Multi-position ladder and support therefor

A multi-position ladder includes a ladder, a longitudinally extending support member for supporting the ladder, and a connecting member connecting the support member and the ladder. The connecting member includes a sliding bar, a pivot bar, and a rotating arm, the sliding bar being in sliding engagement with the support member for permitting lateral shifting movement of the ladder along the support member to one of multiple generally vertical use positions, the pivot bar extending laterally outwardly from the sliding bar for permitting pivotable movement of the ladder about the pivot bar between a generally vertical use position and one of multiple storage positions, and the rotating arm providing tilting movement of the ladder towards or away from a wall to which the support member is attached. The ends of the rotating arm are slidably received in elongated slots in the uprights of the ladder for permitting sliding movement of the ladder relative to the rotating arm. A locking assembly permits selective securing of the free end of the ladder to the support member in a storage position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a multi-position ladder and a support 
therefor and, more particularly, a ladder that is laterally slidable 
between multiple generally vertical use positions and pivotable to 
multiple storage positions along the support. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Prior art ladders used in industry and construction are often specifically 
designed to gain quick access to materials on the roof of a vehicle or on 
a shelf in a warehouse. In the case of a vehicle, for example, a 
construction van or truck, the ladder is typically vertically mounted 
relatively parallel to the side or rear of the vehicle in a single fixedly 
attached position. In this regard, a worker must maneuver the vehicle 
prior to loading or unloading materials to orientate the ladder to an 
accessible position relative to the desired material's site. This, 
oftentimes, is inconvenient, for example, in tight work zones or storage 
places. 
In the case of a warehouse, typically the ladder must be removed from a 
storage site, carried to the desired material's location, raised to the 
desired height for loading or unloading of materials, lowered and then 
returned to the storage site. This can be burdensome and inconvenient, 
especially in crowded work zones or if frequent loading and unloading is 
required. 
What is needed is a ladder that may be conveniently moved to an 
out-of-the-way yet accessible position, conveniently positioned for access 
to the roof of a vehicle or a shelf of a warehouse, and also readily and 
conveniently returned to its storage position. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a multi-position ladder assembly comprising 
a ladder and a support for supporting the ladder wherein the assembly 
permits the ladder to be shifted laterally across the support, pivotably 
moved in a lateral direction, tilted towards and away from the support, 
slidably moved along at least a portion of the length of the ladder, and 
selectively secured to the support. 
According to one aspect of the invention, the multi-position ladder 
assembly includes a ladder, a longitudinally extending support member for 
supporting the ladder, and a connecting member connecting the support 
member and the ladder. The multi-position ladder assembly provides for 
three types of movement of the ladder. The ladder may be laterally shifted 
from side-to-side across the support member, pivotably moved from 
side-to-side to a storage position, and/or tilted away from or towards a 
wall or frame to which the support member is connected. The movements may 
be made either simultaneously or independently depending on the 
limitations or needs of a particular loading/unloading site. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support member 
comprises a C-shaped guide channel and the connecting member includes a 
sliding bar that slidably engages the guide channel for permitting lateral 
positioning of the ladder along the support member to one of multiple 
generally vertical use positions. The ends of the support member are 
preferably open permitting the ladder to be laterally removed from either 
of the ends. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting member 
includes a pivot arm preferably fixedly attached to and extending 
laterally outwardly from the sliding bar and a rotating arm preferably 
rotatably mounted relatively transverse to the pivot arm. The ladder is 
rotatably connected to the rotating arm for permitting pivotable movement 
of the ladder about the pivot arm between a generally vertical use 
position and one of multiple storage positions. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide channel 
includes an elongated groove therein for slidably receiving the sliding 
bar. The sliding bar slidably engages the groove during lateral 
positioning of the ladder. The guide channel also defines an elongated 
slot substantially aligned with the elongated groove and a guide pin is 
fixedly attached to and extends laterally outwardly from the sliding bar. 
The guide pin slidably engages the elongated slot thereby guiding the 
connecting member and, consequently, the ladder during lateral positioning 
thereof. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ladder includes a 
pair of spaced upright members and a plurality of spaced parallel rungs 
extending between the upright members. The rotating arm is pivotably 
mounted at its ends within recesses disposed in the upright members and is 
substantially parallel to the rungs. 
