JPH0562700U - Bi-directional foldable ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Minimize the space for storage and transportation, and ensure easy transportation. [Composition] A ladder that can be folded in terms of width and depth. Two pairs of side rails with two sets of steps 14 that can be folded in one direction
Pivotally mounted on rails 10 and 12, opposite rails on both sides 10,1
A foldable spreader 18 is rotatably mounted between the two. The support means 22 is rotatably attached to the two half bodies 20 in each step. A translational movement means is arranged on each side rail 10, 12, to which each support means 22 is attached. At the top of the step, there is provided a head step 16 which rotates in two directions of the ladder. When the ladder is folded in the width direction, the step 14 is folded upward, the support means 22 is pulled upward by the translation assembly, the spreader 18 is folded when folded in the depth direction, and the step 14 and the support means 22 are divided into the side rails 10. , 12 The locking means are arranged between the side rails and prevent the ladder from being folded. The retaining means prevent the ladder from unraveling.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a foldable ladder, particularly a foldable ladder that can be folded in two directions.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 The purpose of folding the corrugated ladder is to provide a ladder that is easy to store and transport. Conventional folding ladders generally have a plurality of rigid steps arranged between two pairs of side rails. A foldable spreader is rotatably mounted on the opposite side rails so that the ladder can be folded to make it easier to manage and transport.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 These types of ladders can be folded up to half in depth for all practical purposes, but take up considerable space in their width. This storage space has a significant significance when considered as a storage or transport space. Also, when carrying such a conventional ladder, it is often difficult to transport as it does not have any means to prevent it from unfolding, which is a burden to the individual user. Therefore, in the field of collapsible ladders, it is possible to fold in two directions to minimize its storage space and to keep the ladder in a folded position to facilitate its transportation. It has been long-awaited that the corrugated ladder with a long length.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention provides a step ladder that can be folded in two directions, a first direction that folds the step ladder in depth and a second direction that folds the step ladder in width. This results in a folded condition that minimizes storage space. The present invention has means for holding the ladder in a folded state and means for preventing the ladder from being folded as a safety device. The present invention has two pairs of opposite side rails between which a pair of foldable spreaders are pivotally mounted. The two sets of steps are each rotatably mounted in a spaced relationship between each pair of side rails. Supporting means are pivotally attached to the step for supporting the step. Each side rail is provided with a translational movement means, which moves the support means upwards when the step is rotated.

The steps are made of substantially identical halves and the side rails are formed of substantially the same U-shape. Each support means is substantially equal to each other. This symmetrical arrangement of parts can reduce the manufacturing cost of ladders by reducing the number of molds and shortening assembly time. Also, when in the collapsed state, the steps and support means are substantially contained within the side rails, thus allowing storage in a streamlined form.

[0006]

【Example】

 For a better understanding of the present invention and its objects and effects, refer to the following description and the accompanying drawings. Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a bi-directionally foldable step ladder of the present invention is shown as a preferred embodiment, which generally comprises two opposing pairs of side rails, the first. Four substantially equal side rails divided into a pair of side rails 10 and a second pair of side rails 12, and two sets of substantially equal steps 14, ie, the first pair. On the top of the side rails 10, 12 and a first and a second set of steps 14 arranged in a spaced relationship between the side rails 10 and the second pair of side rails 12. Head step 16 and a pair of foldable spreaders 18 rotatably connected between the opposing first and second side rails 10, 12 by suitable means such as tacks, nuts, bolts, etc. (Only one is shown).

Still referring to FIG. 2, each step consists of two substantially equal step halves 20 having an upper tread and a pair of lower parallel rails. Each step half 20 is rotatably attached to the respective side rail 10 or 12 and its corresponding step half 20 by suitable means such as a tack as shown. For these pivotal attachments, the side rails 10, 12 are formed substantially U-shaped so that the step halves 20 are received therein, and the lower rails of the opposite step halves 20 are shown in FIG. As best shown, they are offset from each other.

Further, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support means 22 is rotatably attached to each step half body 20 between the lower rails and to the translational movement means by an appropriate means such as a tack. Be done. Each of these translation means generally comprises a longitudinal slot 24 formed in each side rail 10, 12, a plate 26 slidably received in the slot 24, the plate 26 and the support means 22. It consists of a fixed bracket 28. When the support means 22 rigidly supports the step 14, the plate 26 is in its lowermost position, in which position the plate cannot be lowered any further and the step 14 is pivoted below the horizontal position shown in FIG. Is prevented.

