Abstract: A collapsible ladder assembly (10) is provided which is particularly adapted for use in and around automobiles in order to provide convenient access to the upper portions of the vehicle for painting or other purposes. The ladder assembly (10) includes a generally horizontally extending base (12) preferably including a pair of spaced apart rails (18, 20), together with a ladder (14) operably coupled to the base (12). The ladder (14) is preferably oriented in an upright position and at an angle of at least 60.degree. relative to the platform (12), and an essentially vertically oriented strut assembly (16) is employed for stabilization purposes. In use, the base assembly (12) can be positioned beneath an automobile (66) with the upright ladder (14) closely adjacent a side panel (68) of the automobile (66). The assembly (14) can also be folded together to assume a compact storage configuration.

Abstract: A step ladder which folds with respect to a width and a depth thereof. A set of unidirectionally foldable steps is pivotally attached between a pair of side rails, and an extendible cross-bracing assembly is disposed between another pair of side rails. Foldable spreaders are pivotally attached between opposing side rails. Each step has two halves, and a brace is pivotally attached to each half. A translation assembly is disposed in each side rail to which each brace is attached. When the ladder is folded with respect to its width, the steps fold upward, drawing the braces upward by means of the translation assembly. When the ladder is folded with respect to its depth, the spreaders are folded, resulting in a completely folded ladder with the steps and the braces substantially contained within the side rails. A locking assembly is disposed between the side rails for preventing the ladder from folding.

Abstract: A locking device for preventing bidirectionally foldable step ladders from folding when in an unfolded position, the step ladders being the type including two pairs of U-shaped side rails and a plurality of foldable steps linked by braces to a plate slidably received within respective side rails. The locking device is pivotally attached within a side rail and co-operates with a bracket fixed to the plate to prevent the plate from moving upward when the step ladder is unfolded.

Abstract: A step ladder which folds with respect to a width and a depth thereof. Two sets of unidirectionally foldable steps are pivotally attached between two pairs of side rails, and foldable spreaders are pivotally attached between opposing side rails. Each step has two halves, and a brace is pivotally attached to each half. A translation assembly is disposed in each side rail to which each brace is attached. A head step is disposed on a top of the ladder and is pivotal in the two directions of the step ladder. When the ladder is folded with respect to its width, the step fold upward, drawing the braces upward by means of the translation assembly. When the ladder is folded with respect to its depth, the spreaders are folded, resulting in a completely folded ladder with the steps and the braces substantially contained within the side rails. A locking assembly is disposed between the side rails for preventing the ladder from folding. A retaining assembly prevents the ladder from unfolding.

Abstract: A collapsible folding step-stool which is mountable to a cabinet door. The step stool comprises (1) a bracket mountable to the cabinet door; (2) a platform movable between a lowered, generally horizontal, operative position and a raised, generally vertical, inoperative position; (3) a plurality of parallel arms attached at their first ends to the platform and pivotally coupled at their second ends to the bracket; and (4) a plurality of parallel support legs movable between a generally vertical operative position perpendicular to the platform and a generally vertical inoperative position parallel with the platform and the bracket. The support legs have upper ends pivotally coupled to the platform and lower ends which, when the platform is in the operative position, are adapted to rest on the floor with the lower ends of the legs at a lower elevation than the bottom of the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method to facilitate direct eye level contact between a hospital caregiver or other support personnel and a patient confined to a bed. The invention provides a lightweight yet stable chair which rapidly folds into a substantially flat unit which can be readily removed from the bedside in a medical emergency. The design of this apparatus makes it uniquely suitable for the severe constraints of a hospital environment.

Abstract: Tree pole ladder which includes first and second detachable sections. Each of the detachable sections pivotally supports laterally extending steps which the foldable from a horizontally extending position for climbing, to a storage position aligned with the pole section. The detachable sections are coupled together by a coupling section which permits the sections to be rapidly connected and detached to a pair of single pole sections which may be easily transported to remote locations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emergency ladder equipment. Such an emergency ladder equimpment is mounted on the outside wall of the top floor of buildings. The emergency ladder equipment substantially comprises a number of ladder members which are stored in a storage case in a stacked or folded manner except for an emergency case, wherein the storage case is mounted on the outside wall of buildings. Each ladder member is connected by a connecting device to the subsequent ladder member. Furthermore, the bottom end of each ladder member is supported by a support stay disposed in the storage case. By releasing the support stay, each ladder member slides down one after another in series while being connected by a plurality of connecting devices to form a complete ladder which is installed along the outside wall of the building.

