Abstract: A support member that is retractable and then can be extended and locked into place in order to support such item. The locking mechanisms for the support member include at least two push button assemblies. In order to retract the support member, a user pushes in the first push button and slides a first telescoping portion of the support member over a second telescoping portion of the support member, which then automatically pushes in the second push button to complete the retraction of the support member.

Abstract: A top step for a step ladder is described. The top step comprises an assembled member comprising two or more step elements, two side members and a metal tube. The front end and the rear end of the assembled aluminum member are provided with front and rear skirts, respectively. The upper and the lower end of the side members have an upper edge and a lower edge for clamping to the two sides of the assembled member or the two sides of an assembled unit formed by the metal tube and the assembled aluminum member, thereby covering the spaces between the front skirt and the back skirt.

Abstract: A roofer's utility box includes non-rectangular sides angled downward from one end of the box to the other, defining a substantially trapezoidal box. Retractable leveling legs disposed on its downhill face extend below the box bottom to enable leveling its top surface. Roof anchors and a ridge tether on the uphill end, and a safety brace on the downhill end, secure the box in place. Lifting and towing handles cooperate with retractable castors to facilitate positioning the box. Masts extending upward from the box's downhill end, and a yard arm spanning between them, support a walkway plank to create temporary scaffolding supported by the box. A variety of exterior utility devices attach to the box and scaffolding masts, including trays, cutting and clamping surfaces and electrical and pneumatic outlets for use with power tools. The box interior may be fitted with an ice chest and/or sliding trays for convenient storage.

Abstract: Stepladders and related methods of using and manufacturing stepladders are provided. In one embodiment, a stepladder is provided that comprises a top cap, a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly has a pair of spaced apart rails pivotally coupled with the top cap. The second assembly includes at least one rail pivotally coupled with the top cap. The first assembly and second assembly are configured to be displaced relative one another such that the stepladder is selectively positionable between a first, deployed state and a second, collapsed state. The first assembly, the second assembly and the top cap are cooperatively configured such that the at least one rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested within an envelope defined by the pair of spaced apart rails of the first assembly with the step ladder is in a collapsed state.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. In other embodiments, spreader mechanisms are provided with cross bracing located and configured to provide additional stability to the ladder while also incorporating a handle that enables efficient collapsing of the ladder while reducing the potential of pinching ones hands or fingers. In another embodiment, a device is provided for selective coupling with the ladder that includes a support or safety rail and an adjustable tray. The device may be coupled with the ladder in a number of different positions including a stowed position. In another embodiment, a hinge assembly is provided having a magnetic component configured to be magnetically coupled with and temporarily store an object on the ladder.

Abstract: A step unit includes right and left step frames and two steps coupled to the right and left step frames.

Abstract: A stepladder includes a longer inclined frame provided with steps coupled to a shorter stabilizer frame provided with rungs for movement relative to the longer inclined frame between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position. The stepladder also includes a top-step lock to lock the top step in a fixed position relative to the two frames.

Abstract: A ladder comprises a foldable frame, a leg spreader, and a leg brace. The leg brace biases leg units of the frame toward one another to stiffen the frame in response to spreading of the leg units away from one another to an unfolded position by the leg spreader.

Abstract: A stepladder is provided with a bracing shelf that acts both as a conventional pivoting shelf and a bracing mechanism preventing accidental closing of the stepladder when the shelf is in a bracing position. The shelf includes abutting members adapted to contact a step of the stepladder, and, optionally, a mechanism to lock the shelf in the bracing position.

Abstract: A brace fastener for holding a step brace in position when the folding ladder in which said step brace is fastened is set up into shape, comprising a spring plate in an inverted T shape attached to either sidepiece of said folding ladder to hold a hook member in place and a control member movably hooked in said hook member for performing a second-order lever. Attaching said control member to the outer surface of the sidepiece of the folding ladder permits the hook member to be moved into a locking position to lock the step brace in position when the folding ladder is set up. Rotating the control member downwards causes the hook member to disconnect from the step brace so that the folding ladder can be collapsed.

Abstract: A foldable ladder of the type having laterally spaced-apart, substantially vertically oriented front side rails joined by a plurality of steps. A rear support, preferably in the form of laterally spaced-apart, vertically oriented legs, are movable away from the side rails to open the ladder and movable toward the side rails to close the ladder. The side rails and rear legs include hinges intermediate vertical ends thereof for permitting vertical collapsing of the ladder by the folding of the side rails and rear legs about their respective hinges. A storage container, which also doubles as an article support when the ladder is used, also forms a part of the instant invention.

Abstract: Stepladders are made of extruded aluminum metal parts including special bracket members for the rear prop section and the bucket rack that mitigate torsional twist. Cross bracings for the rear prop section and bracings of the front section are structured to prevent pantographing or rotation and reduce to a minimum the number of rivets required for ladder assembly thereby providing strong, safe ladders of light weight and low cost.