US1822947A - Convertible ladder - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15,1931. c. E. WHITE 1,822,947

' CONVERTIBLE LADDER Filed Jan. 3. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 inventor awzwzwize A ttomcy Sept. 15, 1931. c, w rr 1,822,947

CONVERTIBLE LADDER Filed Jan. 3. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attorney Inventor Patented Sept. 15, 1931 CHARLES E. VII-IITE, OF IPENROSE, COLORADO CONVERTIBLE LADDER Application filed January 3, 1930. Serial No. 418,289.

This invention relates to an improved convertible ladder which is expressly, but not that is a ladder which is especially designed in form and configuration to better fulfill the requirements of a structure of this class than ordinary or conventional ladders.

Otherwise stated, I have evolved and produced a simple and economical orchard ladlo der of the convertible type made up of properly associated companion sections susceptible of being arranged in longitudinal alinement for elevated work, or folded into angular supporting relationship to function as a relatively short step ladder.

In carrying the invention into practice, I have incorporated in this structure a number of distinguishable and novel features. First, I utilize an especially designed hinge which is susceptible of distributing stress, assuring a sturdy joint, and permitting converting of the ladder sections.

Secondly, I embody in this hinge a novel latch for holding the leaves either in acute angular relationship for step ladder construction, and in perfect longitudinal alignment for an extension ladder construction.

In addition, I provide a convertible ladder of this type which is characterized by an appropriate balancing base including extension legs appropriately fastened to the lower or main ladder section, the construction and arrangement being such as to promote strength, durability, and lightness in weight. Then too, I provide a convertible ladder wherein both of the companion sections are equipped with steps rather than rungs to avoid tiresome strain and pressure on the feet of the user, and in addition, I mount these steps in unique hangers or brackets and associate with each step a reinforcing and stress distributing bolt.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing the extension form of ladder employed in orchard work and used by a single occupant.

Figure 2 is the side View of the step ladder formation susceptible of being employed by 7 two workers. necessarily, adapted for use in frult orchards,

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the improved hinge and latch.

Figure 1 is a top edge view thereof.

Figure 5 is an inside face elevation of the hinge.

Figure 6 is a detail view in section and elevation. I

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are elevational views of 60 the novel step hanger bracketf In Figures 1 and 2, it will be observed that the body of the ladder is composed of a pair of companion sections. For sake of distinction, the primary section is designated .11; generally by the numeral 10 and the secondary companion section by the numeralfll. The first named section comprises a pair of spaced parallel side rails 12 between which are the vertically spaced steps 13. This secem tion is joined to' the secondary section 11 through the medium of unique hinges generally represented by numeral 14.

The section ll embodies complemental side rails 15 disposed in converging relationship 15 and fastened togetherto afford a pointed end as at 16. The steps on this'sec'tion are designated by the numerals 13 as in the first instance, as all steps are the same.

Particularly do 'I'wish' to emphasize the 30 provision of the balancing and'steadying base 17 .i This is' seen-in Figure 1' and comprises extension legs 18 whose upper ends are bevelled off as at 19 and securely fastened to the intermediate portion of the rails 12. This disposes the legs in outwardly and downwardly diverging relationship; The lowermost 'stepg20 has its extended ends 21 fastened to the intermediate portion of the extension legs. Then'too, I provide reinforc on ing vertically arranged bolts 22 fastened to the step and the lower end portions ofthe rails 12.

Each hinge 14. is the same in construction, and a description of one will suffice for both. as Attention is thereforeinvited to Figures 3,

. 4;, and 5, wherein it will be observed that each hinge embodies elongated plate-like leaves 23 and 241 having overlapped ears 25 and 26 at their inner ends. These ears are pivoted 'nection' with the drawings.

together through the medium of a pin 27, and they are provided with registrable keeper holes 28 and 29 for reception of the retaining pin 30 carried by the spring latch strip 31.

This provides a novel stress distributing hing-e joint permitting the sections to be swung into longitudinal alinement or intothe diverging relationship seen in Figure 2 and permits the retaining pins 30 of the latch 31 to be seated in either of the keepers 28 or 29 as the case may be.

strain.

The feature of particular importance is, the

provision of the spring-pressed latch serving to hold the hinge leaves in either: of-their adj usted positions and to insure rigiditywhether the latter be'formed as seen in Figure 1 or transformed into a step ladder as seen in Figure 2.

Iinextinvite attention .to Eigure 6, wherein the detail of the step construction is shown. Each'step is fastened to the railthroughthe medium of a novel hanger bracket generally designatedat 32. The bracket. comprises a plate 33 havingupper. and:lower retaining flanges 34 and end'flanges 35. A tongue 36 is struck out from the plates and leaves a semi-ovate opening as at 37 The tongue functions as akey andis adapted'for -reception in: the; keyway or groove 38 formed in the ladder rail.

In addition I provide a retaining and bracing bolt 39 foreach step which passes through therails and is fastened in place-as seenin Figure 6.1 This construction prov-idesasimplified arrangement for dependable connection of the steps with the rail;

With this arrangement it isobvious that :the sectional construction of the ladder is appropriate for orchard'use in that it avoids damage to thelimbsand the fruit, and is expeditiousin use. A ladder of'thiskind'is dependable, sturdy, comfortable, and otherwise susceptible of fulfillingthe requirements of a-device of this class.

The abutting featureof the ears relieves the pivot pinofundue field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

I claim:

A ladder of the character described comprising, in combination, a pair of side rails having pairs of transverse, elongated notches in their=opposed sides, said notches having arcuate innerwalls, step boards extending between the rails, and means for mounting the step boards on the rails, said means comprising'flatmetallic-plates disposed in abutting engagement with the ends of the step boards and interposed between said step boardsandtherails, said plates having inturned flanges on their marginal edges extending; over? the end; portionsofthe; step boards in;-

ma-nner toembrace saidi step boards therebetween, and :elongated tongues struckoutwardly. from intermediate portions ofthe plates .for disposition in the notches,

said tongue aving r uate free edges conforming substantially to the curvature. of the innen wallsof the-notches,

Intestimonywhereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES E. WHITE;

The convertible feature permits the ladder in insuring eflic-ient maintenanceofthe stepladder. 7

It is thought however, that persons-skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same after considering-the description incon- Therefore a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minorchanges in shape, size, materials and arrangements ofdetails coming'within the

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