BOAT OR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE LADDER APPARATUS
A boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus is provided. One aspect of the present ladder apparatus includes an elongated extension handle including a slot adjacent a lower end thereof. Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus provides a snap-on step tread which can be mounted to a dual-tubular ladder step structure. Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus employs a laterally expandable ladder step which can be retrofit onto an existing ladder. A further aspect employs clasps or hooks to attach and retain a ladder step to generally vertical ladder rails in a tool-free and fastener-free manner.
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This application is a divisional of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/672,521, filed Aug. 9, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/447,021, filed on Jan. 17, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/373,514, filed on Aug. 11, 2016, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARYThe disclosure relates generally to a ladder apparatus and more specifically to a retrofit ladder apparatus for use with an existing boat or recreational vehicle ladder.
Many watercraft employ ladders to assist swimmers with exiting the water onto the watercraft. It is common for recreational boats, such as pontoon boats or even larger V-hull boats, to have a swim platform or deck adjacent a stern, to which is mounted a rotatable and telescopically collapsible swim ladder. Such a ladder can be downwardly extended in a generally vertically elongated orientation into the water or collapsed and upwardly rotated to a stowed and generally horizontal position on the swim platform or boat deck. Examples of such conventional arrangements are disclosed in the following U.S. patent numbers: U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,647 entitled “Portable Boat Ladder” which issued to Neese on Jun. 30, 2015; U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,175 entitled “Retractable Telescopic Boat Ladder” which issued to Schmitt et al. on Feb. 27, 2007; Design 331,219 entitled “Telescoping Boat Ladders” which issued to Barbour et al. on Nov. 24, 1992; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0272895 to Lavoie which was published on Dec. 7, 2006, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
An additional concern is that most traditional boat ladders have no handle or too short a vertically elongated rail. This makes it very difficult for a swimmer to exit the water and enter the boat. Furthermore, the few traditional ladders with extended handles are either poorly positioned, obstruct easy stowage of the upwardly rotated ladder, or are overly complicated and expensive due to hydraulically powered actuators. An example of such a hydraulically powered handle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,648 entitled “Retractable Ladder Assembly” which issued to Cook on Sep. 14, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Conventional boat ladders also suffer from uncomfortable or difficult to access ladder steps. There are three typical conventional step constructions. First, many boat ladders employ dual parallel tubes, defining a generally horizontal plane therebetween, for each step. In some instances, a polymeric tread, having a generally T or hourglass cross-sectional shape, is snapped between the pair of tubes to provide a grooved tread surface with an inboard-outboard width less than that of the collective tubes. Also, some traditional polymeric treads have a C-shape with an entirely hollow center, for mounting around the collective tops of and spanning between the dual tubes. Second, single piece rigid polymeric steps are screwed or riveted to the vertical rails. Third, single tubes are welded to or otherwise fastened between the vertical rails with an upper surface of each tube step optionally being flattened and sometimes encapsulated within a similarly shaped polymeric cover. Nevertheless, these conventional steps do not provide adequate inboard-outboard width for proper foot gripping, are too close to the boat hull for easy foot access, are slippery when wet, and/or are uncomfortable on the swimmer's bare feet.
Traditional boat ladder constructions typically have too few steps, especially below the water surface. The more steps provided, the easier it is for a swimmer to use the ladder without requiring undue upper body exertion. However, the more steps presented, the more difficult it is for the boat manufacturer to create a retracted stowage space, especially when the ladders are rotated about an attachment mounting bracket on a swim deck. Moreover, elongating conventional ladders and/or those with larger steps create weight concerns which make it more difficult for a user to upwardly rotate and stow the ladder.
Many of the preceding concerns are also presented with ladders attached to wheeled recreational vehicles (“RV”), even where some of these traditional RV ladders are stationarily and not rotatably mounted. The general term “recreational vehicle” is used herein to include a person or cargo carrying watercraft such as small or large boats or ships for any use, and wheeled recreational vehicles such as campers, fifth wheel trailers or motor homes within which a person can sleep in a prone position.
In accordance with the present invention, a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus is provided. One aspect of the present ladder apparatus includes an elongated extension handle including a slot adjacent a lower end thereof. In another aspect, a ladder extension handle is provided with a flotation structure. A further aspect allows an elongated extension handle to be attached within a boat-mounted pivoting rail of an existing ladder, in a retrofit, tool-free and fastener-free manner, such that the extension handle can be easily manually removed for ladder stowage. An offset bend is provided between upstanding sections of a removable extension handle for another aspect of the ladder apparatus.
The extension handle of the present ladder apparatus advantageously achieves better leverage for a swimmer climbing up the top steps of the ladder and pulling his or her body forward into the boat. Moreover, the present extension handle is quickly and easily insertable and removable from an existing ladder rail to promote quick stowage yet be sturdy due to its insertion below the existing rail-to-bracket pivot. The offset bend option further allows for larger people to enter the boat through a larger width provided by a pair of the extension handles being spaced apart greater than the lower ladder rails.
Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus provides a snap-on step tread which can be mounted to a dual-tubular ladder step structure. Another aspect of a ladder step allows for tool-free and fastener-free installation of a wider step onto a smaller width existing ladder step in a retrofit manner. This advantageously provides a larger and more comfortable step tread area for a user's foot. In a further aspect, a snap-on polymeric tread is provided with an angle of at least 5°, and more preferably at least 10°, above a plane through an existing step with an apex of the angle outboard of the step; this advantageously allows for easier user foot access and improved ergonomics when the user is exiting the water.
Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus employs a laterally expandable ladder step which can be retrofit onto an existing ladder. A further aspect employs clasps or hooks to attach and retain a ladder step to generally vertical ladder rails in a tool-free and fastener-free manner. In another aspect, a ladder step is laterally telescopic.
The present step advantageously provides a larger step surface. Moreover, the present step allows for adjustment between differently spaced apart existing ladder rails and/or to attach to different diameter rails, especially when employed with differing diameter telescopic rail sections. Another advantage is that the present step can be quickly removed from the ladder rails for stowage.
Another aspect of a boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus employs a hook between a retrofit supplemental ladder for placement upon an existing ladder. In a further aspect, a hook extends from an inboard edge of a foot tread surface of a step. An additional aspect provides a hook extending from each step in at least two different telescopic sections of a retrofit ladder. Yet another aspect employs an adjustable length standoff between a ladder and a boat surface. The present ladder apparatus is advantageous over conventional devices in that the present ladder apparatus provides an additional quantity of steps to allow easier use thereof while also being easily removable for stowage of both the retrofit ladder and the existing ladder. Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
Ladder apparatus 69 additionally includes at least one and preferably two extension handles 85, as can be viewed in
Furthermore, floatation structures are incorporated into each extension handle 85. Two different types of floatation structures are optionally included. A first is defined within an upper section 93 of each extension handle between a capped distal end 95 and an internal foam or other polymeric plug 97 inserted therein above slots 89. This provides an internal air pocket. A second floatation structure is an annular foam cylinder 99 which has an internal through-bore 101. Upper section 93 is slid into through-bore 101 of foam cylinder 99 in a snuggly fitting manner. Either or both of the aforementioned floatation structures may be employed depending on the material used for each extension handle to create water floatation thereof in case the user inadvertently drops the extension handle overboard.
Different configurations of the present extension handle 85 are employed. For example,
Moreover, the configuration of
Reference should now be made to
In this embodiment, a bottom surface of receptacle 129 is positioned lower than a bottom-most surface of receptacle 127. Furthermore, a neck is located between a top of receptacle 129 and tread wall 121. This provides an ergonomically desirable tilt a of at least 5° and more preferably at least 10°, from a tangent of a middle point of upper tread surface when it is arcuate (or a plane if flat) relative to a horizontal plane defined between laterally elongated centerlines of receptacles 129 and 127. The preferred arcuate end-view nature of the upper tread surface provides a neutral or generally horizontal planar portion upon which the feet contact regardless of off-vertical tilting of the ladder. Step 77 is preferably extruded from a polypropylene or TPE polymeric material (although other materials may be used) and is flexible to allow the receptacles to be snapped onto a middle section of each preexisting metal tube 75 in a retrofit manner.
The present step 77 advantageously provides a larger surface area and also a larger inboard-outboard width W. The apex of angle a is outboard away from the boat to achieve easier foot entry. A laterally elongated access opening of receptacle 127 faces forwardly toward the boat and generally perpendicularly to elongated access opening of receptacle 129 which is predominantly downwardly facing toward the water. This provides a pivoting snapping installation of step 77 onto tubes 75 to ease assembly. This step provides a greater and more comfortable gripping surface for the swimmer's feet as compared to traditional thinner width treads or slippery tubes. The present step is also more secure when installed as compared to most conventional tread inserts. The exposed upper, inboard and outboard surfaces of tread wall 121, the neck and exposed surfaces of projections 137 and 131, additionally provide an aesthetically pleasing and ornamental design.
Another embodiment of step 77 is illustrated in
Thus, both embodiments of the snap-on step advantageously achieve aesthetic as well as functional advantages over the prior traditional small treads. It should also be appreciated that alternate tread patterns can be employed such as a knurl pattern, herringbone pattern, repeating square pattern, repeating raised pyramidical pattern, repeating raised dome pattern, or the like. While at least ten elongated and parallel grooves are preferred, more can be employed.
An expandable step aspect of the present ladder apparatus 201 is illustrated in
Each expandable step 203 includes a laterally elongated outer sub-step 205 and a laterally elongated inner sub-step 207. Outer sub-step 205 is defined by a closed, generally rectangular or D-shaped cross-sectional wall which defines a hollow central cavity 209 therein. Outer sub-step 205 further includes an upper tread surface 211 defined by an anti-slip and foot grippable pattern such as multiple alternating grooves 213 and ridges 215 which are laterally elongated and parallel to each other. Relief apertures may optionally be provided in a bottom of outer sub-step 205 for cost and weight savings if injection molded. A plurality of spaced apart teeth 231 project from a boat-facing inboard edge of outer sub-step 205. A tapered upper surface 233 and backside ribs 235 are also provided on each tooth 231. This has both aesthetic and functional benefits.
Furthermore, inner sub-step 207 has an upper tread surface 217 defined by parallel, alternating ridges 219 and grooves 221 laterally elongated thereon. Inner sub-step 207 has a plurality of downwardly extending ribs along an underside thereof if injection molded. Inner sub-step 207 linearly and laterally slides into and out of hollow cavity 209 of outer sub-step 205 in a telescopic manner. Floatation foam may optionally be attached to an underside of inner sub-step 207.
Injection molded end sections 241 attach to proximal ends of sub-steps 205 and 207 in a snap-fit manner or with separate fasteners such as screws or rivets. The end section-to-sub-step assembly is done in the factory and need not be done by the boat user. Each end section 241 has a generally triangularly shaped gusset 243 upstanding from a top surface thereof. A clasp or hook 245 is mounted to an inboard edge of gusset 243 in an integrally single piece molded manner. Each hook 245 has an internal surface of a generally semi-circular or C-cross-sectional shape 247. Furthermore, a generally semi-circular or C-shaped surface 248 also defines a recess in a boat-facing inboard surface of each end section 241 below gusset 243. Accessible openings in each hook 245 and recess 248 for each side generally face toward each other, and vertical centerlines through hook 245 and recess 248 are coaxially aligned and generally perpendicular to a nominal plane or median tangent of sub-steps 205 and 207.
Polymeric or rubber inserts 249 of differing internal diameters and shapes are optionally insertable into the internal surfaces of each hook 245 and recess 248 to allow for snug engagement to a corresponding preexisting original rail 73.
