How to build a step ladder?
In the case where the supporting member constitutes another ladder section, the two central members of the two ladder sections may have slidably cooperating parts to provide captive location of one central member behind the other during all, or subsequently all, of their relative movement. According to a preferred feature, the engaging means on the central stiles of the Household ladder sections may constitute a self-tightening latch which will be described in detail hereinbelow.
According to a further preferred feature of the present invention, the central stile of a ladder section may be constructed so that the steps are angled in the horizontal plane when in the erected position to accomodate the natural splay of the feet of a person using the ladder. According to another feature, the outer stiles may be constructed with a U shaped cross section so that the steps may be received within these stiles when folded to the storage position. Building a step ladder can be relatively simple. Step ladders can be quite useful, especially if there is no support to lean a regular ladder against. Step ladders can support themselves by spreading their weight and balancing through a scissor movement.
The Ladders Manufacturer according to the present invention may be supported on the ground in a number of ways. In one preferred embodiment the outer stiles of the supported section extend downwardly beyond the lower end of the central stile to support the ladder. In another preferred embodiment the support for the ladder is provided at the lower end of the central stile. This may be accomplished by providing at least two leg structures connected to the central stile adjacent its lower end. These leg structures are conveniently provided with means for adjusting the positions of their outer ends, thereby permitting individual height adjustment to adapt to an uneven supporting surface. Like the ladder itself, the leg structures may be constructed so as to be capable of folding to a storage position in which they lie generally parallel to the central stile. Preferably, the steps and outer members may be foldable upward and the leg structures foldable downward on the central stile to the storage position.
First, decide how high you would like to have your step ladder be, and obtain two ladders of that height. Take two long metal hinges, like the ones on gates, and attach them to both ladders at the top so that the ladders can swing apart pivoted at the point of the hinges.Using a saw, cut both the ladders across the jointed section at the top so that when they are opened out, a flat surface is formed. Attach a rope to the steps of the ladder, close to three-quarters of the height so that the ladder cannot open out further than this.
When two Aluminum step ladder sections are used together, it is advantageous to provide means for locking the second section to the first when the central stiles thereof are in an aligned, parallel configuration, to permit the two ladder sections to be conveniently transported.It will be appreciated that the ladder structure according to the present invention makes possible a so-called Uni-modular design whereby the ladder is comprised of one or more identical ladder sections. In this case, since it is necessary only to provide supporting leg structures for the lowest section, means may be provided on the central stile of each ladder section for detachably retaining such leg structures.
Next, attach by the hinges a flat piece of wood that will be the top step to the main side of the ladder at the top, so that when the ladder is opened, the hinged step can then swing down on top of the joint forming a safe area upon which to stand.If after you have made the step ladder you require a longer ladder that can extend to full length, simply ensure that the hinges used to join the ladders are the type that can swing all the way. To do this, detach the rope from the step, and open the ladder all the way. Using the hinged step board to secure the ladder, it can now be used at full length.For example, in this simplified ladder the front ladder section (which remains the lower section when the ladder is extended), need not be provided with a slanted or cut away portion at the end of the central stile, or with sliding grooves along the front side of the central stile. Further, since the ladder will not be extended beyond two sections, it may not be necessary to provide a self-tightening latch.
Similarly, in a two-section Aluminum step ladder the rear section will, of course, not require a latch or any other means of support for retaining a further section on its rear side.
It will be appreciated that the ladder according to the present invention combines various features which contribute to making a common device extremely safe and useful. By forming the ladder of three parallel stiles, interconnected by transverse steps, the strength of the ladder is considerably increased. This structure also increases the user's safety because the feet of the person using the ladder are constrained to the space between the centre and outer stiles, and therefore cannot slide sideways as is possible with conventional two-stile ladders.
The foldability of the ladder according to the present invention has the obvious advantage of facilitating the portability of the ladder and minimizing the space required in storage.
