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 roof rack side ladder system is provided with a ladder assembly, a roof rack mounting assembly, and a bumper bracket. The roof rack mounting assembly attaches the upper ladder portion of the ladder assembly to the roof rack of a vehicle and provides for a dual pivot attachment of the ladder assembly to the roof rack for absorbing suspension forces while the vehicle is in transit. The bumper bracket attaches the lower ladder portion of the ladder assembly to the side bumper wing of a vehicle.

A fixed service ladder that has: a body attachable to a building; rungs attachable to the body as ladder steps; and side rails. The fixed service ladder has a use configuration, in which the fixed service ladder is in its use configuration, and for implementing a climbing hindrance, a retracted configuration, in which the rungs are turned closer to each other and to an angle differing from horizontal. The body has for each rung a first joint to which the rung joins allowing vertical pivoting; and for at least two different rungs restraints restraining said rungs in the use configuration. The rungs have second joints for pivotable joining with the side rails outside the body.

A ladder assembly is described. The ladder assembly includes a frame, a door, a ladder and a cord manipulation assembly. The frame at least partially surrounds a first opening. The door is movably connected to the frame. The door is configured to cover at least a portion of the first opening of the frame, the door defines a second opening. The ladder is connected to at least one of the frame and the door. The ladder has a first side rail, a second side rail spaced a distance apart laterally from the first side rail, and a plurality of rungs extending between the first and second side rails. The ladder is configured to be at least partially positioned within the first opening of the frame. The cord manipulation assembly is connected to the door. The cord manipulation assembly has a power source connector, a reel adapted to support a cord, a motor operatively connected to the reel and the power source connector, and a remote control transceiver assembly operatively connected to the motor and the power source connector.

A retractable staircase is disclosed for ascending and descending between a lower elevation and an upper elevation. The retractable staircase comprises a main frame and staircase pivotally coupled to an upper surface. A drive causes a first lifting displacement defining an ascending compound displacement by simultaneously causing an ascending pivot displacement and an ascending slide displacement of the staircase. The drive causes a second lifting displacement defining only the ascending staircase pivot displacement and the ascending frame pivot displacement. The drive maintains the staircase in the upper elevation. The drive causes a first descending displacement defining only a descending staircase pivot displacement. The drive causes a second descending displacement defining a descending compound displacement by simultaneously causing the descending staircase pivot displacement and the descending slide displacement of the staircase. The drive causes an extended length in the tether for positioning the staircase in the lower elevation.

A ladder assembly is described. The ladder assembly includes a frame, a door, a ladder and a cord manipulation assembly. The frame at least partially surrounds a first opening. The door is movably connected to the frame. The door is configured to cover at least a portion of the first opening of the frame, the door defines a second opening. The ladder is connected to at least one of the frame and the door. The ladder has a first side rail, a second side rail spaced a distance apart laterally from the first side rail, and a plurality of rungs extending between the first and second side rails. The ladder is configured to be at least partially positioned within the first opening of the frame. The cord manipulation assembly is positioned between a pair of adjacently disposed rungs of the ladder. The cord manipulation assembly has a power source connector, a reel adapted to support a cord, a motor operatively connected to the reel and the power source connector, and a remote control transceiver assembly operatively connected to the motor and the power source connector.

A safety ladder for mounting between a support surface and a ground surface includes two support assemblies and parallel step members pivoted between the support assemblies. Each support assembly includes first and second support rods each having upper and lower ends. The upper ends of the first support rods of the support assemblies are configured to be pivoted to the support surface. The safety ladder is movable between a use position, in which the lower ends of the first and second support rods of the support assemblies are adapted to simultaneously contact the ground surface, and a storage position, in which the first and second support rods stand substantially perpendicular relative to the ground surface. Each of the step members includes a step main body, and rear and front pivot shafts extending into the step main body. Each of the rear and front pivot shafts has an outer circumferential surface.

A safety ladder for mounting between a support surface and a ground surface includes two support assemblies and parallel step members pivoted between the support assemblies. Each support assembly includes first and second support rods each having upper and lower ends. The upper ends of the first support rods of the support assemblies are configured to be pivoted to the support surface. The safety ladder is movable between a use position, in which the lower ends of the first and second support rods of the support assemblies are adapted to simultaneously contact the ground surface, and a storage position, in which the first and second support rods stand substantially perpendicular relative to the ground surface.