Moreover, a through-hole 251 is provided within a flange of each end section 241. A straight tubular handle 253 is inserted through the aligned holes 251 of the multiple expandable steps 203 and the handle is temporarily retained in place by an annular collar 255 affixed to handle 253 adjacent an upper surface of the top expandable step. Supplemental handles 253 provide additional stability to each retrofit expandable step 203 such that a pair of steps, a rail and a handle on each side define a four bar linkage-type mechanism.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Referring to
Another variation of expandable steps 281 is shown in
Additionally, a foam, rubber or soft elastomeric polymer cover 603 is mounted upon upper, inboard and outboard walls of each outer sub-step 285. Cover 603 can be co-extrusionally molded or adhesively bonded to each more rigid sub-step 285 if permanent attachment is desired. Alternately, cover 603 can be injection molded if an irregular tread pattern 605 and/or text 607 is desired, and then either adhesively or mechanically fastened, such as by rivets or screws, to the outer sub-steps. Moreover, screws, which may be countersunk below the outer surfaces of the cover, provide removable mounting advantages. Sub-steps 283 and 285 have a uniform and hollow cross-sectional shape and are preferred extruded metal such as aluminum. Alternately, the sub-steps can be extruded or injection molded from a polymeric material.
Reference should now be made to
An alternate embodiment of an expandable step 241 of ladder apparatus 201 is shown in
All of the preceding expandable step embodiments allow for lateral size adjustability depending upon the specific preexisting rail spacing to which the expandable step is being retrofit thereto, since such varies ladder-to-ladder. The present expandable step embodiments are ideally suited for retrofit use with telescopically collapsible existing ladders where the rail diameters are of differing sizes. Moreover, it should also be appreciated that the expandable steps of the present embodiments may be used with fixed ladders that do not rotate and also with wheeled recreational vehicle ladders.
Retrofit or supplemental ladder 351 includes multiple telescopic supplemental rails 371 on each side, for example at least three rail subsections and more preferably at least four rail subsections. Enlarged steps 373 are permanently mounted, such as by welding or brazing, to supplemental rails 371 wherein there is preferably one supplemental step 373 for each telescopic rail subsection. Thus, the rail subsections and steps of retrofit supplemental ladder 351 can be expanded for generally vertical functional use as shown in
Each supplemental step 373 preferably has a generally flat middle portion 381, a downwardly or reverse turned outboard edge portion 383 and a downwardly bent or offset turned inboard edge portion 385. Downwardly turned inboard portion 385 of each step defines a laterally elongated hook laterally spaced toward a center between supplemental rails 371. Hooks 385 are removably positioned on top and inboard of each corresponding original step 363 of original ladder 353 when installed. The telescopic nature of retrofit supplemental ladder 351 allows for different vertical supplemental step-to-supplemental step 373 spacing variations between existing steps 363 of existing ladder constructions; for example, if expanded existing step-to-step 363 spacing is smaller than average then rails 371 and steps 373 of retrofit supplemental ladder may not need to be fully expanded in order for the uppermost two or three hooks 385 to be securely engaged to original steps 363.
Each supplemental step 373 is preferably stamped from aluminum or stainless steel, but may alternately be injection molded, extruded or compression molded from a polymeric material. Tread patterns may be stamped or molded into an upper surface thereof or a high-friction coating or applique may be alternately adhesively bonded upon middle portion 381 of each step 373. Hook portion 385 is laterally smaller than a majority of middle step portion 381 and outboard edge portion 373 of each step to allow the hook portion to more easily fit between different spacing rails of the existing ladder. Furthermore, a majority of each step is outboard of the retrofit and existing rails 371 and 357, respectively. It is also optionally envisioned that holes and supplemental upwardly elongated handles can be employed in the supplemental steps to add stability.
Retrofit supplemental ladder 351 of the present ladder apparatus 355 advantageously provides a larger foot gripping surface area, a more comfortable step area and better foot accessibility to each step as compared to the existing and prior ladders. Furthermore, the present retrofit supplemental ladder optionally provides a greater quantity of steps and steps positioned lower into the water than existing and prior ladder constructions, but while allowing easy removability for stowage of the existing and retrofit ladders.
