US3796456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ladder and platform assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-30
•
Granted: 1974-03-12
•
Expires: 1992-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A ladder and platform assembly is disclosed for utilization with conventional rear-access campers. The assembly comprises a fixed rectangular frame having two opposed side channels forming a track for a movable rectangular frame. The movable frame includes two opposed side rails slidably mounted within the side channels of the fixed frame. The movable frame also includes a pair of parallel lateral beams located at the rearward end thereof for supporting a platform section. Upon installation, the movable frame is adapted to slide along the side channels to enable the platform section to extend out of the rearward end of the camper, directly below the entryway. The movable frame also includes a center rail extending longitudinally along the movable frame. The ladder comprises a rectangular carriage having two sides that are adapted to slide within the frame side rails and the center rail. The ladder further includes a first pair of side rails pivotally connected to the forward end of the carriage and a second pair of side rails pivotally connected to the rearward end of the carriage. A plurality of rectangular step sections are pivotally connected at their corners to the two pairs of ladder side rails. During retraction, the ladder carriage is moved forwardly and the ladder side rails and steps are pivoted upwardly to lie flush within the movable frame. During extension, after the movable frame is extended rearwardly to expose the platfrom section, the ladder carriage is moved rearwardly and the ladder side rails and steps are pivoted downwardly until the bottom extremities of the ladder contacts the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 L Bergeson
- 👤 L Arnot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R3/00; B60R3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A storable ladder assembly capable of being used in camper vehicles comprising: a pair of longitudinal tracks for mounting beneath the floor section of the vehicle; a movable frame slidably mounted between said pair of tracks, includes two side longitudinal rails which are slidable within said tracks, a pair of cross beams interconnecting the ends of said side longitudinal rails and a third longitudinal rail located between said first two longitudinal rails, one end of said frame having a platform section formed thereon which is adapted to slide outwardly beyond said tracks to extend outwardly from the camper; and a ladder member comprising a carriage slidably mounted within said frame, said carriage having a pair of lateral side members which are adapted to slide within either of said movable frame''s two side longitudinal rails and said third longitudinal rail, at least two ladder side rails pivotally connected to each side member, said side rails having at least one step section pivotally mounted at each corner to respectively a ladder side rail, said carriage adapted to slide toward the end of the frame forming the platform section to enable the ladder side rails to pivot downwardly to contact the ground, said carriage further adapted to slide away from the end of the frame forming the platform section to enable the ladder side rails to pivot upwardly and lie within said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A storable ladder assembly capable of being used in camper vehicles comprising: a pair of longitudinal tracks for mounting beneath the floor section of the vehicle; a movable frame slidably mounted between said pair of tracks, includes two side longitudinal rails which are slidable within said tracks, a pair of cross beams interconnecting the ends of said side longitudinal rails and a third longitudinal rail located between said first two longitudinal rails, one end of said frame having a platform section formed thereon which is adapted to slide outwardly beyond said tracks to extend outwardly from the camper; and a ladder member comprising a carriage slidably mounted within said frame, said carriage having a pair of lateral side members which are adapted to slide within either of said movable frame''s two side longitudinal rails and said third longitudinal rail, at least two ladder side rails pivotally connected to each side member, said side rails having at least one step section pivotally mounted at each corner to respectively a ladder side rail, said carriage adapted to slide toward the end of the frame forming the platform section to enable the ladder side rails to pivot downwardly to contact the ground, said carriage further adapted to slide away from the end of the frame forming the platform section to enable the ladder side rails to pivot upwardly and lie within said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal tracks comprises a pair of C-shaped channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said C-shaped channels are connected at their ends to a pair of cross bars to form an integrally structured unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said side two longitudinal rails comprise a pair of C-shaped rails and said third longitudinal rail comprises an I-shaped rail located equidistant between said C-shaped rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the lateral sides of said carriage includes wheel means rotatably mounted thereon for riding within the C-shaped and I-shaped rails of said movable frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
160 words
A storable ladder assembly for vehicles having a floor support member comprising: a pair of longitudinal tracks capable of being mounted beneath said support member of said vehicle; a carriage having a pair of side members movably mounted between said pair of longitudinal tracks and a support platform means extending at least between said side members of said carriage for facilitating egress and entrance to the vehicle; a pair of ladder side rails pivotally connected to each side member; and at least one step support section interconnected between said ladder side rails, the mounting arrangement of said carriage permitting it to move towards one end of said tracks to enable said ladder side rails to pivot downwardly to contact the ground and place the step support section in an operative position while movement of the carriage towards the other end of said tracks permits said ladder side rails to pivot upwardly into a storage position between said pair of tracks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
A storable ladder assembly for vehicles having a floor support member comprising: a pair of longitudinal tracks capable of being mounted beneath said support member of said vehicle; a carriage having a pair of side members movably mounted between said pair of longitudinal tracks and a support platform means extending at least between said side members of said carriage for facilitating egress and entrance to the vehicle; a pair of ladder side rails pivotally connected to each side member; and at least one step support section interconnected between said ladder side rails, the mounting arrangement of said carriage permitting it to move towards one end of said tracks to enable said ladder side rails to pivot downwardly to contact the ground and place the step support section in an operative position while movement of the carriage towards the other end of said tracks permits said ladder side rails to pivot upwardly into a storage position between said pair of tracks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said longitudinal tracks comprises a pair of C-shaped channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said C-shaped channels are conNected at their ends to a pair of cross bars to form an integrally structured unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said step support section is pivotally mounted at its corners to each ladder side rail.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein a second step support member is connected to said ladder side rails.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |