Light weight ladder systems and methods
AssigneeWing Enterprises, Incorporated
InventorNewell Ryan Moss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a rail for a ladder. The method may include pultruding in a longitudinal direction, a rail having a selected cross-sectional shape. The rail may then be cut to a predetermined length at a distal end. A force may be applied, in a lateral direction, to the rail to form a curvature therein. The curvature may be characterized by a flared portion, a straight portion, and a curved region providing the transition therebetween. The rail may be held at the desired curvature for a time selected for the rail to take on the curvature substantially permanently. The force may then be removed and the rail may be assembled into a ladder.
Claims14
A method for manufacturing a ladder, the method comprising:
- pultruding a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer material to form at least one rail;
- cutting the at least one rail to a predetermined length;
- substantially cooling and setting the thermoplastic polymer;
- reheating the at least one rail to a temperature proximate a glass transition temperature corresponding to the thermoplastic polymer material and applying a force to the at least one rail in a direction substantially transverse to the at least one rail's predetermined length to form a curvature therein subsequent the reheating, the curvature including a flared portion, a straight portion, and a curved region providing a transition therebetween;
- holding the at least one rail at the curvature for a time selected for the at least one rail to take on the curvature substantially permanently;
- and
- assembling the at least one rail into a ladder.
A method for manufacturing a ladder, the method comprising:
- forming a rail including:
- pultruding in a longitudinal direction, the rail having a cross-sectional shape;
- cutting the rail to a predetermined length at a distal end;
- forming the cross-sectional shape to comprising first and second retainers connected by a web;
- applying a force in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal extend of the rail to form a nonlinear segment therein, the nonlinear segment including a flared portion, a straight portion, and a curved region providing a transition therebetween, wherein forming the curved region comprises bending the rail into a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially single continuous arc substantially tangent with the flared portion, a series of angled bends spaced from one another along the curved region, and a single continuous bend connecting the straight portion to the flared portion;
- and
- holding the rail at a configuration of the nonlinear segment for a time sufficient for the rail to take on the configuration substantially permanently;
- and
- assembling the rail into a ladder including:
- longitudinally distributing, along the flared portion and straight portion, rungs extending laterally, the flared portion being located to support the ladder on a supporting surface to increase stability thereof;
- inserting an extension to slide longitudinally within the straight portion;
- providing the first and second retainers to capture the extension within, and in sliding engagement with, the straight portion;
- and
- configuring the first retainer to have a rib extending away therefrom and shaped to secure the rungs thereto.
A method for manufacturing a ladder, the method comprising:
- pultruding in a longitudinal direction, a rail having a cross-sectional shape, including forming the rail of a reinforced fiber in a thermoplastic polymer matrix;
- cutting the rail to a predetermined length at a distal end;
- selecting a time to provide for substantial cooling and setting of the thermoplastic polymer matrix;
- reheating the rail to a temperature proximate a glass transition temperature corresponding to the thermoplastic polymer matrix;
- applying a force in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal extend of the rail to form a nonlinear segment therein, the nonlinear segment including a flared portion, a straight portion, and a curved region providing a transition therebetween;
- holding the rail at a configuration of the nonlinear segment for a time sufficient for the rail to take on the configuration substantially permanently;
- and
- assembling the rail into a ladder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.