US3744591A - Portable,folding stepladder - Google Patents

Portable,folding stepladder Download PDF

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Publication number
US3744591A
US3744591A US00245160A US3744591DA US3744591A US 3744591 A US3744591 A US 3744591A US 00245160 A US00245160 A US 00245160A US 3744591D A US3744591D A US 3744591DA US 3744591 A US3744591 A US 3744591A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
stepladder
rear support
openings
section
folded
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00245160A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Lucci
P Orlandini
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VELCA SpA
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VELCA SpA
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Publication date
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Publication of US3744591A publication Critical patent/US3744591A/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06C—LADDERS
    • E06C1/00—Ladders in general
    • E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
    • E06C1/38—Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders
    • E06C1/383—Foldable ladders in which the longitudinal members are brought together on folding
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06C—LADDERS
    • E06C1/00—Ladders in general
    • E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
    • E06C1/14—Ladders capable of standing by themselves
    • E06C1/16—Ladders capable of standing by themselves with hinged struts which rest on the ground
    • E06C1/20—Ladders capable of standing by themselves with hinged struts which rest on the ground with supporting struts formed as poles
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06C—LADDERS
    • E06C7/00—Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories
    • E06C7/08—Special construction of longitudinal members, or rungs or other treads

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A portable stepladder comprising: a stepladder with a row of steps or treads supported by side posts, and a rear support whose upper end is pivotally connected with the related upper end of the stepladder along a horizontal axis, both said stepladder and said rear support being longitudinally split into two sections hinged with each other and both hinge connections lying in a common plane to allow the stepladder structure to be folded-up into its closed condition.
  • This invention generally relates to portable stepladders and more particularly to a stepladder structure comprising a stepladder with a row of steps or treads supported by side posts, and a rear support whose upper end is pivotally connected with the related upper end of the stepladder, to be swung from an outwardly inclined or open position, wherein the stepladder is supported by it, to a closed position against the stepladder.
  • the structure according to the invention is particularly suitable for small, lightweight, easily handled and compact stepladders for households, offices, shops and like uses.
  • stepladders substantially consist of a metal or wooden structure, whose weight and sizes are at times rather troublesome.
  • one purpose of this invention consists in the provision of a portable stepladder of the above defined type, which can be longitudinally folded-up to minimize its overall dimensions.
  • a further purpose of the invention consists in the provision of a lightweight and easily handled portable stepladder structure.
  • the portable stepladder structure comprises: a stepladder with a row of steps or treads supported by side posts, and a rear support whose upper end is pivotally connected with the related upper end of stepladder along a horizontal axis, and thus adapted to be swung from a closed position to an open position, relative to stepladder, said structure being characterized in that both the stepladder and its rear support are longitudinally split into two sections hinged with each other, and that both hinge connections lie in a common plane, to allow said stepladder structure to be longitudinally folded-up when in its closed condition.
  • a further feature of stepladder structure according to the invention consists in that both sections of the stepladder proper, that may be made of suitable plastics or of a light alloy, have a monocoque carrying structure, whereby the rear support is enclosed within said monocoque sections when the stepladder is closed and folded-up.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stepladder structure according to the invention, in its open position.
  • FIG. 2 shows the same stepladder structure of FIG. 1 in its closed and folded-up condition.
  • FIG. 3 is a rear view of stepladder structure as shown in the FIG. I.
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section, taken on the line lV--IV of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on the line V-V of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken on the line VI--VI of FIG. 2.
