Ladders, ladder components and related methods

Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including various embodiments of a combination ladder. In some embodiments, a platform is provided that is fixedly coupled with a rail assembly of a combination ladder. The platform may pivot between a useable position or state and a stowed or stored position or state. The platform may maintain a position relative to certain rungs of the rail assembly while being displaceable relative to other rungs of the rail assembly. A hand rail may be coupled to the rail assembly and a tray may be coupled with the hand rail. The tray and the platform may be configured to maintain a constant distance between one another while the rail assembly is adjusted for height.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to ladders, ladder systems, ladder components and related methods. More specifically, to combination ladders, rail structures, trays, platform configurations and related methods of manufacturing and operating ladders.

BACKGROUND

Ladders are conventionally used to provide a user thereof with improved access to locations that might otherwise be inaccessible. Ladders come in many shapes and sizes, such as straight ladders, straight extension ladders, stepladders, and combination step and extension ladders (referred to herein as combination ladders). Combination ladders incorporate, in a single ladder, many of the benefits of other ladder designs as they can be used as an adjustable stepladder or as an extension ladder.

Ladders are common tools for professional tradesman and homeowners alike. Sometimes the use of a ladder can be an awkward experience, even for those who use ladders on a regular basis, when certain tasks are to be performed while standing on the rungs of a ladder. For example, it can be easy to lose one's balance on a ladder while working on an overhead project (e.g., painting a ceiling, changing a light bulb, etc.) Moreover, when one needs to utilize tools or access other resources (e.g., hardware, paint, etc.) while working on a ladder, the temporary storage of such tools or other items is often problematic. This is particularly true when using a combination ladder which conventionally lacks a top cap often found on a step ladder, the top cap often being used as a surface to place or store small items while working on the ladder. Often, the user of a ladder may have to make many trips up and down the ladder to exchange tools or other equipment during the performance of a particular job, making the use of the ladder less efficient than it could be.

Additionally, standing on a ladder for extended periods of time can cause fatigue. Often the rungs on which one stands are relatively narrow, such that a very small portion of a user's foot is in contact with the rung while using the ladder. Additionally, while not recommended, many users will often stand on a rung higher than is recommended by the manufacturer of the ladder. This can be an obvious safety hazard. For example, while standing on lower rungs, the user can brace themselves against the side rails or against a higher rung of the ladder in an effort to maintain their balance. However, when one stands on higher rungs, the user no longer has rails or other ladder components available to brace their upper bodies against for stability and balance.

It is a continual desire within the industry to improve various aspects of ladders including their safety, functionality, ergonomics and efficiency of use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, various embodiments of ladders, ladder components and methods of operating and manufacturing ladders are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a ladder is provided that comprises a first rail assembly and a second rail assembly. The first rail assembly comprises a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails slidably coupled to the pair of inner rails, a first plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of inner rails and a second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails. The second rail assembly comprises a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails slidably coupled to the pair of inner rails, a first plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of inner rails and a second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails. The ladder further includes a pair of hinges that rotatably couples the first rail assembly with the second rail assembly. A platform includes a body portion that is coupled with the pair of inner rails of first rail assembly adjacent a rung of the first plurality of rungs. The body portion of the platform is moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the first rail assembly.

