# US 2019/0376341 A1 · Combination ladders, ladder components 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 2019/0376341 A1 - Document ID: US20190376341A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/435,183 - Filed: 2019-06-07 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-08 - Assignees: Wing Enterprises, Incorporated - Applicants: Wing Enterprises, Incorporated - Inventors: Bradley Scott Maxfield; N. Ryan Moss; Brian B. Russell; Steven S. Miner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190376341A1 ## CPC - E06C 1/18: with supporting struts formed as ladders {(E06C1/32 takes precedence)} - E06C 7/50: Joints or other connecting parts - E06C 1/32: Ladders with a strut which is formed as a ladder and can be secured in line with the ladder - E06C 7/182: {situated at the top of the ladder} - E06C 7/42: Ladder feet; Supports therefor (for scaffold elements E04G5/02) - E06C 7/46: Non-skid equipment - E06C 7/48: Ladder heads; Supports for heads of ladders for resting against objects {(ladders attachable to structures such as poles E06C1/34)} - E06C 7/482: {Supports specially adapted for resting the ladder against or in a corner} - 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 Ladders and ladder components are described herein, including multipurpose and adjustable ladders. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having rails and rungs, a second assembly having rails and rungs, and one or more hinges coupling the first and second assemblies together such that the first and second assembly may be positioned relative to one another in at least a position or state and at least a second position or state. A top cap is coupled to the rails of the first assembly, such that when the first and second assemblies are in the first position, the rails of the second assembly do not contact the top cap. When the first and second assemblies are in the second position, each rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested in one of a pair of channels formed in the top cap. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ladder comprising: a first assembly comprising: a first pair of spaced apart rails, a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails, a second assembly comprising: a second pair of spaced apart rails, at least one rung extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails, a pair of hinges pivotally coupling the first pair of spaced apart rails with the second pair of spaced apart rails such that the first pair of rails are selectively positionable relative to the second pair of rails in at least a first, a second and a third position; a top cap coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails, wherein the first and second pair of spaced apart rails are in the first position, the second pair of rails do not contact the top cap, and wherein, when the first and second pair of spaced apart rails are in the second position, each rail of the second pair of spaced apart rails is at least partially nested in one of a pair of channels formed in the top cap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ladder of claim 1, wherein, when the first and second pair of spaced apart rails are in the third position, the second pair of rails do not contact the top cap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ladder of claim 1, further comprising a selectively positionable rail coupled with at least one of the first assembly, the second assembly and the top cap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ladder of claim 3, wherein the selectively positionable rail includes a pair of side members and at least one cross member coupled between the pair of side members. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ladder of claim 1, further comprising an accessory coupled with the second pair of spaced apart rails, the accessory including: a first pair of engagement surfaces forming an interior 90 degree angle, and a second pair of engagement surfaces forming an exterior 90 degree angle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ladder of claim 5, further comprising a pair of feet, each foot of the pair of feet coupled to an associated rail of the second pair of spaced apart rails, wherein the accessory is coupled with the second pair of rails at a location between the pair of feet and the at least one rung. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The ladder of claim 5, wherein the first pair of engagement surfaces include a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, and wherein a notch is formed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface, the notch including a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are spaced from each other a distance of approximately 1.5 inches or greater. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The ladder of claim 5, wherein the accessory is removably coupled with the second pair of rails. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ladder of claim 1, wherein each hinge of the pair of hinges includes: a first lock ring, a second lock ring selectively rotatable relative to the first lock ring about an axis, a geared member having at least one cog on a periphery thereof and disposed axially between the first lock ring and the second lock ring, the geared member having an axially protruding shaft including a ramped portion, an annular recess and an abutment shoulder between the ramped portion and the annular recess, an annular coiled spring disposed about a portion of the shaft and configured to contract within the annular recess upon displacement of the geared member towards the second lock ring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The ladder of claim 1, wherein the first pair of spaced apart rails exhibits a first width at a first height of the first assembly and a second width at a second height of the first assembly, the second width being greater than the first width. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The ladder of claim 10, wherein the second pair of spaced apart rails are substantially parallel to each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ladder of claim 11, wherein the second assembly exhibits a width of approximately 14.5 inches or less. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The ladder of claim 1, wherein the top cap includes a first body portion and a second body portion selectively displaceable relative to the first body portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The ladder of claim 13, further comprising a cushion disposed on a surface of the second body portion. ### Claim 15 A ladder comprising: a first assembly comprising: a first pair of spaced apart rails, a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails, a first pair of feet coupled with the pair of spaced apart rails, a second assembly comprising: a second pair of spaced apart rails extending substantially parallel to one another, at least one rung extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails, a second pair of feet coupled with the second pair of spaced apart rails, a pair of hinges pivotally coupling the first pair of spaced apart rails with the second pair of spaced apart rails; a top cap coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails; wherein the first assembly exhibits a first width at a location adjacent the pair of hinges and a second width adjacent the first pair of feet, the second width being greater than the first width. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The ladder of claim 15, wherein the second assembly exhibits an overall width of approximately 14.5 inches or less. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The ladder of claim 15, wherein each rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails includes a first section and a second section, the first section being substantially linear and being coupled with a hinge of the pair of hinges, the second section being flared and extending between the first section and a foot of the pair of feet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The ladder of claim 17, wherein the second section is arcuate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The ladder of claim 18, wherein the first pair of space apart rails are formed of a material comprising fiberglass. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The ladder of claim 17, wherein the first sections of the first pair of spaced apart rails are substantially parallel with each other. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The ladder of claim 15, wherein the first pair of rails are selectively positionable relative to the second pair of rails in at least a first, a second and a third position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The ladder of claim 21, wherein the first and second pair of spaced apart rails are in the first position, the second pair of rails do not contact the top cap, and wherein, when the first and second pair of spaced apart rails are in the second position, each rail of the second pair of spaced apart rails are at least partially nested in one of a pair of channels formed in the top cap. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The ladder of claim 22, wherein the top cap includes a first body portion and a second body portion selectively displaceable relative to the first body portion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The ladder of claim 23, wherein the second body portion includes a first, substantially flat engagement surface, and a pair of protruding members extending away from the substantially flat engagement surface. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The ladder of claim 24, wherein the pair of protruding members include: a first protruding member having a first angled surface and a second angled surface, a second protruding member having a third angled surface and a fourth angled surface, wherein the first angled surface and the third angled surface form an interior 90 degree angle relative to each other and wherein the second angled surface and the fourth angles surface form an exterior angle relative to each other. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The ladder of claim 25, further comprising a channel disposed between the first protruding member and the second protruding member. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The ladder of claim 26, wherein the channel exhibits a width of approximately 1.5 to approximately 1.625 inches.