JPH0594500U - Foldable ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a ladder that can be folded in two directions: the width direction and the opening / closing direction of the leg rod. [Constitution] A foldable step (16) has one leg rod pair (12)
Pivot between (12) and install a plurality of them. An expandable / retractable support means (18) is pivoted between the other pair of rods (10) (10). Each step consists of two halves (22), (22) on which a support means (26) is pivoted. A translation means is provided on the leg rod to which each half of the step is attached. When the ladder is folded in the width direction, the steps are folded upward, and the support means is pulled upward by the translation means. When the leg rod is folded in the opening / closing direction of the leg rod, the hinge type connecting member (14) is folded, and the step and the supporting means are housed in the leg rod. Between the legs,
Deploy locking means to prevent the ladder from closing.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Field of Invention]

 The present invention relates to a foldable step ladder, and more particularly to a ladder that can be folded in two directions.

[0002]

[Background of the invention]

 The reason for making the ladder foldable is to facilitate storage and carrying. A conventional folding ladder generally has a structure in which a plurality of steps are arranged between the leg rods to form a set of ladders, and the ladders are made into two sets. A collapsible connecting member is pivotally attached to the two opposing leg rods, and the ladder can be folded for more convenient storage and carrying. In the folded state, these folding ladders occupy only about half of the unfolded state, so that a considerable storage space is required in the width direction. Considering this space for storage and transportation, it is quite valuable.

Further, some conventional ladders are provided with means for fixing the ladder at the deployed position. Some of these means may be deployed on the connecting member and some may be rudimentary in design, and may not be foldable.

In view of the above problems and other drawbacks, the present inventor has a structure that can be folded in two directions in order to minimize storage space, and in order to enhance safety, a leg rod is provided in a deployed position. We have developed a ladder equipped with a means for fixing.

[0005]

[Summary of device]

 An object of the present invention is to provide a ladder capable of folding a leg rod in two directions, that is, the opening and closing direction of the leg rod and the width direction. As a result, the storage space can be minimized in the folded state. The present invention is provided with means for maintaining the lever in the folded position and means for preventing the lever from closing as a safety device.

In the present invention, a hinge-type connecting member is provided between the pair of first leg rods and the pair of second leg rods. The foldable steps are pivotally fixed between the pair of leg rods, and a plurality of steps are arranged at a predetermined interval. A supporting means is pivotally attached to the step to support the step. The leg rod is provided with a translation means so that the support means can be moved upward as a pivot of the step. A collapsible support means that is expandable and contractible is provided between the other pair of rods.

In the folded state, one pair of leg rods is accommodated in the other pair of leg rods. Further, in the folded state, since the step, the supporting means and the expandable / contractible cross-type supporting means are substantially housed in the leg rod, the storage space is small and the space can be saved.

To enhance the understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, the following will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009]

[Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment]

 The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the ladder of the present invention which can be folded in two directions. The ladder is provided with two pairs of rods, a foldable step is provided on the pair of first rods of the first set, and an expandable / retractable cross-type supporting means is provided on the pair of rods of the second set. Will be deployed.

More specifically, the first set of rods is shown by reference numerals (10) and (10), and the second set of rods is shown by reference numerals (12) and (12). The rod is pivoted at the upper end. In addition, between the facing first set of rods (10) and second set of rods (12), a hinge type connecting member (14) is provided by using an appropriate means such as rivets, nuts and bolts. ) Is locked. A foldable step (16) is provided on the second set of rods (12) (12). The first set of rods (10) (10) is provided with expandable and contractible cross-type support means (18), which support means comprises a plurality of connecting members (20).

FIG. 3 shows a foldable step (16), each step comprising two halves (22) (22) of substantially the same shape, each half of the step being Is equipped with a tread part in the upper part and a pair of parallel rail parts in the lower part. Each half of the step (22) is pivoted, using suitable means such as rivets, one to the second set of rods (12) and the other to the corresponding half (22). In order to form the hinge type attachment mechanism as described above, the second leg rod (12) is formed with a substantially U-shaped groove portion so that the step half (22) can be accommodated in the U-shaped groove. I have to . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the steps are configured so that the lower rail widths of the half bodies (22) and (22) are different from each other, and one half body (22) is different from the other half body (22). It is designed so that it can be accommodated inside.

As shown in FIG. 4, a stopper (25) is provided on the second leg rod (12). The stopper prevents the plate (30) from moving further downward so that the foldable step (16) can be maintained in a horizontal position when the leg rod is deployed. FIG. 5 shows the effect exerted between the support means (26) and the translation means when the ladder is folded.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the supporting means (26) includes a lower rail portion of each half (22) of the step and a second leg rod () by means of a suitable means such as a rivet. It is pivotally attached to the respective translation means contained in the U-shaped groove (24) of 12). Each translation means includes a flute (28) formed in the second leg rod (12), a plate (30) slidably disposed in the flute, and a plate (30). It is composed of a bracket (32) fixed to and fixed to the support means (26). 1 and 2 when the plate (30) is in the lowest position of the flute (28) to allow the support means (26) to firmly support the collapsible step (16). As such, the step (16) is prevented from moving further below the horizontal position.

