Patent Publication Number: US-2022220805-A1

Title: Remote Extendable Ladder and Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a nonprovisional of U.S. provisional patent application 63/135,228 filed Jan. 8, 2021, incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to a multipurpose ladder, which can be extended or retracted while either in the A mode or as a straight ladder, without having to be placed on the ground. (As used herein, references to the “present invention” or “invention” relate to exemplary embodiments and not necessarily to every embodiment encompassed by the appended claims.) More specifically, the present invention is related to a multipurpose ladder, which can be extended or retracted while either in the A mode or as a straight ladder, without having to be placed on the ground, by using pulleys and hoist ropes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention. The following discussion is intended to provide information to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that statements in the following discussion are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Presently, the extendable base sections of a multi-form ladder must be grasped directly to be moved to the desired extension position after individually unlocking the usual J-locks. Furthermore, as is often the case, the multi-form ladder is laid on the ground to facilitate reconfiguration of the multi-form ladder, which takes time to do, as well as effort. It is desirable to facilitate the reconfiguration of a multi-form ladder more efficiently and with less effort than is currently commonly required. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a multipurpose ladder. The ladder comprises a first fly section having a first fly right rail, a first fly left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the first fly right rail and a plurality of first fly rungs attached to the first fly left rail and first fly right rail. The ladder comprises a first articulated hinge attached to the first fly right rail with a first set of fasteners. The ladder comprises a second articulated hinge attached to the first fly left rail with a second set of fasteners. The ladder comprises a second fly section having a second fly right rail, and a second fly left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the second fly right rail and a plurality of second fly rungs attached to the second fly left and right rails. The second fly right rail attached to the first articulated hinge and the second fly left rail attached to the second articulated hinge so the second fly section can rotate about the first and second articulated hinges at least 800 relative to the first fly section. The ladder comprises a first base section having a first base right rail, and a first base left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the first base right rail and a plurality of first base rungs attached to the first base left and right rails. The first base right rail adjacent the first fly right rail with the first fly right rail sliding up and down relative to the first base right rail. The ladder comprises a first pulley attached adjacent a top of the first base right rail. The ladder comprises a first anchor attached adjacent a bottom of the first fly right rail. The ladder comprises a first cable having a free end and a fixed end. The fixed end attached to the first anchor. The first cable extending from the first anchor about the first pulley and past the first pulley so the free end extends past the first pulley. When the free end is pulled, the first fly right rail is moved relative to the first base right rail by the first cable engaged with the first pulley and the fixed end attached to the first anchor. The ladder comprises a first locking assembly engaged with the first base section and first fly section which locks the first fly right rail in place relative to the first base right rail in a locked state and allows the first fly right rail to slide relative to the first base right rail in the unlocked state. The ladder comprises a second base section having a second base right rail, and a second base left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the second base right rail and a plurality of second base rungs attached to the second base left and right rails. The second base right rail adjacent the second fly right rail with the second fly right rail sliding up and down relative to the second base right rail. 
     The present invention pertains to a method for using a multipurpose ladder. The method comprises the steps of pulling on the free end of the first cable to raise the first fly section relative to the first base section. The ladder comprises a first fly section having a first fly right rail, a first fly left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the first fly right rail and a plurality of first fly rungs attached to the first fly left rail and first fly right rail. The ladder comprises a first articulated hinge attached to the first fly right rail with a first set of fasteners. The ladder comprises a second articulated hinge attached to the first fly left rail with a second set of fasteners. The ladder comprises a second fly section having a second fly right rail, and a second fly left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the second fly right rail and a plurality of second fly rungs attached to the second fly left and right rails. The second fly right rail attached to the first articulated hinge and the second fly left rail attached to the second articulated hinge so the second fly section can rotate about the first and second articulated hinges at least 80° relative to the first fly section. The ladder comprises a first base section having a first base right rail, and a first base left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the first base right rail and a plurality of first base rungs attached to the first base left and right rails. The first base right rail adjacent the first fly right rail with the first fly right rail sliding up and down relative to the first base right rail. The ladder comprises a first pulley attached adjacent a top of the first base right rail. The ladder comprises a first anchor attached adjacent a bottom of the first fly right rail. The ladder comprises a first cable having a free end and a fixed end. The fixed end attached to the first anchor. The first cable extending from the first anchor about the first pulley and past the first pulley so the free end extends past the first pulley. When the free end is pulled, the first fly right rail is moved relative to the first base right rail by the first cable engaged with the first pulley and the fixed end attached to the first anchor. The ladder comprises a first locking assembly engaged with the first base section and first fly section which locks the first fly right rail in place relative to the first base right rail in a locked state and allows the first fly right rail to slide relative to the first base right rail in the unlocked state. The ladder comprises a second base section having a second base right rail, and a second base left rail in parallel and spaced relation with the second base right rail and a plurality of second base rungs attached to the second base left and right rails. The second base right rail adjacent the second fly right rail with the second fly right rail sliding up and down relative to the second base right rail. There is the step of pulling on the free end of the first cable to raise the first fly section relative to the first base section. 
