Patent ID: 6536558
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
A folding ladder, comprising:a first side rail and a second side rail, at least one rung having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being pivotally attached to the first side rail and the second end portion being pivotally attached to the second side rail, the rung being pivotable relative to the first side rail and the second side rail between a use position in which the rung is substantially perpendicular to each of the first side rail and the second side rail and a closed position in which the rung is substantially parallel to each of the first side rail and the second side rail; and at least one diagonal locking member having a first portion pivotally attached at a first end to the first side rail and a second portion pivotally attached at a first end to a second end of the first portion, the first end of the second portion and the second end of the first portion defining a central pivot point, and a second end pivotally attached to the second side rail, the first end of the first portion and the second end of the second portion defining first and second end pivot points, respectively, the first portion and the second portion being in a substantially parallel closed position with the central pivot point being disposed above the first and second end pivot points when the rung is in the closed position and being pivotable relative to each other to a locking position in which the first portion and the second portion are substantially parallel to each other and non-perpendicular to the first side rail and the second side rail and the central pivot point is disposed below one of the first and second end pivot points and above the other one of the first and second end pivot points when the rung is in the use position, the locking member including a stop disposed on at least one of the first portion and the second portion for preventing the first portion and the second portion from pivoting relative to each other beyond the locking position.