According to another aspect of the invention, the multi-position ladder 
includes a ladder, a support member for supporting said ladder, the 
support member being mounted to a wall, vehicle or other surface, a 
connecting member connecting the support member and the ladder, the 
connecting member supporting the ladder for sliding movement of the ladder 
relative to the connecting member along at least a portion of the length 
of the ladder. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting member 
also supports the ladder for tilting movement of the ladder towards and 
away from the wall, vehicle or other surface. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ladder includes 
uprights having elongated grooves disposed along at least a portion of the 
length of the ladder for slidably receiving therein the connecting member 
for guiding the ladder during sliding movement thereof. As preferred, the 
connecting member includes an adjustment mechanism including respective 
inserts that are slidably received within the elongated grooves. The 
ladder uprights cooperatively engage the inserts to provide substantially 
uniform movement of the ladder relative to the connecting member. 
Preferably, the inserts are made of nylon and the elongated grooves are 
lubricated to facilitate sliding contact between the inserts and the 
grooves. The attachment mechanism may include, as preferred, at least one 
tightening knob that, when tightened, substantially inhibits tilting 
movement and sliding movement of the ladder relative to the wall, vehicle 
or other surface and, when loosened, permits said tilting and sliding 
movement. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ladder includes 
an upright having one or more elongated slots disposed therein along at 
least a portion of the length of the ladder and the connecting member 
includes a rotating arm extending transverse to the length of the ladder, 
at least one of the ends of the rotating arm being in sliding engagement 
with the one or more slots during sliding movement of the ladder. The 
slots preferably form segments for providing incremental sliding movement 
of the ladder in a generally vertical use position. Still more preferably, 
the rotating arm is pivotably mounted at its ends within the slots for 
permitting tilting movement of the ladder towards and away from the wall, 
vehicle or other surface. At least one end of the rotating arm preferably 
includes one or more tightening knobs for selectively securing the end to 
the ladder thereby to substantially inhibit tilting movement and sliding 
movement of the ladder relative to the rotating arm. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support member is 
longitudinally extending and the connecting member is adapted to permit 
lateral shifting movement and positioning of the ladder to one of multiple 
generally vertical use positions along the extent of said support member. 
When the ladder is in a generally vertical use position the connecting 
member allows the ladder to be selectively adjusted in a generally 
vertical direction. Even more preferably, the ladder includes an upright 
having one or more elongated slots disposed therein along at least a 
portion of the length of the ladder and the connecting member includes a 
rotating arm extending transverse to the length of the ladder, the ends of 
the rotating arm being in sliding engagement with the one or more slots 
during sliding movement of the ladder. The slots preferably include 
segments for providing incremental sliding movement of the ladder in a 
generally vertical direction. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tilting movement 
defines a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said 
lateral shifting movement. Preferably, the connecting member supports the 
ladder for pivotal movement about a point where the ladder couples to the 
support member via the connecting member in an arc from side-to-side 
between a generally vertical use position and a storage position. 
According to another aspect of the invention, the multi-position ladder 
assembly includes a ladder, a support member for supporting the ladder, 
the support member being mounted to a wall, vehicle or other surface, a 
connecting member connecting the support member and the ladder, and a 
locking assembly. The connecting member supports the ladder for at least 
three types of movement. The ladder may be pivotably moved about a point 
where the ladder couples to the support member via the connecting member 
in an arc from side-to-side between a generally vertical use position and 
a storage position. The ladder may be slidably moved relative to the 
connecting member along at least a portion of the length of the ladder. 
The locking assembly provides selective securing of the free end of the 
ladder to the support member when the ladder is pivoted to a storage 
position. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting member 
also supports the ladder for tilting movement of the ladder towards and 
away from the wall, vehicle or other surface. 
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking 
assembly includes an engaging member connected to the ladder and adapted 
to slidably engage the support member to prevent movement of the ladder 
outwardly from the wall, vehicle or other surface. As preferred, the 
support member is a guide track and the engaging member includes an insert 
adapted to slidably engage the guide track. Preferably, the guide track is 
a C-shape channel and the insert is generally T-shape and fits at least 
partially within the C-shape channel. The insert is preferably made of 
nylon. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism 
is biased to its engaged position. Preferably, the support member includes 
a locator hole and the locking mechanism includes a locking pin that is 
biased to slidably engage the support member through the locator hole to 
prevent lateral movement of the ladder along the support member. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking assembly 
further includes a locking mechanism connected to the ladder, the locking 
mechanism being selectively moveable between an engaged position to 
prevent lateral movement of the ladder along the support member and a 
disengaged position to permit said lateral movement. Preferably, the 
locking mechanism includes at least one mount spaced apart from and 
aligned with the engaging member, the mount including a hole therethrough 
for receipt therein of the locking pin so that, when the locking pin 
engages the support member through the locator hole, the locking pin 
engages the engaging member thereby to provide a firm connection between 
the engaging member and support member. 