  • the stepladder structure substantially comprises the stepladder 10 proper (see FIG. 1) and a rear support 11 whose upper end is pivotally connected with the related upper end of stepladder 10 along a horizontal axis, being thus adapted to be swung from a closed position, wherein it lies flat against said stepladder 10, to the open position as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the stepladder l0 proper is longitudinally split into two sections 12 and 13 that are hinge connected with each other as at 14, 15 and 16 (FIG. 2).
  • the rear support 11 is longitudinally split into two sections, also hinged with each other, the hinge connections of the stepladder and of the rear support lying in the same plane, to allow the whole stepladder structure, when in its closed condition, to be longitudinally folded-up, thus minimizing its overall size.
  • each stepladder section 12 or 13 of the considered embodiment which may be made of suitable molded plastics or of a pressed light alloy, shows a monocoque structure. Openings 17 are formed in each rectangularly shaped stepladder section, whereby to define in each one of the sections 12 or 13, longitudinal side posts 18 and 19 respectively, which are connected with each other by horizontal crossmembers or treads 20. As can be seen, the openings 17 of a stepladder section are adjacent to related openings 17 of the contiguous section in order to have all treads of both sections accurately aligned with one another.
  • all outer posts 18 and inner posts 19 are hollow, with a C-shaped cross-section, and an also C-shaped metal reinforcing member 21 is inserted into, and fastened to each post while it is being molded or pressed.
  • the individual steps 20 are also hollow shaped, with the treads slightly inclined upwardly
  • the rear support 11 conversely consists of two tubular members 22 and 23, respectively, having oval cross-sections, each tubular member being pivotally connected at its upper end with a metal reinforcing shape 21 corresponding to stepladder section 12 and 13, respectively, by a pin 24,25 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) which is fastened crosswise to said metal shapes 21.
  • Said two tubular members 22 and 23 of the rear support are additionally connected with each other by a cross member consisting of two sections 26 and 27, respectively, which are pivotally connected with each other as in 28, i.e. at a point lying at the same longitudinal plane about which the stepladder sections 12 and 13 are folded-up.
  • stepladder structure according to the invention can be readily inferred that the stepladder structure according to the invention.
  • the stepladder may be made of a suitable reinforced plastics, for good appearance, and may also comprise a number of steps different from that shown in the drawings as a non restrictive example only.
  • the stepladder is monocoque shaped and is made of molded plastic.
  • a stepladder according to the novel inventive idea might be made in a variety of other manners substantially equivalent to that disclosed.
  • the stepladder might consists of two longitudinally foldable sections, with both side posts suitably shaped to accommodate the tubular members or posts of the rear support within them.
  • a portable stepladder comprising a pair of longitudinally extending upright side posts, horizontal rungs supported by said side posts, a rear support pivotally interconnected at its upper end to the upper end of the stepladder for swinging movement about a horizontal axis between an open position in which the lower end of said rear support is spaced from the lower end of the stepladder to help support the stepladder and a closed position in which said rear support is collapsed against the stepladder, said rear support comprising at least a pair of upright elongated spaced members, said stepladder being longitudinally divided in two portions hingedly interconnected for folding against each other, each of said side posts of said stepladder being of hollow C-shaped cross section and opening toward the other said side post in the folded condition of the stepladder, each of said upright members of said rear support being received within the hollow C-shaped cross section of the associated side post when the stepladder is folded.
  • a stepladder as claimed in claim 1 and a crosspiece interconnecting said upright members, the crosspiece being hinged intermediate its length to fold with the stepladder.
  • a stepladder as claimed in claim 2 said stepladder having openings between said rungs, said crosspiece being out of register with any of said openings.
  • each of said hingedly interconnected portions of said stepladder being of monocoque one-piece construction.
  • a stepladder as claimed in claim 4 there being openings between said rungs and flanges bordering each of said openings, said flanges being of the same height as said C-shaped cross section.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ladders (AREA)
US00245160A 1971-06-25 1972-04-18 Portable,folding stepladder Expired - Lifetime US3744591A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT2625071 1971-06-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3744591A true US3744591A (en) 1973-07-10

Family

ID=11219056

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00245160A Expired - Lifetime US3744591A (en) 1971-06-25 1972-04-18 Portable,folding stepladder

