Patent Publication Number: US-8534621-B1

Title: Ladder hanging assembly and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/109,255 filed on Oct. 29, 2008 entitled Tall Ladder Storage System and in the Applicant&#39;s name of Paul W. Anderson, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to ladders and, in particular, concerns systems and methods for storing ladders adjacent the ceilings of rooms. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Ladders come in all different shapes and sizes. Many home owners end up owning several ladders for use around the house. These can include step ladders, extension ladders and the like. Some business owners have multiple ladders of multiple different sizes. For example, painters and other construction workers may own multiple different ladders of different sizes for multiple different applications. 
     One difficulty with ladders is that they are often hard to store when not in use. Some ladders may be taller than the interior dimensions of a room requiring that the ladders be stored on the floor where they are often in the way or can be damaged. Various different systems have been developed for storing ladders on side walls or adjacent ceilings but, often, these systems are cumbersome to use which ultimately limits their use. 
     For example, hooks sized to receive the side rails of ladders that are adapted to be mounted to walls and ceilings are commonly sold. While these hooks are capable of storing a ladder adjacent a wall or ceiling, these hooks are often difficult for the average person to use. This problem is particularly apparent with hooks that are to be positioned adjacent ceilings. Because, the typical ceiling is higher than an average person can reach, to hang ladders from the hooks, the person is obligated to use a step stool or other device to hang the ladder which complicates the use of the hooks. 
     Various other hanging assemblies have been disclosed, yet each of these systems typically require the use of step stools or require significant user manipulation of the hanging assembly to store the ladders. Further, typical ladder hangers of the prior art generally attach to one of the rails of the ladder so that the ladder hangs perpendicularly downward from the ladder hanger. This results in the ladder occupying an increased amount of space which can be problematic with crowded storage spaces. As such, existing ladder storage systems and methods are often not popular due to their bulky and cumbersome nature. 
     Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a ladder hanger assembly and method that is easier to use and does not necessarily require the use of step stools, etc. and stores the ladders in a manner that provides more space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the ladder hanger assembly of the present invention which, in one embodiment, comprises a first ladder hanger that defines an aperture into which a first end of a ladder can be positioned. In this embodiment, the assembly further includes a second ladder hanger that in a first orientation allows the ladder to be pivoted about the first ladder hanger between a stowed position and a released position. The second ladder hanger can also be manipulated into a second orientation, where the ladder is stored in the second ladder hanger and the first ladder hanger. Preferably, in one specific implementation, the second ladder hanger can be manipulated by a user without requiring the user to have a step stool or other similar device. 
     In another specific implementation, the ladder hanger assembly further includes a lifting mechanism that lifts one end of the ladder from the stowed position and the released position with the other end of the ladder being positioned in the first ladder hanger. In one specific embodiment, the lifting mechanism comprises a rope and hook assembly that couples to the ladder and is further coupled to either the second ladder hanger or a surface adjacent the second ladder hanger so that a user can raise the end of the ladder to the stowed position by pulling down the rope or can lower the end of the ladder to the release position by releasing the rope and allowing the rope to lower the end of the ladder. 
     In one implementation, the second ladder hanger comprises at least one rotatable member that can move between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the second ladder hanger allows access by the ladder to a storage space. In the closed position, the second ladder hanger retains the ladder in the storage space. In one specific embodiment, the second ladder hanger has two rotatable members that extend vertically downward and have two support members that extend laterally inward when the two rotatable members are in the closed position. The two rotatable members are preferably spaced such that the two support members support the exterior rails of the ladder to secure the ladder in the storage space. Preferably, in one implementation, the two rotatable members have user portions that extend downward a distance sufficient to allow a user to easily turn the rotatable members between the open and closed position while standing on the floor. 