Abstract: A prefabricated adjustable stairway having a pair of opposed stacked stringers supporting each step. A stair support bracket is pivotally attached to each top stringer and is connected by an associated link to the supporting bottom stringer. Each step is mounted on an opposed pair of brackets. Sliding movement of the top stringer on the bottom stringer is used to adjust each step to a horizontal plane regardless of the inclination of the stairway. The steps can then be fixed in this position.

Abstract: A ladder apparatus adapted to be borne by a fixture, such as cabinet, including a bracket adapted to be mounted on the fixture, a pair of first support members individually, substantially pivotally mounted on the bracket, a pair of second support members individually slidably mounted on the first support members, and a pair of third support members individually, slidably mounted on the second pair of support members and at least one step mounted on and interconnecting the third support members whereby the apparatus can be disposed in a collapsed, stored attitude inside a cabinet or alternatively extended therefrom and disposed in an operational attitude extending outside the cabinet.

Abstract: A ladder includes a pair of spaced apart rails having upper and lower ends, and a plurality of substantially identical slats located between the rails. Each slat has a support axle or the like engaging the rails, and defining an axis of rotation for the slat. An actuating bar or rod is operatively connected to each of the slats for selectively and simultaneously rotating the slats from a closed position wherein the slats are substantially coplanar and parallel to the rails, to an open position wherein the slats are oriented transversely to the rails and thus form steps. The actuating bar or the like is restrained in the normally closed position. A trigger mechanism is located at the upper end of the rails and operatively connected to the actuating bar, for selectively releasing the restraining member, whereby the slats can rotate to the open position for use.

Abstract: A hunting stand for an all terrain vehicle is characterized by a collapsible frame connected with the vehicle and including front and rear pairs of legs formed of hinged upper and lower sections pivotal between folded and extended positions. A locking sleeve is slidably connected with each leg for locking the hinges when the leg sections are in the extended position. A pair of braces are releasably connected between the front and rear legs on each side of the stand to stabilize the legs when they are in the extended position. A platform is connected with the top of the frame to define a support surface. When the leg sections are in the folded position, the platform is arranged generally vertically behind the seat of the vehicle. When the leg sections are in the extended position, the platform is arranged horizontally and is spaced above the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible stair which provides support platforms that are spaced laterally and vertically from one another at approximately a one-to-one slope, thus enabling a person to ascend or descend the stair in a more convenient walking motion. There are two inverted U-shaped cross members pivotally connected to one another at a pivot axis intermediate the ends of the legs of the two U-shaped members. An upper support platform extends between the upper ends of the two inverted U-shaped members. There are one or more additional support platforms extending horizontally from forwardly positioned lower leg portions of one of the U-shaped members.

Abstract: A ladder including a lower step section and a strut pivotally connected together at their upper ends for swinging movement between a collapsed position toward each other and a downwardly divergent erected position, an upper step section pivoted to the upper end of the lower step section for swinging movement between a folded position along the lower step section and an erected position inclining as an extension of the lower step section, and a catch pivotally connected to the upper step section for swinging movement between a gravitationally depending retracted position along the upper step section when the ladder is folded to a gravitationally depending position from the upper step section to hooked engagement with a lug on the lower step section when the upper step section is extended.

Abstract: A ladder including a lower step section and a strut pivotally connected at their upper ends for swinging movement between a collapsed position one within the other and a downwardly divergent erected position, and an upper section pivoted to the upper end of the lower step section for swinging movement between a folded position closely overlying the lower step section and an erected position inclining as an extension of the lower step section.

Abstract: In a stepladder, with two legs which are connected with each other swingably around an axis in the region of an upper end of the legs, at least one of the legs has transverse support members which are supported by a first pair of stiles, and arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the first pair of stiles to form the treads, said transverse support members being developed as board-shaped threads which, when the legs are spread apart a predetermined maximum distance, the standing surface of the transverse support members is horizontal and lies in horizontal planes, the treads being connected swingably about axes parallel to each other, to the first pair of stiles and to respective link members which are parallel to the first pair of stiles whereby a mutual supporting relationship between the first pair of stiles and the link members upon a predetermined maximum spread of the legs so as to increase the resistance to bending of the first pair of stiles and limit the swingability of

Abstract: A self-supporting helical staircase having an interconnected series of radial steps adapted to be swingably opened for providing vertically spaced horizontal support surfaces. The steps are angularly displaceable about a pintel post in progressive increments and are resiliently coupled for snap-lock engagement when in the fully extended position. A vertically extendible elongate handle is housed within the pintel post and can be locked at selected heights by a pressure clamp arrangement mounted at the upper end of the pintel post. The elongate handle can be folded about an articulated joint to a substantially horizontal position when in non-use. A sleeve member is slidable along the handle and can be positioned over the joint to provide vertical rigidity when the handle is to be used.

