Leveling leg for a ladder
AssigneeMaterial Control, Inc.
InventorsJames F. Kerr, Nicholas J. Valore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rolling ladder includes opposing side members between which a plurality of treads are disposed at predetermined locations to define a ladder. The ladder further includes a support structure coupled to the ladder and including a front wheel support coupled to a plurality of rolling devices. A leg assembly has a user-adjustable length leg, and is coupled to the support structure. A lock mechanism is responsive to user actuation and is configured to move the rolling devices from a rolling position to a retracted position, wherein the leg of the leg assembly contacts the floor to thereby inhibit movement of the ladder.
Claims20
A leg assembly for use in a ladder, comprising:
- a leg having a first end and a second, opposing end, said first end being configured to engage a floor, said leg comprising a material configured so as to inhibit, when said first end engages the floor, the ladder from rolling;
- a pusher assembly coupled to said leg, said pusher assembly including a threaded bore;
- a connecting rod extending along an axis with a threaded first end in mesh with said threaded bore of said pusher assembly and a second end;
- an outer tube configured to house said leg and restrain relative rotation therein, said tube further configured to house said pusher assembly and said connecting rod;
- a cap assembly coupled to said connecting rod at said second end, said cap assembly being configured to (i) fix the longitudinal position of said connecting rod relative to said outer tube, and (ii) allow rotation of said connecting rod about said axis, said cap assembly being further configured, in response to user manipulation, to rotate said threaded first end of said connecting rod in mesh with said threaded bore of said pusher assembly to axially move said leg relative to said outer tube.
A ladder, comprising:
- first and second side members;
- a plurality of treads disposed at predetermined locations between said first and second side members, said first and second side members and said treads establishing a stair frame;
- a support structure coupled to said stair frame and including a front wheel support coupled to a plurality of front rolling devices;
- a leg assembly having a user-adjustable length leg, said leg assembly being coupled to said support structure;
- and
- a lock mechanism responsive to a user actuation and configured to move said front rolling devices from a rolling position, in which the rolling devices extend beyond said leg of said assembly, to a retracted position, in which said leg of said leg assembly extends beyond said rolling devices for engaging the floor to inhibit movement of said ladder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.