     In another implementation, the second ladder hanger has two pivoting members that are gravitationally biased into a closed position when the ladder is secured in the storage space. The pivoting members pivot away from the closed position when the outer rails of the ladder contact the pivoting members when the ladder is being raised towards the storage space. In this implementation, once the ladder is in the storage space, the pivoting members are gravitationally biased into the closed position to thereby secure the end of the ladder in the storage space. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that ladders can be stored more easily requiring less use of step stools and the like. In a number of these implementations, the ladders are stored so that the rails of the ladder are arranged so that each rail is facing the ceiling. More particularly, the ladder is stored in the hanger assembly so that the plane of the ladder is parallel to the plane of the ceiling so that the ladder does not hang downward into more usable storage space thereby preserving the more usable storable space for other use. Further, the ladder can be stored and retrieved in a simple fashion requiring less effort on the part of the user. These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a ladder storage assembly and method; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a first end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a second end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is an end view of another embodiment of a ladder storage assembly and method; 
         FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the assembly of  FIG. 6A  in closed position; 
         FIG. 6C  is a bottom view of the assembly of  FIG. 6A  in an open position; 
         FIG. 7A  is an end view of another embodiment of a ladder storage assembly and method; 
         FIG. 7B  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  illustrating the ladder being moved from a released position to a stored configuration; 
         FIG. 7C  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  illustrating the ladder in a stored configuration; 
         FIG. 7D  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  illustrating the ladder being removed from a stored configuration to a released configuration; 
         FIG. 7E  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  illustrating the ladder being removed from a stored configuration to a released configuration; 
         FIG. 7F  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  illustrating the ladder being removed from a stored configuration to a released configuration; 
         FIG. 7G  is an end view of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  incorporating a first adjustable mechanism to accommodate ladders of different sizes; 
         FIG. 7H  is an end view of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  incorporating a second adjustable mechanism to accommodate ladders of different widths; and 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7H . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-5 , a first embodiment of a ladder hanging assembly  10  and method of use thereof is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the assembly  10  includes a first ladder hanger  14  that is mounted to the ceiling. The first ladder hanger  14  defines an aperture  15  ( FIG. 3 ) that is sized so as to receive a ladder  11 . The first ladder hanger  14  is generally fixed in that it defines an aperture that receives a first end of the ladder. As will be discussed in greater detail below, however, the first ladder hanger  14  is formed so as to be flexible to accommodate swaying motion, etc. 
     As is also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the assembly  10  also includes a second ladder hanger  16  that is generally movable between a open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the second ladder hanger  16  allows for ladders to be positioned within or removed from a storage space defined by the second ladder hanger  16 . In a closed configuration, the second ladder hanger  16  retains the second end of the ladder in the storage space to thereby store the ladder adjacent a surface such as the ceiling of a room or garage. As will be described in greater detail herein below, there are multiple different embodiments of the second ladder hanger  16  that allow for ladders to be selectively stowed or retrieved from the ladder hanger assembly  10 . 
     As is also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ladder hanger assembly  10  preferably includes a lifting mechanism  27  that allows a user to lift the second end of the ladder  11  upwards, with the first end of the ladder already positioned in the first ladder hanger  14 . As is shown, the lifting mechanism  27  preferably includes a cord  28  and pulley system  29 , that includes pulley wheels  34 ,  35  that are mounted adjacent the second ladder hanger  16  that allows the user to pull down on the cord  28  to raise the second end of the ladder  11  into the storage space of the second ladder hanger  16 . In one implementation, the pulley wheels  34 ,  35  are mounted on a mounting member  37  of the second hanger  16  that is mounted to a surface, such as a ceiling  33  of the building, in which the ladder is being stored. As is illustrated, the cord  28  can be coupled to the ladder  11  via a hook that engages with a rung  13  of the ladder. 
     As will also be appreciated, the pulley system  29  may further include a catch mechanism that allows the user to set the pulley system  29  to retain the ladder in the storage location without the user exerting a downward force on the cord  28 . Any of a number of well-known cord catch devices can be used to achieve this functionality without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the first ladder hanger  14  will now be described in greater detail. As shown, the first ladder hanger  14  includes a first mounting member  18  that is mounted to the ceiling  33  using fasteners  26  such as bolts, etc. Preferably, the first mounting member  18  is mounted so as to extend generally perpendicular to the length of the ladder so as to accommodate the ladder in the manner that will be described below. A pair of threaded rods  22  hang downward from the first mounting member  18  and are connected to a second horizontal member  20  so that the first mounting member  18 , the second horizontal member  20  and the threaded rods  22  define the aperture  15  that is sized to receive the ladder  11 . Preferably, the interconnection between the mounting member  18 , the second member  20  and the threaded rods  22  is such that the members define the aperture  15  but are flexible with respect to each other to accommodate lateral movement of the ladder during storage and removal of the ladder  11 . It will be appreciated that the first ladder hanger  14  can comprise any of a number of different configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention, including standard hooks, etc. or even the second ladder hanger described below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second ladder hanger  16  will now be described in greater detail. As shown, the second ladder hanger  16  includes a mounting member  37  that is mounted to the ceiling  33  in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of the mounting member  18  of the first ladder hanger  14 . Two vertical members  38 , that can be threaded members, are attached to the mounting member  37  so as to extend downward and two rotatable capture members  36  are then mounted to the vertical members  38  so as to be able to rotate between a closed position where the ladder  11  is retained in the second ladder hanger  16  and an open position (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 5 ) where the ladder  11  can be removed from second ladder hanger  16 . The mounting member  37 , the vertical members  38  and the capture members  36  all define a storage space  40  in which the second end of the ladder  11  can be stored. 
     The capture members  36  define inwardly extending support members  42  that extend inwardly into the storage space  40  a distance sufficient so that the rails  12  of the ladder  11  are positioned on the support members  42  when the capture members  36  are rotated into their closed position. A lip  44  may optionally be formed on an inner surface of the support members  42  so as to further help retain the second end of the ladder  11  in the storage space  40 . 
     As is also shown in  FIG. 4 , the pulley assembly  29  can include multiple pulley wheels  34 ,  35  mounted on the mounting member  37  so that the cord can be removed from the path of the ladder during storage and removal of the ladder from storage. Further, a cord capture device  32  can also be used to lock the ladder into the storage space prior to the user pivoting the capture members  36 . 
     When the user wishes to store the ladder  11  in the assembly shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the user inserts a first end of the ladder  11  into the aperture  15  defined by the first ladder hanger  14  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 . The user then couples a hook  30  to a rung of the ladder on the second end of the ladder  11  and then pulls down on the lifting assembly  27 . This causes the ladder  11  to pivot with respect to the first ladder hanger  14  positioning the second end of the ladder in the storage space  40  defined by the second ladder hanger  16 . When storing the ladder  11 , the user preferably positions the capture members  36  into the open position. Subsequently, when the ladder  11  is lifted into the storage space  40 , the user then turns the capture members  36  into the closed position thereby storing the ladder adjacent the ceiling  33 . 
     When the user wishes to remove the ladder  11  from the assembly  10 , the user raises the ladder off of the support members  42  using the lifting mechanism  27 , rotates the capture members  36  into the open position and then proceeds to lower the second end of the ladder downward. Once the second end has been pivoted downward to a height where it is easier for the user to move the ladder, the user disconnects the hook and pulls the ladder out of the first ladder hanger  14 . 
     It will be appreciated that the length of the capture members  36  has preferably been selected so that a user can reach the capture members  36  while standing on the floor. For higher ceilings, this may be achieved by attaching vertical extensions onto the capture member  36 . 
     In some implementations, the second ladder hanger may be located at a height that is easy for a user to reach without requiring such an extension. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the second ladder hanger  16 ′ that can be used in that circumstance. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 6A-6C , the second ladder hanger  16 ′ comprises a mounting bracket  57  that is mounted to the ceiling  33  in the same manner as described above. Two vertically extending members  58   a ,  58   b  are mounted to the mounting bracket  57  so as to extend downward. Two rotatable capture members  60   a ,  60   b  are then mounted to the vertically extending members  58   a ,  58   b  so as to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position in the manners shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C . 
     As is illustrated, the difference between the embodiment of  FIGS. 6A-6C  and the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , is that the capture members  60   a ,  60   b  are mounted so as to be inward of the outer rails  12  of the ladder  11  so as to engage with the rungs  13  to retain the second end of the ladder  11  in the storage space  40  of the second ladder hanger  16 ′. Further, the capture members  60   a ,  60   b  do not extend vertically downward as much as the capture members  36  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  which makes the embodiment of  FIGS. 6A-6C  better suited for applications where the ceiling is lower or access is otherwise easier. Further, this embodiment may be optionally fitted with the lifting mechanism of  FIGS. 1-5  or not depending upon the application. 
       FIGS. 7A-7F  illustrate yet another embodiment of a second ladder hanger  16 ″. In this embodiment, the ladder hanger  16 ″ is self-actuating so that the user simply has to raise and lower the ladder  11  via the lifting mechanism  27  which is substantially the same as that described previously to store and remove the ladder. In this implementation, the second ladder hanger  16 ″ has a mounting member  67  that is adapted to mount to the ceiling  33  in the same manner as described before. In this implementation, the ladder hanger  16 ″ includes two pivoting vertical support members  76   a ,  76   b  that are pivotally attached to the mounting member  67 . The force of gravity biases the pivoting support members  76   a ,  76   b  to hang vertically downward, but, as will be described below, the force of the ladder  11  on the members  76   a ,  76   b  allows the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  to be displaced laterally to store and remove the ladder from the storage space  40  defined by the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b.    
