Patent ID: 6378654
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: B60R,E06C

Abstract:
A ladder pivotally attached to a generally vertically extending surface to be movable outwardly therefrom to decrease the climbing inclination thereof comprising:A. a main rail extending downwardly along said vertical surface and extending approximately parallel thereto responsive to being in the retracted position, said main rail defining an upper main end and a lower main end, said upper main end being pivotally attached with respect to the vertical surface to allow said main rail to pivot away from the vertical surface to an extended position extending outwardly therefrom for decreasing the climbing inclination thereof with respect to the vertical surface to facilitate climbing thereupon; B. a plurality of steps each secured to said main rail spatially disposed vertically with respect to one another in order to facilitate climbing thereupon; C. a scissors assembly pivotally secured to said lower main end of said main rail and being pivotally attached with respect to the vertical surface to control relative positioning of said main rail with respect to the vertical surface responsive to being in the extended position and the retracted position, said scissors assembly comprising: (1) a scissors lock link pivotally secured to said lower main end of said main rail; and (2) a scissors slave link pivotally attached with respect to the vertical surface, said scissors slave link also being pivotally attached with respect to said scissors lock link in order to facilitate controlling of the distance between said lower main end of said main rail and the vertical surface thereadjacent for facilitating control of the climbing inclination of said main rail, said scissors lock link and said scissors slave link means extending upwardly approximately adjacent with respect to one another responsive to said main rail being in the retracted position; (3) a locking tab fixedly secured to said scissors lock link and positioned extending toward said scissors slave link to be in abutment therewith to prevent pivotal movement of said scissors assembly to an inoperable over center position responsive to movement of said main rail to the extended position; and D. a folding rail pivotally secured to said lower main end of said main rail and movable between a deployed position extending generally downwardly therefrom to facilitate use of the ladder and a storage position extending upwardly along said main rail to facilitate retracted storage thereof.