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the multi-position ladder 
assembly includes, in combination with a wall, vehicle or other surface, a 
ladder including a pair of uprights having respective guide tracks and 
elongated slots disposed therein along the length of the ladder, a 
longitudinally extending support member for supporting the ladder, the 
support member being mounted to the wall, vehicle or other surface, and a 
connecting member connecting the support member and the ladder. The 
connecting member includes respective inserts that are slidably received 
within the guide tracks, the ladder uprights cooperatively engaging the 
inserts to provide substantially uniform movement of the ladder relative 
to the connecting member, and a rotating arm extending transverse to the 
length of the ladder, the ends of the rotating arm being slidably received 
in the elongated slots for permitting tilting movement of the ladder 
towards or away from the wall, vehicle or other surface, and sliding 
movement of the ladder along the ends of the rotating arm in a generally 
vertical direction. 
Although the invention is shown and described with respect to one or more 
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that equivalents and 
modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and 
understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all 
such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of 
the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the Figures, there is seen in FIG. 1 a multi-position 
ladder constructed in accordance with the present invention generally 
indicated at reference numeral 10. The multi-position ladder 10 includes a 
longitudinally extending support member 14 preferably fixedly mounted (not 
shown), for example, to the side or rear of a vehicle or to the frame of a 
warehouse shelf. A connecting member 18 is mounted to the support member 
14 and is adapted to carry laterally therealong a ladder 22 from one end 
or side 26 of the support member 14 to the other end or side 30 of the 
support member 14; the arrows A--A in FIG. 1 being representative of the 
lateral motion of the ladder 22. 
The connecting member 18 includes an outwardly extending pivot arm 34. The 
ladder 22 is pivotably mounted to the pivot arm 34 via a bushing 38 or 
other suitable pivotable connection for permitting the ladder 22 to be 
pivoted, or swung, from side-to-side. This pivoting motion may be, for 
example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the same plane as the plane of lateral 
shifting motion; the arc B--B in FIG. 1 being representative of such 
pivoting motion of the ladder 22. As will be described below, the plane of 
pivoting motion varies with respect to the tilt position of the ladder 22. 
A rotating arm 42 is preferably rotatably mounted to the pivot arm 34 and 
preferably pivotably mounted to ladder uprights 43 of the ladder 22 for 
permitting the ladder 22 to tilt away from or towards a wall to which the 
support member 14 is attached. As shown in FIG. 1, the tilting is in a 
plane perpendicular to the aforedescribed lateral shifting motion and 
pivoting motion of the ladder 22; the arc C--C in FIG. 1 being 
representative of such tilting motion of the ladder 22. 
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the ladder 22 may be 
moved from side-to-side along the support member 14 to any of a wide range 
of generally vertical use positions, thus permitting a worker to move the 
ladder 22 to a position, for example, having the most direct or convenient 
access to materials on the roof of a vehicle or on the shelf of a 
warehouse. After use, the ladder 22 can then be pivoted, or swung, about 
the pivot arm 34 along the arc B--B and raised to a suitable storage 
position sufficiently high to clear the ground or warehouse floor, or to 
an otherwise "out-of-the-way" position. The ladder 22 may also be tilted 
outwardly away from the wall of the vehicle or shelf of a warehouse so 
that it is raised up from the ground (or floor) to facilitate easier 
lateral shifting motion or pivoting motion. These and other advantages, as 
well as the structure, function and features of the multi-position ladder 
10, are described in greater detail below. 
The mounting arrangement between the connecting member 18 and support 
member 14 is described herein with respect to a sliding bar 44 in slidable 
engagement with a generally C-shaped guide channel 46. The C-shaped guide 
channel 46 preferably has a lubricant, for example, silicone grease within 
its groove or a polytetrafluoroethylene coating on its interior walls, for 
facilitating sliding contact between the surface of the sliding bar 44 and 
the interior walls. The guide channel 46 includes a groove 50 adapted to 
slidably receive and provide stabile interface contact with the sliding 
bar 44. The guide channel 46 and sliding bar 44 cooperatively engage to 
support the weight of the ladder 22 and/or a worker and load thereon. Of 
course, a round shaped guide channel may be used as an alternative, in 
which case the sliding bar 44 may include a bushing or other lubricating 
sleeve for promoting slidability between the round shaped guide channel 
and the sliding bar 44. 
It will be appreciated that the aforedescribed components may be reversed 
to accomplish substantially the same result; that is, the support member 
14 may include a sliding bar 44 and the connecting member 18 may include a 
C-shaped guide channel 46 that rides laterally along the sliding bar 44. 
