GB1596919A

GB1596919A - Step stool

Info

Publication number: GB1596919A
Application number: GB5242876A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: KERON Ltd
Current assignee: KERON Ltd
Priority date: 1977-12-15
Filing date: 1977-12-15
Publication date: 1981-09-03

Description

(54) STEP STOOL (71) We, KERON LIMITED, a British Company, of 22 Marshgate Lane, Stratford, London, E15 2NP, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to step-stools.

So-called step-stools have been in use for several years, and usually comprise a stool having a seat part which also acts as a platform or tread and at least one other tread which can be pivoted between a stowed position and an in-use position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a step-stool of improved construction and function.

According to the present invention, there is provided a step-stool comprising a prm- cipal frame having four legs and a pair of generally horizontally aligned and parallel bracing limbs each secured between a pair of the legs, a seat portion supported on the principal frame and also arranged to act as a tread, and an auxiliary frame carrying at least one further tread and having supports slidably mounted on the parallel limbs to allow the further tread to be slid from a stowed position under the seat portion outwardly to an in-use position.

In a preferred form of the invention, the frame legs and the brace are formed of tubular metal and the auxiliary frame carries two treads.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stepstool according to the invention, with its lower tread members in the stowed position; Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1; and; Figure 3 is a side view showing the stepstool with its lower tread members in the in-use extended position.

Referring to the drawings, the step-stool comprises a principal frame formed as a pair of tubular members of inverted Ushape, to provide four legs 10. The members heave yokes 11 which cross one another at a central point where they are welded together. The principal frame also carries a seat part 12 which is firmly secured to the yokes 11 and may also function as a tread. A U-shaped tubular brace 13 is welded to the legs 10 of the principal frame at the distal ends of its parallel limbs 14 and at the ends of its yoke 15.

The step-stool also comprises an auxiliary frame formed as a pair of shaped tubular members 16 which are welded to a horizontal cross member 17 and carry treads 18. The cross-member 17 has fiat- tened ends welded to sleeves 19 which are slidably mounted on the parallel limbs 14 of the U-shaped brace. The sleeves. are provided with plastics inserts 20 to minimise friction and noise.

In use of the step-stool described, the auxiliary frame may be extended as shown in Figure 3 so that three treads are available for the user; in this position, the stool is extremely stable, as the auxiliary treads are effectively supported by six feet. In the stowed position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the treads and their frame are completely enclosed within the dimensions of the principal frame, which is extremely satisfactory from the point of view of storage of the step-stool. The movement of the auxiliary frame is extremely easy and virtually soundless, by virtue of the plastics inserts, and a further advantage of the construction is that the limbs 14 perform the dual functions of bracing the legs of the principal frame and providing support slides for the auxiliary frame.

Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended cl,aims,. For example, the above-described construction may be modified to provide a stool in "knock-down" form, in which case the various. joints in the principal frame would be bolted rather than welded.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A step-stool comprising a principal

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. (54) STEP STOOL (71) We, KERON LIMITED, a British Company, of 22 Marshgate Lane, Stratford, London, E15 2NP, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to step-stools. So-called step-stools have been in use for several years, and usually comprise a stool having a seat part which also acts as a platform or tread and at least one other tread which can be pivoted between a stowed position and an in-use position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a step-stool of improved construction and function. According to the present invention, there is provided a step-stool comprising a prm- cipal frame having four legs and a pair of generally horizontally aligned and parallel bracing limbs each secured between a pair of the legs, a seat portion supported on the principal frame and also arranged to act as a tread, and an auxiliary frame carrying at least one further tread and having supports slidably mounted on the parallel limbs to allow the further tread to be slid from a stowed position under the seat portion outwardly to an in-use position. In a preferred form of the invention, the frame legs and the brace are formed of tubular metal and the auxiliary frame carries two treads. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stepstool according to the invention, with its lower tread members in the stowed position; Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1; and; Figure 3 is a side view showing the stepstool with its lower tread members in the in-use extended position. Referring to the drawings, the step-stool comprises a principal frame formed as a pair of tubular members of inverted Ushape, to provide four legs 10. The members heave yokes 11 which cross one another at a central point where they are welded together. The principal frame also carries a seat part 12 which is firmly secured to the yokes 11 and may also function as a tread. A U-shaped tubular brace 13 is welded to the legs 10 of the principal frame at the distal ends of its parallel limbs 14 and at the ends of its yoke 15. The step-stool also comprises an auxiliary frame formed as a pair of shaped tubular members 16 which are welded to a horizontal cross member 17 and carry treads 18. The cross-member 17 has fiat- tened ends welded to sleeves 19 which are slidably mounted on the parallel limbs 14 of the U-shaped brace. The sleeves. are provided with plastics inserts 20 to minimise friction and noise. In use of the step-stool described, the auxiliary frame may be extended as shown in Figure 3 so that three treads are available for the user; in this position, the stool is extremely stable, as the auxiliary treads are effectively supported by six feet. In the stowed position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the treads and their frame are completely enclosed within the dimensions of the principal frame, which is extremely satisfactory from the point of view of storage of the step-stool. The movement of the auxiliary frame is extremely easy and virtually soundless, by virtue of the plastics inserts, and a further advantage of the construction is that the limbs 14 perform the dual functions of bracing the legs of the principal frame and providing support slides for the auxiliary frame. Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended cl,aims,. For example, the above-described construction may be modified to provide a stool in "knock-down" form, in which case the various. joints in the principal frame would be bolted rather than welded. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A step-stool comprising a principal frame having four legs and a pair of generally horizontally aligned and parallel bracing limbs each secured between a pair of the legs, a seat portion supported on the principal frame and also arranged b act as a tread, and an auxiliary frame carrying at least one further tread and having supports slidably mounted on the parallel limbs to allow the further tread to be slid from a stowed position under the seat portions outwardly to an in-use position.

2. A step-stool according to Claim 1, in which said principal frame is formed as two members of inverted U-shape.

3. A step-stool according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which said bracing limbs are the limbs of a U-shaped brace secured to said legs at the end regions of the limbs and at the end regions of the yoke of the U-shaped brace member.

4. A step-stool according to Claim 3, in which said U-shaped brace is formed of tubular steel.

5. A step-stool according to any preceding Claim, in which said principal frame is formed of tubular steel.

6. A step-stool according to any preceding Claim, in which said auxiliary frame carries two treads.

7. A step-stool, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.