Patent ID: 8733502
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
1. A ladder system for an aisle formed by a pair of storage shelves that are positioned on a floor, a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the storage shelves and a lateral direction extending between the storage shelves, the ladder system comprising: a guide track adapted to be attached to the pair of storage shelves, the guide track extending in the longitudinal direction; a roller structure slidably attached to the guide track, the roller structure having a first roller carriage and a second roller carriage, with the first roller carriage adjacent to one of the pair of storage shelves and the second roller carriage adjacent to another one of the pair of storage shelves, the roller structure having a lateral rod extending between and coupled to the first and second roller carriages; a mounting plate affixed to the lateral rod of the roller structure, the mounting plate having first and second ends, the first end being generally distal to the second end, the mounting plate comprising (i) a first flange at the first end and having at least a first slot, and (ii) a second flange at the second end and having at least a second slot; a ladder having a cross-plate mounted thereto, said cross-plate having first and second ends with respective first and second slots, the cross-plate being pivotally attached to the mounting plate by a pivot, the pivot being disposed through the respective first slots of the mounting plate and cross-plate such that the ladder can rotate relative to the roller structure between a deployed position and a folded position away from the deployed position, the ladder further having a base that contacts the floor; and a latch mechanism configured to selectively secure the second end of the cross-plate to the second end of the mounting plate to thereby secure the ladder to the roller structure in the deployed position, the latch mechanism comprising a pin disposed through the second slot of the cross-plate and normally biased toward an extended state, the latch mechanism being engaged when the pin, while extended, is further disposed in the second slot of the mounting plate to thereby hold the cross-plate and mounting plate together.