Patent ID: 8028804

Claim:
An automated ladder apparatus to provide access to a space above an elevated structure, the automated ladder apparatus comprising: a cover for an opening in said elevated structure, said cover being moveable between a first position to allow access to the space through the opening and a second position in which the cover substantially covers, said opening; a plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections, a first of said slidably extendable ladder sections being slidable with respect to a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections; a motor configured to rotate a first gear; a reel coupled to at least one of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections via a cable; and a free wheeling gear coupled to said first gear and said reel, said free wheeling gear (a) allowing for gravity to rotate said reel to unwind said cable about said reel so as to open said cover and lower said cover and extend said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, wherein, during extension of said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, said motor is energized to rotate said first gear to control a rotational speed of said reel, and (b) allowing for said first gear to continue to rotate when said reel is prevented from rotating to unwind said cable.