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 uses an energizing motor to control the gravitational forces for opening a cover and deploying ladder sections. During closing, the access panel is energized to retract the ladder sections and close the access panel. The motor is energized to close the access panel until a stow latch engages to stow the access panel during non-use. A safety switch is mounted inside the attic space to allow a user to open the panel and extend the ladder should the user be trapped in the attic space.
Claims36
An automated ladder apparatus to provide access to a space above an elevated structure, the automated ladder apparatus comprising:
- a cover for an opening in said elevated structure, said cover being moveable between a first position 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 slidable with respect to a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections;
- a motor configured to rotate a first gear;
- a reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections via a cable;
- and
- a free wheeling gear coupled to said first gear and said reel, said free wheeling gear (a) allowing for gravity to rotate said reel to unwind said cable about said reel so as to open said cover and lower said cover and extend said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, wherein, during extension of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, said motor is energized to rotate said first gear to control a rotational speed of said reel, and (b) allowing for said first gear to continue to rotate when said reel is prevented from rotating to unwind said cable.
An automated ladder apparatus to provide access to a space above an elevated structure, the automated ladder apparatus comprising:
- a cover for an opening in said elevated structure, said cover being moveable between a first position 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 slidable with respect to a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections;
- a motor;
- a reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections via a cable;
- a latching mechanism configured to hold said cover in the closed position;
- and
- a free wheeling gear coupled to said motor and said reel, said free wheeling gear (a) allowing for gravity to rotate said reel to unwind said cable about said reel and move said cover once said latching mechanism is unlatched, and (b) allowing for said reel to be driven by said motor to wind up said cable about said reel which retracts said plurality of said slidable extendable ladder sections, moves said cover toward the second position and then re-latches said latching mechanism to hold said cover in the second position.
An automated ladder apparatus to provide access to a space above an elevated structure, the automated ladder apparatus comprising:
- a cover for an opening in said elevated structure, said cover being moveable between a first position 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 slidable with respect to a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections;
- a reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections via a cable;
- and
- a free wheel coupled to a motor and said reel, said free wheel (a) allowing for gravity to rotate said reel to unwind said cable about said reel so as to open said cover and lower said cover and extend said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, and (b) allowing for said motor to continue to drive said free wheel when said reel is prevented from rotating to unwind said cable.
An automated ladder apparatus to provide access to a space above an elevated structure, the automated ladder apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections coupled to said elevated structure, a first of said slidably extendable ladder sections being slidable with respect to a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections, said plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections allowing access to the space through an opening in said elevated structure;
- a motor configured to rotate a first gear;
- a reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections via a cable;
- and
- a free wheel coupled to said first gear and said reel, said free wheel (a) allowing for gravity to rotate said reel to unwind said cable about said reel so as to lower and extend said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, wherein, during extension of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, said motor is energized to rotate said first gear to control a rotational speed of said reel, and (b) allowing for said first gear to continue to rotate when said reel is prevented from rotating to unwind said cable.
An automated ladder apparatus to provide access to a space above an elevated structure, the automated ladder apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections coupled to said elevated structure, a first, of said, slidably extendable ladder sections being slidable with respect to a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections, said plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections allowing access to the space through an opening in said elevated structure;
- a reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections via a cable;
- and
- a free wheel coupled to a motor and said reel, said free wheel (a) allowing for gravity to rotate said reel to unwind said cable about said reel so as to lower and extend said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, and (b) allowing for said motor to continue to drive said free wheel when said reel is prevented from rotating to unwind said cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.