Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Ladder – Supporting surface compensating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-02-27
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Ladder
Supporting surface compensating means
C182S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193013
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to apparatus for use with a stepladder to support and elevate the rung side of the stepladder. The apparatus is particularly useful to level the rung side of the stepladder relative to the step side thereof when the stepladder is to be positioned on surfaces of different elevations, for example on a flight of stairs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known in the prior art to employ extension devices in association with ladders incorporating two side rails. Typically, the extension device is connected to one of the rails and is employed to level the side rails of the ladder when the ladder is utilized on an uneven surface. Examples of such arrangements are shown in the following United States patents: U.S. Pat. No. 2,783,928, issued Mar. 5, 1957, U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,364, issued Apr. 16, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,963, issued Sep. 10, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 973,509, issued Oct. 25, 1910, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,222, issued Mar. 11, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,412, issued Dec. 29, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,655, issued Jan. 15, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,542,398, issued Feb. 20, 1951.
As mentioned above, such devices are employed to level conventional ladders incorporating two side rails by adjusting the side-to-side orientation of the ladder to accommodate different support levels such as changes in ground height. The devices disclosed in the above-identified patents are not employed with a stepladder to maintain the rung side of the stepladder at substantially the same elevation as the step side thereof when the step side is located on a surface that is elevated relative to the surface which will support the rung side of the stepladder. Furthermore, many prior art approaches are characterized by their relative complexity, high expense and difficulty of adjustment and use.
My co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/141,661, filed Aug. 28, 1998, discloses apparatus which supports and elevates the rung side of a stepladder to maintain the rung side and step side of the stepladder at substantially the same level.
The invention disclosed and claimed herein is for the same purpose.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The stepladder support apparatus of the present invention is for use with a stepladder having a rung side with a lower end and including at least one rung extending between rails and a step side including steps extending between rails of a second set of rails.
The apparatus includes a support member having a top end and a bottom end. At least one open-topped receptacle is connected to the support member between the top end and bottom end of the support member for receiving the lower end of the rung side of a stepladder to support and elevate the rung side.
The apparatus also includes attachment means for attaching the support member to the rung side.
The at least one open-topped receptacle is pivotally connected to the support member and movable relative to the support member between a first, generally horizontal orientation and a second orientation.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 973509 (1910-10-01), Ison
patent: 2542398 (1951-02-01), Crumpton
patent: 2783928 (1957-03-01), Cox
patent: 2975857 (1961-03-01), Suroff et al.
patent: 4984655 (1991-01-01), Scherer et al.
patent: 5174412 (1992-12-01), Vega
patent: 5507364 (1996-04-01), Spevak
patent: 5553963 (1996-09-01), Hoy et al.
patent: 5609222 (1997-03-01), Horbacewicz et al.
Lampe Thomas R.
Stodola Daniel P.
Thompson Hugh B.
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