Another alternate embodiment retrofit supplemental ladder 501 is shown in
A removable standoff 521 is provided to space retrofit supplemental ladder 501 away from boat hull 63. Standoff 521 can optionally position supplemental rails 503 to an outwardly angled orientation of at least 15° off of vertical, and more preferably at least 30° off of vertical with hooks 507 adjacent an apex of the angle. This advantageously allows supplemental ladder 501 to function as outwardly extending stairs with each lower step 505 more outwardly accessible than those above. Standoff 521 includes an inner shaft 523 and an outer shaft 525 within which the inner shaft slides. An adjustment bolt 527 and wing nut 529, cotter pin or other removable fastener, is inserted into aligned holes 531 of shafts 523 and 525 such that the inboard-outboard length of standoff 521 can be expandably adjusted or collapsed for stowage. In the
Another embodiment ladder apparatus 651 can be observed in
Multiple pairs of stamped sheet metal hook-like attachments 681 are secured to lower section 657 in a laterally and longitudinally spaced apart manner, such as by welding or riveting. It is alternately envisioned that only two longitudinally spaced hooks, rather than the four shown, may be employed although the hooks may need to be wider to provide the desired stability. At least one of the hooks 681′ has a longer projecting distal end 683 so as to make alignment and engagement with the pre-existing steps 363 easier. An inner and general C-shaped edge 685 of an upper hook, or all the hooks, may optionally be tapered with a widest dimension closest to the openly accessible distal ends. The hooks fit over the pre-existing steps either with both pairs adjacent an internal side of one rail assembly (e.g., the right rails as illustrated in
While the preferred extension handle 653 has a three-dimensional lateral and outboard diagonal offset, this hook construction may alternately be employed with a straight and coaxial upper and lower section arrangement. Furthermore, the removable hook attachments can be employed with a non-telescopic pre-existing ladder. Moreover, the extension handle and hooks can alternately be manufactured from polymeric, fiberglass or other materials. Internal and/or external foam may be provided in the tubular sections for floatation.
Another expandable and retrofit step assembly 651 of the present ladder apparatus can be observed in
A substantially C-shaped grommet 665, molded from an elastomeric material, is press-fit within recess 657 of each collar 659 for engagement around the associated tubular rail 73 of the boat or recreational vehicle-mounted ladder. Grommet 665 has barb-like hooks 671 facing each other adjacent the opening thereof which are resiliently compressible to snap-fit about rail 73 when pushed therepast during tool-free and fastener-free installation or removal. Different interior diameter grommets 665 may be provided as a kit with the expandable step such that the user can select the grommet size most appropriate to snuggly fit around the diameter of the pre-existing ladder rail 73.
A central sub-step 673 has a generally U-shape with a downwardly facing opening defined by an upper wall 675 of a generally horizontally and laterally elongated configuration with generally vertically extending walls 677 projecting from forward and backward edges thereof. Upturned flanges 679 project from bottom edges of walls 677 and define a laterally elongated channel 681 therein. Central sub-step 673 serves as a structural reinforcement upon which an elastomeric and generally U-shaped tread 691 is attached, such as by an adhesive, rivets or the like. Central step 673 is preferably extruded or stamped from a sheet of aluminum, although other rigid and lightweight materials may alternately be employed.
The inboard end portions of outer sub-steps 653 slideably engage within central sub-step 673 wherein walls 663 are slideably trapped within channels 681 of central step 673 in a tongue and groove manner. Thus, outer sub-steps 653 may be expanded from the extracted position illustrated in
Advantageously, this embodiment can accommodate a variety of original ladder step configurations of different shapes and sizes while providing a larger and more accessible step surface. Furthermore, this embodiment advantageously accommodates different rail-to-rail widths with a rigid and aesthetically pleasing construction. Moreover, this embodiment expandable step minimizes foot-pinching concerns between adjacent multi-height sub-steps.
