Patent ID: 8387753
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
1. An extendable/retractable ladder assembly, comprising: a first column and a second column, the first column nesting in the second column; a first rung extending from the first column; a second rung extending from the second column; a first bracket including a collar portion extending about the first column and a rung portion extending from the collar portion and into the first rung in order to couple the first rung to the first column; a second bracket including a collar portion extending about the second column and a rung portion extending from the corresponding collar portion and into the second rung in order to couple the second rung to the second column; a latch assembly mounted within the rung portion of the second bracket, the latch assembly including a locking pin and a spring, the spring exerting a biasing force against the locking pin to engage the locking pin with the first column and the second column in order to reversibly lock the first column in an extended position with respect to the second column; and a button coupled to the locking pin and disposed outside the second rung in proximity to the collar portion of the second bracket, the button being moveable along the second rung, in a direction that is generally aligned with a direction in which the second rung extends, away from the collar portion, in order to retract the locking pin against the biasing force of the spring and thereby allow the first column to retract and collapse within the second column; wherein the collar portion of the second bracket includes an outer surface and a recess formed in the outer surface, and the button includes a recess, the recess of the collar portion and the recess of the button being located in proximity to one another, in order to simultaneously accommodate a portion of a hand of an operator, which portion of the hand includes a thumb of the operator; and the recess of the collar portion and the recess of the button both extend in the direction in which the button is moveable said collar and said button recess are adapted for a user's hand to wrap around the collar and for the user's thumb to extend into the button recess from a side of the button adjacent to the collar and not from below so that, when the portion of the hand is accommodated by the recess of the collar portion and by the recess of the button, the thumb is positioned to apply a force to the button in the direction in which the second rung extends.