In another alternative embodiment, the support member 14 may include a 
track or rail and the connecting member 18 may include guide pins or 
rollers that slidably engage the track or rail during lateral movement of 
the ladder 22. In this regard, it will be appreciated that alternative 
parts and/or arrangements may be used to accomplish the same effect of 
guided lateral shifting movement of the connecting member 18 relative to 
the support member 14 and such alternatives are contemplated as falling 
within the scope of the present invention. 
The C-shaped guide channel 46 includes suitable fasteners 54 (shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2, for example) for securing the sliding bar 44 with respect 
to the groove 50 of the guide channel 46 when no lateral shifting movement 
of the ladder 22 along the guide channel 46 is desired. In the illustrated 
embodiment, the fasteners 54 comprise set screws 54 although there may be 
other suitable fasteners for preventing sliding movement of the sliding 
bar 44 relative to the groove 50. For example, a pin could be inserted 
through transverse holes in the guide channel 46 for preventing movement 
of the sliding bar 44 with respect to the guide channel 46. 
The set screws 54, or other suitable fasteners, may include eye hooks 58 or 
handles extending therefrom for facilitating a firm grip for tightening 
the set screws 54. Preferably, the set screws 54 are tightened until they 
bear against and engage the sliding bar 44 which, in turn, forces a 
frictional engagement between the sliding bar 44 and guide channel 46 and, 
consequently, prevents lateral shifting movement of the ladder 22 relative 
to the vehicle wall or warehouse shelf. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, 
the spacing between two adjacent set screws 54 is preferably less than the 
length of the sliding bar 44 so that at least one set screw 54 is 
available for securing the sliding bar 44 during use. Of course, depending 
on the requirements of a particular application, the spacing may be 
narrower so that, for example, at least two fasteners 54 are available for 
securing the sliding bar 44. 
The guide channel 46 also defines an elongated slot 62 in substantial 
alignment with the groove 50 of the guide channel 46 as illustrated in 
FIG. 3. The slot 62 is adapted to slidably receive therein the pivot arm 
34 extending laterally outwardly from the sliding bar 44. In this regard, 
the pivot arm 34 acts as a guide pin. As the sliding bar 44 is moved 
slidably through the guide channel 46, the pivot arm 34 (acting as a guide 
pin) guides the sliding bar 44 along a relatively straight path as the 
pivot arm 34 travels within the slot 62. As the pivot arm 34 slidably 
engages the edges of the slot 62, the sliding bar 44 aligns itself within 
the groove 50 thereby facilitating relatively smoother or freer lateral 
shifting movement of the sliding bar 44 through the groove 50. For even 
freer movement, a lubricant, for example, silicone grease or a 
polytetrafluoroethylene coating, may be applied to the surface of the 
pivot arm 34 and the coacting edges of the slot 62. 
In operation, lateral shifting movement of the ladder 22 translates into 
sliding movement of the sliding bar 44 within and along the C-shaped guide 
channel 46. As shown in FIG. 5 and as can be appreciated in view of the 
foregoing, the ladder 22 may be laterally shifted to any desirable 
generally vertical use position along the guide channel 46. In this sense, 
generally vertical is defined to mean a generally upright position. 
Therefore, the ladder 22 is in a generally vertical configuration while 
the ladder 22 is laterally shifted across the guide channel 46 although 
the ladder 22 may be, and of course usually will be, slightly tilted 
relative to, for example, the side or rear wall of a vehicle or the frame 
of a warehouse shelf, as shown in FIG. 7 and described below in greater 
detail. 
Once the desired position is attained, the ladder 22 may be secured to the 
guide channel 46 by tightening the fasteners 54. A worker may then climb 
the ladder 22 for loading or unloading of materials from, for example, the 
roof of a vehicle or a warehouse shelf. Should the worker desire closer 
access to materials further down the roof or shelf, the worker can loosen 
the fasteners 54 and simply laterally shift the ladder 22 to a more 
convenient position. Alternatively, the ladder 22 may be laterally shifted 
to one of the ends 26, 30 of the guide channel 46 and removed therefrom or 
pivoted to a storage position, as described below in greater detail. The 
fasteners 54 may then be tightened to secure the ladder 22 in its storage 
position. 