As can be seen in
Reference should now be made to
A clamp lock employs a somewhat T-shaped bolt 731 which has a laterally elongated shaft 733 and a fore-and-aft elongated crossing handle 735. Alternately a different elongated fastener rod with a generally circular knob or loop thereon may be employed. A cylindrical fulcrum head 737 crosses shaft 733 at a distal end and is received within a mating semi-cylindrical groove adjacent a distal end 739 of finger 729. An intermediate cylindrical locking post 741 crosses a middle portion of shaft 733 and removeably engages within a generally semi-cylindrical groove of finger 727. The vertically elongated grooves face away from each other. Thus, T-bolt 731 has its intermediate post 741 disengaged from the groove of finger 727 to allow the user to push open fingers 727 and 729 away from each other about pivot pin 725. This is the position shown in the right hand side of
Reference should now be made to
At least one, and more preferably a pair, of bifurcated pivot tabs 791 laterally and generally horizontally project from an outboard wall of end section 775 and have coaxially aligned holes 793 therethrough. One or more flanges 795 generally horizontally projecting from an exterior of clamping finger 777 have an internal hole 797 therethrough which is positioned between hole 793. A rivet or shoulder bolt and nut fastener 799 couple together tabs 791 and flange 795 through their corresponding holes to allow the user to rotate clamping finger 777 along a generally horizontal plane about the vertical fastener axis between a closed installation position (as shown in
One or more locking tabs 801, with correspondingly aligned holes 803, project from a side of cavity 779 opposite that of pivot tabs 791. These locking tabs 801 are shown in a generally horizontally extending configuration in
Additionally, clamping finger 777 includes an annular projection 821 with a circular hole 823 therethrough which engages around an adjacent portion of a supplemental and generally vertically elongated handle 825. A pin or snuggly fitting insert may secure a lower end of handle 825 to a bottom one of the steps; however, clearance is provided between the other holes 823 and the handle to allow sliding therebetween when the steps are telescopically collapsed for storage. Crossing ribs 827 are injection molded into a bottom side of a gusset section 829 of clamping finger 777. Furthermore, side to side and laterally elongated ribs 831 are preferably injection molded into a bottom side of sub-step 773. It should be appreciated that alternate rib configurations and shapes may be employed. Outer sub-step 773 and clamping finger 777 are preferably made from a polymeric material but may alternately be cast or machined from a metallic material.
Another embodiment of a step 841 employed with the ladder apparatus is illustrated in
Foam may optionally be placed inside handle 901 and/or a cylindrical foam collar 921 may be press-fit about an outside portion of handle 901, preferably adjacent proximal coupling end 907. This allows flotation in water. Handle 901 is preferably extruded then bent, or hydro-formed stainless steel, but may alternately be aluminum or a rigid polymeric material.
The present embodiment extension handle 901 includes a coupling extension socket 923. A first version of socket 923 is illustrated in
Furthermore, a shaft 931 of socket 923 longitudinally projects from head 925. Shaft 931 has a bifurcated shape defining a longitudinally elongated slot 933 open to a distal end 935 thereof. Tapered internal and external surfaces 937 are also provided on the distal end of shaft 931. Moreover, an exterior of shaft 931 has a generally cylindrical shape.
Another embodiment socket 961 can be observed in
Returning to
In use, mount 1003 is rotatable about existing rail 73 from a stowed position, as can be observed in
In the functional usage position, however, the user slightly upwardly lifts the bracket and then rotates it until receptacle 1009 is rearward of associated rail 73 at which point the deeper recess 1005 engages with step 75 to deter undesired rotation therefrom. Thereafter, the bifurcated and slotted coupling in the extension handle, whether using a socket or integrally slotted, is inserted within receptacle 1009 and for engagement with rod 1013 in a tool-free, fastener-free and removable manner. Bracket 1001 is preferably made from a metallic material.
