because frame 12 has a Y-configuration, the S overall length of step stool 10 does not increase when moved to the storage position.
Another step stool 110 is disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9. Step stool 110 is similar in structure and function to step stool 10 as discussed in the aforementioned paragraphs and like reference numbers denote like structures between step stool 10 and step stool 110. In addition to the structures defining step stool 10, step stool 110 includes a top step 118. Top step 118 includes a side wall 120 having a bottom edge 122 defining a slot 124 therein, as shown in Fig. 8.
Rear leg 16 of step stool 110 includes a guide pin 164 positioned to slide in guide slot 62 of step guide link 22 during movement of stop stool 110 between the use and storage positions. Guide pin 164 is positioned to be received within slot 124 of top step 118, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, when step stool 110 is in the use position. Edge 122 defines a neck portion 112 of slot 124 which is narrower than guide pin 164 and is provided to catch guide pin 164 and hold guide pin 164 within guide slot 124. Thus, guide pin 164 is formed to provide additional strength and stability for step stool 110 by supporting top step 118 when step stool 110 is in the use position.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Because guide pin 64 of rear leg 16 is constrained to move in guide slot 62 of step guide link 22, bottom end 26 of rear leg 16 swings away from bottom end 24 of front leg 14. As the user continues to step on bottom step 20, bottom step 20 and top step 18 continue to move toward the horizontal use position and rear leg 16 continues to swing out from front leg 14 until guide pin 64 engages upper end 66 of guide slot 62 to place step stool 10 in the use position as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6.
Guide pin 64 of rear leg 16 then becomes lodged in notch 70 so that lower edge 72 of guide slot 62 prevents downward movement of guide pin 64 in guide slot 62 until a user desires to move step stool 10 to the storage position.
Thus, step stool 10 provides a support structure that folds to a substantially flat position with limited components. Furthermore, notch 70 communicating with guide slot 62 "self locks" step stool 10 into the use position to prevent step stool 10 from folding inadvertently if a user steps on a front end of lower step 18. During folding of step stool 10 between the storage and use positions, top and bottom steps 18, 20 remain substantially parallel to one another. Tab 74 prevents steps 18, 20 from going over center to prevent potential jamming of the step guide linkage system. Notch 68 provides clearance for stepped portion 43 of pivot pin 42 to permit a flatter fold of step stool 10. Because frame 12 has a Y-configuration, the S overall length of step stool 10 does not increase when moved to the storage position.
Another step stool 110 is disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9. Step stool 110 is similar in structure and function to step stool 10 as discussed in the aforementioned paragraphs and like reference numbers denote like structures between step stool 10 and step stool 110. In addition to the structures defining step stool 10, step stool 110 includes a top step 118. Top step 118 includes a side wall 120 having a bottom edge 122 defining a slot 124 therein, as shown in Fig. 8.
Rear leg 16 of step stool 110 includes a guide pin 164 positioned to slide in guide slot 62 of step guide link 22 during movement of stop stool 110 between the use and storage positions. Guide pin 164 is positioned to be received within slot 124 of top step 118, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, when step stool 110 is in the use position. Edge 122 defines a neck portion 112 of slot 124 which is narrower than guide pin 164 and is provided to catch guide pin 164 and hold guide pin 164 within guide slot 124. Thus, guide pin 164 is formed to provide additional strength and stability for step stool 110 by supporting top step 118 when step stool 110 is in the use position.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Claims (22)
1. A step stool comprising a frame including a front leg and a rear leg coupled to the front leg for movement relative to the front leg, a first step pivotably coupled to the front leg, a second step pivotably coupled to the front leg, and a step guide link pivotably coupled to the first and second steps and slidably coupled to the rear leg.
2. The step stool of claim 1, wherein the step guide link is formed to include a guide slot and the rear leg includes a rear leg member pivotably coupled to the front leg and a guide pin coupled to the rear leg member and arranged to slide in the guide slot during movement of the rear leg relative to the front leg between an opened use position at an angle to the front leg and a closed storage position alongside the front leg.
3. The step stool of claim 2, wherein the front leg includes a front leg member and a first pivot pin coupled to the first step and the front leg member and the step guide link is formed to include a pin-receiving notch facing toward the front leg member when the rear leg is in the opened use position and receiving the first pivot pin therein when the rear leg is in the closed storage position.
4. The step stool of claim 3, wherein the step guide link includes an upper end pivotably coupled to the first step and a lower end pivotably coupled to the second step and the guide slot is formed to extend from the upper end to the pin-receiving notch.
5. The step stool of claim 3, wherein the step guide link includes a link member formed to include the guide slot and a tab coupled to a lower end of the link member and arranged to engage the front leg member upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position.
6. The step stool of claim 3, wherein the front leg member and the first and second steps cooperate to define a link-receiving space therebetween upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position and a portion of the step guide link and the first pivot pin lie in the link-receiving space upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position.
7. The step stool of claim 2, wherein the step guide link is also formed to receive a notch communicating with the guide slot and receiving the guide pin therein upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
8. The step stool of claim 7, wherein the first step includes a step tread, a side support panel coupled to the step tread, and a pivot pin coupled to the side support panel and an upper end of the step guide link, and the notch is formed to lie in spaced-apart relation to the pivot pin to cause a portion of the guide slot formed in the step guide link to lie therebetween.
9. The step stool of claim 2, wherein the step guide link includes a link member formed to include the guide slot and a tab coupled to a lower end of the link member and arranged to engage the front leg member upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position.
10. The step stool of claim 2, wherein the front leg member and the first and second steps cooperate to define a link-receiving space therebetween upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position and a portion of the step guide link and the first pivot pin lie in the link-receiving space upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position.
11. The step stool of claim 2, wherein the rear leg member and the first step cooperate to define a link-receiving space therebetween upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position and a portion of the step guide link and the guide pin lie in the link-receiving space upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
12. The step stool of claim 2, wherein the first step is formed to include a notch receiving the guide pin therein upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
13. The step stool of claim 1, wherein the rear leg is arranged to move relative to the front leg between an opened use position at an angle to the front leg and a closed storage position alongside the front leg.
14. The step stool of claim 13, wherein the step guide link includes an upper end pivotably coupled to the first step and a lower end pivotably coupled to the second step and a tab coupled to the lower end of the step guide link and arranged to engage the front leg member upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position.
15. The step stool of claim 1, wherein the front leg includes a front leg member, a first pivot pin coupled to the front leg member and the first step, and a second pivot pin coupled to the front leg member and the second step, the rear leg includes a rear leg member and a guide pin slidably coupled to the step guide link, the front leg member and the first and second steps cooperate to define a first link-receiving space therebetween receiving a portion of the step guide link therein upon movement of the rear leg from an opened use position at an angle to the front leg to a closed storage position alongside the front leg, the step guide link includes an upper end pivotably coupled to the first step and a lower end pivotably coupled to the second step, and the rear leg member and the first step cooperate to define a second link-receiving space therebetween receiving another portion of the step guide link therein upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
16. A step stool comprising a frame including a front leg and a rear leg coupled to the front leg for movement relative to the front leg between an opened use position at an angle to the front leg and a closed storage position alongside the front leg, a first step pivotably coupled to the front leg, a second step pivotably coupled to the front leg, and means for sliding on the rear leg to pivot the first and second steps from collapsed storage positions alongside the front leg to horizontal use positions in spaced-apart parallel relation to one another upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
17. The step stool of claim 16, wherein the rear leg includes a rear leg member and a guide pin coupled to the rear leg member and the means for sliding on the rear leg includes a step guide link formed to include an upper end pivotably coupled to the first step, a lower end pivotably coupled to the second step, and a guide slot arranged to receive the guide pin therein during movement of the rear leg between the opened use position and the closed storage position.
18. The step stool of claim 17, wherein the step guide link is formed to include a notch communicating with the guide slot and receiving the guide pin therein upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
19. The step stool of claim 17, wherein the front leg includes a front leg member and a first pivot pin coupled to the first step and the front leg member and the step guide link is formed to include a pin-receiving notch facing toward the front leg member when the rear leg is in the opened use position and receiving the first pivot pin therein when the rear leg is in the closed storage position.
20. The step stool of claim 17, wherein the step guide link includes a link member formed to include the guide slot and a tab coupled to a lower end of the link member and arranged to engage the front leg member upon movement of the rear leg to the closed storage position.
21. The step stool of claim 17, wherein the first step is formed to include a notch receiving the guide pin therein upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
22. A step stool comprising a frame including a front leg and a rear leg coupled to the front leg for movement relative to the front leg between an opened use position at an angle to the front leg and a closed storage position alongside the front leg, a first step including a front portion pivotably coupled to the front leg and a rear portion, a second step underlying the first step and including a front portion pivotably coupled to the front leg and a rear portion arranged to lie under the front portion of the first step upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position, and a pair of step guide links arranged to lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to one another to position the first and second steps therebetween, each step guide link being formed to include an upper end pivotably coupled to the first step, a lower end pivotably coupled to the second step, and a guide slot positioned to receive a portion of the rear leg therein during movement of the rear leg between the opened use position and the closed storage position and configured to cause the first and second steps to move from collapsed storage positions alongside the front leg to horizontal use positions in spaced-apart parallel relation to one another upon movement of the rear leg to the opened use position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14887699P | 1999-08-13 | 1999-08-13 | |
| US60/148,876 | 1999-08-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2315585A1 true CA2315585A1 (en) | 2001-02-13 |
Family
ID=22527812
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002315585A Abandoned CA2315585A1 (en) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-08-11 | Step stool |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2315585A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD710031S1 (en) | 2012-11-15 | 2014-07-29 | Tricam Industries, Inc. | Step stool |
| EP2660419A3 (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2016-02-17 | Hailo-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG | Ladder, namely folding step or step stool |
| USD855833S1 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2019-08-06 | Tricam Industries, Inc. | Ladder rail |
| USD860476S1 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2019-09-17 | Tricam Industries, Inc. | Hinge for a multi-position ladder |
-
2000
- 2000-08-11 CA CA002315585A patent/CA2315585A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2660419A3 (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2016-02-17 | Hailo-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG | Ladder, namely folding step or step stool |
| USD710031S1 (en) | 2012-11-15 | 2014-07-29 | Tricam Industries, Inc. | Step stool |
| USD855833S1 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2019-08-06 | Tricam Industries, Inc. | Ladder rail |
| USD860476S1 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2019-09-17 | Tricam Industries, Inc. | Hinge for a multi-position ladder |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |