Dual track ladder with brake mechanism that is automatically applied to the upper tracks to hold the ladder in place during use

A ladder system comprising:

• an overhead track system including a first guide track, a second guide track, a carriage operatively configured to move longitudinally in a longitudinal direction parallel to and along the first and second guide tracks and to move laterally in a lateral direction generally transverse to the longitudinal direction between the first and second guide tracks;
• the carriage having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rod directly extending between the first and second side walls;
• a ladder pivotally mounted to the carriage of the overhead track system thereby forming a pivot connection therebeteween, the ladder operatively configured to move along the rod in the lateral direction;
• a lateral carriage brake operatively configured to prevent said movement of the ladder along the rod in the lateral direction;
• and
• a latch carried by the ladder and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the carriage, the latch, when in the engaged position is connected with the carriage and operatively configured to hold the ladder in a latched position, and when in the disengaged position from the carriage, operatively configured to allow the ladder to rotate about the pivot connection, further comprising a locating arrangement including at least one stop mechanism at a bottom end of the ladder including a spring-loaded caster and a rubber pad, the locating arrangement configured to cause a person disposed on the ladder to compress a spring of the spring-loaded caster to urge the rubber pad against a floor to prevent movement of the ladder at the bottom thereof.

A ladder system comprising:

• an overhead track system including a first guide track, a second guide track, a carriage operatively configured to move longitudinally in a longitudinal direction parallel to and along the first and second guide tracks and to move laterally in a lateral direction generally transverse to the longitudinal direction between the first and second guide tracks;
• the carriage having a first side wall, a second side wall, a mounting bar, a first rod and a second rod, the first and second side walls being moveably affixed to the first and second guide tracks respectively, the first and second rods each being attached to the first side wall at a first end of the first and second rods, and being attached to the second side wall at a second end of the first and second rods, the mounting bar being moveably affixed to the first rod;
• a ladder pivotally mounted to the mounting bar by a first pivot connection therebeteween, the ladder operatively configured to move along one of the rods in the lateral direction;
• a lateral carriage brake operatively configured to prevent said movement of the ladder along said one of the rods in the lateral direction, the lateral carriage brake comprising:
• a lateral brake housing having a first housing end and a second housing end, said lateral brake housing including a lateral brake pad wherein the housing is pivotally connected on the first housing end to the carriage at a second pivot connection;
• an arm having a proximal end connected to and integral with the housing at the second housing end, the arm further having a distal end, wherein the lateral brake pad is disposed between the second pivot connection and the distal end of the arm;
• a spring disposed in relation to the distal end of the arm configured to rotationally urge the distal end of the arm about the second pivot connection to force the lateral brake pad into engagement with said one of the rods;
• and
• a latch carried by the ladder and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the carriage, the latch, when in the engaged position is connected with the carriage and operatively configured to hold the ladder in a latched position, and when in the disengaged position from the carriage, operatively configured to allow the ladder to rotate about the first pivot connection.