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US 8,944,211 B2Granted
Retractable ladder
OwnerRichard C. Blaskainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable ladder assembly for use in an elevator pit is disclosed. The retractable ladder assembly includes a ladder having spaced-apart parallel stiles coupled together via a plurality of stacked horizontally-disposed rungs. At least one pivot arm having a first end is coupled to the ladder. A second end of the pivot arm is adapted for coupling to a wall in the pit. The ladder assembly further includes a lift assist mechanism having a first end coupled to the ladder, and a second end for coupling to the wall. The lift assist mechanism is operative to assist in manually pivoting the ladder to a retractable state.
Claims14
A retractable ladder assembly comprising:
- a ladder having first and second spaced-apart stiles, the first stile coupled to the second stile via multiple stacked horizontally-disposed rungs, the first stile formed with a pivot opening and a first opening offset from the pivot opening, the first stile further formed with a second opening offset from the pivot opening in a direction other than the first opening;
- a first pivot received in the pivot opening to define a pivot point;
- a pivot arm having a first end for pivotally mounting to an elevator pit wall mount, and a second end pivotally mounted to the first stile via the first pivot;
- a pull-pin assembly mounted to the second end of the pivot arm, the pull-pin assembly having a user-grippable handle and a biased pin responsive to user actuation of the handle;
- wherein in a retracted state, the first opening in the first stile receives the biased pin to lock the ladder in a retracted position with respect to the elevator pit wall;
- and
- wherein in an extended state, the second opening in the first stile receives the biased pin to lock the ladder in an extended position with respect to the elevator pit wall;
- wherein the first pivot is disposed proximate a top portion of the ladder;
- a second pivot opening formed proximate a bottom portion of the ladder;
- and a second pivot received in the second pivot opening;
- and wherein the second pivot includes a hinge pivot arm having one end mounted to a second elevator pit wall mount, and a second end;
- and an electrical safety switch mounted to the second end of the hinge pivot arm, the switch including a biased plunger configured to slidably engage the hinge pivot arm to actuate the switch.
9 more elements
An elevator pit comprising:
- a pit wall oriented parallel to a path of an elevator car;
- and
- a retractable ladder assembly pivotally mounted to the pit wall via a wall mount, the retractable ladder assembly including
- a ladder having first and second spaced-apart stiles, the first stile coupled to the second stile via multiple stacked horizontally-disposed rungs, the first stile formed with a pivot opening and a first opening offset from the pivot opening, the first stile further formed with a second opening offset from the pivot opening in a direction other than the first opening;
- a first pivot received in the pivot opening to define a pivot point;
- a pivot arm having a first end mounted to the elevator pit wall mount, and a second end pivotally mounted to the first stile via the first pivot;
- a pull-pin assembly mounted to the second end of the pivot arm, the pull-pin assembly having a user-grippable handle and a biased pin responsive to user actuation of the handle;
- wherein in a retracted state, the first opening in the first stile receives the biased pin to lock the ladder in a retracted position with respect to the elevator pit wall;
- and
- wherein in an extended state, the second opening in the first stile receives the biased pin to lock the ladder in an extended position with respect to the elevator pit wall;
- wherein the first pivot is disposed proximate a top portion of the ladder;
- a second pivot opening formed proximate a bottom portion of the ladder;
- and a second pivot received in the second pivot opening;
- and wherein the second pivot includes a hinge pivot arm having one end mounted to a second elevator pit wall mount, and a second end;
- and
- an electrical safety switch mounted to the second end of the hinge pivot arm, the switch including a biased plunger configured to slidably engage the hinge pivot arm to actuate the switch.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.