Finally, the ability to support the upper end of the central stile of the ladder according to the present invention achieves three principal purposes: First, it increases the safety when the Household ladder is leaned against a building or other upright supporting surface because it utilizes the principle of the "three point" contact. Second, it frees the design of side or outer stiles so that they can be more particularly tailored to their function as handrails and support members for the individual steps. And third, it facilitates the construction of a Uni-modular ladder section which, when combined with other identical sections, form an extremely useful and flexible ladder system.
source:townhall|ladder manufacturer
According to a further preferred feature of the present invention, the central stile of a ladder section may be constructed so that the steps are angled in the horizontal plane when in the erected position to accomodate the natural splay of the feet of a person using the ladder. According to another feature, the outer stiles may be constructed with a U shaped cross section so that the steps may be received within these stiles when folded to the storage position. Building a step ladder can be relatively simple. Step ladders can be quite useful, especially if there is no support to lean a regular ladder against. Step ladders can support themselves by spreading their weight and balancing through a scissor movement.
The Ladders Manufacturer according to the present invention may be supported on the ground in a number of ways. In one preferred embodiment the outer stiles of the supported section extend downwardly beyond the lower end of the central stile to support the ladder. In another preferred embodiment the support for the ladder is provided at the lower end of the central stile. This may be accomplished by providing at least two leg structures connected to the central stile adjacent its lower end. These leg structures are conveniently provided with means for adjusting the positions of their outer ends, thereby permitting individual height adjustment to adapt to an uneven supporting surface. Like the ladder itself, the leg structures may be constructed so as to be capable of folding to a storage position in which they lie generally parallel to the central stile. Preferably, the steps and outer members may be foldable upward and the leg structures foldable downward on the central stile to the storage position.
First, decide how high you would like to have your step ladder be, and obtain two ladders of that height. Take two long metal hinges, like the ones on gates, and attach them to both ladders at the top so that the ladders can swing apart pivoted at the point of the hinges.Using a saw, cut both the ladders across the jointed section at the top so that when they are opened out, a flat surface is formed. Attach a rope to the steps of the ladder, close to three-quarters of the height so that the ladder cannot open out further than this.
When two Aluminum step ladder sections are used together, it is advantageous to provide means for locking the second section to the first when the central stiles thereof are in an aligned, parallel configuration, to permit the two ladder sections to be conveniently transported.It will be appreciated that the ladder structure according to the present invention makes possible a so-called Uni-modular design whereby the ladder is comprised of one or more identical ladder sections. In this case, since it is necessary only to provide supporting leg structures for the lowest section, means may be provided on the central stile of each ladder section for detachably retaining such leg structures.
Next, attach by the hinges a flat piece of wood that will be the top step to the main side of the ladder at the top, so that when the ladder is opened, the hinged step can then swing down on top of the joint forming a safe area upon which to stand.If after you have made the step ladder you require a longer ladder that can extend to full length, simply ensure that the hinges used to join the ladders are the type that can swing all the way. To do this, detach the rope from the step, and open the ladder all the way. Using the hinged step board to secure the ladder, it can now be used at full length.For example, in this simplified ladder the front ladder section (which remains the lower section when the ladder is extended), need not be provided with a slanted or cut away portion at the end of the central stile, or with sliding grooves along the front side of the central stile. Further, since the ladder will not be extended beyond two sections, it may not be necessary to provide a self-tightening latch.
Similarly, in a two-section Aluminum step ladder the rear section will, of course, not require a latch or any other means of support for retaining a further section on its rear side.
It will be appreciated that the ladder according to the present invention combines various features which contribute to making a common device extremely safe and useful. By forming the ladder of three parallel stiles, interconnected by transverse steps, the strength of the ladder is considerably increased. This structure also increases the user's safety because the feet of the person using the ladder are constrained to the space between the centre and outer stiles, and therefore cannot slide sideways as is possible with conventional two-stile ladders.
The foldability of the ladder according to the present invention has the obvious advantage of facilitating the portability of the ladder and minimizing the space required in storage.
Finally, the ability to support the upper end of the central stile of the ladder according to the present invention achieves three principal purposes: First, it increases the safety when the Household ladder is leaned against a building or other upright supporting surface because it utilizes the principle of the "three point" contact. Second, it frees the design of side or outer stiles so that they can be more particularly tailored to their function as handrails and support members for the individual steps. And third, it facilitates the construction of a Uni-modular ladder section which, when combined with other identical sections, form an extremely useful and flexible ladder system.
source:townhall|ladder manufacturer