As was alluded to above, the pivot arm 34 also permits the ladder 22 to 
pivot, that is, swing from side-to-side as is generally represented by the 
arc-shaped line B--B shown in FIG. 1. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 
4, the connecting member 18 further includes the rotating arm 42 which is 
rotatably mounted at its center onto the pivot arm 34. A bushing 38 or 
other suitable coupling or bearing member, for example, a roller bearing, 
is interposed between the pivot arm 34 and rotating arm 42 to ensure 
relatively stabile rotatable movement of the rotating arm 42 about the 
pivot arm 34. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot arm 34 includes a 
boss 64 (FIG. 7) and a polytetrafluoroethylene washer (not shown) against 
which the rotating arm 42 bears. A polytetrafluoroethylene washer (not 
shown) and a threaded lug nut 65 retain the rotating arm 42 at the end of 
the pivot arm 34. 
Of course, other suitable pivoting arrangements may be employed to obtain 
substantially the same result. Thus, for example, in an alternative 
embodiment, the rotating arm 42 may be fixedly attached to the pivot arm 
34 and the pivot arm 34, in turn, pivotably connected to the sliding bar 
44. In this regard, the slot 62 may be sized to accommodate such pivotable 
movement by, for example, providing enlarged, preferably circular, 
openings spaced along the slot 62 and adapted to receive the width or 
diameter of the pivot arm 34 as it is pivoted and thereby travels in an 
arcuate or circumferential path. In another alternative embodiment, the 
pivot arm 34 itself may be adapted to provide such pivotable movement. The 
pivot arm 34 may be fixedly attached to both the sliding bar 44 and the 
rotating arm 42, in which case the sliding bar 44 and rotating arm 42 
would take the form of T-shaped brackets and may include an axial coupling 
providing pivotable movement, or essentially swivelled movement, between 
the sliding bar 44 and rotating arm 42. In this regard, it will be 
appreciated that alternative parts and/or arrangements may be used to 
accomplish the same effect of pivoting movement of the rotating arm 42 
along the arc B--B (FIG. 1) and such alternatives are contemplated as 
falling within the scope of the present invention. 
Referring to FIG. 4, the ends 66 of the rotating arm 42 are rounded and are 
pivotably received in correspondingly sized holes 70 in the upper portion 
of the ladder uprights 43. A bushing 78 or other suitable bearing member 
may be disposed within the holes 70 to ensure relatively stabile pivotable 
movement of the rotating arm's ends 66 within the respective holes 70. In 
the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the rotating arm 42 takes on the 
same shape as, and is substantially parallel to, the rungs 80 of the 
ladder 22 and may even be used as a top rung when the spacing requirements 
of a particular application permit. Suitable fasteners, for example, such 
as those described hereinabove, may be used at the pivot and rotate 
locations to maintain a relatively fixed connection at, and to prevent 
pivoting or rotating movement of, the rotating arm 42 relative to the 
pivot arm 34 and the ladder uprights 43. 
In operation, pivoting of the ladder 22 from side-to-side along the arc 
B--B (FIG. 1) translates into rotating of the rotating arm 42 about the 
pivot arm 34. As shown in FIG. 6 and as can be appreciated in view of the 
foregoing, the ladder 22 may be pivotably moved to any desirable storage 
position and, most preferably, a generally non-vertical storage position. 
In this sense, generally non-vertical is defined to mean any position 
other than a generally upright position. The ladder 22 may be pivotably 
moved from side-to-side although the ladder 22 may be, and of course 
usually will be, slightly tilted relative to, for example, the side or 
rear wall of a vehicle or the frame of a warehouse shelf, as shown in FIG. 
7 and described below in greater detail. Once a desired storage position 
is attained, the ladder 22 may be secured to the guide channel 46 at the 
pivot end of the ladder 22 by tightening one or more of the fasteners 54 
and/or to the vehicle side wall or the frame of a warehouse shelf at its 
free end by other suitable fastening means (not shown). 
Referring now to FIG. 7, it is seen that the connecting member 18 also 
facilitates tilting of the ladder 22 outwardly and/or inwardly with 
respect to the wall or frame (not shown) to which the guide channel 46 is 
mounted. The rotating arm 42 permits the ladder uprights 43 to rotate 
about the rotating arm 42 in a plane (for example, line C--C in FIG. 1) 
perpendicular to the plane of lateral shifting movement of the ladder 22 
(for example, line A--A in FIG. 1). Advantageously, by tilting the ladder 
22 in such a manner, the lower ends of the ladder uprights 43 are raised 
above the ground (or floor) thereby providing a clearance, or gap, that 
facilitates relatively easier lateral shifting movement of the ladder 22 
across the guide channel 46 or pivotable movement of the ladder 22 about 
the pivot arm 34. Also, the inclination angle of the ladder 22 may be 
adjusted by placing a block or other suitable support beneath the ladder 
uprights 43 after raising the ladder 22 by tilting. 
