Abstract: A ladder and ladder accessory are provided including an accessory that may be coupled to the ladder in multiple configurations and serve multiple purposes. In one embodiment, a pair of components are each selectively coupled with associated rails of a ladder in a first, stored state, and a second, walkthrough state. When in the walkthrough state, the components extend upwards from and above the rails so that a user may gasp the components and step between the components when transitioning from the ladder to an elevated surface (e.g., a roof) or vice versa. In another embodiment, the components may be coupled to the ladder such that they extend in a direction that is substantially transverse to a plane through which the rails extend. When in this transverse orientation, the components may be used as a stand-off device.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are provided including a rung assembly that provides an alert to a user of the ladder that they are standing on a particular rung or step. In one example, the lower most rung or step of a ladder includes a rung assembly having an alert mechanism. The alert mechanism may provide an audible and/or other sensory alert to a user when they step on the rung assembly so that the user recognizes their position relative to the ground or supporting surface. In one embodiment, the rung assembly is configured such that a front edge remains in a constant or fixed position relative to the rails to which it is coupled so that a user can rely on a fixed or constant position of the front edge of the assembly when climbing or descending the ladder.

Abstract: A ladder and ladder rungs are provided. In one embodiment, a ladder comprises a first assembly having a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. At least one rung of the plurality of rungs may include a first support surface portion, a second support surface portion, and a channel extending between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion. In one embodiment, a rear surface of each of the first pair of spaced apart rails defines a plane and the first support surface portion is located on a first side of the plane and the second support surface portion is located on a second side of the plane. In one embodiment, at least one other rung is entirely positioned on the first side of the plane.

Abstract: Elevated work platform apparatuses, as well as associated methods, are provided. One elevated platform apparatus comprises a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second assembly hingedly coupled with the first assembly, a platform pivotally coupled with the first assembly and configured to extend to, and engage a portion of, the second assembly. The apparatus further includes a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include a guard structure including a pair of gates. A locking mechanism may be associated with the platform and include a latch member for engagement with a cross-member of the second assembly. Actuation of the locking member may include a “pulling” action by a user standing in front of the apparatus and reaching between the two rails of the first assembly.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are described herein, including multipurpose and adjustable ladders. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having rails and rungs, a second assembly having rails and rungs, and one or more hinges coupling the first and second assemblies together such that the first and second assembly may be positioned relative to one another in at least a position or state and at least a second position or state. A top cap is coupled to the rails of the first assembly, such that when the first and second assemblies are in the first position, the rails of the second assembly do not contact the top cap. When the first and second assemblies are in the second position, each rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested in one of a pair of channels formed in the top cap.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are described herein, including multipurpose and adjustable ladders. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having rails and rungs, a second assembly having rails and rungs, and one or more hinges coupling the first and second assemblies together such that the first and second assembly may be positioned relative to one another in at least a position or state and at least a second position or state. The ladder is adjustable by moving a pin from a locked state in which it is located in a recess or slot of the hinges and prevents rotation of the hinges to an unlocked state in which it is removed from the recess or slot. Multiple joints can be simultaneously transitioned between locked and unlocked states using a releaser to move the pin, and a spring can bias the pin into a locked state.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder accessories for articulating ladders are mountable to an upper rung of the ladder and can remain attached to the upper rung while the ladder articulates between collapsed, straight, and step ladder configurations without binding or engaging other rungs. The accessories can be top caps configured to hold tools and parts while the user climbs and stands on the ladder. The accessories can be removed from the ladder without damage to the accessory or the ladder, thereby enabling retrofitting ladders with the accessory or moving the accessory to different rungs or positions on the same ladder. Some accessories can have more than one body portion, and a portion can therefore pivot relative to another portion to enlarge the working platform offered by the accessory and to provide additional surfaces for temporarily supporting the accessory parts on the ladder rungs.

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 platform assembly is provided with at least one foldable and deployable handle. The handle can be operated to a storage position lying between upper and lower surfaces of the upper platform of the assembly. When deployed, the handle can provide a handhold, top cap, and other features to users who are on the upper platform or who are climbing onto the upper platform. Leg assemblies of the platform can be operable between folded and deployed states, and feet of the leg assemblies can be deployed to widen the stance of the platform or folded to reduce the overall width and volumetric envelope within which the platform resides.

Abstract: A ladder and ladder accessory are provided including an accessory that may be coupled to the ladder in multiple configurations and serve multiple purposes. In one embodiment, a pair of components are each selectively coupled with associated rails of a ladder in a first, stored state, and a second, walkthrough state. When in the walkthrough state, the components extend upwards from and above the rails so that a user may gasp the components and step between the components when transitioning from the ladder to an elevated surface (e.g., a roof) or vice versa. In another embodiment, the components may be coupled to the ladder such that they extend in a direction that is substantially transverse to a plane through which the rails extend. When in this transverse orientation, the components may be used as a stand-off device.

