US 8,074,769 B2Granted

Ladder accessory

AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

InventorsMichael W. Sracic, Daniel J. Goesch, Logan J. Hamel, Elliot J. Haag, David J. Tengler

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Abstract

A device is provided for aiding a user in transporting a load up and down a ladder assembly. The ladder assembly includes a fly ladder having slidably connected to a base ladder. Each ladder includes first and second spaced rails interconnected by a plurality of spaced rungs. The device has a frame assembly including a first subframe positionable adjacent the first rail of the base ladder and a second subframe positionable adjacent the second rail of the base ladder. First and second base ladder guides are operatively connected to each subframe and define tracks for receiving the rails of the base ladder therebetween. First and second fly ladder guides are operatively connected to the subframes and defines tracks for receiving the rails of the fly ladder therebetween.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A device for aiding a user in transporting a load up and down a ladder assembly, the ladder assembly including a fly ladder slidably connected to a base ladder, each ladder including first and second spaced rails interconnected by a plurality of spaced rungs, comprising:

a first base leg slideably engageable with a first side of the first rail of the base ladder;
a first base arm pivotable between a first extended position wherein the first base arm is slideably engageable with a second side of the first rail of the base ladder so as to receive the first rail of the base ladder between the first base arm and the first base leg and a second retracted position;
a first fly leg slideably engageable with a first side of the first rail of the fly ladder;
a first fly arm pivotable between a first extended position wherein the first fly arm is slideably engageable with a second side of the first rail of the fly ladder so as to receive the first rail of the fly ladder between the first fly arm and the first fly leg and a second retracted position;
a second base leg slideably engageable with a first side of the second rail of the base ladder;
a second base arm pivotable between a first extended position wherein the second base arm is slideably engageable with a second side of the second rail of the base ladder so as to receive the second rail of the base ladder between the second base arm and the second base leg and a second retracted position;
a second fly leg slideably engageable with a first side of the second rail of the fly ladder;
and
a second fly arm pivotable between a first extend position wherein the second fly arm is slideably engageable with a second side of the second rail of the fly ladder so as to receive the second rail of the fly ladder between the second fly arm and the second fly leg and a second retracted position.

6 more elements

a frame assembly including a first subframe positionable adjacent the first rail of the base ladder and a second subframe assembly positionable adjacent the second rail of the base ladder;
a first base leg operatively connected to the first subframe;
a first base arm pivotably connected to the first subframe, the first base arm moveable between a first extended position wherein the first base arm and the first base leg define a first base track for receiving the first rail of the base ladder and a second retracted position;
a first fly leg operatively connected to the first subframe;
a first fly arm pivotably connected to the first subframe, the first fly arm moveable between a first extended position wherein the first fly arm and the first fly leg define a first fly track for receiving the first rail of the fly ladder and a second retracted position;
a second base leg operatively connected to the second subframe;
a second base arm pivotably connected to the second subframe, the second base arm moveable between a first extended position wherein the second base arm and the second base leg define a second base track for receiving the second rail of the base ladder and a second retracted position;
a second fly leg operatively connected to the second subframe;
a second fly arm pivotably connected to the second subframe, the second fly arm moveable between a first extended position wherein the second fly arm and the second fly leg define a second fly track for receiving the second rail of the fly ladder and a second retracted position;
and
a first rung lock mechanism pivotably connected to the first subframe, the first rung lock mechanism movable between a first disengaged position and a second engaged position wherein the first rung lock mechanism engages a user selected rung and prevents the frame assembly from sliding in a downward direction along the ladder assembly.

8 more elements

a frame assembly including a first subframe positionable adjacent the first rail of the base ladder and a second subframe positionable adjacent the second rail of the base ladder;
a first base leg operatively connected to the first subframe;
a first base arm pivotably connected to the first subframe, the first base arm moveable between a first extended position wherein the first base arm and the first base leg define a first base track for receiving the first rail of the base ladder and a second retracted position;
a first fly leg operatively connected to the first subframe;
and
a first fly arm pivotably connected to the first subframe, the first fly arm moveable between a first extended position wherein the first fly arm and the first fly leg define a first fly track for receiving the first rail of the fly ladder and a second retracted position;
wherein the first base arm is positioned between the first base leg and the first fly arm.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.