     The present invention pertains to a method for producing a multipurpose ladder. The method comprises the steps of attaching a first pulley to a first base right rail of a first base section. There is the step of attaching a second pulley to a second base right rail of a second base section. There is the step of attaching a third pulley to a second fly right rail of a second fly section. The second fly right rail attached by a first articulated hinge to a first fly right rail of a first fly section so the second fly right rail can rotate relative to the first fly right rail. The first base section disposed adjacent and alongside the first fly section and the second base section disposed adjacent and alongside the second fly section. There is the step of attaching a first anchor to the first fly right rail. There is the step of attaching a second anchor to either the first articulated hinge or the second fly right rail or the second base right rail. There is the step of extending a first cable from the first anchor to and about the first pulley. There is the step of extending a second cable from the second anchor to and about the third pulley and two and about the second pulley. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a simplified MT type ladder set up in A mode. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the MT ladder showing the components of this invention. 
         FIG. 3  is the same view as  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows both the front fly section and rear fly section having been extended by the user pulling downward on the front hoist rope and the rear hoist rope. 
         FIG. 5  is the same view as  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  shows the ladder having been put into straight mode. 
         FIG. 7  shows the ladder after the user has pulled downward on the rear hoist rope and has thus extended the rear base section. 
         FIG. 8  shows the ladder of  FIG. 7  after the user has pulled downward on the front hoist rope and thus extended the rear fly, rear base, and front fly sections as a unit relative to the front base section. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views of  FIGS. 4 and 8 . 
         FIG. 11  shows the ladder in A mode. 
         FIG. 12  shows the ladder in straight mode but with the rear outer section still retracted. 
         FIG. 13  shows the straight ladder with the rear outer section having been extended. 
         FIG. 14  shows the second anchor attached to the second pulley, preferably at the center of the second pulley. 
         FIG. 15  shows the second anchor attached alternatively to the second base right rear rail below and adjacent to the second pulley. 
         FIG. 16  is a more detailed view of  FIG. 11 , showing the second pulley attached to the first articulated hinge. 
         FIG. 17  is a more detailed view of  FIG. 11 , showing the second pulley attached to the second fly right rail. 
