Rear deck service ladder and handle assembly for combines

A ladder assembly for an elevated platform of an agricultural combine, comprising:

• (a) an upper ladder portion including an upper end in connection with an element of the elevated platform for upward and downward movement of the upper ladder portion relative to the platform, and simultaneous pivotal movement of a lower end of the upper ladder portion toward and away from the platform, the upper ladder portion having a lower end coupled to a pivot bracket, wherein the pivot bracket pivots about the lower end relative to the upper ladder portion between a stowed position and a deployed position;
• (b) a lower ladder portion and handle assembly fixedly connected to the pivot bracket, such that the handle assembly extends in a first direction and the lower ladder portion extends in a second direction, the second direction is opposite to the first direction, wherein the first and second directions are parallel to each other, wherein when the pivot bracket is in the stowed position, the lower ladder portion extends upwardly along the lower end of the upper ladder portion and a handle of the handle assembly extends generally downwardly therefrom, and when the pivot bracket is in the deployed position, the lower ladder portion extends downwardly from and forms an extension of the lower end of the upper ladder portion and the handle is disposed generally between the ladder assembly and the combine;
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• (c) a latch mechanism disposed on the pivot bracket for latching the lower ladder portion when in the stowed position to the lower end of the upper ladder portion, the latch mechanism including a release element disposed and configured to be movable in a predetermined manner for releasing and allowing pivotal movement of the lower ladder portion from the stowed position, and the handle being disposed and configured such that when the lower ladder portion is in the stowed position the handle can be manipulated to bring an element of the handle assembly to bear against and move the release element to release the lower ladder portion.

A ladder assembly for accessing an elevated platform of an agricultural combine, comprising:

• (a) an upper ladder portion connected to an upstanding handrail of the elevated platform for upward and downward movement relative thereto between a raised position generally vertically coextensive with the handrail, and a lowered position extending downwardly therefrom, the upper ladder portion having a lower end coupled to a pivot bracket, wherein the pivot bracket pivots about the lower end relative to the upper ladder portion between a stowed position and a deployed position;
• (b) a lower ladder portion and handle assembly fixedly connected to the pivot bracket, such that the handle assembly extends in a first direction and the lower ladder portion extends in a second direction, the second direction is opposite to the first direction, wherein the first and second directions are parallel to each other, when the pivot bracket is in the stowed position, the lower ladder portion extends upwardly from the lower end of the upper ladder portion and is generally vertically coextensive with at least a portion of the upper ladder portion and a handle of the handle assembly extends generally downwardly therefrom, when the pivot bracket is in the deployed position, the lower ladder portion extends downwardly from the lower end of the upper ladder portion and the handle extends generally upwardly and is disposed generally between the ladder assembly and the combine;
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• (c) a latch mechanism disposed on the pivot bracket is configured for latching and holding the lower ladder portion in the stowed position, the latch mechanism including a release element disposed and configured to be movable in a manner for releasing and allowing pivotal movement of the lower ladder portion from the stowed position, and the handle being disposed and configured such that when the lower ladder portion is in the stowed position the handle can be manipulated to bring an element of the handle assembly to bear against and move the release element to release the lower ladder portion.