In accordance with another embodiment, a ladder comprises a first rail assembly and a second rail assembly. The first rail assembly comprises a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails slidably coupled to the pair of inner rails, a first plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of inner rails and a second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails. The second rail assembly comprises a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails slidably coupled to the pair of inner rails, a first plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of inner rails and a second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails. The ladder further includes a pair of hinges rotatably coupling the first rail assembly with the second rail assembly such that the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly may be selectively positioned and maintained in a first configuration and at least a second configuration. When in rail assemblies are in the first configuration, the first rail assembly extends at an acute angle relative to the second rail assembly. When the rail assemblies are in the second configuration, the first rail assembly extends from the first rail assembly in a substantially common plane; The ladder additionally includes a pair of brackets with each bracket being fixedly coupled to the pair of inner rails of the first rail assembly, the pair of brackets being removably coupled with another ladder component. In one embodiment the additional ladder component includes a hand rail. A tray may also be coupled with the hand rail. In another embodiment, the additional ladder component includes a paint tray.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of adjusting a ladder is provided. The method includes providing a first rail assembly having a pair of inner rails with a plurality of rungs coupled therebetween and a pair of outer rails having a plurality of rungs coupled therebetween, pair of inner rails being slidably coupled with the pair of outer rails. The method additionally includes providing a second rail assembly having a pair of inner rails with a plurality of rungs coupled therebetween and a pair of outer rails having a plurality of rungs coupled therebetween, the pair of inner rails being slidably coupled with the pair of outer rails. The first rail assembly is positioned at an acute angle relative to the second rail assembly to provide a self-supporting ladder. A platform is fixed coupled with the first rail assembly and a body portion of the platform is oriented in a first position suitable for a user to stand on. The pair of inner rails of the first rail assembly are displaced relative to the outer rails of the first rail assembly while maintaining the platform at a constant position relative to at least one rung of the plurality of rungs coupled between the inner rails of the first rail assembly.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a foot for a ladder rail is provided. The foot includes a body portion configured to cover an end of a ladder rail. The body portion includes a flexible locking tab with a feature sized and configured to engage an opening formed in the ladder rail. The body portion of the foot may further be configured to define at least one channel to receive a portion of the ladder rail. In one embodiment, a wheel may be rotatably coupled with body portion. In one example embodiment, the body portion is molded as a substantially homogenous, monolithic member.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, another ladder is provided. The ladder includes at least one rail assembly including a pair of rails and at least one rung coupled between the pair of rails. A first foot is coupled with an end of one of the pair of rails. The first foot includes a body portion configured to cover an end of a ladder rail and includes a flexible locking tab with a feature sized and configured to engage an opening formed in the associated rail.

Other features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent upon study of the subsequent description, associated drawings and appended claims. It is noted that features of one described embodiment herein may be combined with features of another described embodiment without limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a combination ladder100is shown. The combination ladder100includes a first rail assembly102including an inner assembly102A slidably coupled with an outer assembly102B. The inner assembly102A includes a pair of spaced apart rails104coupled with a plurality of rungs106. Likewise, the outer assembly102B includes a pair of spaced apart rails108coupled to a plurality of rungs110. The rails104of the inner assembly102A are slidably coupled with the rails106of the outer assembly102B. The inner and outer assemblies102A and102B may be selectively locked relative to each other such that one or more of their respective rungs106and110are aligned with each other. A locking mechanism112may be configured to engage a portion of the inner rail assembly102A and the outer rail assembly102B so as to selectively lock the two assemblies relative to each other. While only a single locking mechanism112is shown due to the perspective of the ladder represented inFIG. 1, a second, similar locking mechanism is coupled to the other side of the rail assembly102.

The combination ladder100also includes a second rail assembly114that includes an inner assembly114A slidably coupled with an outer assembly114B. The inner assembly114A includes a pair of rails116coupled with a plurality of rungs118and is configured similar to the inner assembly102A of the first rail assembly102A described hereinabove. Likewise, the outer assembly114B includes a pair of rails120coupled with a plurality of rungs122and is configured similar to the outer assembly102B of the first rail assembly102described hereinabove. Locking mechanisms124may be associated with inner and outer assemblies114A and114B to enable selective positioning of the inner assembly114A relative to the outer assembly114B as described with respect to the first rail assembly102hereinabove.

One exemplary locking mechanism that may be used with the first and second rail assemblies102and114is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0229918 filed Mar. 6, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. While the locking mechanism described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0229918 is generally described in conjunction with an embodiment of an adjustable step ladder, such a locking mechanism may by readily used with an embodiment such as the presently described combination ladder as well. It is additionally noted that, in one embodiment, the rail assemblies102and114may be configured similar to those which are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,224 to Kummerlin, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The first rail assembly102and the second rail assembly114are coupled to each other may way of a pair hinge mechanisms126. Each hinge mechanism126may include a first hinge component coupled with a rail of the first rail assembly's inner assembly102A and a second hinge component coupled with a rail of the second rail assembly's inner assembly114A. The hinge components of a hinge pair126rotate about a pivot member such that the first rail assembly102and the second rail assembly114may pivot relative to each other. Additionally, the hinge mechanisms126may be configured to lock their respective hinge components (and, thus, the associated rails to which they are coupled) at desired angles relative to each other. One example of a suitable hinge mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,045 to Boothe, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Of course other configurations of hinge mechanisms are also contemplated as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The combination ladder100is constructed so as to assume a variety of states or configurations. For example, using the locking mechanisms (112or124) to adjust a rail assembly (102or114) enables the ladder100to adjust in height. More specifically, considering the first rail assembly102, as the rail assembly102is adjusted, with the outer assembly102B being displaced relative to the inner assembly102A, the associated locking mechanisms112engages the inner and outer assemblies (102A and102B) when they are at desired relative positions with the rungs (106and110) of the inner and outer assemblies (102A and102B) at a desired vertical spacing relative to each other. At some of the adjustment heights of the rail assembly102, at least some of their respective rungs (106and110) align with each other (such as shown inFIG. 1). The second rail assembly114may be adjusted in a similar manner.

