MOTORIZED LADDER ASSEMBLY

A motorized ladder assembly for ascending and descending from a height safely. The motorized ladder assembly includes an A-shaped frame having a front member and a rear member forming the A-shape. Each front member and the rear member having a pair of parallel rails. The main step is horizontally bridged between the pair of rails of the front member and mounted to a track of a drive mechanism configured for ascending and descending the main step between a top end and a bottom end of the front member. A platform having a base and an upstanding pair of handrails that extends from the ends of the base. The base can be coupled to the main step, such as the base and the main step are coplanar. The pair of handrails run parallel and adjacent to the pair of rails of the front member.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a motorized ladder assembly, and more particularly the present invention relates to a motorized ladder assembly for motorized ascending and descending a height.

BACKGROUND

A Ladder is an important tool for climbing up to reach a height for something. A ladder is also an important tool in home improvement. A-shape ladders, also known as step ladders, are most common in homes because of their portability and ease of use. Ladder-related injuries are also common. According to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, every year 500,000 people are treated for ladder-related injuries. Some of the common reasons for ladder-related injury are improper mounting of the ladder or mis-stepping while climbing or descending. Despite the ladder-related injuries are increasing every year, there is no good substitute for a ladder.

Thus, a desire is there for a safe substitute of a ladder that can be used to safely climb up and down from a height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a motorized ladder assembly for safely ascending and descending a height.

It is another object of the present invention that a person ascends and descends a ladder without physical exertion.

It is still another object of the present invention that the motorized ladder assembly helps increase the productivity of a user.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the motorized ladder assembly makes climbing a height easier and faster.

It is a further object of the present invention that the motorized ladder assembly is portable.

In one aspect, disclosed is a motorized ladder assembly for safely ascending and descending a height without the risk of falling or slipping from the ladder. Disclosed motorized ladder assembly includes a frame resembling a step ladder, in which a drive mechanism can move the steps of the ladder up and down along the length of the ladder. A drive mechanism can be mounted within the frame and includes a track on which the steps can be mounted. The track can be driven by an electric motor also mounted to the frame. Suitable controls can be provided to operate the drive mechanism, such as turning the power to the drive mechanism on and off. A platform including a base and a pair of handrails can be coupled to one of the steps that are coupled to the drive mechanism.

In one aspect, suitable sensors and alarms can also be equipped in the disclosed motorized ladder assembly for its safe operation. The sensors and alarms can indicate any erroneous operation, mishandling, or uninvited approaching of person, child, or pet towards the motorized ladder assembly. The controls can be shielded by a cover for child safety. The sensors can include an IR sensor, proximity sensor, and like. The alarms can include light indicators, blinking LEDs, and audio alarms. The sensors can automatically cease the drive mechanism when any aforesaid alarming situation can be detected.

In one aspect, the steps of motorized ladder assembly can include projecting rods at opposite ends of the step. Fixed gears can be coupled to the endpoints of the projecting rods. The gears allow the steps to be mounted to a chain installed within the poles of the frame. The chain can be driven by the electric motor also mounted to the frame. The electric motor can be powered by a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery and the electric motor are enclosed within the housing of the frame.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and the summary will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1which shows the disclosed motorized ladder assembly100that can assist a person to ascend or descend from a height safely and without physical exertion. Referring toFIG. 1, which shows the motorized ladder assembly100that can include an A-shape frame110having a front member120and a rear member130that can be coupled at their top ends while the bottom ends are separated to form the A-shape. The joint140that couple the front member120to the rear member130can be a hinge joint140that may allow the front member and the rear member to be folded and unfolded. A two-piece spreader150can also be provided to restrict the A-shape member in the unfolded configuration supported on the ground.

Each front member120and the rear member130can have a pair of rails that run parallel to each other. The front member120can have multiple rungs160horizontally bridging the two parallel rails of the front member120. The rear member130can also have one or more rungs bridging the two parallel rails. Alternatively, a cross-spline can support the two parallel rails of the rear member130.FIG. 1shows the front member120having spaced rungs160along the length of the front member120. The rear member130having a pair of cross splines170supporting the two parallel rails.

A platform180can be seen inFIG. 1mounted to the front member120of the A-shape frame110. The platform180can have a base190and a pair of upstanding handrails200that extends from the ends of the base190. The pair of handrails200run parallel and adjacent to the pair of rails of the front member120. The base190can be coupled to one of the steps of the front member120.FIG. 1shows the base190coupled to a main step210, such as the base190and step210can be coplanar. The top surface of base190and step210can be parallel to the ground, such as a person can comfortably stand on the base190and/or step210. In one case, the base190can be removably coupled to the main step210. In one case, the base190can be integral to main step210.

The length of the handrails200can be proportional to the height of an average adult's chest above ground, such as an adult person of an average height can stand upright on the base190of the platform180and can comfortably grip the handrails200without bending. The handrail can be strong enough to support a person standing on the platform.

The motorized ladder assembly100can include a drive mechanism that can move the steps of the front member120up and down along the length of front member120. Each step can include projecting rods at the opposite ends, such as the step can be mounted to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can include a chain that runs within the frame i.e., within the pair of rails of the first member. The steps of the first member can be mounted to the chains through a suitable gear mechanism. The chains can be driven by an electric motor also mounted on the frame, such as on the top of the frame.

FIG. 1shows a gap230within the rails of the front member120of the frame110. The projecting rods of the steps can traverse through this gap and be mounted to the drive mechanism. The electric motor of the drive mechanism can be encased in the housing240also mounted on the top of the frame110. The electric motor can be powered by a rechargeable battery also enclosed within the housing240. The rechargeable battery can be charged by an external power source.

It can be seen that the front member is having multiple steps. At least one step can be provided below the main step210and at least one step can be provided above the main step210. The steps above and below the main step210may allow a person standing on the base190to rest a foot for adjusting the body posture while reaching for something. Multiple steps can be provided above and below the main step210. The drive mechanism allows steps to be stacked at the bottom of the front member and/or the top of the front member.FIG. 1shows a stack of steps250below the main step210. The drive mechanism can include a track that runs along the length of the opposite rails of the front member. The steps can be mounted to the track which moves the steps up and down along the length of the opposite rails. The track provides for moving a step from the stack of steps250at intervals providing the desired space between two adjacent steps. In one case, the track can be continuous from the front member to the rear member of the frame. The steps of the front member instead of stacking at the top can be moved along the track to the rear member. The play of the track can be such as the main step210can move between the top and bottom of the front member120, such as a person standing on the base190of the platform180can ascend and descend between the bottom and top of the front member along the length of the front member120of the frame110.

A power switch220can be seen at bottom of the front member. The power switch220can have two buttons to control the power supply to the drive mechanism of the motorized ladder assembly100. Two buttons i.e., an on button and an Off button can be provided that allows turning the power supply to the drive mechanism on and off. The “on” bottom can be colored green while the “stop” button can be colored red. The “stop” button can also be used in an emergency to immediately stop the drive mechanism. The power switch can be having a protective cover for child safety.

The platform180can also have buttons near the top of the handrails200within reach of a person standing on the platform. Such a button allows the person to move the platform up and down. Two buttons on the right handrail can be an up button260and a stop button270. The up button260engages the drive mechanism moving the steps up i.e., the ascending motion of the steps. A stop button270can be pressed by the person for stopping the platform at the desired position. On the other handrail of the platform can be seen another button “down” that can be used to move the platform downwards i.e., descend on the frame. The stop button can be used to stop the descend at the desired height. Alternatively, the stop button can be omitted, wherein the up button or the down button can be kept pressed for moving the platform. Releasing the buttons stops the drive mechanism.FIG. 1also shows the bottom end of the front member and rear member having rubber stoppers290. The rubber stopper can provide grip on the floor and prevent slipping of the motorized ladder assembly100on the floor. Suitable retractable wheels can also be provided on at least the front member or the rear member that may allow moving the ladder assembly.

In one exemplary embodiment, suitable sensors can also be provided to detect any irregularity, such as shaking of the frame or miss-stepping. The sensors can be provided on the bottom surface of the steps of the front member120. Referring toFIG. 2which shows a step300having a sensor310on the bottom surface of step300. The sensor can be an IR sensor, proximity sensor, and like that can detect a person or child coming near or passing the ladder and on detecting person or child can stop the ladder to prevent any accident. The housing240can also be provided with a speaker320and LED indicators330to raise alerts or alarms. For example, when the platform is about to reach the top end or the bottom end of the front member, the alarm can be triggered to alert the person on the platform180.

Referring toFIG. 3which shows a person standing on the base of the platform and grip the handrails. The person can be seen in a comfortable upright position with the control buttons on the handrail within reach of the person. The person can press the up button which causes the platform to ascend till it reaches the top end. The person can stop the platform at the desired height by pressing the stop button.FIG. 4shows the person standing on the platform ascended to the top end. The handrails can bypass the top plate of the frame and can provide support to the person while working.