Ergonomic Ladder Bracket with Spring-Loaded Locking Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extendable/retractable ladders face challenges in improved construction, assembly, and handling due to limitations in their mechanisms for holding telescoping columns in an extended state and collapsing them efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a bracket system with height indicators and a latch assembly featuring a locking pin and spring mechanism, along with a two-piece molded thermoplastic bracket and a button for easy assembly and secure locking, allowing for precise extension and retraction of the ladder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanism is added to hold columns in extended state and enable retraction, then ladder functionality and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is nested within the bracket structure, with the pin extending through aligned holes in the brackets and columns. The spring is housed within the bracket, and the button mechanism is integrated into the bracket assembly. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into a compact unit, providing reliable locking functionality while minimizing the overall complexity and space requirements of the mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If columns are made telescoping for extension and retraction, then ladder adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded locking pin automatically engages with the rungs on the telescoping columns when the ladder is extended, providing self-locking functionality. The mechanism uses the natural tension and compression of the spring to maintain the columns in their extended position without requiring external intervention or complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If height indicators are added to the bracket system, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates color-coded indicators on the brackets that correspond to different height positions. These visual indicators provide clear, intuitive guidance for selecting the appropriate ladder extension height, improving ease of operation. The color coding is integrated into the existing bracket structure rather than adding separate complex indicator systems, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while significantly enhancing user-friendliness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the ease of assembly, secure locking mechanism, and improved handling of the ladder by providing clear height indicators and a user-friendly mechanism for extending and retracting the ladder, ensuring stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a latch assembly featuring a locking pin and spring mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An extendable/retractable ladder assembly includes a first column and a second column, the first column nesting in the second column, and a first rung coupled to, and extending from the second column. A ladder assembly bracket includes a collar portion, which extends about the second column, and a rung portion, which extends from the collar portion into the first rung. The collar portion may be gripped by a hand of an operator in order to position a thumb of the hand in engagement with a button to retract a locking pin of a latch assembly mounted within the rung portion of the bracket.