Considering the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, adjustment of the rail assemblies102and114enables the ladder100to be configured as a step ladder with, for example, four effective rungs at a desired height (as shown inFIG. 1), or to be configured as a step ladder that is substantially taller having five, six, seven or eight effective rungs, depending on the relative positioning of the inner and outer assemblies. However, it is noted that the inner and outer rail assemblies may be configured with more or fewer rungs than four. It is also noted that the first rail assembly102and the second rail assembly114do not have to be adjusted to similar heights (i.e., having the same number of effective rungs). Rather, if the ladder is used on an uneven surface (e.g., on stairs), the first rail assembly102may be adjusted to one height while the second rail assembly114may be adjusted to a different height in order to compensate for the slope of the supporting surface.

Additionally, the hinge mechanisms126provide for additional adjustability of the ladder100. For example, the hinge pairs126enable the first and second rail assemblies102and114to be adjusted to a variety of angles relative to each other. As shown inFIG. 1, the first and second rail assemblies102and114may be configured at an acute angle relative to each other such that the ladder may be used as a self-supporting ladder, similar to a step ladder. However, the first and second rail assemblies102and114may be rotated or pivoted about the hinge mechanisms126so that they extend from one another in substantially the same plane (i.e., exhibiting an angle of substantially 180°) with the hinge mechanisms126locking them in such an orientation. When configured in this manner, the ladder100may be used as an extension ladder. Moreover, each of the first and second assemblies102and114are still adjustable as to height (i.e., through the relative displacement of their respective inner and outer assemblies). It is additionally noted that the rungs of the various assemblies (i.e., rungs106,110,118and122) are configured to have support surfaces on both the tops and the bottoms thereof so as to enable their use in either a step ladder configuration or an extension ladder configuration.

The ladder100also includes a platform130that is coupled to the first rail assembly102. In one embodiment, the platform130is coupled with the inner assembly102A of the first rail assembly102and is configured to extend adjacent to a rung106of the inner assembly102A. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the platform130is positioned adjacent the rung106that is second from the top of the inner assembly102A and extends towards the rung118that is second from the top of the inner assembly114A of the second rail assembly114. Further details of the platform130will be discussed hereinbelow.

The ladder100further includes a component132or mechanism that is releasably attached thereto and which may provide a variety of functions. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the component132may be selectively installed or coupled with the ladder100(e.g., coupled with a bracket of the ladder) such that a rail134(referred to herein as a handrail for purposes of clarity) may extend upward from the ladder100at an angle that is generally acute relative to a horizontal line (when the ladder is in an orientation of intended use). The handrail134, thus, provides support to users, wherein users may grasp or lean on the handrail134to brace themselves or help support themselves when working at elevated heights on the ladder100. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the handrail134is shown as extending in a common plane, or at least in a plane that is substantially parallel with, a plane defined by the rails (104and108) of the first rail assembly102, although it may be configured to extend at other angles if desired. Additionally, the component132may include a tray136or other structure that may be selectively positioned to hold (or support or store), for example, tools, hardware, paint or other items in a convenient and organized manner.

FIG. 2shows a front view of a component132having a handrail134and a tray136in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The tray136is movably coupled with the handrail134so that it may be selectively positioned relative to the handrail134in at least one deployed condition and at least one stowed condition. For example, the tray136may be configured to extend in a plane at an acute angle relative to the plane of the handrail134while in a deployed state (e.g., as shown inFIG. 1). Additionally, the tray136may be configured to extend in a substantially common plane (or at least in a substantially parallel plane) with the plane handrail134when in a stored or stowed condition (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2as well asFIG. 3which will be discussed below).

As show inFIG. 2, the tray136may include a plurality of openings138for holding various tools or other equipment. For example, some of such openings138may be sized to pass a portion of a screwdriver therethrough while holding a portion of the screwdriver above the tray136providing ready access to the tool for a user. The openings138may be variously sized to accept and support different types of tools (e.g., hammers, pliers, etc.). Larger openings may also be formed in a portion of the tray136to accommodate temporary storage or holding of, for example, a power tool such as a drill. In the embodiment shown, a recess140is formed in the t ray136to accommodate, for example, the holding of a paint can. Other recesses142may be formed in the tray136to temporarily hold or store other loose items (e.g., screws, nails, various tools, etc.). The tray136may also include magnets disposed beneath or adjacent such recesses to provide further securement of metallic items. The tray136may further include slotted apertures143, for example adjacent the peripheral edges of the tray136, to hold various items such as the end of an extension cord or the end of a lanyard coupled to a tool or other item. The component132may include further features and exhibit other configurations such as, for example, described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0229918, previously incorporated by reference.

Referring briefly toFIG. 3, it is noted that the component132having a rail134and/or tray136may be configured for convenient storage on the ladder100when it is not coupled with the ladder in the manner shown inFIG. 1. In one embodiment, the component132may include tabs144or other structures that are spaced apart and shaped to engage, for example, in two or more rails118of the inner assembly114A of the second rail assembly114. As seen inFIG. 3, the component is folded or collapsed in a substantially flat state, with the rail134and the tray136being substantially placed in a common plane (as shown inFIG. 2), and the component132is “snapped” or “press-fit” between two adjacent rungs118of the second rail assembly114such that the tabs144engage the adjacent rungs118to hold the component132in place. The component132then remains coupled with the second rail assembly114until a user desires to remove it for use with the ladder100or in order to provide access to the space between the adjacent rungs118. Of course other structures or mechanisms may be used to couple the component132with the ladder for temporary storage including that which is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0229918.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4B, additional details are shown and described with respect to the platform130. It is noted that the outer assemblies (102B and114B) are shown to be adjusted to a different position relative to their associated inner assemblies (102A and114A) inFIGS. 4A and 4Bas to that shown inFIG. 1.

The platform130may include a structure or body portion150having a generally flat surface for supporting a user of the ladder100. In the presently considered embodiment, the body portion150is pivotally coupled with the rails104of the inner assembly102A. For example, pins152may be coupled between the body portion150of the platform130and brackets154that are associated with each rail104of the inner assembly102A. The pins152enable the body portion150of the platform130to pivot or rotate relative to inner assembly102A from a first, usable position, as shown inFIG. 4A, to a second, stored position, as shown inFIG. 4B.

To support the body portion150of the platform when in the usable position (such as shown inFIG. 4A), a pair of braces156may be coupled between the rails104of the inner assembly102A and the body portion150of the platform130. For example, each brace156may include a slot158which slidably receives a pin160coupled to the body portion140. The pin160abuts a bottom surface of the slot such that weight applied to the body portion is transferred through the pins160, through the braces156, and to the rails104of the inner assembly102A by way of another pin162that is coupled with the rails104of the inner assembly102A. When the body portion150is pivoted from the useable position to the stored or stowed position, the braces156rotate about the pins162that are coupled with the rails104of the inner assembly102A while the pins160coupled to the body portion150slide within the slot158of the braces156.

Referring briefly toFIGS. 5A and 5B, another embodiment of the platform130is shown. The platform130again includes a body portion150pivotally coupled with the rails104of the inner assembly102A such as by pins152and brackets154or other appropriate structures or mechanisms. As described above, the pins152enable the body portion150of the platform130to pivot or rotate relative to inner assembly102A from a first, usable position, as shown inFIG. 5A, to a second, stored position, as shown inFIG. 5B. When the body portion150is placed in a usable position (as shown inFIG. 5A), the body portion150may be supported by a cable157or other tether member coupled between the body portion150and the rails104of the inner assembly102A. The cables157or tethers may be configured to resist a load in tension (i.e., when a user stands on the body portion140) while providing little or no such resistance in compression so that they may bend or collapse when the body portion150is pivoted to a stored state (FIG. 5B). Such a configuration may provide additional advantages of reducing potential pinch points during the displacement of the body portion150relative to the rail assembly. Such a configuration may also provide certain manufacturing or usability advantages in comparison with the use of braces.

As shown inFIGS. 4A and 5A, the body portion150of the platform130is positioned adjacent, and at the same elevation, as a rung106of the inner assembly102A of the first rail assembly102. As previously noted, in one embodiment, the body portion150may be positioned adjacent, and at the same elevation as, the rung106that is second from the top when the ladder is in a step ladder configuration. Thus, when a user is standing at this elevation, they may place substantially the entirety of their feet on the combined surface of the body portion150and the adjacent rung106. Having a greater surface area to stand on provides the user with increased stability and reduces the fatigue and discomfort that might otherwise be experienced by the user when standing for extended periods of time.

It is noted that the body portion150, when in the usable position, extends adjacent a rung118of the inner assembly114A of the second rail assembly114. In one embodiment, the body portion is sized so that a relatively small gap exists between the end of the body portion140and the rung118associated with the second rail assembly114B. For example, in one embodiment a gap exhibiting a distance L1of approximately 1.75 inches may exist between the closest surfaces of the body portion140and the rung118of the second rail assembly114, while a gap exhibiting a distance L2of approximately 3 inches exists between the rung118and the indented portion164that serves as a handle. These gaps provide a desired clearance between the platform130and the second rail assembly for deployment from a stored and useable state while also still enabling a user to utilize the platform130while standing on the rungs (118and122) of the second rail assembly114. In essence, a user will bridge the gap between the rung118and the body portion140of the platform130with their foot while standing on the second rail assembly. It is noted that the gap may be smaller or larger than the examples just described. For example, a gap of between approximately 1/16 of an inch and approximately 3 inches between the closest portions of the body portion140and the rung118are contemplated as being utilized. A platform, such as described with respect toFIGS. 3A and 3Bmay be configured to support, for example, a weight of approximately 300 pounds or more.

One advantage of placing the platform at the location shown and described with respect toFIGS. 1,3A and3B, is that it encourages users to only climb as high as is recommended by the manufacturer. It is noted that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommends that the user shall not step or stand on the top step of a combination ladder when it is used as a self-supporting ladder. Thus, placing the platform130at the second highest rung will encourage the user to only climb as high as the platform130. However, it is noted that the platform130could be placed at other locations so that it is associated with other rungs. Furthermore, more than one platform may be employed with the ladder100if desired.

While the platform130may be coupled with the rail assembly (102or114) differently than described herein, one advantage of coupling the platform130with the inner assembly (102A or114A) is that it will remain at the same distance from the top of the ladder100when it is used as a step ladder regardless of any height adjustments that may be made. In other words, if placed adjacent the second highest rung (104or118), it will remain adjacent the second highest rung regardless of the adjustment of the inner and outer rail assemblies102A and102B relative to one another.

It is noted that the platform130, as described above, is fixed to the ladder100as a permanent component and it is not removable from the ladder without substantial disassembly, or possibly even destruction of, some of the ladder components. In other words, the ladder100is manufactured with the platform130being an integral component of thereof. Additionally, as described above, while the platform130may appear somewhat like a spreader mechanism on a conventional step ladder, the platform130is only fixed to one of the rail assemblies (e.g.,102), not both. Stated another way, the platform is independent of one or the rail assemblies (e.g.,114).

While shown as being coupled or fixed with the first rail assembly102(and, more particularly, the inner assembly102A of the first rail assembly102), the platform130may be coupled or fixed with the second assembly114instead. It is also noted that, while shown and described as maintaining a gap between the body portion and an adjacent rung of the opposing rail assembly, in other embodiments the body portion140may be configured to engage or rest on a top surface of the adjacent rung. However, in such an embodiment, while the platform130may be in contact with portions of both the first rail assembly102and the second rail assembly114when in the useable position, it only remains fixed to one of the two rail assemblies (e.g., as is evident from viewing the stowed or stored position shown inFIG. 3Bwhich would remain substantially unchanged).

Referring now toFIG. 6, brackets160may be coupled to the first rail assembly102(and/or the associated hinge component) to facilitate installation of the above-described component132. (It is noted that the brackets are also shown inFIGS. 1,4A,4B,5A and5B). Locking mechanisms located near the lower end of the component132may be associated with the handrail134to engage the brackets160and maintain the component132in a desired position. With the component132installed and the tray136extending substantially horizontally as shown, the tray136is placed in a working position that is at a desired height above the platform130. Additionally, because both the component132and the platform130are coupled to the inner assembly102A of the first rail assembly102, the tray136and the body portion140of the platform maintain the same distance “H” between one another regardless of any height adjustments to the ladder100when it is in a self-supporting or step ladder configuration.

