Abstract: Stepladders having flat tread steps have a step extender fixed along the rear edge of the first step from the top of the ladder to increase the width of the step bearing surface and improve ladder safety. The extender comprises a flat tread portion and a depending brace portion. A minor section of a longitudinal edge of the extender overlaps the upper, rear edge of the ladder step which it serves to widen.

Abstract: Extension ladders having a bed section and a fly section comprises automatic hook locks of a rotary type that rotate on shafts carried on brackets parallel to the side rails of the ladder fly section to move between normal hooking positions and intermittent passing positions. Pivoted toggles rotate with the hook locks and serve to move them into their passing position as the fly section is lowered. The hook portions of the locks are contoured to move them into their passing position by contact with step members of the bed section as the fly section is raised.

Abstract: The fly sections of extension ladders are provided at the bottom end with opposed housing bars upon which a rung is mounted thereby avoiding the usual hazard of a skipped rung. The housing bars are constructed and mounted on the fly section to provide multi-directional strength while permitting full movement, in the space between the mounting bar and the ladder side rail, of automatic hook locks equipped with conventional toggles. The improved constructions are especially suited to the manufacture of all-metal ladders.

Abstract: Ladders made of metal comprising first sections of metal channel that intersect second sections of metal channel have the first and second sections joined together without use of rivets or weldings by providing the first sections with pairs of U-shaped cavities, the second sections with tip flanges, fitting the tip flanges, in various ways, into the U-shaped cavities and press forming portions of the first sections against the tip flanges to lock the first and second sections together. Typically, the first sections would be side rails and the second sections, steps, rungs or cross braces.

Abstract: Stepladders made of extruded aluminum channels include special forms of front section bracing and brackets for a bucket rack that enables the ladder to be fabricated with a minimum of fasteners and parts while providing improved strength, rigidity and safety properties.

Abstract: Combination step, stair well and extension ladders are characterized by a single bracket member by which a bucket rack and the top rear section are pivoted to the front step section, the bucket rack is supported by telescoping channel members, spring-biased hooks are pivoted on the top rear section to make locking engagement with the top step of the ladder's front step section and snap pin units are carried by brackets on the lower rear section to interlock with holes in the sides of the top rear section to adjust the length of the ladder when it is in the extension ladder configuration.

Abstract: Stepladders are made of extruded aluminum metal parts including special bracket members for the rear prop section and the bucket rack that mitigate torsional twist. Cross bracings for the rear prop section and bracings of the front section are structured to prevent pantographing or rotation and reduce to a minimum the number of rivets required for ladder assembly thereby providing strong, safe ladders of light weight and low cost.

Abstract: The safety of ladders is improved by providing them with pivoted foot members that carry ground spikes that rest against the foot member when not in use and rotate for ground penetration into a position in which the foot member exerts leverage to dig the spikes into the ground.

Abstract: Stepladders having good lateral stability comprise a pair of channel members of fixed length pivoted at their top end to the side rails of the front ladder section to swing between a closed position and an extended position. The bottom ends of each channel member carries a foot member which always extends below the bottom end of the front section side rails so that the front section is supported in use of the ladder exclusively upon said foot members and not upon the bottom ends of the side rails.

Abstract: A extension ladder formed of interlocked top and bottom sections has ladder leveler means comprising a pair of sleeve members that slideably encompass the lower end of the bottom section siderails. A short flange on each sleeve member is captivated by a guide member carried on the inside of each lower siderail permitting the sleeve members to be securely retained in operative position on the bottom of the ladder without interference with the free sliding of the ladder top section along the bottom section.