US5462133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Step ladder stabilizer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-10-20
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Granted: 1995-10-31
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Expires: 2014-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A stepladder stabilizer comprising a telescopically adjustable leg having an upper end and a lower end; a coupling mechanism for coupling the upper end of the leg to a stepladder and allowing the leg to be pivoted and rotated with respect the stepladder; limiting means for limiting the extent to which the leg can be pivoted and rotated; and a foot pivotally coupled to the lower end of the leg and having a gripping mechanism extended downwards therefrom for preventing the foot from slipping when placed on a recipient surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren R. Merrill, Jr.
- 👤 Jacqueline M. Taylor-Merrill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:05
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06C; E06C1/00; E06C1/02; E06C1/38; E06C7/00; E06C7/42; E06C7/423; E06C7/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
444 words
A stepladder stabilizer for maintaining a stepladder in an upright configuration when in use comprising, in combination: a pair of interchangeable rectangular horizontally positioned planar feet, each of the feet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a bracket coupled to the upper surface and extended upwards therefrom with one foot further having a plurality of teeth extended downwards from the lower surface thereof and with the other foot further having a pad coupled to the lower surface thereof; a leg further comprising: an elongated straight rigid tubular lower segment having a sealed lower end and an open upper end with a threaded hole disposed therethrough, the lower end pivotally removably coupled to the bracket of one of the feet to define a first swivel joint that allows rotation of the lower segment in a first vertical plane; and an elongated straight rigid cylindrical upper segment having an upper end and a lower end with the lower end telescopically received within the upper end of the lower leg; a bracing joint having a first section and a second section, the first section further having a cylindrical shape and an axial bore formed thereon with a T-shaped cross section and a threaded bolt extended therefrom at a location aligned with and remote from the bore and with the bolt couplable to a step ladder through the use of a nut, the second section further having a cylindrical shape with an axial plug formed thereon and disposed within the bore of the first section and an end pivotally coupled to the upper end of the upper segment to thereby create a second swivel joint that allows the leg to be rotated in a second vertical plane that is positioned in perpendicular alignment with the first plane and also allows the leg to be rotated in a third plane that is positioned in coplanar alignment with the first plane, thereby providing two degrees of freedom; a pair of chains with each chain having a first end coupled to the lower leg near its upper end with a coupling bracket and a second end couplable to a separate leg of the stepladder with another coupling bracket with each coupling bracket formed of a base plate and a U-shaped eyelet extended outwards from the base plate and with the chains used for limiting the extent to which the leg can be pivoted and rotated; and a locking pin having a threaded tip end and a T-shaped handle end and with the tip end threadedly disposed within the threaded hole of the lower leg and abuttable against the upper segment when tightened for setting the extension of the leg.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
444 words
A stepladder stabilizer for maintaining a stepladder in an upright configuration when in use comprising, in combination: a pair of interchangeable rectangular horizontally positioned planar feet, each of the feet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a bracket coupled to the upper surface and extended upwards therefrom with one foot further having a plurality of teeth extended downwards from the lower surface thereof and with the other foot further having a pad coupled to the lower surface thereof; a leg further comprising: an elongated straight rigid tubular lower segment having a sealed lower end and an open upper end with a threaded hole disposed therethrough, the lower end pivotally removably coupled to the bracket of one of the feet to define a first swivel joint that allows rotation of the lower segment in a first vertical plane; and an elongated straight rigid cylindrical upper segment having an upper end and a lower end with the lower end telescopically received within the upper end of the lower leg; a bracing joint having a first section and a second section, the first section further having a cylindrical shape and an axial bore formed thereon with a T-shaped cross section and a threaded bolt extended therefrom at a location aligned with and remote from the bore and with the bolt couplable to a step ladder through the use of a nut, the second section further having a cylindrical shape with an axial plug formed thereon and disposed within the bore of the first section and an end pivotally coupled to the upper end of the upper segment to thereby create a second swivel joint that allows the leg to be rotated in a second vertical plane that is positioned in perpendicular alignment with the first plane and also allows the leg to be rotated in a third plane that is positioned in coplanar alignment with the first plane, thereby providing two degrees of freedom; a pair of chains with each chain having a first end coupled to the lower leg near its upper end with a coupling bracket and a second end couplable to a separate leg of the stepladder with another coupling bracket with each coupling bracket formed of a base plate and a U-shaped eyelet extended outwards from the base plate and with the chains used for limiting the extent to which the leg can be pivoted and rotated; and a locking pin having a threaded tip end and a T-shaped handle end and with the tip end threadedly disposed within the threaded hole of the lower leg and abuttable against the upper segment when tightened for setting the extension of the leg.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2652184A
Cited
FR1351393A
Cited
US4175641A
Cited
US4899849A
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US4872529A
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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) | 1998-10-30 | 1999-05-01 | 1999-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-30 | 2003-05-01 | 2003-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-30 | 2007-05-01 | 2007-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |