Staggered Step Trestle Ladder with Interleaved Rails
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladders, particularly extension and trestle ladders, are not comfortable or safe for long-term use and are not compact for transport and storage.
Innovation Solution
A ladder design featuring two support members with pivoting ends, staggered and interleaved steps for enhanced stability and comfort, and a spreader bar to control deployment, along with gussets and struts for secure step attachment, providing wider steps for foot support and a compact closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If extension ladders are used to reach higher elevations, then the ladder can reach higher surfaces, but the ladder is not comfortable or safe for long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder is divided into two separate support members (first and second support members) that can pivot relative to each other. Each support member carries its own set of steps, allowing the ladder to be segmented into functional sections that can be independently optimized for comfort and stability while achieving extended reach capability.
2Ease of operation
If trestle ladders with planks are used for working above ground level, then workers can stand on an elevated platform, but the structure is not compact for transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The two support members are connected by a pivot mechanism that allows them to dynamically transition between a deployed position (forming a stable A-frame structure with wide base for comfort and stability) and a closed position (collapsing into a compact configuration for easy transport and storage). This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between operational comfort and transport compactness.
3Productivity
If a ladder is designed to be quickly positioned and compact for storage, then portability is improved, but stability and comfort for workers may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connection between support members enables rapid deployment and collapse of the ladder structure. When deployed, the support members form a stable A-frame geometry that inherently provides stability. The same pivot mechanism allows quick transition to compact storage position, thus achieving both quick positioning and stability through dynamic geometric transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the ladder into two independent support members with staggered steps, each member can be optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall stability. The segmented design with interleaved steps provides multiple contact points for workers, enhancing stability without compromising portability.
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder has first and second support members, joined at their upper ends by a hinge. The first and second support members have left rail and a right rail that support plural first and second steps. Steps secured to the rails a fixed distance apart and are staggered so that the steps of the first support member begin at a different elevation than the steps of the second support member. The steps are wider than the rails to provide a larger surface for a user to stand. The ladder has a deployed position in which first ends of the first and second supports remain close and the second ends are spread apart and held in a distance apart by a spreader bar. Upon drawing the second ends of the first and second supports together, the steps of the first and second support member do not touch or interfere and may interleave.