Patent ID: 8701831
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
1. A stepladder comprising: a first assembly having a pair of spaced apart rails, the rails exhibiting a first depth between an exterior edge and an opposing interior edge thereof; a second assembly having a pair of spaced apart rails, the rails exhibiting a second depth between an interior edge and an opposing exterior edge thereof, the second assembly being pivotally positionable relative to the first assembly between a first, deployed state and a second, collapsed state, wherein a total depth of the stepladder when in the collapsed state is less than the sum of the first depth and the second depth; a pair of hinged spreaders, each hinged spreader having a first component pivotally coupled with the first assembly and a second component pivotally coupled with the second assembly, wherein, when the stepladder is in a deployed state, the second component extends from the rails of the second assembly, beyond a hinge connecting the first component and the second component, and to a location adjacent the rails of the first assembly; and at least one shoulder adjacent the first assembly configured to engage at least one of the second components when the ladder is in the deployed state.