Automatic ladder for attic access
AssigneeJean-Pierre Lair
InventorJean-Pierre Lair
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An access panel is shown in the present invention to provide easy and safe access to an attic space or elevated structure. The access panel is fully automatic. During opening, the access panel only uses gravitational forces for opening a cover. Only during closing is the access panel motorized. The gravitational forces are used to both open the cover and extend the ladder sections, while the motor is only used to retract the latter sections and close the cover. A stow latch keeps the cover closed during non-use. A safety switch keeps the access panel from accidentally opening and the ladder sections from lowering if the stow latch is released. A mechanical lock keeps the cover open when the ladder sections have been lowered.
Claims29
An automated access panel for installation in an opening in a ceiling to provide access to a space above the ceiling, the automated access panel comprising:
- a framing structure for installation in said opening;
- a cover for closing said opening, said cover being pivotally attached to a first end of said framing structure;
- a plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections, a first of said slidably extendable ladder sections being mounted on said cover and a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections being slidably with respect to said first of said slidably extendable ladder sections;
- a motor connectable to an energy source;
- a cable connecting between a reel and at least one of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections;
- a free wheeling gear including a first part coupled to said reel and a second part coupled to said motor,
- said free wheeling gear (a) allowing for gravity to rotate said first part in a lowering direction to open said cover and lower said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, said second part adapted to freely rotate relative to said first part when said first part is prevented from rotating in the lowering direction so that said cable does not continue to unwind from said reel, and
- said free wheeling gear (b) adapted to be driven by said motor to rotate said second part in a raising direction opposite said lowering direction, said second part adapted to engage said first part when said motor drives said second part in the raising direction to wind up said cable about said reel which retracts said plurality of said slidable extendable ladder sections.
An automated access panel for installation in an opening in a ceiling to provide access to a space above the ceiling, the automated access panel comprising:
- a cover for said opening, said cover being pivotable between a first position in which said cover is deployed so as to allow access to the space through the opening and a second position in which the cover substantially covers said opening;
- a plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections, a first of said slidably extendable ladder sections being mounted on said corer and a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections being slidable with respect to said first of said plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections;
- a motor;
- a reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections via a cable;
- a free wheeling gear coupled to said reel and said motor, a first part of the free wheeling gear is coupled to said reel and is disengaged from said motor when rotating in a first rotating direction to allow for gravity to pivot the cover toward the first position and lower said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, said first part being driven by said motor when rotating in a second rotating direction, opposite the first rotating direction, to allow for said motor to allow for said motor to wind up said cable around said reel so as to retract said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections and pivot the cover toward the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.