FIG. 8 shows a connecting member adapter 82 that may be used to adapt the 
connecting member 18 to an existing ladder 84 (FIG. 9). The adapter 82 
includes a pair of U-shaped members 86. One leg 90 of each U-shaped member 
86 pivotably fits into a correspondingly sized receiving hole 94 in the 
top of respective ladder uprights 98. Alternatively, the legs 90 may be 
pivotably mounted into ends 100 of a rung 101. To this end, the rung 101 
is fixed relative to the ladder uprights 98 and includes an inside 
diameter sized to receive the legs 90. The other leg 102 forms a collar, 
or sleeve, the inside diameter of which corresponds to the outside 
diameter of an end 66 of the rotating arm 42. The ends 66 of the rotating 
arms 42 are inserted into the respective collar legs 102 and then secured 
thereto by fasteners 106, for example, a set screw or the like, for 
fixedly connecting the U-shaped member 86 to the rotating arm 42. Of 
course, the U-shaped member 86 may be reversed to accomplish substantially 
the same result. Thus, the legs 102 may be pivotably connected to the ends 
66 of the rotating arm 42 while the other legs 90 are secured into the 
correspondingly sized receiving holes 94 in ladder uprights 98. 
Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an adjustment mechanism in 
accordance with the present invention generally indicated at reference 
numeral 110. In the several Figures, like reference numerals correspond to 
like components. The adjustment mechanism 110 permits adjustments of the 
ladder 22 by sliding the ladder 22 relative to the connecting member 18 
along the extent of the ladder 22. When the ladder 22 is in a generally 
vertical use position, the adjustment mechanism 110 allows the ladder 22 
to be selectively adjusted in a generally vertical direction thereby to 
provide greater clearance below the bottom of the ladder 22 for tilting 
the ladder 22 outwardly away from the vehicle or warehouse wall or 
otherwise adjusting the ladder 22 for varying ground surfaces. 
The adjustment mechanism 110 includes a pair of inserts 112, preferably 
made of nylon, that are slidably received within respective guide tracks 
or channels 114 disposed in the uprights 43 of the ladder 22. The guide 
tracks 114 cooperatively engage the inserts 112 to provide substantially 
uniform movement of the ladder 22 relative to the connecting member 18. To 
facilitate sliding contact between the inserts 112 and the guide tracks 
114, the guide tracks 114 may include a polytetrafluoroethylene coating or 
other lubricant on their interior walls. 
The inserts 112 are rotatably connected to respective ends of the rotating 
arm 42 of the connecting member 18 to enable the ladder 22 to be tilted 
towards or away from the vehicle wall or warehouse shelf in a manner 
similar to that described above. Tightening knobs 120 extend through the 
respective inserts 112 and are threaded to the ends of the rotating arm 42 
or, alternatively, are attached with a nut and bolt to the rotating arm 
42. When tightened, the tightening knobs 120 maintain the rotating arm 42 
fixed with respect to the ladder uprights 43. When loosened, the 
tightening knobs 120 free the connection between the rotating arm 42 and 
the ladder uprights 43. 
The inserts 112 may additionally and/or alternatively be in the form of 
rotatable disks or wheels (not shown) to provide rolling contact in the 
guide tracks or channels 114. Also, while the nylon inserts 112 are shown 
in FIG. 10 to be disposed on the outside of the ladder uprights 43, they 
could alternatively be disposed on the inside of the ladder uprights 43. 
Of course, the tightening knobs 120 would likewise be located on the 
inside of the ladder uprights 43. Further still, the adjustment mechanism 
100 may not include inserts 112, in which case the tightening knobs 120 
provide sufficient locking force to secure the rotating arm 42 with 
respect to the ladder 22. 
The uprights 43 of the ladder 22 include elongated slots 124 that extend 
along a portion of the length of the ladder 22. In the illustrated 
exemplary embodiment, the slots 124 extend from near the top portion of 
the ladder 22 to near the second rung of the ladder 22. The slots 124 
slidably receive therethrough the respective ends of the rotating arm 42 
of the connecting member 18. The sliding engagement between the ladder 
uprights 43 and the ends of the rotating arm 42 via the respective slots 
124 provides guided movement of the ladder 22 along its length dimension 
or, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, in an upward or downward 
generally vertical direction. Like the guide tracks 114, the slots 124 may 
include a lubricant to facilitate sliding contact between the ladder 
uprights 43 and the ends of the rotating arm 42. 
