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US 2024/0044206 A1Published application
Multifunction button for ladder adjustment
AssigneeLittle Giant Ladder Systems, LLC
InventorsB. Scott Maxfield, N. Ryan Moss, Steven S. Miner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ladders have first and second assemblies with pairs of rails that form a pair of hinges rotatable about a pivot axis. The hinges include at least one retainer movable between axial positions along the pivot axis. The at least one retainer includes a body and a support arm coupled with the body. The arm can be pivotable relative to the body between a deployed position and a collapsed position. The support arm can support objects while a user is in an elevated position on the ladder.
Claims20
A ladder, comprising:
- a first assembly, including:
- a first pair of rails spaced apart from each other;
- a first set of rungs coupled to and extending between the first pair of rails;
- a first pair of hinge portions coupled to the first pair of rails;
- a second assembly, including:
- a second pair of rails spaced apart from each other;
- a second pair of hinge portions coupled to the second pair of rails;
- wherein the first pair of hinge portions and the second pair of hinge portions are pivotally coupled to each other to form a pair of hinges rotatable about a pivot axis;
- and
- a pair of hinge button assemblies,
- wherein each hinge button assembly of the pair of hinge button assemblies includes:
- a first button body coupled with a hinge of the pair of hinges;
- and
- a second button body coupled with the first button body and spaced axially outward from the first button body by at least one gap configured to receive an object.
11 more elements
A button for a locking mechanism, the button comprising:
- a button body including a first button body portion and a second button body portion;
- a pivot pin coupled with the first button body portion and extending away from the button body;
- and
- a biasing member operable to apply a biasing force to the button body, wherein the biasing force is configured to oppose a force applied to the button body opposite the pivot pin;
- wherein the second button body portion includes a width portion and at least two side portions, the at least two side portions connecting the width portion to the first button body portion, wherein the second button body portion and the first button body portion define an opening.
2 more elements
A ladder, comprising:
- a first assembly, including:
- a first pair of rails spaced apart from each other;
- a first set of rungs coupled to and extending between the first pair of rails;
- a first pair of hinge portions coupled to the first pair of rails and defining a first opening;
- a second assembly, including:
- a second pair of rails spaced apart from each other;
- a second pair of hinge portions coupled to the second pair of rails and defining a second opening;
- wherein the first pair of hinge portions and the second pair of hinge portions are pivotally coupled to each other to form a pair of hinges rotatable about a pivot axis;
- and
- a pair of retainers movable between a set of first axial positions along the pivot axis and a set of second axial positions along the pivot axis;
- wherein each retainer of the pair of retainers includes:
- a body having a body surface facing axially outward from the pair of hinges;
- a plate structure integrally formed with the body on at least two ends of the plate structure, wherein the plate structure is spaced axially outward from the body surface by at least one elongated gap, wherein the at least one elongated gap is parallel to the body surface and configured to receive and support a tool;
- a pivot pin coupled to the body on a side of the body opposite the plate structure;
- a bracket coupled to the pivot pin;
- and
- at least one locking pin coupled to the bracket;
- wherein the first assembly is rotatable relative to the second assembly while the pair of retainers is in the set of first axial positions and the at least one locking pin is removed from the first opening and from the second opening;
- and
- wherein the first assembly is prevented from rotation relative to the second assembly by the pair of retainers while the pair of retainers is in the set of second axial positions and the at least one locking pin is positioned in the first opening and in the second opening.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.