Abstract: A ladder includes a leveler engages a bottom of each side rail for 1) causing extendable legs to move to a level ground-engaging position, 2) causing the legs to lock when both legs engage the ground, and 3) causing the extendable legs to move to a centered/retracted position when lifted from the ground. The leveler includes pawls, links, pinions, and a shaft forming a four-bar linkage for selectively moving the pawls inward to the disengaged position when the pinion and shaft are each freely rotatable, but selectively moving the pawl outward into locking engagement when the shaft resists movement due to ground engagement by both legs. The leveler can be constructed to attach to an inside of the side rails, thus facilitating pre-assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 1, 2014
Date of Patent:
April 26, 2016
Assignee:
Jershon, Inc.
Inventors:
Rodney Kurzer, Brian D. Webster, Geoffrey R. White, Steven A. Owen, Tyler L. Sharp, Kenneth S. Bostwick, Gregory L. Bishop
Abstract: A ladder includes a leveler engages a bottom of each side rail for 1) causing extendable legs to move to a level ground-engaging position, 2) causing the legs to lock when both legs engage the ground, and 3) causing the extendable legs to move to a centered/retracted position when lifted from the ground. The leveler includes pawls, links, pinions, and a shaft forming a four-bar linkage for selectively moving the pawls inward to the disengaged position when the pinion and shaft are each freely rotatable, but selectively moving the pawl outward into locking engagement when the shaft resists movement due to ground engagement by both legs. The leveler can be constructed to attach to an inside of the side rails, thus facilitating pre-assembly.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 1, 2014
Publication date:
October 2, 2014
Applicant:
Jershon, Inc.
Inventors:
Rodney Kurzer, Brian D. Webster, Geoffrey R. White, Steven A. Owen, Tyler L. Sharp, Kenneth S. Bostwick, Gregory L. Bishop
Abstract: A ladder leveler attachment formed of two preassembled leg assemblies, each having protruding bolts for direct and easy attachment to the ladder side rails, and a drive rod slidably engaging both assemblies. Each assembly has an elongated housing and an elongated, slidably interfitting base plate, the two components forming pockets for retaining protruding attachment bolts. Inside each housing is a gear, and a gear rack having closed ends forming gear stops. Swivel feet are detachably secured to hoop feet, being shiftable from a lowered, generally horizontal position to a vertical, edge-engaging position alongside the leg housing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 19, 1992
Date of Patent:
December 28, 1993
Assignee:
Jershon, Inc.
Inventors:
Quinton F. Thocher, Rodney C. Kurzer, Raymond D. Tracy