Slider Spreader Mechanism for Ladder Leg Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable step ladders lack mechanisms to securely hold legs in collapsed positions for storage and require manual effort to open and close, often creating pinch points that can injure users.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of slidable or 'slider' spreaders that connect front and rear legs via pivotable and slidable mechanisms, allowing for easy opening and closing of the ladder without manual leg manipulation, and featuring handles for operation, which reduces the risk of finger pinching and enhances safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional foldable spreaders are used, then the ladder can be folded for storage, but the spreaders do not assist in holding the legs together in the collapsed position requiring manual holding
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader mechanism is designed to automatically hold the ladder legs in the collapsed position without requiring manual intervention. The pivoting spreader body and engagement features create a self-locking system that maintains the folded state during transport, eliminating the need for users to continuously hold the legs together.
2Ease of operation
If conventional foldable spreaders are used, then the ladder structure is simple, but the spreaders do not assist with opening of the legs requiring manual pushing
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader mechanism incorporates dynamic movement through pivoting joints that allow the spreader body to rotate and guide the legs apart. This dynamic action assists the opening process by converting the user's minimal input force into effective leg separation, reducing the manual pushing force required compared to static spreader designs.
3Ease of operation
If conventional foldable spreaders are used, then the hinge mechanism is simple, but the user must push down on the hinge to completely unfold the spreader creating pinch points
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader body acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's input and the hinge joint. By engaging with the hinge through controlled pivoting and spreading motion, the mechanism eliminates direct finger contact with the hinge area, removing the pinch point hazard while still achieving complete unfolding.
4Ease of operation
If conventional foldable spreaders are used, then the ladder structure is simple, but the spreaders do not assist with folding the legs from open position to closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader mechanism uses dynamic pivoting motion to guide the legs together during closing. As the user initiates the closing action, the spreader body rotates and actively directs the legs toward the collapsed position, assisting the folding process without requiring complex additional mechanisms or increasing overall structural complexity.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional foldable spreaders are used, then the hinge design is simple, but operation creates pinch points that may pinch the user's fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader body serves as an intermediary that mediates the interaction between the user and the hinge mechanism. It provides a safe interface for operation by controlling the hinge movement through pivoting and spreading actions, eliminating direct exposure to pinch points while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
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
Enables easier and safer operation of step ladders by allowing users to open and close them without manual leg manipulation, securely locking legs in both positions for transport and use, reducing the risk of injury and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A slider spreader is coupled to a front leg and a rear leg of the ladder to pivot about the front leg and slide along the rear leg
Implementation Method 2
A slider spreader is coupled to a front leg and a rear leg of the ladder to pivot about the front leg and slide along the rear leg
Implementation Method 3
the slot in the rear elongated portion creates a locking mechanism that secures the ladder legs in the open position
Implementation Method 4
enables easier and safer operation of step ladders by allowing users to open and close them without manual leg manipulation, securely locking legs in both positions for transport and use
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder comprises a front leg and a rear leg connected by a slider bracket. The slider bracket comprises a base and a track. The base comprises an aperture therein. The track extends away from the base and comprises a slot therein. The base is rotatably coupled to the front leg by a front pin in the aperture. The track is slidably coupled to the rear leg by a rear pin in the slot. When spreading the rear leg away from the front leg, the base pivots around the front pin as the rear pin slides in the slot of the track until the rear pin reaches the end of the slot in the track. The slot also may include a latch at the end of the slot that engages the rear pin.