Referring to FIG. 3, the top tier 16 generally comprises four substantially equal quadrants 30, each quadrant 30 having an upper tread and a pair of lower parallel rails. It is divided into a first set and a second set of opposing quadrants 30, which are provided at the top of the first rail 10 and the second rail 12 by suitable means such as pins and clips as shown. Each is rotatably mounted on the top. Each quadrant 30 is rotatably attached to the lower rail of the opposing quadrant 30 by suitable means such as pins and clips. The first and second sets of quadrants 30 are pivotally attached to one another along the top edge of their common tread by suitable means such as hinges. The support means 22 are also arranged in each quadrant 30 in the same manner as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and also FIGS. 4, 5, 6 the bi-directionally foldable ladder is shown folded in half with respect to its width. This is done by pulling the first side rail 10 and the second side rail 12 together so that the step 14 and the head step 16 are pushed and the middle part thereof pivots upwards. This support means 22 pulls the plate 26 upward in the slot 24, as best shown in FIGS. This action continues until the corresponding side rails abut each other, after which the spreader 18 is folded and the first side rail 10 is pulled towards the second side rail 12, which results in As shown in 7, the step ladder is in a completely folded state. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the step 14 and the support means 22 are substantially contained within the side rails 10, 12 and present a streamlined storage condition. Retaining means such as straps 32 may be used to prevent the ladder from unfolding.

The above description outlines the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention in a general manner. Referring generally to FIG. 1, and particularly to FIG. 8, a bi-directionally foldable step ladder in accordance with the present invention further provides a means for preventing the step ladder from folding with respect to its width. Stop means, which are arranged between the side rails 10 of the first set or between the side rails 12 of the second set, preferably underneath their lowest step 14, and generally comprise a pair of Plate 34 and a locking arm 36, one end of each plate 34 is rotatably attached to the other end of the plate 34 by an appropriate means such as a tack, and the locking arm 36 is like a tack. It is rotatably attached to the other end of the plate 34 by appropriate means. The locking arm 36 has a groove 40 formed at one end thereof and a handle portion formed at the other end thereof. A pin 42 is used as a suitable means for rotatably mounting the two step halves 20 of the bottom step 14.

With further reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the pin 42 is received in the groove 40, thereby locking the step 14 in place. The bottom stage 14 is prevented from pivoting out of this locked state, whereby the stage ladder is locked in the position shown in FIG. When it is desired to fold the ladder against its width, the locking arm 36 is rotated with its handle portion so that the pin 42 is no longer retained in the groove 40, as shown in FIG. From this unlocked state, the lowermost stage 14 can rotate together with the remaining stages 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, 6, the bi-directionally foldable step ladder according to the present invention further includes a step ladder which holds the step ladder in its folded state with respect to its depth, on opposite sides. Has a retaining means arranged on the side rail, which retaining means generally has a conical end, is formed with an annular flange, and is provided with a projection 46 fixed to the side rail by threading or the like, and a tack. And an L-shaped lever 48 rotatably attached to the opposite side rail by a suitable means such as, and a notch corresponding to the lever, and a hole corresponding to the protrusion. It comprises a guide means 50 fixed to the side rails and a spring 52 for pressing the lever 48 in a specific direction. The slot corresponding to the lever 48 and the hole corresponding to the protrusion 46 are formed in the opposing rails.

Thus, when the spreader 18 is folded and the step ladder is folded to its depth, the projection 46 penetrates through the hole formed in the opposite side rail and guide means 50, Its conical end pushes the lever 48 counterclockwise against the force of the spring 52. As the annular flange of the projection 46 passes the lever 48, the spring 52 presses the lever 48 against the projection 46, thereby retaining the projection 46 in the guide means 50 and the step ladder folds with respect to its depth. Hold it so it doesn't melt. When it is desired to unravel the ladder, the lever 48 is pressed counterclockwise, which releases the projection 46 from the lever 48. From the above description, it will be apparent that other variations of this preferred embodiment include a pair of locking means shown in the drawings and a pair of retaining means not shown. It goes without saying that the constituent elements are substantially the same and symmetrical. These features of the present invention can reduce manufacturing costs in terms of both component molding costs and assembly costs.

Accordingly, although many features and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the foregoing description along with details of the structure and function of the present invention, this description is merely exemplary and the scope of the principles of the invention may be varied. Details may be modified in terms of shape, size and arrangement of parts to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms as claimed in the utility model.

[0016]

[Effect of the device]

 According to the ladder of the present invention, since it can be folded in two directions of its depth and width, its storage space can be minimized and transportation can be facilitated. Further, since the step ladder is provided with a means for holding the step ladder in a folded state, it is easy to transport, and the step ladder is provided with a locking means for preventing the step ladder from being folded, which is safe. Also, since many members that are practically equal can be used, the manufacturing cost of the ladder can be reduced by reducing the number of molding molds and shortening the assembly time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bidirectionally foldable ladder shown in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention in its open condition.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a supporting means and a holding means for a bidirectionally foldable ladder according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a head stage of a bidirectionally foldable ladder according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a half-folded state.

5 is a side view of the supporting means and the holding means of FIG.
The open state is shown.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the state of being folded in half.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the folded state.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the locking means of the step ladder foldable in two directions according to the present invention.