As can be observed in
Another embodiment retrofit extension handle 1051 can be seen in
While various embodiments of the present ladder apparatus have been disclosed, other variations may be employed. All of the extension handle, snap-in step, expandable step and retrofit supplemental ladder constructions disclosed herein may be interchanged and mixed and matched with each other. While a stern mounted ladder apparatus has been illustrated, it should also be appreciated that the ladder apparatus can be employed on a side of a boat as well. Moreover, all of the preceding ladder embodiments may be employed with wheeled recreational vehicles in addition to watercraft. It is intended by the following claims to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed embodiments that fall within the true spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A boat or recreational vehicle ladder apparatus comprising:
- an upper tread wall including a slip-resistant pattern on an upper surface thereof;
- a first boat or recreational vehicle ladder-tube-receiving formation extending from a bottom of the tread wall, the first tube-receiving formation having an internal cavity with a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional shape; and
- a second tube-receiving formation extending from the bottom of the tread wall, the second tube-receiving formation having an internal cavity with a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional shape;
- the first and second tube-receiving formations being spaced apart from each other such that centerline axes of the first and second tube-receiving formations are parallel to but offset from each other.
2. The ladder apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube-receiving formations are flexible and of a polymeric material.
3. The ladder apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pattern includes at least ten elongated and parallel grooves which extend in an end-to-end direction.
4. The ladder apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tube-receiving formations extend an entire length between ends of the upper tread wall.
5. The ladder apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second tube-receiving formation has an elongated accessible opening facing away from a boat when a ladder is in a vertically functional orientation.
6. The ladder apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second tube-receiving formation extends downward beyond a bottom of the first tube-receiving formation when a ladder is in a vertically functional orientation.
7. The ladder apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second tube-receiving formations each have an elongated accessible opening facing downwardly away from the upper tread wall when a ladder is in a vertically functional orientation.
8. The ladder apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the upper tread wall has a nominal end view curved shape from an inboard edge to an opposite outboard edge thereof.
9. The ladder apparatus of claim 1, wherein a tangent to a middle point on the upper surface of the upper tread wall tilts at least 10° off of horizontal, with its apex being furthest away from a boat when the ladder is in its vertically functional orientation.
10. The ladder apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a boat-ladder comprising a pair of upwardly elongated rails with steps spanning between the rails, at least one of the steps including a pair of tubes with parallel middle sections, the tube-receiving formations snapping onto the tubes in a fastener-free manner, and the upper tread wall entirely covering tops of the tubes and extending past inboard and outboard surfaces of the tubes to provide a larger foot-engaging area as compared to only an area provided by the tubes.
11. The ladder apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tube-receiving formations includes two projections, an inside surface of which defines the substantially semi-circular cross-sectionally shaped cavity, at least one of the projections being longer and more flexible than the other of the projections.
12. A boat ladder apparatus comprising:
- an upper tread including a foot-grippable pattern thereon;
- a first elongated receptacle extending from a bottom of the tread, the first receptacle having a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional surface;
- a second elongated receptacle extending from the bottom of the tread, the second receptacle having a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional surface;
- wherein centerlines through the elongated receptacles are parallel to but offset from each other;
- wherein the receptacles are a flexible polymeric material; and
- wherein a nominal upper surface of the upper tread tilts at least 10° off of a plane through the centerlines of the receptacles.
13. The ladder apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pattern includes at least ten elongated and parallel grooves which extend in an end-to-end direction.
14. The ladder apparatus of claim 12, wherein the receptacles are tube-receiving formations extending an entire length between ends of the upper tread.
15. The ladder apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second receptacle has an elongated accessible opening adapted to face away from a boat when a ladder is in a vertically functional orientation, within which a structural ladder step tube is received.
16. The ladder apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the second receptacle extends downwardly beyond a bottommost portion of the first receptacle.
17. The ladder apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a boat-ladder comprising a pair of upwardly elongated rails with steps spanning between the rails, at least one of the steps including a pair of tubes with parallel middle sections, the receptacles snapping onto opposite sides of each of the tubes in a fastener-free manner, and the upper tread entirely covering tops of the tubes and extending past inboard and outboard surfaces of the tubes to provide a larger foot-engaging area as compared to an area only provided by the tubes.
