Latch for ladder or step stool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9869125-B2
Application number	US-201615146573-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2016
Priority date	May 4, 2016
Publication date	Jan 16, 2018
Grant date	Jan 16, 2018

Abstract

A step stool or ladder includes a latch that engages a cross member to prevent a step from disengaging from the cross member. The curved end of the latch has a tail that provides additional weight to the end of the latch that engages the cross member and allows for decreased tolerances in manufacturing the latch. The other end of the latch has a knob that extends through an opening in the step so that the latch is accessible and to give visual cues to the user. The knob also maintains the latch in its position in the opening in the step. A bent out portion of the latch midsection serves to limit the amount of travel between the knob and the bent portion. The latch rotates on the portion of the latch between the bent portion and travel limiter and the knob attached to the latch.

First claim

We claim:

1. A ladder comprising:
a first frame member;
a second frame member further including a cross member;
at least one step pivotally attached to the first frame member having a back edge with an opening therein, the at least one step supported by the cross member of the second frame member; and
a latch pivotally attached to the at least one step, wherein the latch is adapted to fit within the opening in the step, the latch having a first end and a second end, the second end which releasably engages the cross member and the second end having a tail extending therefrom, wherein the latch further includes a longitudinal axis extending along a plane and the first end of the latch includes a longitudinal axis extending along the plane, the longitudinal axis of the first end being offset from the longitudinal axis of the latch.

2. The ladder of claim 1 wherein the latch further comprises a knob positioned on the first end of the latch.

3. The ladder of claim 2 wherein the knob is positioned on the back edge of the at least one step.

4. The ladder of claim 2 wherein the latch is formed of a single piece of sheet metal.

5. The ladder of claim 2 wherein a portion of the latch between the first end and the second end pivots around on an opening in the step.

6. The ladder of claim 1 further comprising steps, at least one of the steps is provided with a handle.

7. The ladder of claim 1 further wherein the second frame member has approximately the same width as the first frame member.

8. The ladder of claim 7 further wherein the ladder may be collapsed for storage, the second frame member folding to a position within a width of the first frame member.

9. The ladder of claim 1 wherein the ladder may be collapsed for storage, the second frame member folding to a position within a width of the first frame member.

10. The ladder of claim 1 wherein a portion of the latch pivots around on an opening in the step.

11. The ladder of claim 1 , wherein the latch is gravitationally operable.

12. A ladder comprising:
a first frame member;
a second frame member further including a cross member;
at least one step pivotally attached to the first frame member having a back edge with an opening therein, the at least one step supported by the cross member of the second frame member; and
a member latching the ladder in an open position, wherein the member is pivotally mounted to the at least one step and includes a first end and a second end, the second end which releasably engages the cross member and the second end having a tail extending therefrom, wherein the member further includes a longitudinal axis extending along a plane and the first end of the member includes a longitudinal axis extending along the plane, the longitudinal axis of the first end being offset from the longitudinal axis of the member.

13. The ladder of claim 12 wherein the member is enabled from a position on the back edge of the at least one step.

14. A step stool comprising:
a first frame member;
a second frame member further including a cross member;
at least one step pivotally attached to the first frame member, the at least one step supported by the cross member of the second frame member; and
a latch pivotally attached to a back edge of the at least one step, the latch having a first end, a second end which releasably engages the cross member and the second end having a tail, wherein the latch further includes a longitudinal axis extending along a plane and the first end of the latch includes a longitudinal axis extending along the plane, the longitudinal axis of the first end being offset from the longitudinal axis of the latch.

15. The step stool of claim 14 wherein the latch further comprises a first end, the latch further comprises a knob positioned on the first end of the latch, the knob positioned on a back edge of the at least one step.

16. The ladder of claim 15 wherein the latch is formed of a single piece of sheet metal.

17. The step stool of claim 14 wherein the at least one of step further comprises a handle.

18. The step stool of claim 14 , wherein the latch is gravitationally operable.

Assignees

• Tricam Industries Inc

Inventors

• Simpson Dennis D
• Lu Yongxue

Classifications

• E06C1/387 Primary

  having tip-up steps · CPC title

• E06C1/14

  Ladders capable of standing by themselves · CPC title

• E06C7/12

  Lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders · CPC title

• E06C1/16

  with {hinged} struts which rest on the ground (with struts rigid with the ladder E06C1/24; having platforms E06C1/39) · CPC title

• E06C1/393 Primary

  Ladders having platforms foldable with the ladder · CPC title