Patent ID: 9222307
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
1. A ladder comprising: a first ladder section including two rails and at least two rungs, each rung extending between the two rails, the first ladder section including a first ladder section connecting end having a first ladder section locking feature; a second ladder section including at least one rail and having a second ladder section connecting end having a second ladder section locking feature; a female hinge element provided on the second ladder section connecting end and having an opening with an internal cam surface; and a male hinge element provided on the first ladder section connecting end, extending transversely from the rail of the second ladder section, and having a cam follower that extends transversely from the male hinge element, the male hinge element extending into the opening in the female hinge element such that the male hinge element forms an axle about which the first and second ladder sections rotate, the cam follower extending transversely from the male hinge element so that the cam follower contacts the internal cam surface; wherein movement of the male and female hinge elements to an unlocked position causes relative motion between the cam follower and the internal cam surface that allows the first and second ladder sections to rotate relative to each other while movement of the male and female hinge elements to a locked position causes relative motion between the cam follower and the internal cam surface to move the first ladder section locking feature with respect to the second ladder section locking feature in a direction along an axis of rotation of the male hinge element such that the first ladder section locking feature and the second ladder section locking feature engage each other to prohibit relative rotation between the first and second ladder sections.