Referring to FIG. 6, the expandable / contractible support means further comprises a traveling member (34) pivotally secured to each end of the connecting member (20), the traveling member comprising a first leg rod. It is slidably fitted in the track (36) formed in (10). As shown, the connecting members 20, 20 are pivotally supported at their central portions to form cross-type support means 18. The traveling member (34) is pivotally fixed to the connecting member (20) of the one supporting means (18) and is also connected to the connecting member (20) of the adjacent supporting means (18). The supporting means (18) shown in FIG. 6 shows the connecting members (20) (20) of the cross-type supporting means at the lowest position, and the fixing member (38) fixed in the track (36). ). Therefore, the fixed member (38) remains stationary even when the first rods (10) (10) are pulled toward each other and brought close to each other as shown by the phantom line, while the traveling member (34) is kept on the track. Forcibly slide the inside of (36) upward.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, a pair of lock braces (40) are rotatably attached to a set of connecting members (20) (20) in an uppermost position. It is attached and locked. An engaging portion (42) is formed at a substantially central portion of each fastener (40). The total length of both fasteners (40) is slightly longer than the distance between the first rods when the ladder is deployed. Therefore, the lock-type fastener (40) is forced to be positioned below the horizontal line, and its downward movement is restricted by the engaging portion (42). With such a structure, the lock-type fastener (40) acts as a locking means. Therefore, the fasteners (40) must be lifted when attempting to fold the ladder by bringing the first leg rods (10) (10) closer together.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8 and further to FIGS. 1-3, the ladder of the present invention, which can be folded in two directions, further comprises locking means for securing the ladder in the deployed position. ing. The lock means is provided on each of the second leg rods (12) and is composed of a latch member (44) and a release means (46).

The latch member (44) is pivotally locked in the U-shaped groove (24) of the second set of rods (12), and is a pair of L-shaped brackets (52) (52). The holes (50) and (50) formed respectively are pivotally fixed and attached to the wall of the U-shaped groove (24) through means such as a rod (48). The spring (54) biases the latch member (44) with the rod (48) as the rotation axis, and the contact plate (56) vigorously contacts the plate (30). A hole (58) is formed in the contact plate (56), and a boss (60) protruding from the plate (30) is fitted in the hole (58). A bending piece (62) is formed on the upper edge of the contact plate (56). The bending piece (56) projects in a direction away from the plate (30) as described later.

With further reference to FIG. 8, the release means (46) comprises a handle portion (64) and a lever member (66). The handle portion (64) is provided outside the second set of the rods (12), sandwiches the wall of the U-shaped groove (24), and is connected to the lever member (66) by a suitable means. .. A slot (not shown) is formed in the wall of the U-shaped groove (24) so that the release means (46) can slide on the second set of rods (12). An arm (68) is provided on the lever member (66) so as to project in a direction orthogonal to the lever member. A protrusion (70) is formed on the arm (68). The lever member (66) is provided with a hook (74), and the spring (72) is attached to the lever member (66) by the hook (74) and attached to the second leg rod (12). Therefore, the release means (46) is always urged upward in the elongated hole (not shown) of the U-shaped groove (24).

Further, referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, there are shown three stages of the locking means (in the middle of unfolding, in the unfolded state and in the folded state). Referring to FIG. 9, when the plate (30) slides downward in the vertical groove (28) (see FIG. 3), the boss (60) comes into contact with the bending piece (62), and the contact plate (56) moves outward. Pushed in the direction, the latch member (44) pivots about the pivot axis. As shown in the figure, the contact plate 56 is arranged offset from the L-shaped bracket 52 so that the latch member can rotate.

When the plate (30) is moved to the lowest position, the foldable step (16) is in a horizontal position and the boss (60) fits into the hole (58). The contact plate (56) is again flush with the plate (30), as shown in FIG. The plate (30) cannot be moved further from this position, the ladder is unfolded and locked in the unfolded position.

When the ladder is folded, the handle portion (64) of each locking means is moved downward to bring the protrusion (70) into contact with the bending piece (62). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the contact plate (56) moves outward in the manner described above. When the boss (60) is disengaged from the hole (58), the plate (30) can slide upward and the ladder can be folded.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the ladder is folded. As shown, the first rod (10) (10) is housed between the auxiliary walls (76) (76) in the second rod (12) (12). Since the second leg rod (12) is provided with the notch (78), the connecting member (14) can be completely folded. In FIG. 1, a block (80) (shown in phantom) is provided on each of the second leg rods (12), and the first leg rods are located at the same plane as the outer edge of the auxiliary wall (78). (10) is maintained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a ladder according to the present invention that can be folded in two directions, when the expanded ladder is viewed from a support means capable of expanding and contracting.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ladder of FIG. 1 when viewed from a foldable step.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a support means and a translation means for a foldable step according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a developed state of a step at the lowest position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the lowest step is folded.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a pair of connecting members that constitute the expandable and contractible support means.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of locking fasteners according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the locking means according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the locking means when the ladder is in the deployed position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the locking means when the ladder is in the deployed position.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the locking means when the ladder is in the folding position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view when the ladder is folded.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (10) First leg rod (12) Second leg rod (14) Hinge type connecting member (16) Foldable step (18) Crossing type supporting means (20) Connecting member (26) Supporting means (30 ) Plate (44) Latch member (46) Release means

