Patent ID: 10208539

Abstract:
The present invention relates to a particularly compact and safe extendable access device for gaining access to elevated locations via a hatch opening. The access device comprises a telescopic ladder with a plurality of sliding elements movable between an extended position and a retracted position, each sliding element comprising two stiles connected by a rung. The stiles of each sliding element are interlocked with the stiles of adjacent sliding elements, wherein each sliding element comprises a first locking mechanism for releasably connecting at least one of the stiles to an adjacent stile of an adjacent sliding element, the first locking mechanism being adapted to lock each sliding element in its retracted position. The first locking mechanism of each sliding element is adapted to releasably connect at least one stile of each sliding element to a stile of an adjacent sliding element, which is closer to a top end of the telescopic ladder, and is adapted to automatically disconnect said stiles once an adjacent sliding element, which is closer to a bottom end of the telescopic ladder, is in its extended position. The first locking mechanism is adapted to automatically connect the at least one stile of said sliding element to a stile of the adjacent sliding element, which is closer to a top end of the telescopic ladder, when the adjacent sliding element, which is closer to the bottom end of the telescopic ladder, is moved from its extended position towards its retracted position.