Patent ID: 8376087
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
1. A ladder comprising: a first rail assembly including a first rail, a second rail and at least one rung extending between the first rail and the second rail; a first hinge component coupled with the first rail, the first hinge component having a rail mount section, a tongue portion, a first abutment shoulder on a first side of the first hinge component and a second abutment shoulder on a second side of the hinge component; a second rail assembly including a third rail and a fourth rail; a second hinge component coupled with the third rail, the second hinge component having a rail mount section, a first plate segment, a second plate segment spaced apart from the first plate segment and defining a groove between the first plate segment and the second plate segment; wherein the tongue portion is positioned within the groove and the first hinge component is rotatably coupled with the second hinge component from a first position to a second position, wherein, when in the first position, an edge of a first plate segment is spaced apart for the first abutment shoulder and an edge of the second plate segment is spaced apart from the second abutment shoulder, and wherein, when in the second position, the edge of the first plate segment contacts the first abutment shoulder and the edge of the second plate segment contacts the second abutment shoulder; and an anti-pinch mechanism configured to exert a biasing force between the first hinge component and the second hinge component during a transition of the first hinge component and the second hinge component to the second position, wherein the anti-pinch mechanism includes a first and second biased protuberance positioned along an end of the respective first and second hinge component, wherein, when in the first position, the first and second biased protuberance extend outwardly from the end of the respective first and second hinge component, and wherein, when in the second position, the first and second biased protuberance is displaced within a cavity formed in the respective first and second hinge component with the first biased protuberance in contact with the second biased protuberance.