         FIG. 18  shows this third way of routing applied to the Tab Lock with Lock. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 2  thereof, there is shown a multipurpose ladder  10 . The ladder  10  comprises a first fly section  12  having a first fly right rail  14 , a first fly left rail  16  in parallel and spaced relation with the first fly right rail  14  and a plurality of first fly rungs  18  attached to the first fly left rail  16  and first fly right rail  14 . The ladder  10  comprises a first articulated hinge  20  attached to the first fly right rail  14  with a first set of fasteners  22 . The ladder  10  comprises a second articulated hinge  24  attached to the first fly left rail  16  with a second set of fasteners  26 . The ladder  10  comprises a second fly section  28  having a second fly right rail  30 , and a second fly left rail  32  in parallel and spaced relation with the second fly right rail  30  and a plurality of second fly rungs  34  attached to the second fly left and right rails. The second fly right rail  30  attached to the first articulated hinge  20  and the second fly left rail  32  attached to the second articulated hinge  24  so the second fly section  28  can rotate about the first and second articulated hinges  20 ,  24  at least 80° relative to the first fly section  12 . The ladder  10  comprises a first base section  36  having a first base right rail  38 , and a first base left rail  40  in parallel and spaced relation with the first base right rail  38  and a plurality of first base rungs  42  attached to the first base left and right rails. The first base right rail  38  adjacent the first fly right rail  14  with the first fly right rail  14  sliding up and down relative to the first base right rail  38 . The ladder  10  comprises a first pulley  44  attached adjacent a top  46  of the first base right rail  38 . The ladder  10  comprises a first anchor  48  attached adjacent a bottom  49  of the first fly right rail  14 . The ladder  10  comprises a first cable  50  having a free end  52  and a fixed end  54 . The fixed end  54  attached to the first anchor  48 . The first cable  50  extending from the first anchor  48  about the first pulley  44  and past the first pulley  44  so the free end  52  extends past the first pulley  44 . When the free end  52  is pulled, the first fly right rail  14  is moved relative to the first base right rail  38  by the first cable  50  engaged with the first pulley  44  and the fixed end  54  attached to the first anchor  48 . The ladder  10  comprises a first locking assembly  56  engaged with the first base section  36  and first fly section  12  which locks the first fly right rail  14  in place relative to the first base right rail  38  in a locked state and allows the first fly right rail  14  to slide relative to the first base right rail  38  in the unlocked state. The ladder  10  comprises a second base section  58  having a second base right rail  60 , and a second base left rail  62  in parallel and spaced relation with the second base right rail  60  and a plurality of second base rungs  64  attached to the second base left and right rails. The second base right rail  60  adjacent the second fly right rail  30  with the second fly right rail  30  sliding up and down relative to the second base right rail  60 . 
     The ladder  10  may include a second pulley  66  attached adjacent a top  68  of the second base right rail  60 ; a second anchor  70  attached adjacent the top  68  of the second base right rail  60  or a top of the second fly right rail  30  or the first articulated hinge  20 ; and a second cable  74  having a free end  76  and a fixed end  78 . The fixed end  78  of the second cable  74  attached to the second anchor  70 . The second cable  74  extending from the second anchor  70  about the second pulley  66  and past the second pulley  66  so the free end  76  extends past the second pulley  66 . When the free end  76  of the second cable  74  is pulled, the second fly right rail  30  is moved relative to the second base right rail  60  by the second cable  74  engaged with the second pulley  66  and the fixed end  78  of the second cable  74  attached to the second anchor  70 . The ladder  10  may including a third pulley  69  attached adjacent a bottom  72  of the second fly right rail  30 . The second cable  74  extending from the second anchor  70  about the third pulley  69  and around and past the second pulley  66  so the free end  76  extends past the second pulley  66 . When the free end  76  of the second cable  74  is pulled, the second fly right rail  30  is moved relative to the second base right rail  60  by the second cable  74  engaged with the second pulley  66  and the third pulley  69  and the fixed end  78  of the second cable  74  attached to the second anchor  70 . 
     The first base right rail  38  may be disposed about the first fly right rail  14  with the first fly right rail  14  sliding up and down relative to the first base right rail  38 , and the second right base rail  60  is disposed about the second fly right rail  30  with the second fly right rail  30  sliding up and down relative to the second base right rail  60 . When the ladder  10  is in the A mode, preferably the first base section  36  is disposed adjacent and outside the first fly section  12 , and the second base section  58  is disposed adjacent and outside the second fly section  28  so that the first and second fly sections are disposed between the first base section and the second base section. 
     The first locking assembly  56  may be a first extendable section lock assembly. The first extendable section lock assembly permits the user to move the first fly section  12  indirectly and remotely relative to the first base section  36 . The first extendable section lock assembly may include a first fly lock portion attached to the first fly section  12  of the ladder  10  which locks with the first base section  36  of the ladder  10 , and which unlocks from the first base section  36  simply by the first fly section  12  being lifted relative to the first base section  36 . 
