Patent US3554318A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3554318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding ladder
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-12-12
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A folding ladder comprises a plurality of ladder sections which are connected together in end-for-end relationship by coupling means and in which at least two of the coupling means are hinge devices, the axes of all the hinge devices being located on the same side of the plane of the ladder, the arrangement being such that when the ladder sections are in alignment, adjacent end portions of adjoining ladder sections or hinge devices are in abutting relationship with one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh P Knight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:22
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06C; E06C1/00; E06C1/02; E06C1/32; E06C1/38; E06C1/39; E04; E04G; E04G1/00; E04G1/28; E04G1/30; E04G2001/302; E04G2001/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A folding ladder comprising a plurality of ladder sections each consisting of a pair of stiles and a plurality of rungs connecting each pair of stiles, coupling means at least two of which are hinge devices connecting said ladder sections in endto-end relationship, each said hinge device consisting of a pair of hinges connecting the stiles of adjoining ladder sections, a friction member connected to one stile, being provided in at least one hinge of each of said pair of hinges and adapted to frictionally engage the other stile when the ladder sections are in alignment, and the axes of all of said hinges being located on the same side of the plane of the ladder whereby when the ladder sections are in alignment, the adjacent end portions of adjoining ladder sections are in abutting relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A folding ladder comprising a plurality of ladder sections each consisting of a pair of stiles and a plurality of rungs connecting each pair of stiles, coupling means at least two of which are hinge devices connecting said ladder sections in endto-end relationship, each said hinge device consisting of a pair of hinges connecting the stiles of adjoining ladder sections, a friction member connected to one stile, being provided in at least one hinge of each of said pair of hinges and adapted to frictionally engage the other stile when the ladder sections are in alignment, and the axes of all of said hinges being located on the same side of the plane of the ladder whereby when the ladder sections are in alignment, the adjacent end portions of adjoining ladder sections are in abutting relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A folding ladder according to claim 1, wherein each hinge comprises two U-shaped members secured respectively around adjacent end portions of the stiles of adjoining ladder sections, the arms of one of the U-shaped members extending between the arms of the other U-shaped memberS extending between the arms of the other U-shaped member and being pivotally coupled thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A folding ladder according to claim 2, wherein the stiles of one of the ladder sections terminates within said one U-shaped member to define a socket therein, whereas the stile of the other ladder section projects beyond said other U-shaped member, for engagement in the socket when the ladder sections are in alignment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A folding ladder according to claim 2, wherein said friction member is mounted within and extends beyond the stile which terminates within said one U-shaped member, said friction member being spring urged into frictional engagement with the inside wall of the adjacent sidearm of the adjoining ladder section when the ladder sections are in alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A folding ladder according to claim 1, wherein rigid stay bars are provided to maintain the ladder sections at a predetermined inclination to one another, said stay bars being pivotally coupled at one end to the stiles of one ladder section for detachably engaging the other end of said stay bars.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A folding ladder according to claim 5, wherein said gripping device comprises a resilient plate having an aperture for engagement by said other end of the stay bar, said other end having an enlarged terminal portion wider than said aperture, and a narrower neck portion adapted to be gripped by the resilient plate after insertion through the aperture of the terminal portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A folding ladder according to claim 1, wherein there are four ladder sections which are connected together in end-for-end relationship by three pairs of hinges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |