Sectional overhead ladder with a fold assist feature

An improved sectional overhead ladder of the type wherein said sectional overhead ladder defines a stair structure having at least a first ladder and a second ladder, the first ladder of the stair structure and the second ladder of the stair structure being pivotally connected in such a manner that they are rotated about a pivotal connection from a folded position into an extended position, the improvement comprising a dampening system having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to be attached to the first ladder and said second end being adapted to be attached to the second ladder, said dampening system comprising, a housing defining a first end and a second end, said first end of said housing being adapted to be attached to the first ladder;

• a dampener substantially encased in said housing, said dampener defining a first end and a second end, said first end of said housing being attached to said first end of said dampener;
• and being adapted to be attached to the first ladder and said second end being adapted to be attached to the second ladder, whereby when the first ladder and the second ladder are rotated about the pivotal connection, the dampener limits the rotation of the first ladder proximate the second ladder;
• a cord defining a first end and a second end, said first end of said cord being attached to said second end of said dampener, said second end of said cord being adapted to be attached to the second ladder such that when the stair structure is collapsed, said dampener and said cord limit free extension of said stair structure and when the stair structure is extended, said dampener and said cord limit the collapse of the stair structure;
• whereby when the first ladder and the second ladder are rotated about the pivotal connection, the dampener limits the rotation of the first ladder proximate the second ladder.

An improved sectional overhead ladder of the type wherein said sectional overhead ladder defines a stair structure having at least a first ladder and a second ladder, the first ladder of the stair structure and the second ladder of the stair structure being pivotally connected in such a manner that they are rotated about a pivotal connection from a folded position into an extended position, the improvement comprising a dampening system having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to be attached to the first ladder and said second end being adapted to be attached to the second ladder, said dampening system comprising, a housing defining a first end and a second end, said first end of said housing being fixably connected to said first ladder such that said longitudinal dimension of said housing is substantially canted to a linear dimension of said first ladder;

• a dampener substantially encased in said housing, said dampener defining a first end and a second end, said first end of said housing being fixedly attached to said first end of said dampener, and;
• a cord defining a first end and a second end, said first end of said cord being attached to said second end of said dampener, said second end of said cord being adapted to be pivotally attached to the second ladder such that when the stair structure is collapsed, said dampener and said cord limit free extension of said stair structure and when the stair structure is extended, said dampener and said cord limit the collapse of the stair structure and;
• a pivoting guide proximate said second end of said housing, said pivoting guide being adapted to receive said cord and to allow said cord, as said dampener extends and retracts, to extend at an angle canted to said longitudinal dimension of said housing.