9 is a side view of the locking means of FIG. 8, showing a locked state.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, showing the unlocked state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 1st Pair Side Rails 12 2nd Pair Side Rails 14 Steps 16 Head Steps 18 Spreaders 20 Step Half 22 Support Means 24 Vertical Slots 26 Plates 28 Brackets 30 Quadrants 34 Plates 36 Locking Arms 40 Grooves 42 Pin 46 Projection 48 Lever 50 Guide means 52 Spring

Claims (10)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A first pair of side rails and a second pair of side rails that face each other, and are rotatably attached to the side rails by appropriate means and foldable in one direction. And a first set of foldable steps and a second set of foldable steps, each of which is arranged at a distance between the first pair and the second pair of side rails, and is the same as the step. A head step foldable in a direction and foldable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the step, rotatably attached to the top of the side rail by suitable means, and the first side part by suitable means A pair of foldable spreaders rotatably mounted between the rail and a second side rail, wherein the step ladder rotates the step and the head step, and the first pair of side parts. By pulling the rails together Can be folded in the width direction thereof, and the spreader and the head step can be rotated to draw the first pair of side rails and the second pair of side rails together to obtain the depth thereof. A foldable ladder that can be folded in any direction. 2. A support means for supporting the step and the head step and rotatably attached to each of the step and the head step by an appropriate means, and the step and the head step are turned. At this time, further comprising translational movement means arranged on each of the side rails for moving the support means, wherein the support means is rotatably attached to the translational movement means by appropriate means. Paragraph ladder of paragraph 1. 3. The side rails are substantially U-shaped, each step being two step halves, each step half having an upper tread surface and a pair of lower parallel rails, The step halves have one end rotatably attached to each other and the other end attached to the inside of each of the side rails, the step ladder is folded in the width direction, and the step halves are The step ladder of claim 2 adapted to be substantially contained within a side rail. 4. Each of the translating means is fixed to a longitudinal slot formed in the one side rail, a plate slidably received in the slot, and the plate corresponding to the supporting means. A plurality of brackets, each of the supporting means is rotatably attached to one of the step halves between the lower rails thereof, and is rotatably attached to one of the brackets; The step ladder of claim 3, wherein said step is at the lowest position of said slot and is prevented from moving downward so that said step does not pivot downward from its horizontal position. 5. The head stage comprises a first set of quarter stages and a second set.
Sets of quadrants, wherein the first and second sets of quadrants are located opposite each other, each quadrant having an upper tread and a pair of lower parallel rails. Each of the quadrants is pivotally attached to the top of the side rail, and each quadrant is pivotally attached to its corresponding quadrant at its lower rail; 2. The step ladder according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of quadrants are rotatably attached to each other along an apex edge of a common tread thereof by appropriate means. 6. A locking means for preventing the step ladder from folding in the width direction thereof, the locking means being provided between the side rails of the first set and further of the second set. The step ladder according to claim 1, wherein the step ladder is arranged below the corresponding step between the side rails. 7. A pair of plates, each of which has a first end rotatably attached to the corresponding side rail, by a suitable means, and a second member of the plate by a suitable means. A locking arm rotatably attached to the end, the locking arm having a groove formed at one end thereof and a handle portion formed at the other end thereof, the step half of the corresponding step A pin received in the groove and used as the appropriate means for pivotally mounting to the groove, the pin being received in the groove when the locking arm is in the first position, and The corresponding step is prevented from rotating by the pin, and when the step ladder is desired to be folded in the width direction thereof, the locking arm is rotated to the second position together with the handle portion thereof, so that the pin is pushed. Is 7. The step ladder according to claim 6, wherein the corresponding step can be rotated without being held by the groove or the groove. 8. The step ladder according to claim 1, further comprising holding means for holding the step ladder in a folded state in a depth direction thereof, the holding means being disposed on the opposite side rails. 9. The holding means has a conical end portion and an annular flange, and a protrusion fixed to the one side rail and an L attached to the opposite side rail so as to be rotatable. A V-shaped lever, a guiding means having a notch corresponding to the lever, a hole fixed to the opposite side rail corresponding to the protrusion, a spring for pressing the lever in a specific direction, the lever Corresponding to the slot and the protrusion,
And a hole formed in the opposite side rail, wherein when the spreader is folded and the step ladder is folded in the depth direction thereof, the protrusion is formed in the hole of the opposite side rail. Pass through the hole in the guide means,
The conical end urges the lever against the force of the spring in a first direction, and the spring urges the lever against the lug as the annular flange of the lug passes through the lever. , Thereby holding the projection on the guide means, preventing the step ladder from unfolding with respect to its depth, and when wanting to open the step ladder, the lever is pushed in a first direction, 9. The step ladder according to claim 8, wherein said projection is free from said lever. 10. The step ladder of claim 1, wherein the side rails are substantially equal and the steps are substantially equal.