Collapsible Step Ladder Bracket for Balanced Carrying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible combination ladders are difficult to carry due to their increased weight and complexity, making it challenging to balance ease of use and portability.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible step ladder with a connection bracket that allows the ladder to be lifted and carried in a collapsed state by attaching the lower ladder sections of the first and second legs, distributing weight more evenly across the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ladder is designed as a collapsible combination ladder with multiple features, then the ladder can be extended and collapsed for storage and transport, but the weight and complexity increase making it difficult to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder sections are designed to be telescopically insertable into one another, with upper ladder sections fitting inside lower ladder sections. This nesting arrangement allows the ladder to collapse into a compact form for storage and transport while maintaining full extendability for use, directly addressing the versatility requirement without proportionally increasing carry weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ladder is designed as a collapsible combination ladder with multiple features, then the ladder can be extended and collapsed for storage and transport, but the structural complexity increases making it difficult to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder is divided into multiple discrete ladder sections that can be independently manipulated. Each section contains tube portions with holes for pin insertion, allowing the ladder to be segmented into collapsible and extendable units. This segmentation enables the complex functionality to be achieved through simple, repeatable modular components rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder transitions between static and dynamic states through the use of removable pins. When pins are inserted, the ladder sections are locked in place creating a stable static structure for use. When pins are removed, the sections can be freely moved and collapsed for storage. This dynamic capability allows the same structure to serve multiple functions without requiring permanently complex mechanisms.
3Volume of moving object
If the ladder sections are telescopically inserted into each other, then the ladder can be collapsed for storage and transport, but it becomes difficult to prevent unintended collapsing when extended
Solution Approach 1:
Holes are pre-positioned in the outer walls of tube portions at specific locations where pins can be inserted to lock adjacent tube portions together. This preliminary arrangement of connection points ensures that when the ladder is extended, the sections can be reliably locked in place before use, preventing unintended collapsing while maintaining the telescopic collapse capability.
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 more ergonomic carrying of the ladder by allowing it to be lifted and transported with better weight distribution, reducing the strain on a single hand or arm.
Implementation Method 1
a first and a second ladder leg, where the legs are hingedly connected to each other in one end
Implementation Method 2
ladder sections being telescopically inserted in each other
Implementation Method 3
A pin extending through the holes in the outer walls of two adjacent tube portions locks the tube portions to prevent the extended ladder from collapsing
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible step ladder (1) comprising a first and a second ladder leg (2, 3) where the legs (2, 3) are hingedly connected to each other in one end. Each of the ladder legs (2, 3) comprising comprises at least one ladder section (4a-c), and where said at least one section (4a-c) comprises two tube portions (6, 7) arranged parallel to each other and interconnected at one end by a rung (8) to form a U-shaped ladder section, wherein said at least one ladder section (4a-c) is telescopically inserted into a lower ladder section (4d), wherein the lower ladder section (4d) comprises two ladder bars (17a-b, 18a-b) arranged parallel to each other and interconnected by at least one rung (9a-b, 11a-b), The collapsible step ladder (1) further comprises a connection bracket (40; 60; 80), wherein said connection bracket (40; 60; 80) has a main body having at least a first end portion (41; 61; 81) and a second end portion (43; 63; 83), wherein said first end portion (41; 61; 81) is attached to the lower ladder section (4d) of the first ladder leg (2) and wherein said second end portion (43; 63;83) is releasably connectable to the lower ladder section (4d) of the second ladder leg (3) when the collapsible step ladder (1) is in its collapsed state.