Patent ID: 8919497

Claim:
A release mechanism for an access ladder, the access ladder including a lever assembly connected to an actuator for rotating the access ladder about an axis between an extended position for providing access to a structure and a second stowed position, the release mechanism comprising: a first release handle connected to the lever assembly, the first release handle configured to selectively disengage the lever assembly from the access ladder by moving the lever assembly along the axis of rotation for the ladder; a hinge pin fixed to the lever assembly and disposed coaxially with the access ladder axis of rotation, the hinge pin including a bias in a first direction; a collar disposed about the hinge pin and fixed to the access ladder; and a recess defined by and disposed in the lever assembly; wherein the collar and the recess are configured to cooperate thereby connecting the access ladder and the lever assembly, the bias of the hinge pin engaging the collar to the recess, and wherein the first release handle is configured to overcome the bias of the hinge pin, moving the hinge pin in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby disengaging the collar from the recess; and wherein the collar comprises a key configured to cooperate with a keyway formed in the recess.