GB2106167A - Loft ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

Means for obtaining access to a loft comprises a flight of steps which, when not in use, are housed within a cupboard having a door pivoted about a lower horizontal edge so that when the door is lowered, the steps may be brought into the position of use by sliding over the inner surface of the door. A track may be provided on the inner surface of the door for engagement by rollers at the lower end of the steps and the weight of the steps may be counterbalanced by a weight and pulley system. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to loft ladders This invention relates to loft ladders and has among its objects to provide a form of loft ladder that can easily be brought into the position of use and, when not in use, can be stored out of sight adjacent the loft.

According to the invention, means for obtaining access to a loft, comprises a flight of steps comprising a pair of side strings with treads therebetween, the steps being housed, when not in use, within a cupboard, the door of which is pivoted along its lower horizontal edge, whereby when the door is lowered by pivoting about said lower edge, the steps may be brought into the position of use by sliding along the inner surface of the door.

According to a further feature of the invention, a track may be provided on the inner surface of the door and the strings of the steps provided with rollers at their lower ends for engagement with said track to facilitate the removal of the steps from the cupboard. Said track may be of channel form and may continue across the floor of the cupboard.

In order to facilitate the smooth and easy movement of the steps into the position of use, their weight may be counterbalanced by a weight and pulley system which may comprise a weight suspended within the cupboard and connected to the steps by a line which passes over a pulley secured to the back wall of the cupboard.

The steps are preferably made of wood.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying perspective drawing.

The means provided according to the invention comprises a flight of steps 10 comprising a pair of strings 11 with treads 1 2 therebetween. When not in use, the steps 10 are housed within a floor to ceiling cupboard 13 which is open at the top.

The door of the cupboard comprises an upper portion 1 4 pivoted along a vertical edge and a lower portion 1 5 which is pivoted along its lower horizontal edge 1 6 and is provided on its inner surface with a pair of guide tracks 1 7 of channel form, similar aligned tracks 18 being provided on the floor of the cupboard. Stops 1 9 are located at the ends of the rails 17.

At their lower ends, the strings 11 are provided with rollers 20 rotatably mounted between pairs of side plates 21.

The steps 10 are provided with a handrail 22.

When not in use, the steps are located within the cupboard 13, with their upper end extending into the loft through the open top of the cupboard, and are hidden from view by the door of the cupboard.

When it is desired to bring the steps into the position of use beneath the loft trap door 23, the upper portion 14 of the door of the cupboard is opened and the lower portion 1 5 of the door is lowered into the horizontal position by pivoting abouts its lower horizontal edge, whereupon the steps 10 may be brought into position by sliding them out along the inner face of the door portion 1 5 with the rollers 20 engaging the channel tracks 1 7. The outward movement of the steps is limited by the stops 1 9.

The weight of the steps may be counterbalanced by means of a weight and pulley arrangement comprising a weight 24 suspended within the cupboard and connected to the steps by a line 25 which passes over a pulley 26 secured to the back wall of the cupboard.

At their upper end, the steps engage a roller (not shown) fixed to a joist or wall plate and which provides support for the steps.

Owing to the fact that the steps have a flexible pitch, they can be used where normal steps or ladders cannot, for example when it is desired to provide a living room in the loft by this is prevented by planning regulations relating to stairs.

The steps may be made of any material having the necessary strength but are preferably of wood since the steps are thereby given a feeling of strength and rigidity which is desirable when people are required to climb them.

1. Means for obtaining access to a loft, comprising a flight of steps comprising a pair of side strings with treads therebetween, the steps being housed, when not in use, within a cupboard, the door of which is pivoted along its lower horizontal edge, whereby when the door is lowered by pivoting about said lower edge, the steps may be brought into the position of use by sliding along the inner surface of the door.

2. Means according to claim 1, comprising a track provided on the inner surface of the door, the strings of the steps being provided with rollers at their lower ends for engagement with said track to facilitate the removal of the steps from the cupboard.

3. Means according to claim 2, wherein said track is of channel form.

4. Means according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said track continues across the floor of the cupboard.

5. Means according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a weight and pulley system for counterbalancing the weight of the steps.

