Patent Publication Number: US-9416591-B2

Title: Telescoping ladder with stabilizers

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to ladders and more particularly to telescoping ladders. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ladders typically include rungs supported between stiles formed from a plurality of columns. In some cases, the ladder can be a telescoping ladder and can be expanded to separate the columns from one another for extension of the ladder, or collapsed together for retraction of the ladder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain embodiments of the invention include a telescoping ladder, comprising a first stile, a second stile each having a plurality of columns disposed in a nested arrangement for relative axial movement in a telescopic fashion along an axis of the plurality of columns between an extended position and a collapsed position. A first column proximal to the floor surface has a flange positioned in the hollow body of the first column coaxially with the axis of the plurality of columns. The ladder comprises a plurality of rungs extending between the first stile and the second stile. Each rung is connected to a column of the first stile and a column of the second stile. A first stabilizer housing proximal to the floor surface on which the telescoping ladder is positioned is connected to the first and second columns. 
     In certain embodiments, the telescoping ladder comprises a first stabilizer connected to the first stabilizer housing. The first stabilizer can move between an extended position and a collapsed position, wherein, in the extended position, the first stabilizer extends out of a hollow body portion of the first stabilizer housing past the first stile in a direction substantially normal to the axis of the plurality of columns in the extended position. The first stabilizer collapses into the hollow body portion of the first stabilizer housing in the collapsed position. The first stabilizer comprises a hollow body in sliding engagement with an interior surface of the first stabilizer housing, and a locking button adapted to protrude past an aperture defined on the first stabilizer housing to lock the first stabilizer in its extended position. 
     In certain embodiments, the locking button and the aperture are coaxial to the axis of the plurality of columns in the extended position of the first stabilizer. In such embodiments, the flange can abut against the locking button protruding past the aperture of the first stabilizer housing due to the telescoping movement of the first column toward the first stabilizer housing. The abutment of the flange against the locking button pushes the locking button away from the aperture and thereby unlocking the first stabilizer from its extended position and into the collapsed position. 
     In certain embodiments, the ladder is a foldable telescoping ladder, comprising a first ladder portion, a second ladder portion hingedly connected to the first ladder portion such that the first and second ladder portions are rotatable about a hinge axis. At least one of the first and second ladder portions can have a rung comprising a pair of stabilizers adapted to extend past each of the first and second stiles of the first ladder portion in a direction substantially normal to the axis of the plurality of columns and collapse into a hollow body portion of the first stabilizer housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a foldable ladder locked at a first angular position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the foldable ladder of  FIG. 1A  locked at a second angular position in a collapsed state; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the foldable ladder of  FIG. 1B  shown in an extended state; 
         FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of the foldable ladder of  FIG. 1A  locked at a third angular position; 
         FIG. 2A  is a close-up perspective view of a portion  2 A of the ladder shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the ladder of  2 A showing the stabilizers in an extended position; 
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of the ladder of  2 A showing a stabilizer in an extended position and a stabilizer in a collapsed position; 
         FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of a portion  2 D shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded perspective view of the ladder portion illustrated in  FIG. 2A  with the first and second columns hidden from view to show certain internal detail; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional front view of the ladder portion shown in  FIG. 2B , with the cross-section taken along the plane  3 B- 3 B; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a first stabilizer housing and first and second air dampers with a stabilizers shown in a collapsed state according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the stabilizers of  FIG. 4  shown in an extended state; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a stabilizer according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  is a right side view of the stabilizer of  FIG. 6  with the caps removed to illustrate internal detail; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional right side view of a portion of  FIG. 2B  taken along the plane  7 B- 7 B; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the stabilizer of  FIG. 6  shown along with a connector; 
         FIG. 9  is a close-up exploded view of a portion  9  shown in  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of an air damper according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the air damper of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides some practical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and all other elements employ that which is known to those of ordinary skill in the field of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives. 
       FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a ladder  10  according to some embodiments.  FIGS. 1B-1D  are front perspective views of a ladder  10  unfolded from its folded position illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and locked at various angles, according to some embodiments. In  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the ladder  10  has been unfolded from its folded position in  FIG. 1A  and locked at an angle of about 180 degrees In  FIG. 1D , the ladder  10  has been locked at an angle of about 30 degrees. In  FIG. 1B  an upper portion  22  of the ladder  10  is in a collapsed state, whereas in  FIG. 1C , the upper portion  22  of the ladder  10  is in an extended state. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , the telescoping ladder  10  comprises a first stile  14  and a second stile  16  (e.g., left hand and right hand stiles illustrated in  FIG. 1A ). The first and second stiles each have a plurality of columns  18  disposed in a nested arrangement for relative axial movement in a telescopic fashion along an axis  20  of the plurality of columns  18  between an extended position and a collapsed position. For instance, in  FIG. 1 a   , an upper portion  22  of the ladder  10  is shown in a collapsed position where the columns  18  are nested within each other along the axis  20  of the columns  18  in a telescoping fashion, and in  FIG. 1D , the upper portion  22  of the ladder  10  is shown in an extended position. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1A , the ladder  10  comprises a plurality of rungs  24  extending between the first stile  14  and the second stile  16 . Each rung  24  can be connected to a column  18  of the first stile  14  and a column  18  of the second stile  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , each rung  24  can be connected to the columns  18  by a connector assembly  26 . With continued reference to  FIG. 1A , in some cases, each rung  24  comprises a planar first surface  28  and a planar second surface  30  opposite to the planar first surface  28 . The first surface  28  of each rung  24  of the first ladder portion  50  defines a planar standing surface  32 . At least one of the planar first and second surfaces  28 ,  30  of the second ladder portion  54  defines a planar standing surface  32 . Referring to  FIGS. 1B and 1C , when the ladder  10  is unfolded for use, the first surface  28  of each rung  24  of the second ladder portion  54  has a planar standing surface. However, when ladder  10  is folded for storage or unfolded to angles other than about 180 degrees (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1A or 1D ), the first surface  28  of each rung  24  of the second ladder portion  54  may not face the top and therefore the planar standing surface  32  may be defined on the underside of the rung  24  when the rung  24  is folded for storage or unfolded to angles other than 180 degrees. The planar standing surface  32  of each rung  24  of the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  may have treads  34  defined therein to provide friction between the planar standing surface and the contact surface of a user (e.g., soles of the user&#39;s shoes). As will be described herein, the rungs  24  can be substantially hollow so as to allow a connector assembly  26  to fasten the rung  24  to a column  18  on each of the right-hand stile and left-hand side stile. The rungs  24  can be extruded from aluminum, although other materials and means of manufacturing can also be used. 
     While  FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate a rung  24  with a substantially rectangular cross-section, other cross-sectional shapes of the rung  24  are also contemplated. For instance, the rung  24  can have a parallelogram cross-section such as those illustrated in U.S. Publication No. 2012/0267197 A1, assigned to the assignee of the instant application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. While the illustrated  FIGS. 1A-1D  show a substantially rectangular rung  24 , as best seen in  FIG. 2D , at least a portion  38  of the first surface  28  of the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  can form an angle θ with respect to a horizontal plane  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, when the angled portion  38  of the first surface  28  form an angle with respect to a horizontal plane (not shown). The angled portion  38  can form an angle between about 5 degrees and 45 degrees (e.g., between 5 degrees and 20 degrees) with respect to the horizontal plane  42 . Such embodiments allow at least the angled portion  38  of the first surface  28  of the rung  24  to be horizontal when the ladder  10  is rotated towards a vertical wall (e.g., propped against a wall at an angle) so that during normal use, at least a portion  38  of the rung  24  can be nearly horizontal. However, depending on the angle at which the ladder  10  is propped against a vertical wall, the angled portion  38  may be past or short of being horizontal. 
     In some embodiments, the columns  18  are made of aluminum. Other materials are contemplated and are within the scope of the invention. The columns  18  are illustrated as having a circular cross-section (when viewed along the axis  20  of the columns  18 ). However, the columns  18  can have a rectangular cross-section such as those illustrated in U.S. Publication No. 2012/0267197 A1 assigned to the assignee of the instant application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other cross-sections (e.g., square, oval or polygonal shapes) are also contemplated. The columns  18  can be substantially hollow to receive another column  18  from above. Additionally, the rungs  24  can be substantially hollow such that a pair of latch assemblies (not shown) can be housed in the hollow rung  24 . 
     As described above, the rungs  24  are connected to the columns  18  by a plurality of connector assemblies  26 . The connector assemblies  26  can have latch assemblies housed in the hollow portion of each rung  24  to unlock or selectively lock relative axial movement between adjacent columns  18 . Such connector assemblies  26  are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,387,753 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,645 both assigned to the assignee of the instant application, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Each latch assembly has a release button  46  that can be manually actuatable to unlock the selectively locked relative axial movement between two adjacent columns  18 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , the release buttons may be slid inwardly along a front surface  48  of rung  24  (e.g., by the thumbs of the user), to unlock their respective latch assemblies. Thus, when release buttons on both the right and left hand sides of rung  24  are actuated, adjacent columns  18  are permitted to move axially. Gravity can cause such columns  18  and their rung  24  to collapse downward to assume a position similar to rungs  24  shown in the collapsed portion of the ladder  10  shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     In some cases, the ladder  10  can comprise a first ladder portion  50  and a second ladder portion  54  that are coupled to each other in a hinged fashion. For instance, the ladder  10  is foldable such that the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  form a first angle  58  therebetween. The first angle  58  can be equal to between about zero degrees and about 180 degrees. In  FIG. 1A , the first angle  58  is about zero degrees. In  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the first angle  58  is about 180 degrees. In  FIG. 1D , the first angle  58  is about 30 degrees. Each of the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  can have a first stile  14  and a second stile  16  having a plurality of columns  18 , and a plurality of rungs  24  extending between the columns  18 . The first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  can be locked at various angular positions by hinge mechanisms known in the art. An exemplary hinge mechanism  60  is described and illustrated in the co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/557,944 titled “Foldable ladder”, assigned to the assignee of the instant application, filed on Dec. 2, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the first stile  14  comprises a first column  64  and the second stile  16  comprises a second column  68 . The first and second columns  18  each have a hollow body. The first and second columns  18  can be connected to a first stabilizer housing  70 . The first stabilizer housing  70  and the first and second columns  18  can be proximal to a floor surface  72  on which the ladder  10  is positioned during use. The first stabilizer housing  70  and the first and second columns  18  can be coupled by a pair of connector assemblies  26  as described above. Alternatively, a connector  74  can fixedly connect the first and second columns  18  to the first stabilizer housing  70 . The connector  74  can have a connector opening  76  (e.g., best illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) for receiving the first stabilizer housing  70 . The connector  74  additionally receives the first and second columns  18  in an interior surface  78  thereof. The first and second columns  18  form a friction fit with the interior surface  78  of the connector  74 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the ladder  10  can include a first stabilizer  80  and a second stabilizer  82  connected to the first stabilizer housing  70 . The first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  can each move between an extended position and a collapsed position. The first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  can be substantially similar although the right hand side stabilizer  82  can be a mirror image of the left hand side stabilizer  80  (about the axis  20  of the columns  18 ). The first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  are movable slidingly with respect to the first stabilizer housing  70 . In some cases, the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  can be extended independently. For instance, the first stabilizer  80  can be extended while the second stabilizer  82  is collapsed and vice versa, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C . As seen in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  can collapse into a hollow body portion  86  of the first stabilizer housing  70  in the collapsed position. In the extended position, the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  extend out of the hollow body