Abstract: A folding ladder entirely contained within a U-shaped channel is mounted in a sailboat mast and can be folded and stowed in a flush position, avoiding protruding surfaces on the circumference of the mast. A sliding bar is contained within the U-shaped channel containing a plurality of bracket protrusions which support a swivel pin which in turn support a brace bar connected to a foot bar. One end of the foot bar is fixed to the wall of the U-shaped channel. When the slide bar is moved downward the movement of the brace bar attached to the bracket protrusions extends each step bar forming a series of triangularly supported ladder steps.

Abstract: A portable observation stand having a ladder formed of upper and lower ladder sections pivotally interconnected at adjacent ends for movement between a folded position and an extended position in end-to-end relation, a seat and a foot-support member are both pivotally connected to the upper ladder section with the seat arranged to be in operative position above and rearwardly of the foot-support member. The seat is disposed rearwardly of the rails of the upper ladder section and the foot-support member has a pivotable part thereof movable to an overlapped position with the remainder thereof whereby a person can climb the ladder to the seat level without obstruction thereby. Linkage structure interconnects the seat and foot-support member for simultaneous movement thereof between an operative position extending at a substantial angle to the upper ladder section and a storage position substantially parallel with the upper ladder section to facilitate folding of the stand.

Abstract: A fire ladder includes as opposite sides a pair of elongate flexible cables in the form of interwoven strands of wire. Hollow tubes flattened and scored on their upper surfaces extend rigidly between the cables to provide the ladder rungs. The rungs have initially open ends into which looped portions of the cables are inserted. One side wall of the rung is then crimped inwardly and pressed against the opposite wall to firmly clamp the cable within the rung. Hook-like arms secured to the ends of the cables serve to suspend the ladder from a window sill and may be folded by means of a hinge structure to a collapsed storage position occupying little space. A spring located within the hinge arms maintains the hook-like support arms spaced apart during use, while stops prevent the arms from pivoting excessively.

Abstract: A ladder with retractable rungs is disclosed herein. The ladder includes an elongated housing having alternating apertures on opposite sides. A stem is carried in the housing. The stem can be manually reciprocated longitudinally and has a series of rungs hingedly attached to it. The rungs engage the apertures and extend outward to provide a step when the stem is moved upward. A supporting rod is pivotally connected inside the housing at its base so as to be swingable from a position to one side of the housing to a center position. The stem must be lifted when the supporting rod is moved to the center position, where the supporting rod then supports the stem with the rungs in the open position. A retaining rod is mounted pivotally inside the housing at the top of the stem. It is also swingable from one side to a center position where it prevents the stem from moving upward.

Abstract: A step ladder/chair combination comprises a first and second spaced apart step and seat platforms which are supported from a first pair of parallel legs pivotally interconnected to the platform and a second pair of parallel legs are pivoted to the seat. The second legs include lower ends or feet which are movable outwardly away from the feet on the first pair of legs to an expanded condition wherein the step ladder/chair assumes a self-supporting, standing position on a floor or other surface ready for use. The step ladder/chair also includes a third pair of parallel legs which are parallel to the first legs and extend upwardly above the chair platform to support a back rest. The third legs are pivotally connected to the step and seat platforms.

Abstract: A ladder is disclosed which includes telescoping sections that collapse and extend for adjusting the length of the ladder. The ladder is particularly useful on boats and may have curved upper ends on its side members for hooking the ladder over the side of a boat. The curved ends are rotatable for collapsing them toward the major plane of the ladder. Rotatable stand-off legs are also provided.

Abstract: A foldable step stool comprises a pair of rectangular frame members, one disposed within the other and having pivotally connected side rails thus permitting the members to assume an open position, in which the side rails intersect in an "X"-configuration, and a closed position in which the inner frame is contained entirely within the outer frame. Two steps extend between the side rails of the frame members, the ends of one step being pivotally secured to the side rails of the inner frame member and having a pin-and-slot connections to the side rails of the outer frame member. The second step is similarly arranged with the pivotal and pin-and-slot connections reversed with respect to the inner and outer frame members. When in the closed position, the steps lie completely within the three dimensions of the outer frame member.