WO2001038681A1 - Echelle pliable - Google Patents

Echelle pliable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001038681A1
WO2001038681A1 PCT/US2000/032098 US0032098W WO0138681A1 WO 2001038681 A1 WO2001038681 A1 WO 2001038681A1 US 0032098 W US0032098 W US 0032098W WO 0138681 A1 WO0138681 A1 WO 0138681A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rail
ladder
structure according
section
channels
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/032098
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Antonio Alcides Mendez
Pedro Alfonso Mendez
Miguel Angel Alegre
Original Assignee
Blodek, Jorge
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 Blodek, Jorge filed Critical Blodek, Jorge
Priority to AU24253/01A priority Critical patent/AU2425301A/en
Publication of WO2001038681A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001038681A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • E06C1/18—Ladders capable of standing by themselves with hinged struts which rest on the ground with supporting struts formed as ladders
    • 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

  • the present invention relates to foldable ladders.
  • Ladders come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and configurations, for example, the ladders may be straight, shelf, extension or specialty ladders or may be twin step stepladders, platform stepladders or simple stepladders. In any event it is generally recognized that a ladder is a very useful tool, and is used extensively in the construction trades and for home use.
  • the present invention provides a novel foldable ladder or stepladder which overcomes all the problems experienced in the prior art regarding the storage of such items. Whether the ladder is a straight ladder or a stepladder, a minimum amount of space for storage is required when not being used.
  • the construction and configuration of the ladders and stepladders of the present invention is such that in a foldable condition, they occupy a minimum volume equivalent to that of a single or double side rail of the ladder or stepladder. In this manner the ladders and stepladders of the present invention are superior to previously known constructions.
  • the ladder structure that has two side rails. Each rail has an elongated section of a given cross-section defining a channel and an end section of greater cross-section defining a shoulder.
  • the side rails are disposed in spaced lateral relation with the channels opening toward each other and with the end section of one rail at the bottom and the end section of the other rail at the top.
  • a series of vertically spaced rungs are pivotally connected to the side rails with the lowest rung pivotally connected in the channels in proximity with the shoulder of one rail, and the highest rung pivotally connected in the channels in proximity with the shoulder of the other rail.
  • the ladder is constructed and arranged dimensionaliy such that one rail can be folded against the other rail to define an enclosed box within which the rungs are contained so that the overall folded dimensions approximate the cross-section of the end sections whereby the ladder presents the smallest volume for storage.
  • the ladder structure is provided with a shoe on the bottom of one rail, and a shoe is provided on the outside of the other rail adjacent the bottom.
  • a latch is fixed to one rail that cooperates with a latch pin fixed on the other rail to hold the ladder detachably in its folded position.
  • the channels are U-shaped in configuration.
  • the length of the end section is approximately equal to the length of a rung between its connection points.
  • a latch is fixed to one rail that cooperates with a latch pin fixed on the other rail to hold the ladder detachably in its folded position.
  • the length of the end section is approximately equal to the length of a rung between its connection points.
  • the ladder may be a step ladder that includes support struts of the same configuration as the rails, each associated with a rail, with the struts being pivotally connected at their tops to the tops of the associated rails.
  • the struts are interconnected to at least two cross struts pivotally mounted, one located in proximity with the lower shoulder and the other located in proximity with the upper shoulder.
  • a member is provided connected to a rail and a support strut on each side of the stepladder to control the pivotal spread of the rails and the struts.
  • a latch is fixed to one rail that cooperates with a latch pin fixed on the associated strut to hold the ladder detachably in its folded position.
  • Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of the novel ladder of the present invention showing the ladder in its unfolded condition ready for use.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the novel ladder shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the side.
  • Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the novel ladder of the present invention showing the ladder in its folded condition ready for storage.
  • Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the novel stepladder of the present invention showing the stepladder in its unfolded condition ready for use.
  • Fig. 5 is side elevation view of the novel stepladder shown in Fig. 4 showing the stepladder in its folded condition ready for storage.
  • the novel foldable ladder 1 consists of a pair of lateral spaced apart side rails 10, 11 , one on each side of the ladder.
  • the side rails are preferably made of aluminum extrusions, fiberglass or wood with elongated sections 10a that define U-shaped channels 12 extending the major length of the rails.
  • the channels 12 have a base 12a defining the thickness or depth of the ladder 1 and its outside edge.
  • Two legs 12b having free ends12c of channel 12 project at right angles to base 12 a defining the front and rear side edges of ladder 1.
  • the end section 14 of each rail extends in length from end 16 of the rail for a distance roughly equal to the height of the first step of the ladder or, as shown in the drawing, equal to the length of one rung 24 between its connection points, the reason for which will be explained in the following.
  • the side rails face each other so that the U-shaped channels 12 are open toward the inside and face each other. Also, the rails are inverted relative to one another so that for rail 10, the end section 14 is at the bottom, whereas for the other rail 11 , the end section 14 is at the top.
  • the end sections 14 define shoulders 18 equal in width to the width of the elongated sections 10a, 10b, at the joint between the end sections 14 and the elongated sections 10a, 10b, the purpose of which will become clear as