portion  86  of the first stabilizer housing  70  past one of the first and second stiles in a direction substantially normal to the axis  20  of the plurality of columns  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3B and 4 , the first stabilizer housing  70  has an aperture  90  defined coaxially with the axis  20  of the plurality of columns  18 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each of the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  has a locking button  94  that can protrude past the aperture  90  defined on the first stabilizer housing  70  to lock the stabilizer  80 ,  82  in an extended position. The locking button  94  can be generally in a depressed position when the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  are collapsed and abut against an inner surface  96  of the first stabilizer housing  70  and are proximal to a centerline  100  of the first stabilizer housing  70  through which the locking buttons can protrude past when the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  are in a collapsed position. When the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  are drawn out to an extended position, the locking buttons remain depressed and abut against an inner surface  96  of the first stabilizer housing  70 . Upon encountering the aperture  90 , the locking buttons protrude past them and thereby lock the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  and prevent them from moving slidingly with respect to the first stabilizer housing  70 . When the locking buttons protrude past the aperture  90 , the locking buttons lock the stabilizers  80 ,  82  in the extended position. Such configurations can be used to improve the stability of the ladder  10  by having a center of gravity of the ladder  10  fall within the footprint of the ladder  10 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3A-3B , the first and second columns  18  each have a flange  120  positioned in the hollow body of the first and second columns  18  coaxially with the axis  20  of the plurality of columns  18 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up perspective view of the flanges of the first and second columns  18  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). As seen in  FIGS. 3A-3B and 4 , the flange  120  of the first and second columns  18  can depress the locking button  94  away from the aperture  90 , thereby releasing the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  from their locked position, as a result of which the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  move generally inwardly into the hollow body portion  86  of the first stabilizer housing  70 . The flanges can be positioned and oriented in the first and second columns  18  such that when a column (e.g., column  170  or column  180  shown in  FIG. 2A ) above each of the first and second columns  64 ,  68  nests therein, the flanges are pushed in a direction toward the first stabilizer housing  70  (e.g., from a distance “a” shown in  FIG. 3B  to a distance “b”). Referring to  FIG. 3A-3B , the flange  120  abuts against the locking button  94  protruding past the aperture  90  of the first stabilizer housing  70  due to the telescoping movement of the first column  64  toward the first stabilizer housing  70 , the locking button  94  is pushed away from the aperture  90  thereby unlocking the first stabilizer  80  from its extended position and moving it into a collapsed position. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a stabilizer  80 ,  82  according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7A  is a side view of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  of  FIG. 6  with the end cap  130  removed. As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7A , the stabilizer  80 ,  82  has a generally hollow body portion with a length “L 1 ” equal to about one-half the length of the first stabilizer housing  70  “L 2 ”. The first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  shown in the embodiments above, for instance, can both have a length L 1 , and the first stabilizer housing  70  can have a length L 2 , allowing both the first and second stabilizers  80 ,  82  to abut against each other when collapsed. The length of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  can be measured from a first end  132  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  to the second end  134  and may not include the end cap  130  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  of any other additional caps. Likewise, the length of the first stabilizer housing  70  can be an end-to-end length of the body portion of the first stabilizer housing  70 . The stabilizer  80 ,  82  is of a parallelogram cross-section to facilitate sliding engagement with the first stabilizer housing  70  (also having a parallelogram cross-section as shown in  FIG. 7B ). Referring back to  FIGS. 6 and 7A , a first surface  140  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  is generally planar and a second surface  142  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  has one or more recessed tracks  144 . The first and second surfaces  140 ,  142  are generally parallel and opposite to each other, and form an angle “A” with respect to the horizontal plane  42 . When positioned in the first stabilizer housing  70 , the first surface  140  forms a top surface, the second surface  142  forms a bottom surface  212 . The stabilizer  80 ,  82  also has a third surface  146  and fourth surface  148  that form the parallelogram shape of the stabilizer  80 ,  82 . As described above, other shapes of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  are also contemplated, corresponding to the shape of the first stabilizer housing  70  (e.g., rectangular). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a connecting member  150  connects the stabilizer  80 ,  82  to the hollow body portion  86  of the first stabilizer housing  70 . For instance, the connecting member  150  is a square-headed bolt or screw resting in the recessed portions of the tracks of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  and forming a frictional fit therewith. One or more ends of the connecting member  150  can rest against inner surface  96  of the first stabilizer housing  70  and facilitate sliding movement of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  with respect to the first stabilizer housing  70 . As mentioned above, the locking button  94  extends past the first surface  140  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  (e.g., out of the aperture  90  best illustrated in  FIG. 8 ). The locking button  94  can be spring-biased to protrude out of the aperture  152  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82 , and consequently aperture  90  of the first stabilizer housing  70  by a clamp  160 . An end  164  of the clamp  160  is received by the second surface  142  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82  (e.g., via a slot, not illustrated) and an opposite end  162  of the clamp  160  is received by a slot  166  on the first surface  140  of the stabilizer  80 ,  82 . The stabilizer  80 ,  82  can also have an end cap  130  having a cross-section greater than the cross-sectional area of the hollow body portion  86  of the first stabilizer housing  70 . The end cap  130  therefore does not collapse into the first stabilizer housing  70  when the stabilizer  80 ,  82  is collapsed. Such embodiments facilitate accessing the stabilizer  80 ,  82  manually to extend it from its collapsed position. In addition to the end cap  130 , the stabilizer  80 ,  82  can have an additional cap  168  positioned proximal to the centerline  100  of the first stabilizer housing  70  and within the hollow body portion  86  of the first stabilizer housing  70 . 
     As mentioned above, and referring now to  FIG. 9 , the locking buttons of the stabilizers  80 ,  82  can be actuated by flanges positioned in the first and second columns  18  due to nesting telescoping movement of the plurality of columns  18  into the first and second columns  18  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ).  FIG. 9  illustrates a third column  170  positioned above the first column  64 . Likewise, a fourth column  180  can be positioned above the second column  68  (best seen in  FIG. 2A ). Referring back to  FIG. 9 , the third column  170  can nest within and extend from the first column  64  along the axis  20  of the plurality of columns  18 . In some cases, each column can include an air damper  200  positioned coaxially with the axis  20  of the column to limit the relative axial movement of the plurality of columns  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the air damper  200  caps a bottom perimeter edge  210  of the third column  170  to restrict air flow through the third column  170 . An exemplary air damper  200  is described in U.S. Publication No. 2012/0267197 A1 assigned to the assignee of the instant application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As illustrated, the flange  120  can extend from a bottom surface  212  of a first air damper  200  positioned within the first column  64  of the first stile  14 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the first air damper  200  is coaxial with the locking button  94  of the first stabilizer  80  when the locking button  94  protrudes past the aperture  90  of the first stabilizer housing  70  in an extended position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the air dampers can each have a tab  214  defined on a perimeter surface thereof to facilitate insertion into the third column  170  and prevent removal of the air damper  200  from the third column  170 . The tab  214  has a tapered leading edge  216  facilitating engagement with a corresponding opening  218  of the third column  170 , and an upright trailing edge  220  preventing removal of the tapered tab  214  from the third column  170 . The air damper  200  is coupled to the third column  170  such that the tabs of the air damper  200  protrude past corresponding openings (best seen in  FIG. 3A ) of the third column  170 . The air damper  200  can be positioned such that the openings are proximal to the bottom perimeter edge  210  of the third column  170 . The air damper  200  is coupled to the third column  170  so that the nesting movement of the third column  170  toward the first column  64  moves the flange  120  of the air damper  200  toward the aperture  90  of the first stabilizer housing  70 . As additional columns  18  descend toward the first column  64  from above, the air damper  200  is moved even more proximal to the first stabilizer housing  70  until the flange  120  abuts against the locking button  94  protruding past the aperture  90 . The flange  120  of the first air damper  200  can then push the locking button  94  away from the aperture  90  and collapses the first stabilizer  80  when the third column  170  is fully nested within the first column  64 . The air damper  200  can also have a recessed portion  222  on a perimeter surface thereof. The recessed portion  222  can receive a locking pin  230  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) that locks the first and third columns  18  to prevent relative axial movement therebetween. 
