Patent ID: 8616334

Claim:
An apparatus to limit access to a ladder step, the apparatus comprising: a front face that extends between a bottom of a ladder top and a top surface of a first step below the ladder top, wherein the solid front face is substantially flush with and substantially fills a planar area, the planar area defined by front surfaces of the ladder top of a ladder, the first step below the ladder top of the ladder, a left leg of the ladder, and a right leg of the ladder, wherein the front face is substantially solid to prevent a user from stepping on the first step, wherein the left leg and right leg of the ladder each comprise a substantially rectangular â€œCâ€ shaped cross section forming an open channel wherein the open channel of the left leg faces the open channel of the right leg; and a first side flap and a second side flap (â€œside flapsâ€) integrally connected to opposing lateral sides of the front face and disposed at an angle to the front face, wherein the angle of the side flaps creates a spring force when resiliently inserted into the channels of the legs of the ladder by pressing in an outward direction, wherein the side flaps have a horizontal depth that fits within the channels and the side flaps have back lateral edges, opposite the front face, that contact a back surface of the channels and position the front face substantially flush with said planar area.