Combination Ladder Platform and Tray for Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ladders, particularly combination ladders, pose challenges in terms of balance, storage of tools, and user fatigue due to narrow rungs and lack of top caps for storage, leading to inefficiencies and safety hazards during use.
Innovation Solution
A combination ladder design featuring adjustable rail assemblies with hinges, a platform for improved stability, and a tray or handrail system for tool storage, allowing for multiple configurations and enhanced user support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional combination ladders are used, then the ladder can be used as adjustable stepladder or extension ladder, but the ladder lacks top cap for storage and has narrow rungs causing user fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder design integrates multiple functions into a single structure: the platform serves both as an additional support surface for user stability and as a storage surface for tools and materials, eliminating the need for separate top caps while maintaining the adjustable stepladder and extension ladder configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a horizontal dimension to the ladder structure by incorporating a platform that extends perpendicular to the rail assemblies, providing an additional surface area for user support and storage without interfering with the vertical ladder configurations
2Device complexity
If user stands on narrow rungs, then the ladder maintains simple structure, but user experiences fatigue and reduced balance
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder support system is segmented into multiple surfaces: the traditional rungs for basic support and the additional platform for enhanced support and storage, allowing users to distribute their weight across larger surface areas without complicating the overall ladder structure
3Length of moving object
If user stands on higher rungs, then the user can reach higher locations, but the user loses rails to brace against for stability
Solution Approach 1:
The platform extends in a direction perpendicular to the rail assemblies, creating a new dimensional space where users can position themselves and brace against the platform edges or stored items, providing stability without requiring contact with the vertical rails
4Device complexity
If conventional ladders lack storage surfaces, then the ladder structure remains simple, but users must make multiple trips to exchange tools
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed to serve dual purposes: providing additional support surface for user stability and serving as a storage surface for tools and materials, thereby eliminating multiple trips to exchange tools while maintaining relatively simple ladder structure
Solution Approach 2:
The platform provides a preliminary storage location for tools and materials before they are needed, allowing users to prepare and organize their workspace in advance, reducing the frequency of trips up and down the ladder during task execution
Data Source
AI summary
Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including various embodiments of a combination ladder. In some embodiments, a platform is provided that is fixedly coupled with a rail assembly of a combination ladder. The platform may pivot between a useable position or state and a stowed or stored position or state. The platform may maintain a position relative to certain rungs of the rail assembly while being displaceable relative to other rungs of the rail assembly. A hand rail may be coupled to the rail assembly and a tray may be coupled with the hand rail. The tray and the platform may be configured to maintain a constant distance between one another while the rail assembly is adjusted for height.