  • the rails are fitted at their ends with shoes, such as rubber or plastic shoes 22 which provide a non-slip safety feature.
  • the shoes may be of an articulated design, as is well known in the art, to enable the ladder to sit square on a supporting surface while being tilted against a wall or shelf.
  • Rail 10 has a protective cap 23 at its bottom with its shoe 22 fixed to the bottom of cap 23. Rail 10 does not have any shoe at the top, nor does it have a protective cap 23; its channel 12 is open at the top.
  • Rail 1 1 has a protective cap 23 at its top, but no shoe 22, and no protective cap 23 or shoe 22 at its bottom; its channel is open at the bottom.
  • the bottom of rail 11 has fixed to base 12a at the outside or exterior of the rail, a fitting 40 provided at its bottom or lower end with a shoe 22 that matches the shoe 22 at the bottom of rail 10 so that the ladder will stand levelly on a supporting surface.
  • the top of fitting 40 is tapered to base 12a and fixed to it. Since the fitting 40, which also may be an extruded aluminum channel, is mounted or fixed on the outside of the portion of the rail defining the base 12a of the U-shaped channel 12, it will not interfere during folding, as will become evident hereafter.
  • the rungs 24 of the ladder are evenly spaced along the rails 10.
  • the ends of the rungs 24 are received in the channels 12 in the side rails 10 and are held in position in the channels by pivot pins 26.
  • the rungs are generally of rectangular or circular shape and their cross-sectional dimensions are selected such that they can be fully accommodated within the channels 12 formed in the rails 10.
  • the rungs 24 nearest the ends of the rail are connected in the channels 12 to the side rails in close proximity to the shoulders 18. Because the rungs 24 are pivotally mounted to the side rails 10, 1 1 , and are dimensioned to fit within the channels 12, the two side rails can be displaced, see the arrows in Fig.
  • the rungs to pivot into the channels 12, while drawing the side rails together with the free ends of the channels 12 abutting to the folded condition shown in Fig. 3, from the condition shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • the uncapped ends of the rails are resting in proximity to or on the shoulders 18 and the rungs are totally enclosed within the channels12.
  • the two channels form an enclosed box, of the same cross- section as box section 14, which completely surrounds the rungs, capturing them within the enclosed box, and diminishing the dimensions of the ladder drastically, whereby it is now suitable for storage in the least possible space.
  • the ladder now presents a cap 23 and shoe 22 at its bottom, and a cap 23 at its top.
  • the fitting 40 with its shoe 22 now sits compactly protruding to the side roughly at an elevation equivalent to where the bottom shoulder 18 is located.
  • a latch or hook 30 is pivotally connected to one side of rail 1 1 between the top and next to the top rungs 24, and a latch pin 32 is fixed to the same side of rail 10 above the top rung 24.
  • the selection of the locations of the latch or hook 30 and latch pin 32 is such that when the ladder is folded into the condition pictured in Fig. 3, the latch or hook can detachably engage the latch pin and hold the ladder in its folded position until the latch or hook is released.
  • a novel stepladder 50 is shown in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • the like parts in the Figs, have been designated with the same reference numbers.
  • the novel construction is similar to ladder 1 and utilizes side rails, pivotal rungs, etc.
  • support struts 52 and 53 which are pivotally connected at their tops to the rails 10 and 1 1 by means of L-shaped brackets 54 and 55 fixed to one side of rails 10, 11 and pivotally connected by pivot pins 57 to struts 52 and 53 at their outside edge or base 12a of channel 12.
  • the struts 52 and 53 have the identical construction as the rails 10, 1 1.
  • Two cross struts 56 are pivotally connected by pins 58 to the struts 52, 53 at the juncture between the box sections at the top and bottom, as indicated generally by the reference numbers 60 and 61.
  • the L-shaped racket 54 at the top of rail 10 leaves the channel 12 of rail 10 free at the top to receive the top cross strut 56 and to enable the tops of rail 10 and strut 52 to be received on shoulders 18 of rail 11 and strut 53.
  • the bottom of rails 10, 11 and struts 52 and 53 are fitted with non-slip covers or shoes 70, 71.
  • Covers 71 are fitted onto the bottom of rail 11 and strut 53 and do not obstruct the free opening of the channels 12 in these parts, so that when the stepladder is folded or collapsed, the bottoms of strut 53 and rail 11 can be received onto or in close proximity with the shoulders 18 defined on rail 10 and strut 52, and the bottom rung 24 and cross strut 56 can be accommodated in the enclosed boxes created by the components, as previously described.
  • Chains 72 are fixed at each end to a rail 10 and strut 52 and rail 11 and strut 53, respectively, to keep the step ladder from being spread part too much.
  • the location of latch or hook 30 and latch pin 32 is now near or adjacent the bottom of rail 10 and strut 52, respectively.
  • the folded or collapsed condition of the stepladder is shown in Fig. 5.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ladders (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une structure d'échelle (1) présentant deux montants (10, 11). Chaque montant comprend une section allongée présentant une section transversale donnée définissant un passage et une section d'extrémité définissant un épaulement (14). Les montants sont placés dans une relation espacée avec les passages s'ouvrant vers chacun d'eux, la section d'extrémité d'un montant étant placée en bas et la section d'extrémité de l'autre montant étant placée en haut. Une série de barreaux (24) verticalement espacés sont reliés de manière pivotante aux montants susmentionnés. Le barreau le plus bas est inséré dans les passages ménagés à proximité de l'épaulement d'un montant, et le barreau le plus haut étant inséré dans les passages ménagés à proximité de l'épaulement de l'autre montant. L'échelle est fabriquée et assemblée selon des dimensions permettant de replier un montant contre l'autre montant de manière à définir une boîte fermée à l'intérieur de laquelle les barreaux sont contenus, de telle sorte que les dimensions repliées sont proches de la section transversale des sections d'extrémité; l'échelle présentant ainsi le plus petit volume de stockage.
PCT/US2000/032098 1999-11-25 2000-11-22 Echelle pliable WO2001038681A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU24253/01A AU2425301A (en) 1999-11-25 2000-11-22 Foldable ladder

