Patent ID: 8028805

Claim:
A method for using an access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor comprising the steps of: telescoping open from a bottom section of a plurality of sections each section in sequence so that each section positively locks to the section below it with plungers; and telescoping closed from a top section of the plurality of sections, each section in sequence so that each plunger unlocks in sequence from the section below it, the top section pivotally connected to a header assembly attached to the ceiling, wherein each section comprises a step, a first rail and a second rail extending from the step, and a first plunger and a second plunger extending from the step to the first rail and the second rail, respectively, and the telescoping open step includes the step of engaging the first plunger and the second plunger with the first rail and the second rail, respectively, of the section below it to lock with the section below it, each section includes a first plunger cam and a second plunger cam attached to the underside of the step, each plunger cam extends below the step, and the telescoping open step includes the step of engaging the first plunger cam and a second plunger cam with the first plunger and the second plunger, respectively, of the section below it to lock the section below it closed.