WO2000015083A1 - Dual-purpose portable step stool - Google Patents

Dual-purpose portable step stool Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000015083A1
WO2000015083A1 PCT/EP1999/006090 EP9906090W WO0015083A1 WO 2000015083 A1 WO2000015083 A1 WO 2000015083A1 EP 9906090 W EP9906090 W EP 9906090W WO 0015083 A1 WO0015083 A1 WO 0015083A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
step stool
covering member
portable
stool
arcuate portion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP1999/006090
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Davide Coggiola
Original Assignee
Framar S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Framar S.P.A. filed Critical Framar S.P.A.
Priority to AU57375/99A priority Critical patent/AU5737599A/en
Publication of WO2000015083A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000015083A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C12/00—Step-stools
    • A47C12/02—Step-stools requiring conversion between the step and seat functions
    • 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
    • E06C1/387—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 having tip-up steps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dual-purpose portable step stool and more precisely to a portable step stool adapted to be used both as a stool and as a chair or seat.
  • an arcuate portion is formed projecting towards the rear frame so as to form a comfortable safety handrail when the step stool is opened or when in use, while leaving free and usable the flat surface or tread of the top step.
  • safety handrail is formed by a suitably shaped portion of the first metal frame of the step stool: i.e. it is nothing but a section of metal tube acting as a handrail o rail, with no other useful purposes.
  • Th s object is accomplished by covering the arcuate portion forming the upper arcuate portion of the first frame with a plastic and/or elastic material covering having a width adeguate to form a resting member or backrest lath, whereby the user can further use the step stool as a chair by seating on the top step and leaning his/her back against such covering member as m a conventional seat.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a step stool to which a covering according to the invention has been fitted;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to the view of Fig. 1, showing the covering member separated from the arcuate portion.
  • a portable step stool 1 is formed by two rectan ⁇ ular load- bearing 3, 5, hinged to each other at their upper ends, that can be opened with a caliper-like movement, with plurality of transverse steps pivotally connected to one of the two frames and angularly foldable.
  • the step stool provides for two steps.
  • an arcuate portion 8 projecting or extending towards the rear frame 5 to form a safety handrail while leaving free and usable the flat surface or tread of the top step 7 when the step stool is opened or m the operative position.
  • a plastic and/or elastic material covering 9 having a width adequate to form a resting member or backrest lath is applied or fitted to the recess-forming arcuate portion 8 of the first frame.
  • the covering member 9 is formed as a one-piece molded covering and is snap fitted to the arcuate portion 8.
  • the covering can be secured by means of screws or other fastening devices.
  • this cover 9 a user can further employ the step stool as a chair by seating on the nop step and leaning his/her back against such covering member as m a conventional chair. It is evident that the covering member 9 does not hinder the handrail function of the arcuate member since the member 9 only has a wider and softer (less stiff) surface that that of the handrail 8 of the known step stools.
  • the invention is applicable in the construction of portable step stools.

Landscapes

  • Programmable Controllers (AREA)
  • Ladders (AREA)
  • Special Chairs (AREA)

Abstract

A portable step stool (1) comprising two rectangular load-bearing frames (3, 5), hinged to each other at their upper ends, that can be opened with a caliper-like movement, with a plurality of transverse steps pivotally connected to one of said two frames and angularly foldable. The upper arcuate portion (8) of the frame (3) carrying the steps and forming a safety handrail, is fitted with a covering member (9) to form a backrest whereby a user can seat on the top step (7) and lean his/her back against said covering member (9) as in a chair.

