Patent ID: 8113315

Claim:
A ladder assembly for accessing an elevated platform of a work machine, comprising: (a) an upper ladder portion including an upper end in connection with an element of the elevated platform for generally upward and downward movement of the upper ladder portion relative to the platform, the upper ladder portion having a lower end coupled to a pivot bracket, wherein the pivot bracket pivots about the lower end relative to the upper ladder portion between a stowed position and a deployed position; (b) a handle assembly and a lower ladder portion fixedly connected to the pivot bracket, such that the handle assembly extends in a first direction and the lower ladder portion extends in a second direction, the second direction is opposite to the first direction, wherein the first and second directions are parallel to each other, wherein when the pivot bracket is in the stowed position, the lower ladder portion extends upwardly from the lower end of the upper ladder portion and a handle of the handle assembly extends downwardly therefrom, and when the pivot bracket is in the deployed position, the lower ladder portion extends downwardly from the lower end of the upper ladder portion and the handle extends generally upwardly in relation thereto; and (c) a latch mechanism disposed on the pivot bracket is configured for latching and holding the lower ladder portion in the stowed position, the latch mechanism including a latch release element disposed and configured to be movable in a predetermined manner for releasing and allowing pivotal movement of the lower ladder portion from the stowed position, and an element in connection with the handle disposed and configured when the lower ladder portion is in the stowed position so as to be movable by a predetermined movement of the handle to cooperatively contact and move the latch release element in the predetermined manner to release the lower ladder portion.