Extendable walkthrough device for ladders

Abstract

Various embodiments of ladders and ladder components are provided. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first rail, a second rail spaced apart from the first rail, and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first rail and the second rail. A walkthrough device may include a first component having a sleeve coupled to the first rail and a pole a pole slidably coupled to the sleeve between at least two positions including a retracted position and an extended position. In some embodiments, the sleeve may be fixedly coupled with the first rail and intended to remain attached (e.g., not intended for removal by a user). In another embodiment, the first component may be removably attached to the first rail so that a user may utilize and employ the device, and subsequently remove it, as desired.

Claims

1. A ladder comprising: a first rail, a second rail spaced apart from the first rail, and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first rail and the second rail; a walkthrough device including a first component, the first component comprising: a sleeve; a pole slidably coupled to the sleeve and configured for displacement relative to the sleeve between at least two positions including a retracted position and an extended position; at least one bracket coupling the sleeve with the first rail, wherein the sleeve is mounted to a front surface of the at least one bracket at a positive angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first rail; a locking mechanism including a rod and a clamping block rotatably coupled with an end of the rod, the clamping block being abuttable with the first rail upon displacement of the rod relative to the at least one bracket; wherein the locking mechanism and the at least one bracket are configured to facilitate removable coupling of the sleeve to the first rail.

2. The ladder of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a nut fixed to the at least one bracket, wherein the rod is threadably coupled with the nut.

3. The ladder of claim 2, wherein the clamping block is configured to engage a corner defined by a web portion and a flange portion of the first rail and apply pressure to at least one of the web portion and the flange portion.

4. The ladder of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism coupled to the sleeve and configured to selectively lock the pole in each of the retracted position and the extended position.

5. The ladder of claim 1, further comprising: a cap coupled to a lower end of the pole, the cap having a first keyed feature; an insert member positioned at least partially within the sleeve, the insert member having a second keyed feature configured to engage with the first keyed feature.

6. The ladder of claim 5, wherein the first keyed feature includes an undulating, upper, peripheral edge, and wherein the second keyed feature includes a mating peripheral edge.

7. The ladder of claim 1, further comprising: a cap coupled to an upper end of the pole, the cap having a first keyed feature; a collar positioned at an upper end of the sleeve, the collar having a second keyed feature configured to engage with the first keyed feature.

8. The ladder of claim 7, wherein the first keyed feature includes an undulating, lower, peripheral edge, and wherein the second keyed feature a mating peripheral edge.

9. The ladder of claim 1, wherein the walkthrough device includes a second component, the second component comprising: a second sleeve coupled to the second rail; a second pole slidably coupled to the second sleeve between at least two positions including a retracted position and an extended position.

10. The ladder of claim 9, wherein, when upper ends of the first component and the second component are spaced away from each other a first distance, lower ends of the first component and the second component are spaced away from each other a second distance, and the first distance is greater than the second distance.

11. The ladder of claim 9, wherein the pole of the first component is adjustable between its retracted position and its extended position independent of a position of the second pole.

12. The ladder of claim 1, wherein the first component is positioned on a front side of the first rail.

13. The ladder of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the pole forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of the first rail, and wherein the angle is between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 8 degrees.

14. The ladder of claim 13, wherein the angle is between approximately 3 degrees and approximately 4 degrees.

15. A ladder comprising: a first rail, a second rail spaced apart from the first rail, and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first rail and the second rail; a walkthrough device comprising: at least two brackets mounted to the first rail; a first elongated structure coupled to the at least two brackets at a single, non-zero, fixed angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first rail; a second elongated structure slidably coupled to the first elongated structure and configured to be displaced relative to the first elongated structure between at least two positions including a first retracted position and a first extended position; a third elongated structure coupled to the second rail; a fourth elongated structure slidably coupled to the third elongated structure and configured to be displaced relative to the third elongated structure between at least two positions including a second retracted position and a second extended position; wherein upper ends of the second elongated structure and the fourth elongated structure are spaced apart at a first distance in the first extended position and the second extended position and are spaced apart at a second distance in the first retracted position and the second retracted position, the first distance being greater than the second distance.

16. The ladder of claim 15, wherein the first elongated structure includes a sleeve and the second elongated structure includes a pole.

17. A walkthrough device for use with a ladder, the walkthrough device comprising: a sleeve comprising a first keyed surface edge; a pole slidably coupled to the sleeve and configured for displacement relative to the sleeve between at least two positions including a retracted position and an extended position, the pole comprising a second keyed surface edge, wherein, in response to sliding engagement of the first keyed surface edge with the second keyed surface edge, the pole rotates relative to the sleeve to an aligned position with the first keyed surface edge mating against the second keyed surface edge; at least one bracket configured for coupling with a rail of a ladder; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the sleeve and configured to selectively lock the pole in each of the retracted position and the extended position.

18. The walkthrough device of claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism associated with the at least one bracket, the locking mechanism and at least one bracket configured to facilitate removable coupling of the sleeve to the rail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extension ladder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the ladder shown in FIG. 1 with a walkthrough device attached thereto and in a retracted state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 is the perspective view shown in FIG. 2 with the walkthrough device in an extended state;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of an upper portion of a ladder having a walkthrough device attached thereto and in an extended state;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of an upper portion of a ladder having a walkthrough device attached thereto and in an extended state;

(7) FIG. 6 is another perspective of an upper portion of a ladder with a walkthrough device coupled to a rail thereof;

(8) FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken from FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a coupling mechanism of a walkthrough device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(10) FIGS. 9 and 10 are detailed views of a locking mechanism of a walkthrough device while in a locked state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(11) FIGS. 11 and 12 are detailed views of a locking mechanism of a walkthrough device while in an unlocked state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(12) FIGS. 13A-13C show a walkthrough device being aligned as it is being extended; and

(13) FIGS. 14A-14C show a walkthrough device being aligned as it is being collapsed or retracted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) Referring to FIG. 1, a ladder 100 is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The ladder 100 is configured as an extension ladder and includes a first assembly, which may be referred to as a fly section 102, and a second assembly, which may be referred to as a base section 104, the fly section 102 being slidably coupled with the base section 104 such that the overall height of the ladder may be extended or contracted within specified limits. The fly section 102 includes a pair of spaced apart rails 106A and 106B (generally referenced as 106 herein for purposes of convenience) with a plurality of rungs 108 extending between, and coupled to, the rails 106. Similarly, the base section 104 includes a pair of spaced apart rails 110A and 110B (generally referenced herein as 110 for purposes of convenience) with a plurality of rungs 112 extending between, and coupled to, the rails 110.

(15) The rails 106 and 110 may be formed of a variety of materials. For example, the rails may be formed from composite materials, including fiberglass composites. In other embodiments, the rails 106 and 110 may be formed of a metal or metal alloy, including, for example, aluminum and aluminum alloys. The rails 106 and 110 may be formed using a variety of manufacturing techniques depending on various factors including the materials from which they are formed. For example, when formed as a composite member, rails may be formed using pultrusion or other appropriate processes associated with composite manufacturing. In one embodiment, the rails 106 and 110 may be formed generally as C-channel members exhibiting a substantially “C-shaped” cross-sectional geometry such as depicted in the drawings.

(16) The rungs 108 and 112 may also be formed from a variety of materials using a variety of manufacturing techniques. For example, in one embodiment, the rungs 108 and 112 may be formed from an aluminum material through an extrusion process. However, such an example is not to be viewed as being limiting and numerous other materials and methods may be utilized as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment the rungs 108 and 112 may include a flange member (also referred to as a rung plate) for coupling to associated rails 106 and 110. For example, the flanges may be riveted or otherwise coupled with their associated rails 106 and 110.

(17) One or more mechanisms, often referred to as a rung lock 114, may be associated with the first and second assemblies 102 and 104 to enable selective positioning of the fly section 102 relative to the base section 104. This enables the ladder 100 to assume a variety of lengths (or, rather, heights when the ladder is in an intended operating orientation) by sliding the fly section 102 relative to the base section 104 and locking the two assemblies in a desired position relative to one another. By selectively adjusting the two rail assemblies (i.e., fly section 102 and base section 104) relative to each other, a ladder can be extended in length to nearly double its height as compared to its collapsed or shortest state as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The rung lock 114 maybe cooperatively configured with the fly section 102 and the base section 104 such that when the fly section 102 is adjusted relative to the base section 104, the associated rungs 108 and 112 maintain a consistent spacing (e.g., 12 inches between rungs that are immediately adjacent, above or below, a given rung).

(18) A foot 116 may be coupled to the lower end of each rail 110 of the base section 104 to support the ladder 100 on the ground or other surface. The foot 116 may be configured so that it may be selectively adapted for use on an interior surface (e.g., the floor of a building), or on an external surface such as the ground as will be discussed in further detail below.

(19) The ladder 100 may additionally include a number of other components such as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2016/0123079, entitled EXTENSION LADDER, LADDER COMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS, published on May 5, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2018/0094488, entitled LADDERS, MECHANISMS AND COMPONENTS FOR LADDERS, AND RELATED METHODS, published on Apr. 5, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

(20) Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, a walkthrough device 200 is shown coupled to an upper portion of a ladder—such as the ladder 100 shown in FIG. 1. The walkthrough device 200 may include a single extendable component 202A, or it may comprise a pair of extendable components 202A and 202B. The components 202A and 202B may be configured to be substantially identical, although mirrored, and therefore, may be referred to as “component 202” for purposes of convenience herein.

(21) Each component 202 may include a sleeve 204 coupled with one or more brackets 206. The brackets 204 are, in turn, coupled with a corresponding pair of rails of the ladder 100, in this case the rails 106A and 106B of the fly section 102. In one embodiment, the brackets 206 may be used to couple the sleeve 204 to the rails 106A and 106B in a manner such that the components 202 remain fixed to the rails (i.e., not configured to be easily removed by a consumer without incurring damage to the ladder, or at least without significant effort). Thus, for example, the brackets 206 may be riveted or otherwise affixed to the rails 106A and 106B. In another embodiment, the brackets 206 may be removably coupled to the rails 106A and 106B by way of associated locking mechanisms 208 such that the components may be easily installed and removed from the ladder 100 by an average user as shall be discussed in further detail below.

(22) The components 202 may each further include a pole 210 slidably coupled with the sleeve 204. For example, the pole 210 may be slidably disposed within an internal opening of the tubular sleeve 204. As shown in FIG. 2, each pole 210 may be placed in a first state or position relative to their associated sleeve 204 such that their uppermost ends are positioned at a similar height. In one embodiment, when in this first state the uppermost ends of the poles 210 may be generally adjacent to the upper ends of the associated rails 106A and 106B. Such a position or state may be referred to as a retracted stated. In some embodiments, the lowermost ends of the poles 210, when in the retracted state, may be positioned away from each other at a distance that is approximately the same as the width between the associate rails 106A and 106B so as to minimize or avoid interference with a user's foot as they step on adjacent rungs 108.

(23) As shown in FIGS. 3-5, each pole 210 may be placed in at least a second state or position relative to their associated sleeve 204 wherein the poles extend upward beyond the upper ends of the rails 106A and 106B of the fly section 102. In one embodiment, when in the extended state, the poles 210 may extend above the uppermost rung of the ladder a distance of approximately 3 and a half feet. Of course such a distance may be different. For example, the distance may be between approximately 3 feet and approximately 4 feet, or may be between approximately 2 and a half feet and approximately 4 and a half feet. The poles 210 extend high enough above the uppermost rung of the ladder 100 that a user may grasp the poles 210 in their hands and stabilize themselves as they step between the poles 210 from the uppermost rung(s) of the ladder 100 and onto an elevated surface.

(24) It is noted that in other embodiments, the sleeve 204 and the pole 210 may be reversed such that the pole 210 is coupled with a rail 106 by way of a bracket and the sleeve 204 becomes displaceable relative to both the pole 210 and the rail 106. In other embodiments, other components may be used in place of the sleeve 204 and pole 210 to provide two relatively sliding components (e.g., two sliding rails) with one of the components being coupled with the rail.

(25) In one embodiment, such as shown in the drawings, the sleeves 204 and the poles 210 are positioned in front of a face of the ladder 100. Stated another way, the front surfaces of the fly rails 106A and 106B are positioned between the rear surfaces of base rails 110A and 110B and the sleeves 204/poles 210 of the walkthrough device 200. This is so regardless of the position or state of the poles 210 relative to the sleeves 204. Thus, the poles 210 do not cross or intersect a plane defined by the front surfaces of the fly rails 106A and 106B. In another embodiment, the sleeves 204 and poles may be positioned to on the lateral outer side of the rails 106 (e.g., such that the poles 210 are spaced apart a width that is greater than a width of spacing of the associated rails 106). In such an embodiment, the poles 210 may extend substantially parallel to their associated rails 106, or they may exhibit an angle relative to the rails similar to that which is described below with respect to FIG. 4.

(26) As seen in FIG. 4, the poles 200 may be positioned such that their longitudinal axis 212 extends at a desired angle α relative to the longitudinal axis 214 of the associated rail (e.g., 106B as shown in FIG. 4). In one embodiment, the angle α may be approximately 4 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle α may be between approximately 3 degrees and approximately 5 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle α may be between approximately 2 degrees and approximately 6 degrees. In yet another embodiment, the angle α may be between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 8 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle α is approximately 0 degrees. Having an angle α that is 0 degrees or slightly larger provides a desirable spacing for a user to step between the two components 202 when transitioning from an upper rung of the ladder to an elevated surface (e.g., a roof). A positive angle α (e.g., at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 degrees) may enable a user to hold the poles 210 at a comfortable and natural hand position as they make such a transition while ensuring the poles are wider than the upper ends of the rails 106A and 106B to avoid interference with a user's foot during a transition from the ladder 100 to an elevated surface.

(27) Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the brackets 206 and locking mechanisms 208 are shown in further detail. In one embodiment, the locking mechanisms 208 may include a clamping block 220, a threaded rod 222 rotatably coupled with the clamping block 220 and threadably coupled with a nut 224 or other female threaded component that is fixed to the bracket 206. A handle 226 may be formed at the end of, or otherwise coupled with, the threaded rod 222. When fastening the components 202A and 202B to the rails of a ladder, a user may rotate the threaded rod 222, using the handle 226, to withdraw the clamping block 220 out towards the nut 224. With the component 202 placed at a desired position relative to its associated rail, the user may rotate the threaded rod 222 such that the clamping block is displaced towards its associated rail, eventually abutting the rail and clamping it between the clamping block 220 and a portion of the bracket 206 (which wraps around from the laterally inner side of the rail 106B (e.g., the same surface two which the rungs may be fastened), around the front of the rail 106B and to the laterally outer side of the rail 106B). In one embodiment, the clamping block 222 is configured to engage a corner of the rail 106B between a web portion and a flange portion and apply pressure to a surface of the web portion, the flange portion, or both the web and flange portions of the rail 106B. Removal of the components 202 includes rotating the rod 222 to withdraw the clamping block 220 back towards the nut 224 until sufficient clearance is provided to remove the component 202 from the rail 206.

(28) Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, an adjustment mechanism 240 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adjustment mechanism 240 may be used to enable the selective locking of the poles 210 at various positions relative to the sleeve 204 (e.g., in the extended position or in the retracted position). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-12, the adjustment mechanism 240 includes a clamp ring 242 that is coupled with the sleeve 204 and encircles the poles 210. A cammed lever 244 is coupled with the clamp ring 242 enabling the clamp ring to be in an engaged or clamped position, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein the clamp ring 242 frictionally grasps the pole 210 to hold it in position relative to the sleeve 210. Additionally, an engagement post 246 may be positioned on a portion of the cammed lever 244 (distal from the pivot point 248 of the cammed lever 244) for engagement with an opening in the clamp ring 242 and an aligned opening in the pole 210, thereby providing an interference or an abutting stop to also prevent or limit the pole 210 from moving relative to the sleeve 204.

(29) When the cammed lever 244 is rotated about its pivot point 248 to an “open” position, such as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the engagement post 246 is withdrawn at least from the opening in the pole 210, and may be additionally withdrawn from the opening in the clamping ring 242, and the clamp ring is loosened about the pole 210 enabling the pole 210 to slide and/or rotate relative to its associated sleeve 204. Thus, opening the cammed lever 244 enables adjustment or displacement of the pole 210 between the retracted position and the extended position—as well as intermediate positions if so desired.

(30) The cammed lever 244 may tighten and loosen the clamping ring by applying and releasing a tensile force, respectively, to a threaded pin 250, which is coupled to the cammed lever 244 at one end and is coupled to a threaded nut 252 or cap member at its other end. The threaded nut 252 may be adjusted on the pin 250 in order to adjust the level of clamping force applied to the pole 210 by the clamping ring 240.

(31) Other locking mechanisms may be employed for locking the pole 210 in a desired position relative to the sleeve 204. For example, a twist-lock mechanism may be employed to effect a locking/unlocking arrangement upon rotation of the pole 210 about its longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve 204, or upon rotation of a collared mechanism associated with the pole 210 and sleeve 204. Nonlimiting examples of such mechanisms may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,695 entitled COUPLER SYSTEM FOR TELESCOPING POLES, issued on Dec. 9, 1997, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100310306 entitled IMPROVED INTERNAL LOCKING DEVICE FOR EXTENDABLE TELESCOPIC POLES, published on Dec. 9, 2010, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 20180335063 entitled LOCKING EXTENSION POLE, published on Nov. 22, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

(32) Referring now to FIGS. 13A-13C, a series of figures are shown which illustrate the alignment of the pole 210, and more particularly an opening formed in the pole, 210 with the opening formed in the clamping ring 240 thereby facilitating insertion of the engagement post 246 into the aligned holes. As seen in FIG. 13A, a lower cap member 260 attached to a lower end of the pole 210 is pulled up within the sleeve 204 as the pole 210 is being placed in an extended state. In order to facilitate alignment of openings in the pole 210 and the clamping ring 240 for insertion of the engagement post 246 (see FIGS. 9-12), keyed features on the cap member 260 may be aligned with corresponding keyed features on a collar or insert member 262 within the sleeve 204. As shown in FIGS. 13A-13C, the keyed features may include an undulating surface edge 270 of the cap member 260 and a mating surface edge 272 on the insert member 262. Thus, as the pole 210 is pulled upwards, the undulating surface edge 270 of the cap member 260 (or other keyed feature) engages a portion of the surface edge 272 (or other keyed feature) of the insert member 262 and, if there is some misalignment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the keyed surfaces cause the pole 210 to rotate as it is pulled further upwards relative to the sleeve 204, causing the two members to align with one another as shown in FIG. 13B, and subsequently in FIG. 13C.

(33) A similar feature is shown for alignment of the pole 210 when it is being retracted as shown in FIGS. 14A-14C. A cap member 280 is positioned at the top end of the pole 210, and a collar 282 is positioned at the top end of the sleeve 204. The cap member 280 may have a key feature that corresponds with a key feature in the collar 282 for alignment of the pole and subsequent engagement of the engagement post with an opening in the pole 210. Again, as shown in FIGS. 14A-14C, the key features may include an undulating lower surface edge 284 of the end cap 280 and a corresponding and mating edge surface 286 formed in the upper portion of the collar 282. Thus, as the pole 210 is pulled or pushed into the retracted position, the mating surfaces 284 and 286 may effect a rotation of the pole 210 (if not already aligned) as it continues downward to its most retracted extent and as illustrated starting with FIG. 14A (showing some misalignment), proceeding to FIG. 14B (showing less alignment as the pole is displaced further downward), and finally proceeding to FIG. 14C wherein the two mating surfaces 284 and 286 are aligned and the pole 210 is fully retracted.

(34) While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Indeed, features or elements of any disclosed embodiment may be combined with features or elements of any other disclosed embodiment without limitation. The invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.