     As is also shown, the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  include laterally extending support members  78   a ,  78   b  with a lip  80   a ,  80   b  that extend inward into the storage space  40  to receive the rails  12  of the ladder  11 . The pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  further include an angled engagement member  82   a ,  82   b  located below the support member  78   a ,  78   b  that is shaped so as to facilitate lateral displacement of the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  as the ladder is being raised up into the storage space  40  in the manner that will be described herein below. The angled engagement members  82   a ,  82   b  are shown has having a flat portion adjacent the very bottom of the pivoting member  76   a ,  76   b . It will be appreciated from the following discussion that the angled engagement members  82   a ,  82   b  simply have to be angled to facilitate movement of the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  in response to contact by the ladder and that the angled engagement members  82   a ,  82   b  may not necessarily have the flat portion and may form a triangular shape without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As is also shown, a toggle member  86   a ,  86   b  is pivotally attached to the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  so as to overlie the support member  78   a ,  78   b  and so as to rest on the lips  80   a ,  80   b . A tip  88   a ,  88   b  of the toggle members  86   a ,  86   b  extends beyond the lip  80   a ,  80   b  of the support members  78   a ,  78   b  so as to engage with the rails  12  of the ladder  11  when the ladder  11  is being stored in the storage space  40  in the manner that will be described in greater detail below. 
     The operation of the second ladder hanger  16 ″ will now be described in connection with  FIGS. 7A-7C . As shown, the lifting mechanism  27  is coupled to a rung  13  of the ladder  11  in same manner as described above and the ladder  11  is lifted towards the storage space  40 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , as the ladder rails  12  engage with the angled engagement members  82   a ,  82   b , the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  pivot outward allowing the ladder  11  to be lifted into the storage space  40 . 
     As the ladder is lifted further, the rails  12  engage with the tips  88   a ,  88   b  of the toggle members  86   a ,  86   b  urging the toggle members  86   a ,  86   b  to pivot upwards in the manner shown in  FIG. 7C . Once the ladder  11  has been lifted past the point where the rails engage with the lip  80   a ,  80   b  of the support members  78   a ,  78   b , the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  pivot under the force of gravity into a vertical orientation in the manner shown in  FIG. 7D . The upward movement of the ladder  11  continues to displace the toggle members  86   a ,  86   b  in the manner shown in  FIG. 7D  to thereby allow the rails  12  to rest on the lateral support members  78   a ,  78   b.    
     Thus, in  FIG. 7D , the ladder  11  is shown in its stowed or stored configuration. To remove the ladder from this configuration, the user has to lift the ladder  11  using the lifting assembly  27  to the point where the ladder is lifted upwards of the toggle members  86   a ,  86   b  at which point the toggle members  86   a ,  86   b  rotate downward into engagement with the lips  80   a ,  80   b  of the lateral support members  78   a ,  78   b  in the manner shown in  FIG. 7E . 
     Once this occurs, the ladder  11  can then be lowered. As the rails  12  of the ladder  11  become engaged with the toggle member  86   a ,  86   b , the toggle member  86   a ,  86   b  is angled thereby causing the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  to pivot outward in the manner shown in  FIG. 7F  to thereby allow the ladder  11  to be released from the storage space  40 . The second end of the ladder  11  can then be lowered from the second ladder hanger  16 ″ and removed from the first ladder hanger  14  in the same manner as described before. 
     The second ladder hanger  16 ″ thereby allows a user to store and remove an end of the ladder by simply lifting the ladder up or down with the lifting mechanism  27  and does not require further manipulation of the ladder hanger to secure or release the ladder. It will be appreciated that while this embodiment has shown the ladder hanger  16 ″ as being used with the lifting mechanism  27 , it will be appreciated that the user may place the ladder into the storage space  40  of the second ladder hanger  16 ″ without using the lifting mechanism without departing from the scope of teachings of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 7G and 7H  illustrates another embodiment of the second ladder hanger  16 ″. It will be appreciated that the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  have to be positioned at the right distance apart to accommodate a specific ladder width. In this embodiment, there are a number of possible different mechanisms for allowing the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  to be positioned to accommodate different ladder widths. In one embodiment, holes  90  are formed in the upper mounting member  67  at pre-selected intervals in the manner shown in  FIG. 7G . The pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  can be pivotally connected to the member  67  at a plurality of different locations to accommodate different widths of ladders. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7H and 8 , the pivoting member  76   a ,  76   b  can be respectively attached to sliding members  92   a ,  92   b  that are positioned within the mounting member  67 . In one specific implementation, the mounting member  67  defines an inverted C-channel  94  with a lip  95   a ,  95   b  and the end of the legs  96   a ,  96   b  of the C-channel. The sliding members  92   a ,  92   b  also have legs  98   a ,  98   b  that are preferably slidably engaged with the lips  95   a ,  95   b  so as to be movable along the C-channel. The pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  can then be slid inward or outward to accommodate different widths of ladders. Preferably, in one implementation, frictional engagement between the sliding members  92   a ,  92   b  is sufficient to retain the pivoting members  76   a ,  76   b  at the desired location. 
     It will be appreciated that various modifications, substitutions and changes to the form of the present invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Hence, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the form of the invention described and illustrated herein but should be defined by the appended claims.