Patent ID: 7104362
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
1. A step ladder comprising a frame including a front leg, a rear leg coupled to the front leg for pivotable movement relative to the front leg between an opened position and a collapsed position, and an alignment bracket coupled to the rear leg, a handle, a pivot support mount configured to support the handle for pivotable movement on the front leg about a pivot axis, a retainer member coupled to the handle to move therewith about the pivot axis and arranged to trap a portion of the alignment bracket coupled to the rear leg between the pivot support mount and the retainer member upon movement of the handle to a predetermined position relative to the rear leg to lock the front leg to the rear leg when the front and rear legs are in the collapsed position, and an L-shaped alignment guide immovably coupled to the front leg and configured to engage the alignment bracket coupled to the rear leg to maintain the rear leg in alignment with the front leg when the rear leg is in the collapsed position.