# US 2014/0190768 A1 · Stepladders and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190768 A1 - Document ID: US20140190768A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/208,745 - Filed: 2014-03-13 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-03 - Assignees: Wing Enterprises, Incorporated - Applicants: Wing Enterprises, Incorporated - Inventors: N. Ryan Moss; Gary M. Jonas; Sean R. Peterson; Ryan Crawford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190768A1 ## CPC - E06C 1/383: Foldable ladders in which the longitudinal members are brought together on folding {(E06C9/085 takes precedence)} - E06C 1/18: with supporting struts formed as ladders {(E06C1/32 takes precedence)} - E06C 1/387: having tip-up steps - E06C 1/393: Ladders having platforms foldable with the ladder - E06C 7/084: {Rungs comprising projecting tabs or flanges} - E06C: LADDERS (E04F11/00 takes precedence; step-stools A47C12/00; adaptation of ladders to use on ships B63B, to use on aircraft B64; scaffolding E04G) ## Abstract Stepladders and related methods of using and manufacturing stepladders are provided. In one embodiment, a stepladder is provided that comprises a top cap, a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly has a pair of spaced apart rails pivotally coupled with the top cap. The second assembly includes at least one rail pivotally coupled with the top cap. The first assembly and second assembly are configured to be displaced relative one another such that the stepladder is selectively positionable between a first, deployed state and a second, collapsed state. The first assembly, the second assembly and the top cap are cooperatively configured such that the at least one rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested within an envelope defined by the pair of spaced apart rails of the first assembly with the step ladder is in a collapsed state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stepladder comprising: a first assembly including a pair of spaced apart rails defining a first volume; a second assembly including a pair of spaced apart rails defining a second volume, the second assembly being pivotally positionable relative to the first assembly between a first, deployed state and a second, collapsed state, wherein a total volume of the stepladder when in the collapsed state is less than a sum of the first volume and the second volume; and a top cap, wherein the first assembly is directly pivotally coupled with the top cap and wherein the second assembly is directly pivotally coupled with the top cap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stepladder of claim 1, wherein the first assembly further includes a plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of spaced apart rails. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The stepladder of claim 2, wherein the first assembly is at least partially nested within the second volume defined by the second assembly when the ladder is in the collapsed state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The stepladder of claim 2, wherein the second assembly is at least partially nested within the first volume defined by the first assembly when the ladder is in the collapsed state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The stepladder of claim 1, further comprising at least one releasable lock associated with the top cap configured to maintain the top cap in a desired orientation relative to at least one of the first assembly and the second assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The stepladder of claim 1, further comprising a pair of hinged spreaders, each hinged spreader being pivotally coupled with the first assembly and being pivotally coupled with the second assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The stepladder of claim 6, further comprising a pair of struts, each strut having one end pivotally coupled with an associated hinged spreader and another end pivotally coupled with at least one of the second assembly and the top cap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The stepladder of claim 7, wherein the pair of struts extend substantially parallel to the rails of the first assembly when the ladder is in the first, deployed state. ### Claim 9 A stepladder comprising: a first assembly including a pair of spaced apart rails defining a first volume; a second assembly including a pair of spaced apart rails defining a second volume, the second assembly being pivotally positionable relative to the first assembly between a first, deployed state and a second, collapsed state, wherein the first volume and the second volume at least partially merge when the stepladder is in the collapsed state; a top cap, wherein the first assembly is directly pivotally coupled with the top cap and wherein the second assembly is directly pivotally coupled with the top cap. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The stepladder of claim 9, wherein the first assembly further includes a plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of spaced apart rails. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The stepladder of claim 10, wherein the first assembly is at least partially nested within the second volume defined by the second assembly when the ladder is in the collapsed state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The stepladder of claim 10, wherein the second assembly is at least partially nested within the first volume defined by the first assembly when the ladder is in the collapsed state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The stepladder of claim 9, further comprising at least one releasable lock associated with the top cap configured to maintain the top cap in a desired orientation relative to at least one of the first assembly and the second assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The stepladder of claim 9, further comprising a pair of hinged spreaders, each hinged spreader being pivotally coupled with the first assembly and being pivotally coupled with the second assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The stepladder of claim 14, further comprising a pair of struts, each strut having one end pivotally coupled with an associated hinged spreader and another end pivotally coupled with at least one of the second assembly and the top cap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The stepladder of claim 15, wherein the pair of struts extend substantially parallel to the rails of the first assembly when the ladder is in the first, deployed state.