Patent ID: 6604607
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
An improvement to an A-frame ladder having a top plate with a plurality of slots, trays and grooves, two A-frame ladder segments, having an inside surface and an outside surface, including two side rails and a first plurality of spaced rungs configured in a flat plane for standing, the A-frame ladder segments attached to the top plate, a pivotally attached securing bar preventing separation of the two A-frame segments past a certain angle, having a locking means to prevent disengagement of the securing bar during use, the improvement comprising:sliding ladder segments, having an outside surface and an inside surface, slidably engaging the outside surface of each of the A-frame ladder segments by sliding bracket mounts affixed to each of sliding ladder segments each of the sliding ladder segments having two side rails with a second plurality of spaced rungs configured in a flat plane connecting the two side rails of the sliding ladder segments; a channel locking means included in the two side rails, of the sliding ladder segments, which engages channel ridge included in the side rails of the A-frame ladder segments; a plurality of locking bars and the second plurality of spaced rungs on the inside surface of the sliding ladder segments; and pivoting spring-loaded locking catches on the inside surface of each of the side rails of the A-frame ladder segments engaging the locking bars of the sliding ladder segments, retaining the sliding ladder segments in a fixed position with the A-frame ladder segments, wherein each of sliding ladder segments is independent from the other sliding ladder segment, allowing the sliding ladder segments to be positioned on different levels or on the same level and wherein each of the pivoting spring-loaded locking catches has a locking means to prevent incidental disengagement of the pivoting spring-loaded locking catches from the locking bar while the ladder is in use.