US3786900A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laterally stabilized stepladder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-25
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A foldable stepladder having stabilizer structure as a part thereof to provide the stepladder with lateral stability. The stepladder may be a generally conventional stepladder foldable between open and closed positions and equipped along the sides thereof with stabilizer components that are laterally movable between inner retracted and outer extended positions, and operative in the latter positions thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of the stepladder in each direction. The movable stabilizer components are elongated support legs pivotally connected with the stepladder adjacent the upper end thereof, and selectively movable between inner retracted positions in which they are held by retainer structure in general juxtaposition with the side edges of the ladder and outer positions in which they are constrained by tie structure that prevents movement of the support legs in both lateral and transverse directions. The movable support legs are also adjustable in length to accommodate irregular surfaces, and they may be used individually or together so as to permit the ladder to accommodate any particular environmental conditions during use thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 P Olsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:37
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06C; E06C1/00; E06C1/02; E06C1/14; E06C1/16; E06C1/20; E06C7/00; E06C7/42; E06C7/423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
410 words
A foldable stepladder of the like, comprising a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position of storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof, and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one component movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter position thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder; said stabilizer structure having a pair of the aforesaid components respectively disposed along the opposite sides of said frame elements and each being movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter positions thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder in each lateral direction; each of said movable components comprising a support leg pivotally related to said frame elements adjacent the upper end portions thereof both for lateral movement as aforesaid and for transverse swinging movement to position the leg along a plane located generally intermediate said frame elements in the open position thereof; means associated with each of said legs for releasably constraining the same in the inner and outer positions thereof; said means for constraining said movable legs including a pair of retainer structures respectively associated with said legs for securing the same in the retracted positions thereof to one of said frame elements, and further including tie structure connected with said frame elements and having members releasably engageable with said support legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same against both transverse and lateral displacements; and said tie structure also including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure; a pair of arms pivotally supported by said depending bracket and respectively engageable with said legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and said tie structure further including a pair of hinged braces respectively disposed along opposite sides of said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with the respectively associated arms in the active positions thereof in which they are in engagement with said legs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
410 words
A foldable stepladder of the like, comprising a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position of storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof, and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one component movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter position thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder; said stabilizer structure having a pair of the aforesaid components respectively disposed along the opposite sides of said frame elements and each being movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter positions thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder in each lateral direction; each of said movable components comprising a support leg pivotally related to said frame elements adjacent the upper end portions thereof both for lateral movement as aforesaid and for transverse swinging movement to position the leg along a plane located generally intermediate said frame elements in the open position thereof; means associated with each of said legs for releasably constraining the same in the inner and outer positions thereof; said means for constraining said movable legs including a pair of retainer structures respectively associated with said legs for securing the same in the retracted positions thereof to one of said frame elements, and further including tie structure connected with said frame elements and having members releasably engageable with said support legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same against both transverse and lateral displacements; and said tie structure also including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure; a pair of arms pivotally supported by said depending bracket and respectively engageable with said legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and said tie structure further including a pair of hinged braces respectively disposed along opposite sides of said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with the respectively associated arms in the active positions thereof in which they are in engagement with said legs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The stepladder of claim 1 in which each of said support legs includes an extension displaceable longitudinally with respect thereto so as to selectively increase and decrease the effective length of the associated support leg and thereby enable the same to accommodate irregular support surfaces, and further including a plurality of fastener means respectively associated with said leg extensions and operative to constrain the same in any position of adjustment thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
255 words
A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower and to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated supported leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement and equipped with a longitudinally adjustable extension operative to change the effective length of said leg; fastener means for locking said leg extension in any position of adjustment thereof; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including an arm connected with at least one of said frame elements and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
255 words
A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower and to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated supported leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement and equipped with a longitudinally adjustable extension operative to change the effective length of said leg; fastener means for locking said leg extension in any position of adjustment thereof; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including an arm connected with at least one of said frame elements and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
239 words
A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure, an arm pivotally supported by said depending bracket and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid, and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
239 words
A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure, an arm pivotally supported by said depending bracket and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid, and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
221 words
A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said movable leg being equipped with a longitudinally adjustable extension operative to change the effective length of said leg; and fastener means for locking said leg extension in any position of adjustment thereof, said fastener means being located above the bottom of said leg a distance in excess of the amount the extension may be projected downward from the bottom of the leg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
221 words
A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said movable leg being equipped with a longitudinally adjustable extension operative to change the effective length of said leg; and fastener means for locking said leg extension in any position of adjustment thereof, said fastener means being located above the bottom of said leg a distance in excess of the amount the extension may be projected downward from the bottom of the leg.
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) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |