Ladders and ladder components are provided including feet for ladders configured for securement of the ladder to a supporting surface, adjustable leg members for ladders, bearing members for ladders, and adjustment mechanisms for ladders. In one embodiment, an adjustment mechanism may include a first pair of spaced apart rails, a pair of adjustable legs having a first end hingedly coupled to one of a pair of adjustment mechanisms and a second end coupled with a foot. The adjustment mechanisms may be slidably coupled with the rails and in one embodiment, each adjustment mechanism is selectively displaceable along a length of its associated rail only when upward force is absent from the adjustment mechanism, the upward force being defined in a direction from a lower end of the associated rail towards the adjustment mechanism.

Ladders and ladder components are provided including feet for ladders configured for securement of the ladder to a supporting surface, adjustable leg members for ladders, bearing members for ladders, and adjustment mechanisms for ladders. In one embodiment, an adjustment mechanism may include a first pair of spaced apart rails, a pair of adjustable legs having a first end hingedly coupled to one of a pair of adjustment mechanisms and a second end coupled with a foot. The adjustment mechanisms may be slidably coupled with the rails and in one embodiment, each adjustment mechanism is selectively displaceable along a length of its associated rail only when upward force is absent from the adjustment mechanism, the upward force being defined in a direction from a lower end of the associated rail towards the adjustment mechanism.

A telescopically extendable and collapsible ladder assembly includes multiple collapsible ladder sections provided with an air damper at the bottom end of tubular stile members. The air dampers provide retardation of gravity induced velocity of the collapsible ladder sections upon collapse of the ladder sections. Multiple air dampers include a throttle valve securing device, for cooperating with a throttle valve of the air damper when the collapsible ladder section is in the collapsed position, to secure the throttle valve in its throttle position and/or an obturator device. The obturator device includes a first obturator member and a second obturator member where the first obturator member and the second obturator member are configured to, when the collapsible ladder section is in the collapsed position, in combination provide additional throttling.

A system is provided for safe access to a roof through an opening in a roof of a structure having a fixed ladder leading upward to the opening. The system includes a mechanism to drive a set of pushrods to raise a hatch covering the opening. The system may include a section of ladder secured to the underside of the hatch. The system may have an extendable ladder driven by the drive mechanism to slide along the fixed ladder and extend through the opening in the roof when the hatch is raised. The system may include a safety pole driven by the drive mechanism to extend through the opening in the roof when the hatch is raised. The system allows someone who needs to access the roof for inspection or maintenance to safely open the hatch, climb up through the opening in the roof, and safely step onto the roof.

Various embodiments of ladders, ladder legs, ladder feet, foot mechanisms for ladders, and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a foot is pivotal relative to a leg or rail of the ladder between a first position and at least a second position. A biasing force is applied to the foot to maintain the foot in either of the user-selected positions until a force is applied to pivot the foot to another position. In one embodiment, the foot mechanism maintaining the foot at a desired position may include a pair of pins that couple the foot to another component (e.g., a housing member, an insert member or a rail of the ladder). At least one of the two pins may be displaceable relative to the other pin during pivoting of the foot.

Various embodiments of ladders, ladder legs, ladder feet, foot mechanisms for ladders, and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a foot is pivotal relative to a leg or rail of the ladder between a first position and at least a second position. A biasing force is applied to the foot to maintain the foot in either of the user-selected positions until a force is applied to pivot the foot to another position. In one embodiment, the foot mechanism maintaining the foot at a desired position may include a pair of pins that couple the foot to another component (e.g., a housing member, an insert member or a rail of the ladder). At least one of the two pins may be displaceable relative to the other pin during pivoting of the foot.

An apron including two sleeves for fitting around the rails of a straight ladder or an extension ladder to aid a worker, such as a roofer. The apron includes one or more pockets and loops for storing building materials and tools. A soft and flexible material is used to construct the apron so that it may be folded for convenient storage when not in use.

A set of detachable base ladder safety handrails comprising: a pair of tubular cross-section handrails, wherein said handrails are made of metal, preferably aluminum, wherein one handrail is situated approximately one to a few inches away from the distal edge of one of the two ladder side rails, wherein a second handrail is situated approximately one to a few inches away from the distal edge of the second ladder side rail, wherein said pair of handrails are on or substantially on the same plane which ladder side rails and rungs connecting said ladder side rails lie, wherein said pair of handrails are parallel to each other and said ladder side rails, wherein a plurality of removable clamps is attached to each of said ladder side rails, wherein each of the said handrails is coupled to said plurality of removable clamps by a plurality of clamp-to-handrail links, wherein each clamp-to-handrail link is securely bonded, welded, or fastened to said clamp on one end and nearest handrail on said link's opposite end, wherein said clamp-to-handrail links are made of a solid circular, tubular, or thin shell cross-section and are preferably made from aluminum, wherein at least two clamps are attached to each ladder side rail and at least one clamp is attached near each of the two ends of said ladder side rail, wherein the surface of said handrails have a durable and high grip topology, preferably knurled.

A system is provided for safe access to a roof through an opening in a roof of a structure having a fixed ladder leading upward to the opening. The system includes a mechanism to drive a set of pushrods to raise a hatch covering the opening. The system may include a section of ladder secured to the underside of the hatch. The system may have an extendable ladder driven by the drive mechanism to slide along the fixed ladder and extend through the opening in the roof when the hatch is raised. The system may include a safety pole driven by the drive mechanism to extend through the opening in the roof when the hatch is raised. The system allows someone who needs to access the roof for inspection or maintenance to safely open the hatch, climb up through the opening in the roof, and safely step onto the roof.

A ladder and a multipurpose ladder whose rungs and rails are made out of 7000 series aluminum alloy and which has a duty rating of at least 250 lbs. A method for producing a ladder. A method for using a ladder.