Patents by Inventor Gary M. Jonas

Gary M. Jonas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12553285
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: B. Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, N. Ryan Moss, Brian B Russell
  • Patent number: 12448844
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bruce Major, Bradley Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, Brian B. Russell, N. Ryan Moss
  • Patent number: 11988043
    Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including embodiments of a hinge that may be used in a combination ladder. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The first and second hinge assemblies are coupled together for relative rotation about a defined axis. An adjustment mechanism enables the two hinge assemblies to be selectively locked or unlocked to prohibit or permit relative rotation, respectively. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a lock plate displaceable along a first axis and a retainer displaceable along a second axis. The retainer is configured to hold the lock plate in a disengaged state until a release structure displaces the retainer away from the lock plate. The release structure may be configured to be actuated and displace the retainer upon relative rotation of the hinge assemblies to (or through) a predetermined angular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Sean R. Peterson, Benjamin L. Cook, Gary M. Jonas
  • Publication number: 20220381087
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: B. Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, N. Ryan Moss, Brian B. Russell
  • Publication number: 20220298861
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bruce Major, Bradley Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, Brian B. Russell, N. Ryan Moss
  • Patent number: 11408226
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: B. Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, N. Ryan Moss, Brian B. Russell
  • Patent number: 11346154
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bruce Major, Bradley Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, Brian B. Russell, N. Ryan Moss
  • Publication number: 20210025230
    Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including embodiments of a hinge that may be used in a combination ladder. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The first and second hinge assemblies are coupled together for relative rotation about a defined axis. An adjustment mechanism enables the two hinge assemblies to be selectively locked or unlocked to prohibit or permit relative rotation, respectively. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a lock plate displaceable along a first axis and a retainer displaceable along a second axis. The retainer is configured to hold the lock plate in a disengaged state until a release structure displaces the retainer away from the lock plate. The release structure may be configured to be actuated and displace the retainer upon relative rotation of the hinge assemblies to (or through) a predetermined angular configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sean R. Peterson, Benjamin L. Cook, Gary M. Jonas
  • Patent number: 10801261
    Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including embodiments of a hinge that may be used in a combination ladder. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The first and second hinge assemblies are coupled together for relative rotation about a defined axis. An adjustment mechanism enables the two hinge assemblies to be selectively locked or unlocked to prohibit or permit relative rotation, respectively. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a lock plate displaceable along a first axis and a retainer displaceable along a second axis. The retainer is configured to hold the lock plate in a disengaged state until a release structure displaces the retainer away from the lock plate. The release structure may be configured to be actuated and displace the retainer upon relative rotation of the hinge assemblies to (or through) a predetermined angular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sean R. Peterson, Benjamin L. Cook, Gary M. Jonas
  • Publication number: 20200232278
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: B. Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, N. Ryan Moss, Brian B. Russell
  • Publication number: 20200217136
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aaron Bruce Major, Bradley Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, Brian B. Russell, N. Ryan Moss
  • Patent number: 10648233
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: N. Ryan Moss, Gary M. Jonas, Chad Grotegut, Sean R. Peterson, Brian B. Russell, Stephen E. Boynton, Ryan Crawford, Darius S. Penrod
  • Patent number: 10612302
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: B. Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, N. Ryan Moss, Brian B. Russell
  • Patent number: 10590702
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron B. Major, Bradley Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, Brian B. Russell, N. Ryan Moss
  • Patent number: 10584532
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: N. Ryan Moss, Sean R. Peterson, Brian B. Russell, Gary M. Jonas
  • Publication number: 20190186200
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: N. Ryan Moss, Gary M. Jonas, Chad Grotegut, Sean R. Peterson, Brian B. Russell, Stephen E. Boynton, Ryan Crawford, Darius S. Penrod
  • Patent number: 10214961
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: N. Ryan Moss, Gary M. Jonas, Chad Grotegut, Sean R. Peterson, Brian B. Russell, Stephen E. Boynton, Ryan Crawford, Darius S. Penrod
  • Publication number: 20180230746
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: B. Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, N. Ryan Moss, Brian B. Russell
  • Patent number: 9988842
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: N. Ryan Moss, Sean R. Peterson, Brian B. Russell, Gary M. Jonas, Darius S. Penrod, Bryan Wright
  • Publication number: 20180094488
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron B. Major, Bradley Scott Maxfield, Gary M. Jonas, Brian B. Russell, N. Ryan Moss