Abstract: Embodiments of ladders, top caps and ladder accessories are provided herein. In accordance with one embodiment, a ladder includes a first pair of spaced apart rails having one or more rungs extending between and coupled with the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder further includes a second pair of spaced apart rails. A top cap is coupled with either the first pair of spaced apart rails or the second pair of spaced apart rails. The top cap includes one or more retaining members that may include a lateral groove (e.g., a sidewall and a lip or abutment shoulder associated therewith) configured to hold a container such as a paint can. The retaining structure may be configured to hold the container in place even if the ladder is inadvertently tipped or jarred to the side.

Abstract: A ladder and ladder rungs are provided. In one embodiment, a ladder comprises a first assembly having a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. At least one rung of the plurality of rungs may include a first support surface portion, a second support surface portion, and a channel extending between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion. In one embodiment, a rear surface of each of the first pair of spaced apart rails defines a plane and the first support surface portion is located on a first side of the plane and the second support surface portion is located on a second side of the plane. In one embodiment, at least one other rung is entirely positioned on the first side of the plane.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are described herein, including multipurpose and adjustable ladders. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having rails and rungs, a second assembly having rails and rungs, and one or more hinges coupling the first and second assemblies together such that the first and second assembly may be positioned relative to one another in at least a position or state and at least a second position or state. A top cap is coupled to the rails of the first assembly, such that when the first and second assemblies are in the first position, the rails of the second assembly do not contact the top cap. When the first and second assemblies are in the second position, each rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested in one of a pair of channels formed in the top cap.

Abstract: A ladder with bracing is provided. In one embodiment, the ladder may include a first rail assembly comprising a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails, the pair of inner rails being slidably disposed in a upper portion of pair of outer rails, wherein a rear surface of each of the pair of outer rails lies in a common plane. A first plurality of rungs may be coupled between the pair of inner rails, and a second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails. A brace may extend between and be coupled to the pair of outer rails, wherein the brace includes a first ramped surface, the first ramped surface having a first portion spaced away from the common plane, a second portion immediately adjacent the common plane, and a transition portion extending between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder accessories for articulating ladders are mountable to an upper rung of the ladder and can remain attached to the upper rung while the ladder articulates between collapsed, straight, and step ladder configurations without binding or engaging other rungs. The accessories can be top caps configured to hold tools and parts while the user climbs and stands on the ladder. The accessories can be removed from the ladder without damage to the accessory or the ladder, thereby enabling retrofitting ladders with the accessory or moving the accessory to different rungs or positions on the same ladder. Some accessories can have more than one body portion, and a portion can therefore pivot relative to another portion to enlarge the working platform offered by the accessory and to provide additional surfaces for temporarily supporting the accessory parts on the ladder rungs.

Abstract: A ladder is provided with a pair of rails, a set of braces or rungs extending between the pair of rails, and a roller assembly with a roller movable, via an electronic actuator, between different positions, such as an extended position and a retracted position relative to the rails. The roller can extend below a bottom end of the rail and any connected foot on the rail so that the ladder can roll across a ground surface, or the roller can be retracted to support the ladder using the rail or foot. Other electronic components can be used to sense a user or a condition of the ladder in order to control the extension and retraction of the rollers based on the user or conditions.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are described herein, including multipurpose and adjustable ladders. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having rails and rungs, a second assembly having rails and rungs, and one or more hinges coupling the first and second assemblies together such that the first and second assembly may be positioned relative to one another in at least a position or state and at least a second position or state. The ladder is adjustable by moving a pin from a locked state in which it is located in a recess or slot of the hinges and prevents rotation of the hinges to an unlocked state in which it is removed from the recess or slot. Multiple joints can be simultaneously transitioned between locked and unlocked states using a releaser to move the pin, and a spring can bias the pin into a locked state.

Abstract: Embodiments of ladders, top caps and ladder accessories are provided herein. In accordance with one embodiment, a ladder includes a first pair of spaced apart rails having one or more rungs extending between and coupled with the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder further includes a second pair of spaced apart rails. A top cap is coupled with either the first pair of spaced apart rails or the second pair of spaced apart rails. The top cap includes one or more retaining members that may include a lateral groove (e.g., a sidewall and a lip or abutment shoulder associated therewith) configured to hold a container such as a paint can. The retaining structure may be configured to hold the container in place even if the ladder is inadvertently tipped or jarred to the side.