A step unit including a vertical frame and a plurality of linkages pivotally attached at different heights to the vertical frame by one end of each of the linkages, to provide lateral rotation to the linkages. A leg frame, with at least one leg, is pivotally attached to the opposite end of each linkage whereby laterally translating the leg frame simultaneously pivots the linkages from a first, vertical position to at least one second, horizontal position.

A rotating retractable step system positioned within a cutout of a wall is presented. The rotating retractable step system comprises a foot pedal and a support shaft. The foot pedal is configured to be stowed in a vertical orientation within the cutout of the wall, and to rotate between the vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. The support shaft is associated with the foot pedal, such that movement of the support shaft extends the foot pedal outwardly away from the cutout, or retracts the foot pedal towards the cutout.

A retractable step stool assembly for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor includes a base member, a step stool member which in an upright position has a generally horizontal platform surface and two side members which depend downwardly from opposite ends of the platform surface, and an arm assembly which is configured to pivotally connect the step stool member to the base member for movement of the step stool member between a stored position in which the step stool member is positioned over the base member to a deployed position in which the step stool member is positioned on the floor in front of the base member. The arm assembly is configured such that the platform surface remains generally horizontal during movement of the step stool member between the stored position and the deployed position. The step stool member includes an upwardly directed foot-engaging member which is engageable by the bottom of the person's foot and is configured to transfer at least an initial downwardly directed force from the person's foot into movement of the step stool member from the stored position toward the deployed position. In this manner, the person can move the step stool member from the stored position to the deployed position by engaging the foot-engaging member with only his or her foot.

Apparatuses and systems are disclosed for portable stairs. In one embodiment, a support structure extends from a lower level to an upper level. In a certain embodiment, a plurality of steps are coupled to the support structure. In a further embodiment, an apparatus includes means for independent, per-step adjustment of step positions relative to the support structure.

A step stool is provided in various embodiments. A step stool in an embodiment includes a first top panel rotatably connected to a second top panel. It includes a front panel rotatably connected to the first top panel and a rear panel rotatably connected to the second top panel. It further includes a first side panel rotatably connected to the front panel and a second side panel rotatably connected to the first side panel and rotatably connected to the rear panel. It also includes a third side panel rotatably connected to the front panel and a fourth side panel rotatably connected to the third side panel and rotatably connected to the rear panel. It further includes a center support member having a first center panel rotatably connected to an underside of the first top panel, a second center panel rotatably connected to an underside of the second top panel and rotatably connected to the first center panel. It may also include a formation in which the first top panel includes a handle and the second top panel includes a recess in which the handle of the first top panel fits.

A foldable staircase that can be easily transported and conveniently used rather than a ladder. The foldable staircase includes a lower staircase and an upper staircase. The upper staircase and the lower staircase are constructions that bridge vertical distances and provide platforms allowing the user to walk up or down the foldable staircase. The foldable staircase provides an alternative means to reach high areas that is easy and safe to ascend or descend as conventional stairways and staircases along with the transportability of a conventional ladder. The foldable staircase can be adjusted to a collapsed configuration or operative configuration. The collapsed configuration allows a user to store or easily transport the foldable staircase. The operative configuration allows the user to ascend or descend the foldable staircase.

An apparatus includes a ladder assembly configured to be used with a vertically-extending wall assembly of a building having a window assembly installed to the vertically-extending wall assembly. The ladder assembly includes a housing assembly configured to be fixedly received (at least in part) in the vertically-extending wall assembly, to be mounted to the vertically-extending wall assembly, and to extend (at least in part) into the vertically-extending wall assembly of the building. A support assembly is configured to be fixedly attached to the housing assembly, and to extend (at least in part) into the housing assembly in such a way that the support assembly bisects the housing assembly. The support assembly, in use, provides any one of a handhold and a foothold configured for usage by a user.

An automated step includes a carriage moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position; a jack disposed on the carriage; a platform disposed on the jack; rotatable legs coupled to the platform and rotatable between a stowed position and an extended position; and a controller coupled to the carriage, the jack, and the legs. The controller, when activated to deploy the automated step, directs the carriage to extend, directs the jack to raise the platform, and directs the legs to rotate to the extended position and, when activated to retract the automated step, directs the legs to rotate to the stowed position, directs the jack to lower the platform, and directs the carriage to retract. The jack and legs both support the platform when a user stands on the automated step.

A cabinet assembly includes a cabinet unit, a guide rod and a sliding ladder. The cabinet unit has a top surface that has two opposite top peripheral edges extending in a first direction. The guide rod is mounted to the cabinet unit and is disposed adjacent to one of the top peripheral edges. The sliding ladder extends in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, and has at least one hook portion that is removably and slidably hooked to the guide rod, and a plurality of rung portions that are arranged in a spaced apart manner in the second direction.

A step stool includes a first top panel rotatably connected to a second top panel. It includes a front panel rotatably connected to the first top panel and a rear panel rotatably connected to the second top panel. It includes a first side panel rotatably connected to the front panel and a second side panel rotatably connected to the first side panel and rotatably connected to the rear panel. It also includes a third side panel rotatably connected to the front panel and a fourth side panel rotatably connected to the third side panel and rotatably connected to the rear panel. It further includes a center support member having a first center panel rotatably connected to an underside of the first top panel, a second center panel rotatably connected to an underside of the second top panel and rotatably connected to the first center panel.