Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06C—LADDERS
  • E06C1/00—Ladders in general
  • E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
  • E06C1/04—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees
  • E06C1/08—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees multi-part
  • E06C1/12—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees multi-part extensible, e.g. telescopic
  • E06C1/125—Ladders for resting against objects, e.g. walls poles, trees multi-part extensible, e.g. telescopic with tubular longitudinal members nested within each other
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
  • E04F11/02—Stairways; Layouts thereof
  • E04F11/04—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible
  • E04F11/06—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic
  • E04F11/062—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic folding

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a loft ladder assembly.
• Hatch doors are commonly provided in a ceiling to allow access to the loft or roof space of a building.
• Loft ladders are also known which are stored in the roof space and which are deployed by being pulled down after the hatch door has been opened.
• Conventional loft ladders are usually of the extendable type. This means that the ladder is formed of two (or sometimes three) ladder sections arranged in different planes, which can slide over one another and can be locked to each other in a stacked and in an extended position. Even after the sections have been stacked, they are longer than the hatch door. Consequently, to stow away the ladder, it first has to be raised into the loft and then pivoted for its lower end to be able to pass through the hatch.
• the stacked ladder is normally pivoted about an axis, which is near its centre so that the ladder is nearly balanced.
• the ladder tends to stay in its horizontal position in the loft when the hatch door is opened and, to deploy it, a user must first pivot its lower end of the hatch and then release its various catches manually to allow it to be extended to reach the floor.
• Such ladders are not very compact, even in their stacked condition, they have the disadvantage of taking up roof space. It is therefore preferable to form the ladder as a telescopically collapsible ladder where the stiles are formed of sections that collapse into one another, as described for example in EP-B1-0 527 766.
• Such a ladder is more compact than an extendable ladder when it is collapsed and can be made sufficiently small to fit entirely within the hatch opening.
• the top rung of a telescopically collapsible ladder is pivoted on one side of the hatch opening, it will tend to drop and extend itself under the action of its own weight as soon as the hatch door is opened. This could cause injury to an unsuspecting user.
• a loft ladder assembly which comprises a telescopically collapsible ladder in combination with a frame for mounting the ladder within a hatch opening, the frame comprising a mounting bracket to be secured in use to the hatch opening, to which bracket the uppermost section of the ladder is pivotably connected, and a carriage pivotably connected to the mounting bracket for supporting the weight of the ladder in its stowage position and preventing the ladder from extending unintentionally.
• the carriage may be provided with means for releasably engaging the lowermost section of the ladder.
• the latter means may suitably comprise a pair of hooks for receiving lugs projecting laterally from the lowermost section of the ladder.
• the carriage is connected to the mounting bracket by means of at least one spring urging the carriage into the stowage position against the action of the weight of the ladder.
• each spring should be connected to the mounting bracket and the carriage in such a manner as to act as an over-centre toggle spring, so as to urge the carriage away from the ladder when the latter is deployed.
• the collapsible ladder is preferably constructed in the manner taught by EP-B1-0 527 766.
• the ladder may have locking pins built into the rungs that are spring biases to move laterally outwards into holes formed in the stiles to lock the sections of the stiles together when the ladder is in its extended position, the locking pins for the next higher section of the ladder being retracted as the rung carrying the locking pins approaches the rung beneath it.
• the ladder will open naturally from the top downwards when its lowermost section is released from the carriage and it will collapse in sequence from the lowermost section upwards as it is raised into its stowage position.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a loft ladder assembly of the present invention in its stowage position
• Fig. 2 is a side view of the loft ladder assembly in Fig. 1
• Fig. 3 is a side view of the loft ladder assembly with the carriage lowered into a vertical position
• Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 with the ladder in its deployed position
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a loft ladder assembly of the present invention in a partially lowered position
• Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig.
• Fig. 7 is a side view of the loft ladder assembly in Fig . 6
• Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a loft ladder assembly of the present invention in its stowage position
• Fig. 9 is a side view of the loft ladder assembly in Fig . 8
• Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the loft ladder assembly of Fig. 8 in a partially lowered position
• Fig. 11 is a side view of the loft ladder assembly of Fig. 8 with the carriage lowered into a vertical position
• Fig. 12 is a view similar to that of Fig. 11 with the ladder in its deployed position
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a loft ladder assembly of the present invention in its stowage position; and Fig. 14 is a side of the loft ladder assembly of Fig. 13 with the ladder in its deployed position.
