Motorized system on stairway for accessing space above or below an elevated structure

A method of operating an automated ladder apparatus mounted on a cover and including a plurality of ladder sections to provide access to a space above or below an elevated structure, the automated ladder apparatus including a pivotable cover for an opening in said elevated structure that is pivotable about a pivot axis;

• a motorized system comprising a gearmotor and an energizable brake, the gearmotor comprising a single motor and a gearbox, the motorized system being mounted on said pivotable cover such that the motorized system and the pivotable cover are movable in unison when the pivotable cover pivots about the pivot axis, said pivotable cover being pivotable between at least a first position to allow access to the space through the opening and a second position in which the cover substantially covers said opening;
• said motorized system is configured to retract one or more of the plurality of ladder sections on the pivotable cover, then to move the cover against the opening to close it;
• said motorized system is configured to pivot the pivotable cover so as to move the pivotable cover away from the opening, then to extend said one or more of the plurality of ladder sections away from the pivotable cover;
• said motorized system being coupled to at least one shaft fitted directly mounted with at least one reel, said at least one shaft being directly driven by and aligned with an output shaft of the gearbox;
• said at least one reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of ladder sections via a cable to either (a) assist the pivotable cover to move away from the opening, then to extend said one or more of the plurality of ladder sections away from the cover, or (b) retract on the pivotable cover said one or more of the plurality of ladder sections then to move the pivotable cover against the opening to close it, or both (a) and (b);
• said gearmotor being coupled to the energizable brake;
• said energizable brake being configured to hold the pivotable cover over the opening to close the opening or to hold the pivotable cover immobile at any position in between the first and second positions;
• said gearmotor having a gear ratio sized to allow the opening of the pivotable cover under gravity only when the energizable brake is disengaged, the method comprising:
• opening the pivotable cover opening and extending said one or more of the plurality of ladder sections away from the pivotable cover either by (a) energizing said gearmotor or (b) gravity only,
• wherein (a) energizing said gearmotor and (b) gravity only, each being capable of opening the pivotable cover opening and extending said one or more of the plurality of ladder sections away from the pivotable cover, and
• wherein a speed of extension of said one or more of the plurality of ladder sections away from the pivotable cover by gravity only is carried out when the gearmotor is not energized and is determined by the gear ratio of the gearmotor.