Patent ID: 7516817

Claim:
A knee brace for a ladder having a rail with a first rail flange, second rail flange and a rail web disposed between the first rail flange and the second rail flange, a step connected to the rail to form a joint, and a rail end comprising: a first flange; a second flange; a web extending from the first flange and the second flange which together form a u-shaped cross-section and comprising: a first portion that connects to the step; a second portion which connects to the rail and terminates at a distance from the joint, the second portion's first and second flanges and web presenting 3 contact surfaces which connect to the rail and extend essentially in parallel with the rail and conforms with the rail to which the knee brace is attached so forces can be transferred therebetween, the first and second flanges contact the first rail flange and second rail flange, respectively, and the web contacts the web of the rail of u-shaped cross-section, and a first rivet extending through the first rail flange and first flange, and a second rivet extending through the second rail flange and the second flange adjacent the rail end, the first flange, second flange and web define an interior which is free of any load supporting elements regarding loads for the first or second rail flanges which extend from either the web or the first flange or the second flange into the interior; and a foot extending from the web, first portion and second portion upon which the rail end is situated; the web, the first and second portions and foot one continuous piece made of plastic.