Ladder, member for connecting a rail to a horizontal element of a ladder, and method

A ladder comprising:

• a first side rail having a first rail flange and a second rail flange and a web which together form a u-shaped cross-section;
• a second side rail essentially in parallel with and adjacent to the first side rail, said second rail having a first rail flange and a second rail flange;
• a first step connected to the first side rail in proximity to its bottom and connected to the second side rail in proximity to its bottom and essentially perpendicular with the first and second side rails;
• a first front member connected to the first side rail and the first step;
• and
• a second front member connected to the second side rail and to the first step, each front member comprising:
• a first portion that connects to the first step;
• and
• a second portion which connects to the respective side rail and extends essentially in parallel with the respective side rail, said second portion integrally connected to the first portion such that the first portion and second portion are one continuous piece, said second portion in angular relationship with said first portion, said second portion has a contact surface which contacts respective web of the rail and extends along and conforms with the rail to which it is attached so forces can be transferred therebetween,
• a first arm which connects to the respective first rail flange and the first step and extends between the first portion and the second portion;
• a second arm which connects to the respective second rail flange and the first step and extends between the first portion and the second portion;
• a central body which is integrally connected to the second arm and the first arm, said first arm, second arm and central body being one continuous piece and forming a u-shaped cross-section, said central body being the contact surface;
• and
• a cross plate connected perpendicularly with the first arm and the second arm, said first arm, second arm, cross plate and central body being one continuous piece.

A method for using a ladder comprising the steps of:

• placing a load on the ladder;
• transferring forces generated from the load to a member connected between a rail of the ladder and a first step of the ladder through a cross plate of the member oriented perpendicularly with the rail, said member having a first portion that connects to the first step;
• and
• a second portion which connects to the rail and extends essentially in parallel with the rail of the ladder, said second portion integrally connected to the first portion such that the first portion and second portion are one continuous piece, said second portion in angular relationship with said first portion, the rail and member each respectively having first and second flanges joined by a web which together form u-shaped cross-sections, the flanges and web of the member mate and contact with respective flanges and web of the rail and extends along and conforms with the rail to which it is attached so forces can be transferred therebetween.