Patent ID: 7073629

Claim:
A support assembly adapted for use with a ladder, comprising: at least one elongated member adapted to extend between first and second legs of the ladder when the ladder is positioned in an operating position, the at least one elongated member having a channel disposed therein for receiving the first and second legs; and first and second coupling assemblies coupled to the elongated member at first and second positions on the elongated member, the first and second positions being spaced apart, wherein the first and second coupling assemblies are adapted to be removably and clampably coupled to the first and second legs of the ladder, respectively, wherein the channel comprises an elongated channel having a bottom surface and a pair of lateral side surfaces, and wherein at least one of the first and second coupling assemblies includes; a base adapted to slidably engage into the channel, the base including a rail member projecting outwardly from the base along a length of the channel and adapted to be engaged against a lateral surface of an associated one of the first and second legs; and a support plate coupled to the base and including a locking member projecting outwardly from the support plate and adapted to be engaged against a second lateral surface of the associated one of the first and second legs, wherein the base and the support plate are adapted to cooperate to clampably couple the associated one of the first and second legs to the at least one elongated member such that the rail member clampably engages the associated one of the legs against one of the lateral side surfaces of the channel and such that the locking member clampably engages the associated one of the legs against the bottom surface of the channel.