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
UYU-3735 1999-11-25
UY3735 1999-11-25
US54196700A 2000-04-04 2000-04-04
US09/541,967 2000-04-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001038681A1 true WO2001038681A1 (fr) 2001-05-31

Family

ID=27066864

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/032098 WO2001038681A1 (fr) 1999-11-25 2000-11-22 Echelle pliable

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2425301A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001038681A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1534918A1 (fr) * 2002-04-19 2005-06-01 Laddaloc Pty Ltd Echelle repliable
GR1009386B (el) * 2017-10-09 2018-10-17 Ιωαννης Σταματιου Δασκαλακης Πτυσσομενη σκαλα τσεπης
TWI674357B (zh) * 2018-06-07 2019-10-11 孫守義 可橫向延伸之梯子

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1557490A (en) * 1924-06-13 1925-10-13 Videtta John Folding ladder
US4463829A (en) * 1982-02-25 1984-08-07 Ariy Grin Foldable ladder

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1557490A (en) * 1924-06-13 1925-10-13 Videtta John Folding ladder
US4463829A (en) * 1982-02-25 1984-08-07 Ariy Grin Foldable ladder

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1534918A1 (fr) * 2002-04-19 2005-06-01 Laddaloc Pty Ltd Echelle repliable
EP1534918A4 (fr) * 2002-04-19 2005-09-07 Laddaloc Pty Ltd Echelle repliable
GR1009386B (el) * 2017-10-09 2018-10-17 Ιωαννης Σταματιου Δασκαλακης Πτυσσομενη σκαλα τσεπης
TWI674357B (zh) * 2018-06-07 2019-10-11 孫守義 可橫向延伸之梯子

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2425301A (en) 2001-06-04

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