# US 5,704,448 A · Modular ladder system

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- Number: US 5,704,448 A
- Document ID: US5704448A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/519,995
- Filed: 1995-08-28
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1995-07-14
- Inventors: Joseph Robert Jenkins, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704448A

## CPC

- E06C 1/125: {with tubular longitudinal members nested within each other}
- E06C 1/34: Ladders attached to structures, such as windows, cornices, poles, or the like ({E06C9/12 takes precedence}; ladders permanently fastened to buildings E06C9/00, {e.g. climbing irons E06C9/04})
- E06C 7/081: {Rungs or other treads comprising anti-slip features}
- 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

A modular ladder system for climbing trees is provided, comprising an upper assembly having a first pair of support members attached to one another by a top step; a lower assembly having a second pair of support members attached to one another by a bottom step; a central assembly having a third pair of support members and a third step, wherein the upper and lower assemblies are independently slidable relative to the central assembly; a first lock between the upper assembly and the central assembly for selectively locking the position of the upper assembly relative to the central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position; a second lock between the lower assembly and the central assembly for selectively locking the position of the lower assembly relative to the central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position; an attachment device on the upper assembly for attaching the ladder module to a tree; and a stabilizer on the upper assembly and the lower assembly for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree. In a preferred embodiment, a first portion of the stabilizer is attached to the top step, and a second portion of the stabilizer is attached to the bottom step, the top step is lockingly pivotable relative to the upper assembly; and the bottom step is lockingly pivotable relative to the lower assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A portable ladder module for climbing a tree, comprising:
(a) an upper assembly having a first pair of support members attached to one another by a top step;
(b) a lower assembly having a second pair of support members attached to one another by a bottom step;
(c) a central assembly having a third pair of support members, wherein said upper and lower assemblies are independently slidable relative to said central assembly;
(d) first locking means operatively disposed between said upper assembly and said central assembly for selectively locking the position of said upper assembly relative to said central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position;
(e) second locking means operatively disposed between said lower assembly and said central assembly for selectively locking the position of said lower assembly relative to said central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position;
(f) means on said upper assembly for attaching said ladder module to a tree; and
(g) means on said upper assembly and said lower assembly for stabilizing said ladder module against said tree, wherein a first portion of said stabilizing means is attached to said top step, and a second portion of said stabilizing means is attached to said bottom step; wherein said top step is lockingly pivotable relative to said upper assembly; and wherein said bottom step is lockingly pivotable relative to said lower assembly.

### Claim 2

A portable ladder module for climbing a tree, comprising:
(a) an upper assembly having a first pair of support members attached to one another by a top step;
(b) a lower assembly having a second pair of support members attached to one another by a bottom step;
(c) a central assembly having a third pair of support members, wherein said upper and lower assemblies are independently slidable relative to said central assembly;
(d) first locking means operatively disposed between said upper assembly and said central assembly for selectively locking the position of said upper assembly relative to said central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position;
(e) second locking means operatively disposed between said lower assembly and said central assembly for selectively locking the position of said lower assembly relative to said central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position;
(f) means of said central assembly for attaching said ladder module to a tree; and
(g) means on said upper assembly and said lower assembly for stabilizing said ladder module against said tree, wherein a first portion of said stabilizing means is attached to said top step, and a second portion of said stabilizing means is attached to said bottom step; wherein said top step is lockingly pivotable relative to said upper assembly; and wherein said bottom step is lockingly pivotable relative to said lower assembly.