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a loft ladder assembly 10 is shown in Fig. 1, which comprises a telescopically collapsible ladder 12 and a frame 14 for mounting the ladder in a hatch opening.
• the frame 14 is formed of a mounting bracket 14a and a carriage 14b pivotable relative to the mounting bracket 14a between a horizontal position shown in Fig. 1 and a vertical position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
• Two coil springs 16a and 16b act as toggle springs, as will be described below, to spring bias the carriage 14b into its two end positions.
• the hatch opening is partially shown in Figs. 1- 14 with three of the walls 40 forming the hatch opening.
• the frame 14 is mounted on one of the walls 40 in the shown embodiments, but could also be mounted on the hatch door.
• the ladder 12 is constructed in the same manner as a conventional telescopic ladder, which is currently commercially available under the trademark Telesteps®. Whilst such a construction of the ladder is preferred, it is not fundamental to the present invention and it will not therefore be described in detail in the present context. For further details on the internal construction of the ladder 12, reference may be made to EP-B1-0 527 766.
• the Telesteps® ladder is preferred because it collapses from the bottom upwards and not from the top downwards.
• the ladder has locking pins built into its rungs, which are spring biased to move laterally outwards into holes formed in the stiles in order to lock the sections of the stiles together when the ladder is in its extended position.
• the lower rung presses on two levers 26 (shown of the second lowermost rung of Fig. 13) which depend from the upper rung to cause the locking pins formed in the upper rung to be retracted from the stiles. This now allows the next higher section of the ladder to be collapsed and the process repeats until all the sections are collapsed from bottom upwards .
• Each of the rungs of the ladder has two laterally projecting lugs 24, which engage in hooks 22 projecting from the carriage 14b.
• the lugs 24 of the second lowermost rung 33 can be lifted onto the hooks 22 and this prevents the ladder from extending under the action of its own weight.
• the uppermost section of the ladder is pivoted relative to the mounting bracket 14a about pins 28 passing two limbs 20 that project from the mounting bracket 14a.
• the carriage 14b is pivoted about pins 18 passing through two short ears 30 that project from the mounting bracket 14a.
• the springs 16a and 16b are connected to bracket 14a and the carriage 14b in such a manner that as the carriage pivots downwards from the horizontal position shown in Fig.
• the ladder assembly is fixed by securing the mounting bracket 14a by bolts or screws to the ceiling joists surrounding and defining the hatch opening.
• the loft ladder assembly will be found in the hatch opening in its configuration shown in Fig. 1.
• the springs apply a moment to the carriage 14b, which is slightly greater than the moment of the combined weights of the ladder 12 and the carriage 14b, so that the loft ladder assembly will remain in the hatch opening after the hatch door has been opened.
• the carriage 14b is pivoted downwards against the action of the springs 16a and 16b by pulling down on a strap 32 (shown in Figs. 3 and 4) . This operation does not require much effort because of the leverage afforded by the carriage 14b.
• the carriage is pivoted past the over-centre position to the position shown in Figs.
• the lowermost section (comprising the rungs 33 and 35) of the ladder is raised.
• the rung 33 reaches the next higher rung, it will automatically release the locking pins of the next higher ladder section to collapse that ladder section.
• the process is repeated until the entire ladder is collapsed. With all the sections of the ladder 12 collapsed against one another, the lugs 24 of the second lowermost rung 33 can be raised onto the hooks 22 whereupon the weight of the ladder will be fully supported by the carriage 14b. While holding the strap 32 (only shown in Figs.
• Figs. 5-7 a second embodiment of the loft ladder assembly 10 is shown, where the arrangement for holding the ladder 12 in the stowage position is formed by a hook section 122 provided on the lowermost rung 35.
• the hook section receives in the stowage position (shown in Fig. 5) a vertical bar 50 of the carriage 14b, which extends between the horizontal bars 51 and 52 of the carriage 14b.
• Figs. 8 -12 a third embodiment of the loft ladder assembly 10 is shown, which is intended to be used in hatch openings where the ladder cannot be accommodated in the hatch opening, but needs to be stored in the loft above the hatch opening.
• the loft ladder assembly shown in Figs. 8-12 has a similar arrangement for holding the ladder 12 in the stowage position as the loft ladder assembly shown in Figs. 5-7, i.e. a hook section 122 is provided on the lowermost rung 35 to receive the vertical bar 50 of the carriage 14b.