     While the embodiments above have been described with respect to one half of a foldable ladder  10  (e.g., the first ladder portion  50 ), the stabilizers  80 ,  82  of the second ladder portion  54  are substantially similar to those of the first ladder portion  50 . For instance, the second ladder portion  54  can comprise a second stabilizer housing  240  having a pair of stabilizers  80 ,  82  that extend past each of the first and second stiles of the second ladder portion  54  in a direction substantially normal to the axis  20  of the plurality of columns  18  and collapse into a hollow portion of the second stabilizer housing  240 . The second stabilizer housing  240  can be proximal to the floor surface  72  when the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  form angles such as between about zero degrees and about 60 degrees (e.g., 0 degrees as illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and 30 degrees as illustrated in  FIG. 1D ), whereas the second stabilizer housing  240  is distal to the floor surface  72  when the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  form angles greater than 90 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees as illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 1C ). The stabilizers  80 ,  82  of the second ladder portion  54  can collapse into the hollow portion of the second stabilizer housing  240  when the plurality of columns  18  are nested within each other in a telescopic fashion to collapse the ladder  10  into a collapsed position (e.g., as seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ), and wherein the stabilizers  80 ,  82  of the second ladder  10  portions can extend out of the second stabilizer housing  240  when the plurality of columns  18  extended in a telescopic fashion (e.g., as seen in  FIGS. 1C and 1D ). 
     In use, when the columns  18  of the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  are extended, the flange  120  moves away from the aperture  90  of the first stabilizer housing  70  of the first ladder portion  50  and the second stabilizer housing  240  of the second ladder portion  54 . The stabilizers  80 ,  82  of the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  extend out of the first and second stabilizer housings  70 ,  240  respectively until the locking buttons protrude past the apertures inline with the axis  20  of the columns  18 . The first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  can be locked at a desired angular position. The ladder  10  can be folded and the stabilizers  80 ,  82  can be collapsed during storage. To collapse the stabilizers  80 ,  82 , the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  can first be unlocked from a desired angular position. The columns  18  of each of the first and second ladder portions  50 ,  54  can then be collapsed until a third column  170  fully nests inside the first column  64  and a fourth column  180  fully nests inside the second column  68 . The flanges of air dampers of the third and fourth columns  18  abut against the aperture  90  and the locking button  94  protruding past it when the third and fourth columns  18  fully nest within the first and second columns  18 . The flange  120  pushes the locking button  94  inwardly into the hollow portion of the respective stabilizer housing (e.g., first and second stabilizer housing  70 ,  240 ), and thereby collapses the stabilizers  80 ,  82  for storage. 
     Certain embodiments of the telescoping ladder  10  illustrated herein can improve safety by stabilizing the ladder  10  during use. For instance, some embodiments of the telescoping ladder  10  with stabilizers  80 ,  82  extending therefrom ensure that the center of gravity of the ladder  10  always falls within the horizontal extent (e.g., footprint) of the ladder  10  during use, thereby minimizing or eliminating any moments that may overturn the ladder  10  during operation. Additionally, the stabilizers  80 ,  82  can be collapsed during storage, thereby facilitating compact footprint of the ladder  10  when not in use. Further, collapsing the columns  18  of the ladder  10  automatically collapses the stabilizers  80 ,  82  thereby offering ease of use. 
     Thus, embodiments of the telescoping ladder with stabilizers are disclosed. Although the present embodiments have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain disclosed embodiments, the disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.