Claims (7)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A foldable ladder, wherein a pair of first leg rods and a pair of second leg rods are arranged opposite to each other, and are pivotally fixed at an upper portion of the leg rods. One of the hinged connecting members is pivotally connected to the first leg rod and the other is pivotally connected to the second leg rod, and the expandable / contractible support means is disposed between the first leg rods. A plurality of foldable steps, which are rotatable and slidable with respect to the leg rods, are arranged at a predetermined interval between the second leg rods, and each step is an appropriate means. Is pivoted to the second leg rod by means of which the step can be folded in one direction, the step can be pivoted about a pivot to draw the second leg rod together and then expand and contract. By extending the cross-type supporting means and pulling the first leg rods toward each other, the ladder is folded in the width direction from the deployed position, and the hinge-type connecting member. Is rotated about the pivot, by attracting the first Ashi杆 and second Ashi杆 each other, ladders are to be folded in opening and closing direction of Ashi杆, foldable ladder. 2. A foldable ladder according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing the ladder in the deployed position, so that the leg rods are not attracted to each other in the deployed position. 3. The first leg rod has a track extending in the longitudinal direction, the cross-type supporting means includes a plurality of pairs of intersecting connecting members, and the connecting members forming the pair are pivoted at a central portion. Has been stopped,
A plurality of running members are slidably fitted in the track,
One end of the connecting member is pivotally fixed to one traveling member, and the ends of other connecting members adjacent to the connecting member are also pivotally connected to the same traveling member, and the pair of connecting members at the lowest position has a lower end portion. Is pivoted to a fixed member such that when the first leg rods are pulled together, the running member slides in the track and the cross support means extends upward. A foldable ladder. 4. The cross support means comprises a pair of locking fasteners, each fastener being pivotally secured to each other at a first end thereof and a second fastener.
The ends are pivoted to the uppermost running member, each fastener forms an engagement near the first end, and the total length of both fasteners is the unfolded ladder. The distance between the first rods is slightly larger than the distance between the first rods and the locking type fastener is restricted from moving downward from the horizontal line by the engaging portion, and the first rods are moved closer to each other. 4. A foldable ladder according to claim 3, in which the locking fastener has to be lifted in order to be allowed. 5. A support means for supporting a foldable step is provided, said support means being pivotally attached to each step and translation means, said translation means being disposed in a second leg rod. When the step is folded, the supporting means can be moved. Each second leg rod has a substantially U-shaped groove, and each step is composed of two halves. Each half of the step has a footboard on the top and a pair of parallel rails on the bottom. Each half of the step is pivotally attached to the half to which the first end corresponds. And the second end is accommodated in the U-shaped groove inside the second leg rod, and each translation means includes a longitudinal groove formed in the U-shaped groove and the longitudinal groove. It is composed of a plate slidably arranged in the groove and a plurality of brackets fixed to the plate corresponding to the supporting means. Pivoted between the lower rails of the step halves and the other to one of the brackets, the plate moving further below the horizontal position when in the lowest position of the flute. A foldable ladder according to claim 2, wherein said locking means is provided and locking means are provided on the second bar to prevent the plate from moving further upwards. 6. A vertical groove is formed in the U-shaped groove, a boss is formed in the plate, the locking means is provided with a latch member and a release means, and the latch member is provided in each of the pair of L-shaped brackets. A hole is formed, a pivot member is fitted in the hole and a U-shaped groove, and a latch member is rotatably attached to the second leg rod. The hole is formed in a contact plate that is in contact with the plate on the same plane. , A bent piece protruding in a direction away from the plate is formed on the contact plate, and a spring is provided on the pivot to urge the contact plate toward the plate. It is provided with a handle portion arranged on the outer side of the leg rod and a lever member arranged on the inner side of the second leg rod. The lever member is arranged in the long hole of the U-shaped groove, and the arm is connected to the lever member. It projects in the direction orthogonal to each other. -The member is attached to the second leg rod and the release means is urged upward in the U-shaped slot, and when the plate slides downward in the slot, the boss bends. Abutting against and pushing the contact plate outward, the latch member pivots around the pivot, and when the plate moves to the lowest position, the boss fits into the hole of the contact plate and the contact plate is the same as the plate. It lies on a flat surface, the plate cannot move further from this position, and the ladder is fixed in the deployed position.When folding the ladder, the handle part is moved downwards and the protrusion is turned into a bending piece. A foldable ladder that abuts and moves the contact plate outward, allowing the boss to move out of the hole in the contact plate and slide the plate upward. 7. Each of the second leg rods comprises a pair of auxiliary walls that receive the first leg rod when the ladder is in the folded position, and each hinge wall has a hinged connecting member fully folded. The foldable ladder according to claim 1, wherein the foldable ladder is formed with a cutout portion for enabling the opening.