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US (1) US3744591A (es)
DE (1) DE2222718A1 (es)
ES (1) ES180415Y (es)
FR (1) FR2139279A5 (es)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1982002071A1 (en) * 1980-12-17 1982-06-24 Lars O Eriksson Ladder
US4613013A (en) * 1984-09-13 1986-09-23 Watling Nigel C Suspension ladder
US4742890A (en) * 1987-10-22 1988-05-10 Protective Plastics Limited Work platform
US5944141A (en) * 1995-09-19 1999-08-31 Gerald R. Kendall And Edward J. Green Foldable ladder
US20030159885A1 (en) * 2002-02-28 2003-08-28 Sullivan Sidney J. Modular ladder assembly
US7128187B2 (en) 2002-03-15 2006-10-31 Tricam Industries, Inc. Stepladder with pivoting utility tray
USD710031S1 (en) 2012-11-15 2014-07-29 Tricam Industries, Inc. Step stool
EP3165706A1 (en) 2015-11-09 2017-05-10 Louisville Ladder Inc. Stepladder adapted for use as a single ladder or an extension ladder
US10138680B2 (en) 2015-05-26 2018-11-27 Tricam Industries, Inc. Hinged tray for ladder or step stool
USD855833S1 (en) 2017-01-04 2019-08-06 Tricam Industries, Inc. Ladder rail
USD860476S1 (en) 2017-01-04 2019-09-17 Tricam Industries, Inc. Hinge for a multi-position ladder
US20200190905A1 (en) * 2018-12-14 2020-06-18 Tricam Industries, Inc. Ladder tray locking mechanism
US11131141B2 (en) * 2016-03-20 2021-09-28 Hideaway Solutions Llc Lateral folding step unit
US11299934B2 (en) 2018-11-28 2022-04-12 Dorel Home Furnishings, Inc. Expandable work tray for a step stool or ladder
USD1009304S1 (en) 2022-02-07 2023-12-26 Tricam Industries, Inc. Three-step heavy-duty stepladder
USD1009303S1 (en) 2022-02-07 2023-12-26 Tricam Industries, Inc. Two-step heavy-duty stepladder

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1982002071A1 (en) * 1980-12-17 1982-06-24 Lars O Eriksson Ladder
US4613013A (en) * 1984-09-13 1986-09-23 Watling Nigel C Suspension ladder
US4742890A (en) * 1987-10-22 1988-05-10 Protective Plastics Limited Work platform
US5944141A (en) * 1995-09-19 1999-08-31 Gerald R. Kendall And Edward J. Green Foldable ladder
US20030159885A1 (en) * 2002-02-28 2003-08-28 Sullivan Sidney J. Modular ladder assembly
US20050092548A1 (en) * 2002-02-28 2005-05-05 Sullivan Sidney J.Jr. Modular ladder assembly
US6945360B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2005-09-20 Sullivan Jr Sidney J Modular ladder assembly
US8056678B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2011-11-15 Sullivan Sidney J Modular ladder assembly
US7128187B2 (en) 2002-03-15 2006-10-31 Tricam Industries, Inc. Stepladder with pivoting utility tray
US20070181368A1 (en) * 2002-03-15 2007-08-09 Tricam International, Inc. Step ladder
USD710031S1 (en) 2012-11-15 2014-07-29 Tricam Industries, Inc. Step stool
US10138680B2 (en) 2015-05-26 2018-11-27 Tricam Industries, Inc. Hinged tray for ladder or step stool
EP3165706A1 (en) 2015-11-09 2017-05-10 Louisville Ladder Inc. Stepladder adapted for use as a single ladder or an extension ladder
US10550638B2 (en) 2015-11-09 2020-02-04 Louisville Ladder Inc. Stepladder adapted for use as a single ladder or an extension ladder
US11131141B2 (en) * 2016-03-20 2021-09-28 Hideaway Solutions Llc Lateral folding step unit
USD855833S1 (en) 2017-01-04 2019-08-06 Tricam Industries, Inc. Ladder rail
USD860476S1 (en) 2017-01-04 2019-09-17 Tricam Industries, Inc. Hinge for a multi-position ladder
US11299934B2 (en) 2018-11-28 2022-04-12 Dorel Home Furnishings, Inc. Expandable work tray for a step stool or ladder
US20200190905A1 (en) * 2018-12-14 2020-06-18 Tricam Industries, Inc. Ladder tray locking mechanism
US11655676B2 (en) * 2018-12-14 2023-05-23 Tricam Industries, Inc. Ladder tray locking mechanism
USD1009304S1 (en) 2022-02-07 2023-12-26 Tricam Industries, Inc. Three-step heavy-duty stepladder
USD1009303S1 (en) 2022-02-07 2023-12-26 Tricam Industries, Inc. Two-step heavy-duty stepladder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES180415U (es) 1973-02-16
ES180415Y (es) 1973-11-16
FR2139279A5 (es) 1973-01-05
DE2222718A1 (de) 1972-12-28

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