Folding and rigid ladder with extensions
AssigneeBlue Moon Designs, LLC
InventorsDale Martin Neubauer, Scott Charles Silver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extension module is provided for attachment to a folding or rigid ladder to extend the effective working height of the ladder. A ladder that is designed for use with an extension module according to the invention defines the base module to which the extension module is attached. Cooperatively constructed interconnecting structures on the ladder and the extension module operate to secure the extension module to the ladder and to stabilize the combination of the ladder with the extension.
Claims13
A step ladder, comprising:
- a ladder base having
- a. a stepped unit defined by first and second stepped unit side rails, plural steps interconnecting the first and second stepped unit side rails, and a top plate interconnecting the first and second stepped unit side rails at an upper end thereof, the top plate having a forward edge and an opposite rearward edge, and
- b. a support unit hinged to the stepped unit such that the support unit may be pivoted relative to the stepped unit about the hinged connection to move the step ladder between open and folded configurations;
- and
- an extension module having
- a. first and second extension module side rails, each having upper and lower ends, plural steps interconnecting the extension module side rails and a top plate interconnecting the extension module side rails at the upper ends thereof;
- b. a bottom step that abuts the top plate of the stepped unit when the extension module is connected to the ladder base, the bottom step having a forward edge and an opposite rearward edge, wherein the bottom step has a first flange extending downwardly from the forward edge and a second flange extending downwardly from the rearward edge and the first and second flanges overlap the respective forward and rearward edges of the top plate when the extension module is connected to the ladder base;
- and
- c. a connector attaching the extension module to the stepped unit.
In a step ladder that is movable between an open configuration and a folded configuration and in which the step ladder is defined by a ladder base having a stepped unit with first and second stepped unit side rails, plural steps interconnecting the first and second stepped unit side rails, and a top plate interconnecting the first and second stepped unit side rails at upper ends thereof, and a support unit having first and second side rails, the support unit hinged to the stepped unit at a hinge point, the improvement comprising:
- an extension module selectively attachable to the stepped unit to extend the length thereof, the extension module having first and second extension module side rails, each having upper and lower ends, plural steps interconnecting the extension module side rails and a top plate interconnecting the extension module side rails at the upper ends thereof;
- and
- an extension module bottom step that abuts the top plate of the stepped unit when the extension module is connected to the stepped unit, the extension module bottom step having a forward edge and an opposite rearward edge, wherein the extension module bottom step has a first flange extending downwardly from the forward edge and a second flange extending downwardly from the rearward edge and the first and second flanges overlap respective forward and rearward edges of the top plate of the stepped unit when the extension module is connected to the stepped unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.