US2007057A

US2007057A - Stepladder

Info

Publication number: US2007057A
Application number: US739343A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mcneal Alexander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-08-10
Filing date: 1934-08-10
Publication date: 1935-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1952-07-02

Description

July 2, 1935. MCNEAL 2,007,057

STEPLADDER Filed Aug. 10, 1934 Alexa/uh! M/Va BU M (Ittorneg Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEPLADDER.

Alexander McNeal, Bucyrus, Ohio Application August 10, 1934, Serial No. 739,343

1 Claim. (Cl. 22831) My present invention relates generally to step ladders, or in other words that type of ladder which embodies a step section having at its upper end a platform, a prop section which is hinged 5 to said platform to swing toward and away from said step section, and side braces pivoted to, and connecting, said step and prop sections which, when flexed, permit of such movement of the prop section and, when straightened, hold the two 10 sections in relatively inclined positions in use.

In order to occupy minimum storage space in disuse, it is ordinarily essential that the prop section be not of greater width than the step section, and the usual prop section consists of side legs rigidly connected by crossed braces.

My invention aims to provide for greater stability of the step ladder in use by arranging for a lateral spreading of the legs ofthe prop section and their secure fastening in an outward or lateral inclination as well as a rearward inclination with respect to the step section, and includes an adjustable rear brace for the rear legs whereby they may be clamped in laterally extended and retracted positions respectively in use and disuse.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel, simple and effective means for adjustably clamping the prop legs, having means to cooperate with the ladder side braces in the avoidance of multiple connections with the prop legs, in order to preserve as nearly as possible their full natural strength and durability.

With these and other objects in mind, my invention will be better understood and more thoroughly appreciated from the following detailed description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification and in which Figure l is a perspective view of my improved step ladder with the two sections spread apart and showing in dotted lines the prop legs laterally extended.

Figure 2 is a partial horizontal section showing the prop legs retracted, and,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the prop legs extended.

Referring now to these figures, I have shown in Figure 1 my improved step ladder as consisting of a platform l0, to the under surface of which a pair of rear prop legs II are hinged to swing not 50 only forwardly and rearwardly to and from the step section l2, but also laterally with respect to one another the hinges being seen at III. In this way, the prop legs when shifted rearwardly away from the step section l2 to the normal position of use of the step ladder, may be spread apart or laterally inclined with respect to one another to increase the distance between their ground engaging ends and thus promote greater stability of the ladder upon a supporting surface.

In order to control the prop legs II, a pair of angular bars l4 and I5 are provided with their body portions overlapping one another transversely between the prop legs I l intermediate the endsthereof, one of these bars having a lengthwise slot I 6 and the other bar having a rigid clamping screw l1 projecting through slot IE to receive a clamping nut ill by which the bars may be held in various positions of adjustment corresponding to the positions to which it is desired to either extend or retract the legs H. The bar l4 also has a bent terminal tongue I 9 entering the slot I6 so as to prevent any tendency of the two bars to pivot on the clamping screw ll.

The bars I4 and I5, at their outer portions extend across the rear faces of the prop legs I I and have forwardly angular extensions 20 and 2| respectively, each of which is securely fastened to its respective leg as by means of a rivet and like fastening member 22, each extension projecting forwardly of its respective leg so as to support a pivotal connection 23 with the rear end of the respective rear side brace 24.

The rear side braces 24 are as usual pivotally connected at their forward ends at 25 with the forward side braces 26 whose forward ends are pivotally connected at 21 with the side rails of the step section l2.

By thus connecting the rear ends of the side braces with forward extensions of the rear transverse adjusting bars of the prop legs, it is obvious that but a single point of connection with the prop legs is required where otherwise at least two connections would be necessary with a consequent reduction of the normal or natural strength of these legs. My invention thus not only effectively serves the intended purpose of greater stability in use, but accomplishes this without in any way detracting from the strength and normal durability of the parts in connection with which it is used.

What I claim is:

A step ladder including a platform and a step section, a prop section consisting of a pair of legs hinged to the platform to swing forwardly and rearwardly toward and from the step section and laterally with respect to one another, hinged side braces connected at their forward ends to the step section, a pair of overlapping bars extending transversely between the prop legs, one of which has a lengthwise slot, and the other of which has a terminal portion entering the slot and a clamping member extending through the slot for securing the bars in adjusted position, said bars having forwardly projecting angular portions at their outer ends secured to the outer side portions of the prop legs and pivoted to the rear ends of the said side braces.

ALEX. McNEAL.