• L-shaped beams 70 which are pivotably connected to brackets 14a in a first end 70 and having the ladder 12 pivotably connected in a second end 71.
• the beams 70 enable an upper part of the ladder 12 to extend over the hatch opening so that the ladder 12 can be stowed away even though the ladder 12 is longer than the hatch opening. This is shown in Figs. 8 and 9.
• the carriage 14b is pivoted downwards against the action of the springs 16a and 16b by pulling down on a strap. This operation does not require much effort because of the leverage afforded by the carriage 14b.
• the beams 70 and the carriage 14b are pivoted past the over-centre position (see Fig. 10) to the position shown in Fig.
• the above procedure is essentially reversed.
• the ladder is raised.
• the rung 33 reaches the next higher rung, it will automatically release the locking pins of the next higher ladder section to collapse that ladder section.
• the process is repeated until the entire ladder is collapsed. With all the sections of the ladder 12 collapsed against one another, the hook 122 of the lowermost rung 35 can be placed onto the bar 50 whereupon the weight of the ladder will be fully supported by the carriage 14b.
• Figs. 13 and 14 a fourth embodiment of the loft ladder assembly 10 is shown, which is intended to be used in hatch openings where the ladder cannot be accommodated in the hatch opening, but needs to be stored in the loft above the hatch opening.
• the loft ladder assembly shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is similar to the third embodiment of the loft ladder assembly shown in Figs. 8-12, but without the carriage and the springs .
• the arrangement for holding the ladder 12 in the stowage position is similar to that of the second and the third embodiment, but the hook 122 is provided on the second lowermost rung 33 and a vertical bar 90 is received.
• the vertical bar 90 is mounted on braces
• the beams 70 are pivotably mounted on the bar 90.
• the hatch door 60 When the hatch door 60 is opened the ladder 12 will remain in the stowage position.
• To deploy the ladder the user pulls a strap connected to the lowermost rung and the beams 70 and the ladder 12 are pivoted past the over centre position to a horizontal position. From this position the user lifts the entire ladder and thereby disengages the hooks 122 from the bar 50 and the beams 70 are pivoted further.
• the weight of the ladder 12 is no longer supported by the bar 50, it will extend naturally from the top downwards similar to what can be seen in Fig. 4. This allows the user to pull the ladder 12 and to extend it until it reaches the ground and is inclined at a safe and comfortable angle.
• the beams 70 will typically be pivoted to the position shown in Fig. 14. To stow away the ladder, the above procedure is essentially reversed. First after using the levers on the second lowermost rung 33 of the ladder 12 to release the locking pins, the ladder is collapsed. As the rung 33 reaches the next higher rung, it will automatically release the locking pins of the next higher section to collapse that ladder section. The process is repeated until the entire ladder is collapsed.
• the beams can now be pivoted towards its horizontal position and once it passes the over-centre position the hook 122 of the lowermost rung can be placed onto the bar 50 whereupon the weight of the ladder will be fully supported by the frame 14.
• the strap is used to restrain the ladder so that it can be returned gently to its stowage position of Fig. 13.
• the hatch door 60 can then be replaced or closed.
• the lower part of the ladder 12 can also be releasably connected to the hatch door 60 so that the ladder 12 will pivot as the hatch doors opens.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Ladders (AREA)
• Residential Or Office Buildings (AREA)
• Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
• Joints Allowing Movement (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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• 2004
  • 2004-04-16 GB GB0408475A patent/GB2413148A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2005
  • 2005-04-15 AT AT05733732T patent/ATE519000T1/de active
  • 2005-04-15 WO PCT/SE2005/000550 patent/WO2005100716A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2005-04-15 AU AU2005233496A patent/AU2005233496B2/en not_active Expired
  • 2005-04-15 CN CNB2005800172755A patent/CN100447371C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-04-15 ES ES05733732T patent/ES2370645T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-04-15 DK DK05733732.1T patent/DK2102429T3/da active
  • 2005-04-15 CA CA2562409A patent/CA2562409C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-04-15 EP EP05733732A patent/EP2102429B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-04-15 JP JP2007508305A patent/JP2007532809A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-04-15 NZ NZ550323A patent/NZ550323A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-04-15 US US11/578,525 patent/US20070234654A1/en not_active Abandoned

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