6. Means according to claim 5, wherein said weight and pulley system comprises a weight suspended within the cupboard and connected to the steps by a line which passes over a pulley secured to the back wall of the cupboard.

7. Means for obtaining access to a loft, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to loft ladders This invention relates to loft ladders and has among its objects to provide a form of loft ladder that can easily be brought into the position of use and, when not in use, can be stored out of sight adjacent the loft. According to the invention, means for obtaining access to a loft, comprises a flight of steps comprising a pair of side strings with treads therebetween, the steps being housed, when not in use, within a cupboard, the door of which is pivoted along its lower horizontal edge, whereby when the door is lowered by pivoting about said lower edge, the steps may be brought into the position of use by sliding along the inner surface of the door. According to a further feature of the invention, a track may be provided on the inner surface of the door and the strings of the steps provided with rollers at their lower ends for engagement with said track to facilitate the removal of the steps from the cupboard. Said track may be of channel form and may continue across the floor of the cupboard. In order to facilitate the smooth and easy movement of the steps into the position of use, their weight may be counterbalanced by a weight and pulley system which may comprise a weight suspended within the cupboard and connected to the steps by a line which passes over a pulley secured to the back wall of the cupboard. The steps are preferably made of wood. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying perspective drawing. The means provided according to the invention comprises a flight of steps 10 comprising a pair of strings 11 with treads 1 2 therebetween. When not in use, the steps 10 are housed within a floor to ceiling cupboard 13 which is open at the top. The door of the cupboard comprises an upper portion 1 4 pivoted along a vertical edge and a lower portion 1 5 which is pivoted along its lower horizontal edge 1 6 and is provided on its inner surface with a pair of guide tracks 1 7 of channel form, similar aligned tracks 18 being provided on the floor of the cupboard. Stops 1 9 are located at the ends of the rails 17. At their lower ends, the strings 11 are provided with rollers 20 rotatably mounted between pairs of side plates 21. The steps 10 are provided with a handrail 22. When not in use, the steps are located within the cupboard 13, with their upper end extending into the loft through the open top of the cupboard, and are hidden from view by the door of the cupboard. When it is desired to bring the steps into the position of use beneath the loft trap door 23, the upper portion 14 of the door of the cupboard is opened and the lower portion 1 5 of the door is lowered into the horizontal position by pivoting abouts its lower horizontal edge, whereupon the steps 10 may be brought into position by sliding them out along the inner face of the door portion 1 5 with the rollers 20 engaging the channel tracks 1 7. The outward movement of the steps is limited by the stops 1 9. The weight of the steps may be counterbalanced by means of a weight and pulley arrangement comprising a weight 24 suspended within the cupboard and connected to the steps by a line 25 which passes over a pulley 26 secured to the back wall of the cupboard. At their upper end, the steps engage a roller (not shown) fixed to a joist or wall plate and which provides support for the steps. Owing to the fact that the steps have a flexible pitch, they can be used where normal steps or ladders cannot, for example when it is desired to provide a living room in the loft by this is prevented by planning regulations relating to stairs. The steps may be made of any material having the necessary strength but are preferably of wood since the steps are thereby given a feeling of strength and rigidity which is desirable when people are required to climb them. CLAIMS

1. Means for obtaining access to a loft, comprising a flight of steps comprising a pair of side strings with treads therebetween, the steps being housed, when not in use, within a cupboard, the door of which is pivoted along its lower horizontal edge, whereby when the door is lowered by pivoting about said lower edge, the steps may be brought into the position of use by sliding along the inner surface of the door.

2. Means according to claim 1, comprising a track provided on the inner surface of the door, the strings of the steps being provided with rollers at their lower ends for engagement with said track to facilitate the removal of the steps from the cupboard.

3. Means according to claim 2, wherein said track is of channel form.

4. Means according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said track continues across the floor of the cupboard.

5. Means according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a weight and pulley system for counterbalancing the weight of the steps.

6. Means according to claim 5, wherein said weight and pulley system comprises a weight suspended within the cupboard and connected to the steps by a line which passes over a pulley secured to the back wall of the cupboard.

7. Means for obtaining access to a loft, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.