Elevated work platforms, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first rail assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second rail assembly hingedly coupled with the first rail assembly, a platform configured to rest upon a portion of the first rail assembly and the second rails assembly and a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. The at least one gate is also limited from being displaced in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the closed position.

A stair including at least one tread portion and an elevating mechanism by which the tread portion is elevatable to a deployed position in which the tread portion is presented to be stepped on by a person. The stair further includes a pedal. The elevating mechanism includes a stop and a striking portion. The striking portion is arranged to move into abutment with the stop when the tread portion is so elevated to its deployed position. The striking portion is also arranged to be driven against the stop by at least a portion of the person's weight. The pedal is pressible to move the striking portion away from the stop. The elevating mechanism is configured such that, when the striking portion is so moved away, depressing the tread portion moves the striking portion further away from the stop.

The present invention generally relates to a folding step stool that is, in one embodiment, mounted and stored within a cabinet. Children and short adults are typically not tall enough to readily access a kitchen or bathroom sink. Accordingly, many homes have a portable step stool located in the kitchen or bathroom. While effective, one problem with such a portable step stool is storage of the stool when not in use. Aspects of the present invention are directed to a folding step stool that may be mounted within an interior of a cabinet. When not in use, the entirety of the folding step stool may be disposed within an interior of the cabinet to permit closure of the cabinet door. Likewise, when needed, the cabinet door may be opened and the step stool may be deployed to provide one or more steps for use in accessing a counter or sink above the cabinet.

An in-cabinet step stool for use with a cabinet defining an interior area, the in-cabinet step stool including a framework having a pair of upstanding side walls, each side wall having a rear section and a front section extending forwardly and downwardly from the rear section. An upper step spans between upper edges of respective rear sections. A lower step spans between upper edges of respective lower sections. Each includes a rear foot having a rounded configuration such that the framework is pivotally movable thereon between a (1) deployed configuration in which the rear foot rests upon the bottom wall of the cabinet and the front section extends forwardly through the opening of the cabinet and a stored configuration in which the rear foot rests upon the bottom wall of the cabinet and the front section is inside the cabinet interior area.

An apparatus includes front and back legs and a top cap that is pivotally coupled to the front legs along a first lateral axis and pivotally coupled to the back legs along a second lateral axis. The top cap has a front edge, a back edge, and a top surface available for use as a seat. The first lateral axis is closer to the front edge than the second lateral axis, and the first lateral axis is spaced further from the front edge than the second lateral axis is spaced from the back edge. The apparatus further includes a stabilizer secured to the top cap between the front edge and the first lateral axis, wherein the stabilizer extends in a downward direction from the top cap for engaging a countertop and/or a recess in the countertop, such as a sink. The stabilizer optionally includes a clamp for gripping the countertop.

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.

A configurable step assistant is provided that includes a first portion configured to be attached to a structure, a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion, the second portion being moveable between a first position and a second position with respect to the first portion, a third portion pivotally connected to the second portion, the third portion being moveable between a first position and a second position with respect to the second portion, wherein, when the second portion is in the second position and the third portion is in the second position, the second portion defines a step for accommodating a user. An associated method is also provided.

A child toilet ladder comprises a ladder assembly and a cushion assembly, wherein the ladder assembly comprises a supporting platform, a height adjusting mechanism and an angle adjusting mechanism; the height adjusting mechanism comprises a main sleeve and a main rod, wherein the main rod is provided with a plurality of first locking holes, and the main rod is inserted into the main sleeve and connectedly locked by a first adjusting part; the angle adjusting mechanism comprises a supporting sleeve and a supporting rod, wherein a plurality of second locking holes are arranged on the supporting rod, and the supporting sleeve is sleeved on the supporting rod and is connectedly locked by a second adjusting part; through the angle adjusting mechanism, the main sleeve is rotatably connected with the supporting platform.

A lateral folding step unit and/or desk 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. At least one of the linkages has a receiving surface to serve as a step, a shelf and/or as a work surface.

A collapsible maintenance cart includes a lower structure and an upper structure that are movable between a stowed configuration and a working configuration. In the working configuration, the lower structure and the upper structure together define an interior workspace, and the upper structure is movable relative to the lower structure between a raised position and a lowered position. In the stowed configuration, a height of the collapsible maintenance cart in the stowed configuration is less than a height of the collapsible maintenance cart in the lowered position of the working configuration.