     The ladder  10  may comprise a second locking assembly engaged with the second base section  58  and second fly section  28  which locks the second fly right rail  30  in place relative to the second base right rail  60  in a locked state and allows the second fly right rail  30  to slide relative to the second base right rail  60  in the unlocked state. The second locking assembly may be a second extendable section lock assembly. The second extendable section lock assembly permits the user to move the second fly section  28  indirectly and remotely relative to the second base section  58 . The second extendable section lock assembly may include a second fly lock portion attached to the second fly section  28  of the ladder  10  which locks with the second base section  58  of the ladder  10 , and which unlocks from the second base section  58  simply by the second fly section  28  being lifted relative to the second base section  58 . 
     The present invention pertains to a method for using a multipurpose ladder  10 . The method comprises the steps of pulling on the free end  52  of the first cable  50  to raise the first fly section  12  relative to the first base section  36 . The ladder  10  comprises a first fly section  12  having a first fly right rail  14 , a first fly left rail  16  in parallel and spaced relation with the first fly right rail  14  and a plurality of first fly rungs  18  attached to the first fly left rail  16  and first fly right rail  14 . The ladder  10  comprises a first articulated hinge  20  attached to the first fly right rail  14  with a first set of fasteners  22 . The ladder  10  comprises a second articulated hinge  24  attached to the first fly left rail  16  with a second set of fasteners  26 . The ladder  10  comprises a second fly section  28  having a second fly right rail  30 , and a second fly left rail  32  in parallel and spaced relation with the second fly right rail  30  and a plurality of second fly rungs  34  attached to the second fly left and right rails. The second fly right rail  30  attached to the first articulated hinge  20  and the second fly left rail  32  attached to the second articulated hinge  24  so the second fly section  28  can rotate about the first and second articulated hinges  20 ,  24  at least 80° relative to the first fly section  12 . The ladder  10  comprises a first base section  36  having a first base right rail  38 , and a first base left rail  40  in parallel and spaced relation with the first base right rail  38  and a plurality of first base rungs  42  attached to the first base left and right rails. The first base right rail  38  adjacent the first fly right rail  14  with the first fly right rail  14  sliding up and down relative to the first base right rail  38 . The ladder  10  comprises a first pulley  44  attached adjacent a top  46  of the first base right rail  38 . The ladder  10  comprises a first anchor  48  attached adjacent a bottom  49  of the first fly right rail  14 . The ladder  10  comprises a first cable  50  having a free end  52  and a fixed end  54 . The fixed end  54  attached to the first anchor  48 . The first cable  50  extending from the first anchor  48  about the first pulley  44  and past the first pulley  44  so the free end  52  extends past the first pulley  44 . When the free end  52  is pulled, the first fly right rail  14  is moved relative to the first base right rail  38  by the first cable  50  engaged with the first pulley  44  and the fixed end  54  attached to the first anchor  48 . The ladder  10  comprises a first locking assembly  56  engaged with the first base section  36  and first fly section  12  which locks the first fly right rail  14  in place relative to the first base right rail  38  in a locked state and allows the first fly right rail  14  to slide relative to the first base right rail  38  in the unlocked state. The ladder  10  comprises a second base section  58  having a second base right rail  60 , and a second base left rail  62  in parallel and spaced relation with the second base right rail  60  and a plurality of second base rungs  64  attached to the second base left and right rails. The second base right rail  60  adjacent the second fly right rail  30  with the second fly right rail  30  sliding up and down relative to the second base right rail  60 . There is the step of pulling on the free end  52  of the first cable  50  to raise the first fly section  12  relative to the first base section  36 . 
     The present invention pertains to a method for producing a multipurpose ladder  10 . The method comprises the steps of attaching a first pulley  44  to a first base right rail  38  of a first base section  36 . There is the step of attaching a second pulley  66  to a second base right rail  60  of a second base section  58 . There is the step of attaching a third pulley  69  to a second fly right rail  30  of a second fly section  38 . The second fly right rail  30  attached by a first articulated hinge  20  to a first fly right rail  14  of a first fly section  12  so the second fly right rail  30  can rotate relative to the first fly right rail  14 . The first base section  36  disposed adjacent and alongside the first fly section  12  and the second base section  58  disposed adjacent and alongside the second fly section  38 . There is the step of attaching a first anchor  48  to the first fly right rail  14 . There is the step of attaching a second anchor  74  to either the first articulated hinge  20  or the second fly right rail  30  or the second base right rail  60 . There is the step of extending a first cable  50  from the first anchor  48  to and about the first pulley  44 . There is the step of extending a second cable  74  from the second anchor  66  to and about the third pulley  69  and to and about the second pulley  66 . 
     This invention provides for the control of the extension and retraction of the base sections relative to the fly sections of a multi-form ladder of the MT type when used with the Extendable Section Lock described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/058,805, incorporated by reference herein. (The Extendable Section Locks function like conventional ladder locks used on extension ladders.) 
     In order to adjust the extension of the base sections of an MT type ladder whether in A ladder mode or straight ladder mode, often the user must lay the ladder down on the ground to make the adjustments. After making the adjustments and the ladder is put into its in-use position, any further adjustments require that the ladder again be laid down. With this invention the ladder may be set up, in A mode or as a straight ladder, and extension adjustments are made easily by the user while standing on the ground and the ladder is in either of these modes, without having to be laid down again. Ease and convenience of adjustment are advantages of this invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a simplified MT type ladder set up in A mode. Fly and base sections and hinges are typical MT components. The base sections are shown fully retracted. No locks are shown between the fly and base sections. It is assumed that Extendable Section Locks (previously described) are in use. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the MT ladder  10  showing the components of this invention. A first cable  50  is attached to the lower end of the first fly section  12 . This first cable  50  passes over a first pulley  44  mounted on the upper end of the first base section  36 . The free end  52  of this first cable  50  extends downward to be within easy reach of a user standing on the ground. A second cable  74  is attached to the upper end of the second base section  58 . The attachment point is the stationary axle  86  of a second pulley  66  which is mounted on the upper end of the second base section  58 . The second cable  74  extends downward and passes around a third pulley  69  mounted on the lower end of the second fly section  28 . From there the second cable  74  extends upward and passes around the second pulley  66  at the upper end of the second base section  58 . The free end  76  of the second cable  74  extends downward to be within easy reach of a user standing on the ground. These pulleys, cables, and anchors are shown on the right side of the ladder  10 . They could be positioned on the left side, or one on the right and the other on the left. They could also be positioned between the ladder rungs with the anchors and pulleys being mounted to rungs rather than rails. The free ends  52 ,  76  of the cables  50 ,  74  may have stops, such as a ball attached to each free end  52 ,  76  which prevents each free end  52 ,  76  from possibly being pulled out from the pulley  44 ,  66  through which it extends. 
       FIG. 3  is the same view as  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows both the first fly section  12  and second fly section  28  having been extended by the user pulling downward on the first cable  50  and the second cable  74 . The cables  50 ,  74  may be pulled simultaneously or one after the other. The first and second sections are shown fully extended but may be extended in any increment of 12″ which is typical for these ladders. 
       FIG. 5  is the same view as  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the ladder  10  having been put into straight mode. Typically, the ladder&#39;s uppermost end would be leaning against a wall, edge of a roof, etc. The ladder sections are fully retracted, 
       FIG. 7  shows the ladder  10  after the user has pulled downward on the second cable  74  and has thus extended the second base section  58 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the ladder  10  of  FIG. 7  after the user has pulled downward on the first cable  50  and thus extended the second fly, second base, and first fly sections as a unit relative to the first base section  36 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views of  FIGS. 4 and 8 . 
     In keeping with the functioning of the Extendable Section Locks, the sections of the ladder  10  can also be retracted by the user using the first and second cables  50 ,  74  from the ground with the ladder  10  in its in-use position. 