18. The ladder apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of the receptacles includes two projections, an inside surface of which defines the substantially semi-circular cross-sectional surface, at least one of the projections being longer and more flexible than the other of the projections.
19. A boat ladder apparatus comprising:
- an upper tread wall including a slip-resistant pattern thereon;
- a first tube-receiving formation located below the tread wall, the first tube-receiving formation having a partially circular cross-sectional shape;
- a second tube-receiving formation located below the tread wall, the second tube-receiving formation having a partially circular cross-sectional shape; and
- a boat-ladder comprising a pair of upwardly elongated rails with steps spanning between the rails, at least one of the steps including a pair of tubes with parallel middle sections, the tube-receiving formations snapping onto the tubes in a fastener-free manner, and the upper tread wall entirely covering tops of the tubes and extending past inboard and outboard surfaces of the tubes to provide a larger foot-engaging area as compared to only an area provided by the tubes.
20. The ladder apparatus of claim 19, wherein:
- the tube-receiving formations are a flexible and polymeric material;
- the tube-receiving formations extend an entire length between ends of the upper tread wall; and
- projections of the tube-receiving formations engaging opposite sides of each of the ladder tubes.
21. The ladder apparatus of claim 19, wherein an upper surface of the upper tread wall has a nominal end view curved shape from an inboard edge to an opposite outboard edge thereof.
22. The ladder apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second tube-receiving formation has an elongated accessible opening adapted to face in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which an elongated accessible opening of the first tube-receiving formation faces.
23. The ladder apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second tube-receiving formation extends downwardly beyond a bottom of the first tube-receiving formation.
24. The ladder apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and second tube-receiving formations each have an accessible opening facing downwardly away from the upper tread wall.
25. The ladder apparatus of claim 19, wherein a nominal upper surface of the upper tread wall tilts at least 10° off of a plane defined by centerlines of the tube-receiving formations.
26. The ladder apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least one of the tube-receiving formations includes two projections, an inside surface of which defines the substantially semi-circular cross-sectional shape, at least one of the projections being longer and more flexible than the other of the projections.
27. A boat ladder apparatus comprising:
- a molded upper tread including a logo between elongated grooves on an upper surface thereof;
- a first receiving formation located below the tread, the first receiving formation having a partially circular cross-sectional shape;
- a second receiving formation located below the tread, the second receiving formation having a partially circular cross-sectional shape; and
- a boat-ladder comprising a pair of upwardly elongated rails with a step spanning between the rails, the receiving formations snapping onto the step in a fastener-free manner, and the upper tread covering tops of the step and having a larger foot-receiving area than the step.
28. The ladder apparatus of claim 27, wherein:
- the receiving formations are a flexible and polymeric material;
- the receiving formations extend an entire length between ends of the upper tread wall; and
- projections of the receiving formations engaging opposite sides of each of a pair of ladder tubes which define the step.
29. The ladder apparatus of claim 27, wherein the grooves are elongated in a lateral direction.
30. The ladder apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second receiving formation has an elongated accessible opening adapted to face in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which an elongated accessible opening of the first receiving formation faces, and the step includes a pair of elongated and spaced apart tubes.
31. The ladder apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second receiving formation extends downwardly beyond a bottom of the first receiving formation.
32. The ladder apparatus of claim 27, wherein:
- the first and second receiving formations each have an accessible opening facing downwardly away from the upper tread;
- the boat ladder is telescopic; and
- the boat ladder includes a pivotable boat-mounting bracket adjacent an upper end thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 27, 2019
Publication Date: Jun 27, 2019
Applicant: BoBo Ladders LLC (Moberly, MO)
Inventors: Larry Brian Champ (Cairo, MO), Wayne Lawrence Soucie (Columbia, MO), Jeffrey Earl Tayon (Moberly, MO), Michael Herbert Schmidt (Moberly, MO)
Application Number: 16/286,813