Adjustable ladders, ladder components and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9797194-B2
Application number	US-201414479035-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 5, 2014
Priority date	Sep 6, 2013
Publication date	Oct 24, 2017
Grant date	Oct 24, 2017

Abstract

Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A ladder comprising:
a first rail assembly comprising:
a pair of outer rails,
a first plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails,

a pair of leveler mechanisms, each leveler mechanism being associated with one of the pair of outer rails, each leveler mechanism comprising:
a leg member slidably disposed within a lower portion of its associated outer rail, the leg member having a first plurality of openings arranged in a first column and a second plurality of openings arranged in a second column, wherein the first plurality of openings are longitudinally staggered relative to the second plurality of openings along a length of the leg member; and
an actuating mechanism including a body and a pair of laterally spaced, spring biased engagement pins at least partially disposed within the body, the pair of engagement pins including a first engagement pin configured for individual engagement with each first plurality of openings and a second engagement pin configured for individual engagement with each second plurality of openings, wherein the first engagement pin is displaceable relative to the body, wherein the first and second engagement pins and the first and second columns of openings are arranged such that the first engagement pin is in a disengaged state while the second engagement pin is in an engaged state independent of any displacement of the second engagement pin relative to the body.

2. The ladder of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement pin and the second engagement pin each include a substantially cylindrical body portion and an angled engagement surface.

3. The ladder of claim 2 , wherein the engagement surface of the first engagement pin and the engagement surface of the second engagement pin are substantially coplanar.

4. The ladder of claim 2 , wherein each of the openings in the first column of openings and each of the openings in the second column of openings include a substantially planar upper surface and a substantially arcuate lower surface.

5. The ladder of claim 1 , further comprising a pull ring pivotally coupled with each of the first engagement pin and the second engagement pin.

6. The ladder of claim 5 , wherein each of the engagement pins includes an elongated slot formed therein and extending lengthwise along a first axis, and wherein a portion of the pull ring is disposed in the elongated slot of each engagement pin such that it is slidable within the elongated slot in a direction along the first axis and is pivotal within the elongated slot about a second axis, the second axis being different from the first axis.

7. The ladder of claim 1 , further comprising a spring having a first end coupled with one of the outer rails and a second end coupled with the leg member of one of the leveler mechanisms.

8. The ladder of claim 7 , further comprising a laterally protruding stop member coupled with the leg member.

9. The ladder of claim 8 , further comprising a foot member coupled with the leg member.

10. The ladder of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of inner rails slidably disposed in a portion of the pair of outer rails and second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of inner rails.

11. The ladder of claim 1 , wherein, upon application of a predefined force to a portion of the actuating mechanism, both of the first engagement pin and the second engagement pin are retracted away from the leg leveler and into the body of the actuating mechanism.

12. The ladder of claim 1 , wherein the actuating mechanism prohibits movement of the leveler in a first defined direction until application of a predefined force to a portion of the actuating mechanism.

Assignees

• Wing Entpr Inc

Inventors

• Moss N Ryan
• Jonas Gary
• Russell Brian
• Peterson Sean R

Classifications

• Y10T292/696

  With movable dog, catch or striker · CPC title

• E06C7/423

  Ladder stabilising struts · CPC title

• E06C7/44 Primary

  Means for mounting ladders on uneven ground · CPC title

• E06C1/32

  Ladders with a strut which is formed as a ladder and can be secured in line with the ladder · CPC title

• E06C7/46

  Non-skid equipment · CPC title