Pivoting Safety Ladder Structure for Stable Use and Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladders are unsafe due to slippage and ergonomic issues, and when inclined, they occupy a large space.
Innovation Solution
A safety ladder with pivotally connected support rods and step members that can be adjusted between use and storage positions, ensuring stability and safety while minimizing space occupancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ladder is placed in an inclined position to improve safety and stability, then the safety and stability are enhanced, but the space occupied by the ladder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder employs movable support rods that can pivot between an inclined position during use (providing stability) and a vertical storage position (minimizing space). The support rods are connected via pivot points allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the ladder structure between operational and storage states, resolving the contradiction between safety during use and space occupancy during storage
2Reliability
If the ladder is placed in an inclined position to improve safety and stability, then the safety and stability are enhanced, but the space occupied by the ladder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder employs movable support rods that can pivot between an inclined position during use (providing stability) and a vertical storage position (minimizing space). The support rods are connected via pivot points allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the ladder structure between operational and storage states, resolving the contradiction between stability during use and space occupancy during storage
3Device complexity
If round tubular step members are used in existing ladders, then the ladder structure is simple, but slippage occurs when stepping on the ladder
Solution Approach 1:
The step members feature a localized textured surface treatment on the stepping surface, providing enhanced friction and grip where needed while maintaining the overall simplicity of the ladder structure. This local modification prevents slippage without requiring complete redesign of the entire ladder structure
4Device complexity
If the ladder is designed with fixed support rods, then the structure is simple, but the ladder cannot be folded to save space
Solution Approach 1:
The support rods are designed with pivot connections that enable them to rotate between inclined and vertical positions. This dynamic capability allows the ladder to be folded into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of basic pivot joints rather than complex folding mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
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.