As alluded to above, the adjustment mechanism 110 allows the ladder 22 to 
be adjusted to compensate for differences in the spacing between the 
longitudinally extending support member 14 and the ground, floor or other 
surface on which the ladder 22 may rest. Thus, in one instance the bottom 
of the ladder 22 may be at the same elevation as, for example, the vehicle 
shown in FIG. 11A. In another instance, as shown in FIG. 11B, the bottom 
of the ladder 22 may require resting on a surface such as a curb 126 that 
is slightly higher in elevation than the surface on which the vehicle 
rests, in which case the ladder 22 may be adjusted upwardly to compensate 
for the difference in elevation. 
The adjustment mechanism 110 also enables the slope or tilt of the ladder 
22 to be adjusted to different angles relative to the ground. Referring to 
FIGS. 12A-12D, for example, it may be desirable to have the ladder 22 
sloped at a smaller angle than that shown in FIG. 12A to make the climbing 
thereof easier. To change the slope of the ladder 22, a user may simply 
loosen the tightening knobs 120, slide the ladder 22 vertically upwardly 
(FIG. 12B), tilt the ladder 22 outwardly away from the side of the vehicle 
wall (FIG. 12C), slide the ladder 22 vertically downwardly (FIG. 12D), and 
then tighten the tightening knobs 120 to thereby secure the ladder 22 in 
its new position. 
As can be appreciated by the foregoing, the path of travel of the ladder 22 
is a function of the dimensions of the slots 124. To this end, as shown in 
FIG. 13, the slots 124 may additionally include segments 128 for enabling 
the ladder 22 to be vertically adjusted in increments to decrease or 
increase the spacing between the bottom of the ladder 22 and the ground. 
The segmented slots 128 may also facilitate tilting the ladder 22 to 
different angles relative to the ground, in which case each segment would 
represent a different tilt angle. 
Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown a locking assembly in accordance 
with the present invention generally indicated at reference numeral 130. 
The locking assembly 130 provides selective securing of the ladder 22 in a 
storage position by providing selective engagement of the bottom of the 
ladder 22 with the longitudinally extending support member 14 (see FIG. 
1). 
The locking assembly 130 comprises a spacer bar 132 transversely attached 
to the ladder uprights 43 of the ladder 22 and an insert 136, preferably 
made of nylon, in sliding engagement with the guide channel 46 of the 
longitudinally extending support member 14. The spacer bar 132 and insert 
136 are adapted to slidably connect a portion of the ladder 22 (preferably 
the bottom portion) to the guide channel 46 so that the spacing of the 
ladder 22 from the vehicle wall or warehouse shelf is substantially 
uniform. As shown in FIG. 14, the insert 136 is generally T-shaped to 
conform with the groove 50 of the C-shaped guide channel 46. This secures 
the ladder 22 from outward movement (to the right in FIG. 14) from the 
support member 14 when the ladder 22 is in a storage position. 
The locking assembly 130 includes upper and lower mounts 142, 144 that are 
connected to the spacer bar 132 and are vertically aligned with respect to 
the insert 136. The mounts 142, 144 have holes 143, 145 extending 
therethrough for slidably receiving therein a locking pin 148. The locking 
pin 148 is biased upwardly by a spring 152 disposed between the lower 
mount 144 and a washer 154 that is connected to the pin 148 and abuts the 
upper mount 142 when the locking assembly 130 is in its engaged position. 
To lock the ladder 22 in a storage position, the pin 148 is retracted as by 
pulling a handle 158 connected to the pin 148 to overcome the biasing 
force of the spring 152 and then the insert 136 is inserted into the guide 
channel 46 of the longitudinally extending support member 14. After the 
insert 136 is inserted, the pin 148 may be released, in which case the pin 
148 will slidably bear against the guide channel 46. The ladder 22 is 
moved laterally along the guide channel 46 until the end of the pin 148 
aligns with a locator hole 159 in the guide channel 46. In the aligned 
position, the pin 148 automatically engages the hole 159 and preferably 
extends far enough into the hole 159 to engage the insert 136 inside the 
channel 46. This provides a firm connection between the insert 136 and the 
support member 14. Of course, the insert 136 may include a hole (not 
shown) aligned with the holes 143, 145 of the mounts 142, 144 for receipt 
therein of the end of the pin 148 to provide even greater stiffness in the 
connection. It will be appreciated that when the locking assembly 130 is 
in its engaged position the pin 148 locks the ladder 22 to a storage 
position by preventing lateral movement of the ladder 22 relative to the 
support member 14. 
