Collapsible ladder device

Claim 1

A collapsible ladder device comprising a plurality of series connected hinged members extendible to a linear condition and foldable to a collapsed condition, said plurality of members including first and second end members and a plurality of intermediate members with respective lengths allowing the device to be folded in spiral form To its collapsed condition with the first end member located within the spiral and the second end member at the outer end of the spiral, said device in its collapsed condition having a rectangular form and every member being parallel to every other member evenly displaced from it in said series of members, a securing means for preventing said device from assuming its collapsed condition comprising a pair of elongated flexible bands each having first and second ends detachably secured with the first and second members when the device is in its extended condition and each extending along the rear side of a respective one of said elements for opposing the collapse of and maintaining said device in its linear condition for use, and tensioning means comprising a plurality of rods each having a first end pivotally secured with a said member at spaced positions intermediate said first and second end members and a second end movably receiving therethrough one of said bands, said tensioning means spacing said bands away from the rear side of said elements of said members when pivoted from its retracted position to extend normal to its said member for tensioning said band and maintaining said device in its extended condition, whereby the device may be collapsed by pivoting the rods to positions close to the members for removing tension from the bands, detaching the ends of the bands from the end members and pivoting the members to provide the spiral rectangular form for the ladder device.