Method of manufacturing a fiberglass ladder

Abstract

A combination step and extension ladder manufactured of composite material such as fiberglass is disclosed. The inner and outer side rails are molded fiberglass so that the fibers are angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective side rail. Hinges are provided on each of the inner side rails of the ladder so that the ladder may be folded and unfolded from a step ladder configuration to a straight extension ladder configuration and vice versa. The inner side rails are telescopically mounted within channeled outer side rails so that the inner side rails can be extended to increase the height of the ladder in either configuration. The outer side rails have a foam strip molded into one side such that the ladder rungs between the outer side rails are supported by both the fiberglass and the foamstrip. The inner side rails are provided with an insert which corresponds to the stepping surfaces of the rungs between the inner side rails to prevent twisting or movement of the rungs and to help to support the weight supported by the rungs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.