To disengage the pin 148 from the hole 159 a user temporarily pulls the 
locking pin 148 to overcome the bias in the spring 152 and then retracts 
the ladder 22 a sufficient amount so that the pin 148 is no longer in 
alignment with the hole 154. The user can then laterally slide the ladder 
22 out of the guide channel 46. 
It is noted that additional holes may be provided in the guide channel 46 
to permit the ladder 22 to be stored in one of numerous storage positions 
along the elongated support member 14. 
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the guide channel 46 may include 
a ratcheting device and the ladder 22 may include a coacting lever that is 
automatically engaged by the ratcheting device (e.g., by spring biasing 
means) as the ladder 22 is slidably inserted into the elongated support 
member 14 to thereby secure the ladder relative to the guide channel 46. 
To withdraw the ladder 22 from its storage position, the lever may then be 
depressed to thereby disengage the ratcheting device and allow the ladder 
22 to be withdrawn from the guide channel 46. 
Referring again to FIGS. 1, 10 and 13, a tightening knob 160 is preferably 
attached at the end of the pivot arm 34 for selectively securing the 
rotating arm 42 to the pivot arm 34. By tightening the tightening knob 
160, the pivot arm 34 is secured to the rotating arm 42 which, in turn, 
allows one to maintain the sliding bar 44 parallel with respect to the 
rotating arm 42. Thus, when the ladder 22, and more particularly the 
insert 136, is withdrawn from the guide track 46, the sliding bar 44 will 
not inadvertently swivel at the bushing 38. This simplifies insertion of 
the sliding bar 44 into the guide channel 46 of the support member 14. 
Moreover, by tightening the tightening knobs 120 associated with the 
adjusting mechanism 110, the connecting member 18 remains steady with 
respect to the ladder 22. Thus, the entire ladder 22, along with the 
connecting member 18, may be laterally removed from the guide channel 46 
as an integral component without regard to inadvertent rotating or 
pivoting of interacting components. This is particular useful in 
situations where the user desires to move the ladder 22 from one guide 
track to another, for example, from a guide track on one side of a vehicle 
to a guide track on the other side of the vehicle. 
Moreover, the adjustment mechanism 110 and tightening knob 160 enable the 
ladder to be stored in a vertical position as by sliding the ladder 22 
vertically upwardly until the bottom of the ladder 22 is a sufficient 
height from the ground (or, for example, until the rotating arm 42 reaches 
the bottom of the slots 124) and then tightening the tightening knobs 120 
and 160. It will be appreciated that since the ladder 22 may also be 
pivoted about the pivot arm 34 and then thereafter locked by the 
tightening knob 160, that the ladder 22 may be stored in any of multiple 
storage positions between a vertical position and, as described above, a 
horizontal position. 
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the support member 14 
and connecting member 18 of the present invention facilitate three types 
of movement of the ladder 22, namely lateral shifting movement along the 
C-shaped guide channel 46, pivotable movement about the pivot arm 34 from 
side-to-side, and tilting movement about the rotating arm 42 away from and 
towards the wall or frame to which the guide channel 46 is connected. The 
movements may be made either simultaneously or independently depending on, 
of course, the limitations or needs of a particular loading/unloading 
site. Also, in the case of a vehicle, additional support members 14 may be 
mounted to the rear and/or other side of the vehicle to facilitate 
substantially 270 degree access to the roof of the vehicle. Similarly, 
additional support members 14 may be mounted to multiple frame members 14 
of a warehouse shelf or shelves. In this regard, the support members 14 
may be mounted at different levels of shelves so that, for example, 
adjacent levels may have their ladders 22 selectively aligned for climbing 
the ladders 22 in sequence and gaining access to the two adjacent levels. 
After loading and/or unloading is completed, the ladders 22 can then be 
selectively pivoted to an out-of-the-way storage position. In either case, 
the multi-position ladder 10 may be conveniently moved to an 
out-of-the-way yet accessible position, conveniently positioned for access 
to a loading/unloading site, and readily and conveniently returned to its 
storage position. 
It is noted that the various components, assemblies, devices and 
compositions of the present invention may be made with any type and/or 
number of suitable materials. The materials referred to in the description 
of the invention, as well as the claims appended hereto, are preferred 
materials. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not 
limited to any specific material usage. 
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a 
certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, equivalent alterations and 
modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and 
understanding this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular 
regard to the various functions performed by the above described integers 
(components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms 
(including a reference to a "means") used to describe such integers are 
intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any integer which 
performs the specified function of the described integer (i.e., that is 
functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the 
disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated 
exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a 
particular feature of the invention may have been described above with 
respect to only one of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may 
be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as 
may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.