Abstract: The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.

Abstract: A ladder may include a first pair of spaced apart members, a second pair of spaced apart members and a first pair of hinges coupling the first pair of spaced apart members with the second pair of spaced apart members. In some embodiments, each hinge may include a first hinge component including at least a first hinge plate, the first hinge plate having a notch formed therein, the notch including a first abutment wall and a second abutment wall, a second hinge component including at least a second hinge plate, and a lock mechanism having a pivot pin and a lock pin. The lock mechanism is configured for selective engagement with the notch such that the pivot pin engages the first abutment wall and the lock pin engages the second abutment wall to lock the first hinge component relative to the second hinge component in a first hinge position.

Abstract: Ladder components, such as braces, as well as ladders and methods of manufacturing ladders are provided. In one embodiment, a ladder brace is provided which extends between a rail and a cross member (e.g., a rung or a cross-brace). The ladder brace may include a first connecting portion associated with the rail, a second connecting portion associated with the cross member, and a strut portion extending between the first and second connecting portions. At least one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is configured to completely encircle its associated component (e.g., either the rail or the cross member, respectively).

Abstract: Various embodiments of ladders, ladder legs, ladder feet, foot mechanisms for ladders, and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a foot is pivotal relative to a leg or rail of the ladder between a first position and at least a second position. A biasing force is applied to the foot to maintain the foot in either of the user-selected positions until a force is applied to pivot the foot to another position. In one embodiment, the foot mechanism maintaining the foot at a desired position may include a pair of pins that couple the foot to another component (e.g., a housing member, an insert member or a rail of the ladder). At least one of the two pins may be displaceable relative to the other pin during pivoting of the foot.

Abstract: A ladder is provided which may include a positioning system, a fall arrest system, or both. In one embodiment, a rope and pulley system is provided wherein a first end of the rope is coupled to a base section of the ladder, a second end of the rope is coupled with a fly section of the ladder, and the rope extends between a plurality of pulleys. In one particular embodiment, the rope extends between five different pulleys, two being coupled with the fly section and three being coupled with the base section. At least one portion of the rope may extend along the side of the ladder (e.g., along the side of a rail of the fly section) while another section may extend up the front of the ladder between the rails and in front of the rungs. A fall arrest mechanism, or an ascender device, may be coupled with the section of rope extending up the ladder between the rails and in front of the rungs.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are provided including feet for ladders configured for securement of the ladder to a supporting surface, adjustable leg members for ladders, bearing members for ladders, and adjustment mechanisms for ladders. In one embodiment, an adjustment mechanism may include a first pair of spaced apart rails, a pair of adjustable legs having a first end hingedly coupled to one of a pair of adjustment mechanisms and a second end coupled with a foot. The adjustment mechanisms may be slidably coupled with the rails and in one embodiment, each adjustment mechanism is selectively displaceable along a length of its associated rail only when upward force is absent from the adjustment mechanism, the upward force being defined in a direction from a lower end of the associated rail towards the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a securing apparatus for securing the ladder to a horizontally extending support structure (e.g., a utility cable), a vertically extending support structure (e.g., a utility pole) or both. In accordance with one embodiment, the securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engagement mechanisms, wherein each engagement mechanism is pivotally coupled with an associated rail of the ladder. Each engagement mechanism includes a frame member, an engagement member pivotally coupled with the frame member and a pole grasping structure coupled with the frame member. In one embodiment, each engagement member is configured to rotate from a first position, wherein an open gate is formed between the engagement member and its associated frame member, to a closed position.

Abstract: A ladder is provided comprising a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. A pair of hooks are located such that each hook is positioned adjacent and upper end of an associated rail. A securing apparatus is coupled adjacent the upper end of the first pair of spaced apart rails. The securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engaging members and may include a cross-member coupled therebetween. Each of the engagement members is pivotal with respect to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails. In one embodiment, the securing apparatus lacks any biasing members (e.g., springs or actuators) or locking members. The engagement members and hooks cooperatively encircle and overhead, generally horizontal support member to support and secure the ladder in a desired position.

Abstract: A ladder is provided comprising a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. A pair of hooks are located such that each hook is positioned adjacent and upper end of an associated rail. A securing apparatus is coupled adjacent the upper end of the first pair of spaced apart rails. The securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engaging members and may include a cross-member coupled therebetween. Each of the engagement members is pivotal with respect to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails. In one embodiment, the securing apparatus lacks any biasing members (e.g., springs or actuators) or locking members. The engagement members and hooks cooperatively encircle and overhead, generally horizontal support member to support and secure the ladder in a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a first assembly and a second assembly slidably coupled with the first assembly. The first assembly includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a first plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. the second assembly includes a second pair of spaced apart rails and a second plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails. A support apparatus is coupled with the first assembly and includes one or more arms that are pivotally displaced from a refracted position to a deployed position responsive to displacement of the first assembly a specified distance relative to the second assembly.

Abstract: A visual indicator for a ladder is provided which may include a component having a photo luminescent material, a component have a reflective material, or both. In one embodiment, the visual indicator includes a rung plug having a cap portion and a body portion, the body portion being configured to be inserted into the interior hollow of a ladder rung such that the cap portion is visible along the side of an associated ladder rail. The cap portion may comprise a photo luminescent material, a reflective material or both. In one embodiment, the cap portion comprises a photo luminescent material while a separate reflective indicator is placed on the ladder rail at a location adjacent the rung plug.

Abstract: A ladder is provided which may include a positioning system, a fall arrest system, or both. In one embodiment, a rope and pulley system is provided wherein a first end of the rope is coupled to a base section of the ladder, a second end of the rope is coupled with a fly section of the ladder, and the rope extends between a plurality of pulleys. In one particular embodiment, the rope extends between five different pulleys, two being coupled with the fly section and three being coupled with the base section. At least one portion of the rope may extend along the side of the ladder (e.g., along the side of a rail of the fly section) while another section may extend up the front of the ladder between the rails and in front of the rungs. A fall arrest mechanism, or an ascender device, may be coupled with the section of rope extending up the ladder between the rails and in front of the rungs.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a securing apparatus for securing the ladder to a horizontally extending support structure (e.g., a utility cable), a vertically extending support structure (e.g., a utility pole) or both. In accordance with one embodiment, the securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engagement mechanisms, wherein each engagement mechanism is pivotally coupled with an associated rail of the ladder. Each engagement mechanism includes a frame member, an engagement member pivotally coupled with the frame member and a pole grasping structure coupled with the frame member. In one embodiment, each engagement member is configured to rotate from a first position, wherein an open gate is formed between the engagement member and its associated frame member, to a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.

Abstract: A ladder is provided comprising a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. A pair of hooks are located such that each hook is positioned adjacent and upper end of an associated rail. A securing apparatus is coupled adjacent the upper end of the first pair of spaced apart rails. The securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engaging members and may include a cross-member coupled therebetween. Each of the engagement members is pivotal with respect to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails. In one embodiment, the securing apparatus lacks any biasing members (e.g., springs or actuators) or locking members. The engagement members and hooks cooperatively encircle and overhead, generally horizontal support member to support and secure the ladder in a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.