Referring briefly toFIG. 7, the ladder100is shown with another accessory coupled with the same brackets160that are used for installation of the rail and tray component132. The accessory includes a paint tray170or a bucket that is sized and configured to hold a desired amount of paint. The paint tray170is also configured to receive a paint roller, enabling a paint roller to be dipped or immersed in the paint, so that a painter may have easy access to paint for their roller (and/or brush) while standing on the ladder100. Such a paint tray170may include, for example, that which is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0282540, filed May 5, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Of course other accessories may also be coupled with the brackets160as may be desired. When both the brackets160and the platform are coupled with the same assembly (e.g., with the inner assembly102A), the brackets160and the platform130maintain a set distance between them so as to provide an efficient working environment for a user of the ladder100.

Referring toFIG. 8in conjunction withFIG. 2, in another embodiment, the rail and tray component132may include brackets168for coupling with other accessories such as the paint tray170. In one particular embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, the brackets168may be coupled to the rail portion134. However, in other embodiments, the brackets168may located and configured differently. As seen inFIG. 8, the paint tray170(or other accessory) may be coupled with the component132at a height that provides ready access while a user is standing on the platform130. Again, when the component132and the platform130are both coupled to the same rail assembly (e.g., the inner rail assembly102A of the first rail assembly102), the paint tray170or other accessory maintains a fixed elevation distance relative to the platform. It is noted that that the tray136is positioned in what has been referred to above as a “stowed state” with the tray136being within a common plane (or at least parallel to) the handrail134. This enables the paint tray170or other accessory to be coupled with the handrail134without interference with the tray136.

Referring now toFIGS. 9-12, with additional reference toFIG. 1, a foot200for a ladder is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The foot200may be configured for easy assembly with an associated ladder rail (e.g., outer rail108—FIG. 1) to provide more efficient manufacture and assembly of the ladder.

In one embodiment, the foot200includes a body portion202that slides over a corresponding end of an associated rail. A flexible lock tab204may be associated with the body portion202and configured to engage with the complementary opening or keyway206(seeFIGS. 10 and 11) and an associated rail (e.g., rail108inFIG. 1). Thus, for example, as shown inFIG. 10, with a foot200being installed on the end of an associated rail, the rail may engage channels208defined by body portion202until a button or protrusion210associated with the lock tab204engages the opening or keyway206of the rail as shown inFIG. 11. Removal of the foot200would be accomplished by pressing the button or protrusion210to disengage it from the opening or keyway206. With the protrusion210being disengaged from the keyway206, the foot could then be slid off of the rail. The foot200may be formed of a variety of materials using a variety of manufacturing techniques. In one particular embodiment the foot200and can be made of a plastic material and may be formed as a molded component.

The body portion202of the foot200may be formed such that a wheel212may be integrally coupled therewith. For example, as shown best inFIG. 12, the body portion202may include a protrusion214or other feature having an opening through which a wheel axle216may pass. The wheel axle216, along with appropriate fasteners or other structures, may couple the wheel212to the body portion202such that the wheel212rotates relative to the body portion202about an axis defined by the wheel shaft216. When such an embodiment is employed in a ladder, the wheel212may be positioned relative to the body portion202of the foot200so that it is not in contact with the ground (or underlying support surface) when the ladder is in an intended configuration and orientation for use (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 1). However, the wheel212is also positioned so that when the ladder is collapsed into a stored state (i.e., with the first and second assemblies102and114being rotated in position immediately next to each other), the ladder may be tipped and drug such that it rolls on the wheels212.

Of course, it is noted that the foot200does not need to be coupled to a wheel or otherwise include any features for coupling to a wheel. Rather, each foot shown inFIG. 1(i.e., four feet associated with the inner rail assemblies102A and114A and four feet associated with the outer rail assemblies102B and114B) may be configured to include the locking and assembly features described above, regardless of whether or not they are coupled to a wheel. The use of such a foot enables the easy assembly and disassembly of the foot from the rail in case, for example, a foot needs to be replaced due to wear or if a different style of foot is desired (e.g., a spiked foot, a gimbaled foot, or a foot that has a different coefficient of friction for engagement of a supporting surface).