Description

DUAL-PURPOSE PORTABLE STEP STOOL
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dual-purpose portable step stool and more precisely to a portable step stool adapted to be used both as a stool and as a chair or seat.
Background Art
There are presently known and used portable step stools made up by two load-bearing parallel and rectangular frames, hinged to each other at their upper ends, that can be opened with a caliper-like movement, with a plurality of transverse steps pivotally connected to one of the two frames and angularly foldable.
In the uppermost portion of the front frame of such step stools, above the highest or top step, an arcuate portion is formed projecting towards the rear frame so as to form a comfortable safety handrail when the step stool is opened or when in use, while leaving free and usable the flat surface or tread of the top step.
In the known step stools such safety handrail is formed by a suitably shaped portion of the first metal frame of the step stool: i.e. it is nothing but a section of metal tube acting as a handrail o rail, with no other useful purposes.
Object of the Invention
It is the object of the present invention to extend the use and utility of a step stool and more precisely to modify a step stool in such a way that it can be comfortably used as an extemporary seat or chair.
Th s object is accomplished by covering the arcuate portion forming the upper arcuate portion of the first frame with a plastic and/or elastic material covering having a width adeguate to form a resting member or backrest lath, whereby the user can further use the step stool as a chair by seating on the top step and leaning his/her back against such covering member as m a conventional seat.
Disclosure of the Invention
The invention will now be disclosed in detail with particular reference to the attached drawings, only supplied as illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, m which:
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a step stool to which a covering according to the invention has been fitted;
Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to the view of Fig. 1, showing the covering member separated from the arcuate portion.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
As shown in the Figures, according to the invention a portable step stool 1 is formed by two rectanαular load- bearing 3, 5, hinged to each other at their upper ends, that can be opened with a caliper-like movement, with plurality of transverse steps pivotally connected to one of the two frames and angularly foldable. In the illustrated embodiment the step stool provides for two steps.
In the upper portion of the front frame 3 of the step stool, above the top step 7, there is formed an arcuate portion 8 projecting or extending towards the rear frame 5 to form a safety handrail while leaving free and usable the flat surface or tread of the top step 7 when the step stool is opened or m the operative position.
In the portable step stool according to the invention, a plastic and/or elastic material covering 9 having a width adequate to form a resting member or backrest lath is applied or fitted to the recess-forming arcuate portion 8 of the first frame. Advantageously the covering member 9 is formed as a one-piece molded covering and is snap fitted to the arcuate portion 8. As an alternative the covering can be secured by means of screws or other fastening devices.
Thanks to this cover 9 a user can further employ the step stool as a chair by seating on the nop step and leaning his/her back against such covering member as m a conventional chair. It is evident that the covering member 9 does not hinder the handrail function of the arcuate member since the member 9 only has a wider and softer (less stiff) surface that that of the handrail 8 of the known step stools.
Industrial Applicability
The invention is applicable in the construction of portable step stools.

Claims

1. A portable step stool (1) comprising two rectangular load-bearing frames (3, b) , hinged to each other at their upper ends, that can be opened with a caliper-like movement, with a plurality of transverse steps pivotally connected to one of said two frames and angularly foldable, wherein m the upper portion of the front frame
(3) of the step stool, above the top step (7), there is formed an arcuate portion (8) extending towards said rear frame (5) to form a safety nandrail while leaving free and usable the flat surface or tread of said top step (7) when the step stool (1) is opened or m an operative position, characterized in that it further comprises a covering member (9) fitted to said arcuate portion (8) and forming a backrest whereby a user can seat on the top step (7) and lean his/her back against sai╬▒ covering member (9) as m a chair.
2. A portable step stool as claimed m claim 1, characterized m that said covering member (9) is made of a plastic and/or elastic material.
3. A portable step stool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said covering member (9) has a wider and softer surface that that of the arcuate portion (╬┤) .
4. A portable step stool as claimed m claims 1 to 3, characterized m that said covering member (9) is formed as a one-piece molded covering.
5. A portable step stool as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said one-piece molded covering (9) is snap fitted to said arcuate portion (8) .
6. A portable step stool as claimed in the preceding claims, characterized in that said front frame (3) comprises two steps.
PCT/EP1999/006090 1998-09-11 1999-08-17 Dual-purpose portable step stool WO2000015083A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU57375/99A AU5737599A (en) 1998-09-11 1999-08-17 Dual-purpose portable step stool

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO98U000169 1998-09-11
IT98TO000169 IT245905Y1 (en) 1998-09-11 1998-09-11 DOUBLE USE PORTABLE LADDER.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000015083A1 true WO2000015083A1 (en) 2000-03-23

Family

ID=11416508

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP1999/006090 WO2000015083A1 (en) 1998-09-11 1999-08-17 Dual-purpose portable step stool

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5737599A (en)
IT (1) IT245905Y1 (en)
WO (1) WO2000015083A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2952301A (en) * 1956-12-24 1960-09-13 Durham Mfg Corp Folding step stool
US4130316A (en) * 1978-01-03 1978-12-19 Comfort Lines, Inc. Step ladder/chair combination
GB1547243A (en) * 1975-07-19 1979-06-06 Hunter Douglas Ind Bv Dual purpose stepladder and domestic stool
GB2025761A (en) * 1978-07-22 1980-01-30 Bremshey Ag Combined chair and step ladder
GB2173395A (en) * 1985-04-10 1986-10-15 Raymond Samuel Dawe Artist's easel

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2952301A (en) * 1956-12-24 1960-09-13 Durham Mfg Corp Folding step stool
GB1547243A (en) * 1975-07-19 1979-06-06 Hunter Douglas Ind Bv Dual purpose stepladder and domestic stool
US4130316A (en) * 1978-01-03 1978-12-19 Comfort Lines, Inc. Step ladder/chair combination
GB2025761A (en) * 1978-07-22 1980-01-30 Bremshey Ag Combined chair and step ladder
GB2173395A (en) * 1985-04-10 1986-10-15 Raymond Samuel Dawe Artist's easel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT245905Y1 (en) 2002-03-26
AU5737599A (en) 2000-04-03
ITTO980169V0 (en) 1998-09-11
ITTO980169U1 (en) 2000-03-11

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