       FIG. 11  shows the ladder  10  in A mode. (The first cable  50  is not shown in  FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 , but if there is a first cable  50  on a particular ladder  10 , it would be as seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 , etc.). The second cable  74  is attached to the upper end of the second base section  58 , passes around the third pulley  69  on the lower end of the second fly section  28 , and then passes over the second pulley  66  near the first hinge  20  of the ladder  10 . When in A mode, pulling down on the free end  76  of the second cable  74  will not cause the second base section  58  to extend unless the user were to tip the ladder  10  forward so that the rear feet come off the ground. 
       FIG. 12  shows the ladder  10  in straight mode but with the second base section  58  still retracted. Pulling down on the second cable  74  will cause the second base section  58  to extend. 
       FIG. 13  shows the straight ladder  10  with the second base section  58  having been extended. 
       FIG. 14  shows the second anchor  70  attached to the second pulley  66 , preferably at the axle  86  of the second pulley  66 .  FIG. 15  shows the second anchor  70  attached alternatively to the second base right rear rail  60  below and adjacent to the second pulley  66 .  FIGS. 14 and 15  are closeup views in regard to  FIG. 4 . The second anchor  70  has a flat portion  82  through which a bolt or rivet extends to attach the second anchor  70  to the second pulley  66  or the second base right rear rail  60 . The second anchor  70  has a lip  84  which extends essentially perpendicularly from the flat portion  82 . The second cable  74  is attached to the lip  84 . The first anchor  48  is the same as the second anchor  70 , and the first cable  50  attaches to the lip  84  of the first anchor  48 . 
       FIG. 16  is a more detailed view of  FIG. 11 , showing the second pulley  66  attached to the first articulated hinge  20 . In this embodiment, the pin  86  of the second pulley  66  is extended in length to just over the width of the second pulley  66 , so the second pulley  66  can fit onto and be attached to the axle  86 .  FIG. 17  is a more detailed view of  FIG. 11 , showing the second pulley  66  attached to the second fly right rail  30 . 
     Three ways of routing a cable through a pulley are as follows. 
     The first way of routing is used only on the first ladder sections. When pulled down, the first cable  50  will extend the first fly section  12  relative to the first base section  36 , in A mode or straight mode. The first way has the first cable  50 , first pulley  44 , and first anchor  48  arranged, as shown in  FIG. 2 . This first way of routing works well when the first base section  36  is touching the ground and the first fly section  12  is to be raised. That is, pulling downward on the first cable  50  causes the first fly section  12  to rise. That same first way arrangement of first cable  50 , first pulley  44  and first anchor  48  could be used on the second fly section  28  but will work only if the ladder  10  is in A-mode. If the ladder  10  were in straight mode ( FIG. 6 ), pulling down on the first cable  50  would not tend to move the second base section  58  relative to the second fly section  28 . 
     The second way of routing is used only on the second ladder sections. When pulled down, the second cable  74  will extend the second fly section  28  relative to the second base section  58 , in A mode or straight mode. The second way of routing of the second cable  74 , second pulley  66 , and second anchor  70  is shown on the second section (second base and fly sections) of  FIG. 2 . This second way will cause the second fly section  28  to rise in A-mode, or, the second base section  58  to rise in straight mode, when the second cable  74  is pulled downward. 
     The third way of routing as seen in  FIG. 11  is used only on the second ladder sections. When pulled down, the second cable  74  will extend the second base section  58  relative to the second fly section  28 , but only when the ladder  10  is in straight mode as seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  FIG. 18  shows this third way of routing applied to the Tab Lock with Lock, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/387,856, incorporated by reference herein. When applied to the tab lock with lock, the second pulley  66  is optional because the user pulls the cable  74  in a nearly straight direction, as seen in  FIG. 12 , which shows yet a third way of routing the second cable  74 , second anchor  70 , and second pulley  66  on the second section. This third way will not cause the second fly section  28  to move relative to the second base section  58  if the ladder  10  is in A-mode and the second cable  74  is pulled downward. However, if the ladder  10  is in straight mode, pulling downward on the second cable  74  will cause the second base section  58  to rise relative to the second fly section  28 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.