Telescoping Access Ladder with Plunger Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional access ladders are either too long to store conveniently or difficult to maneuver through houses, making it inconvenient to access ceiling areas and resulting in unused storage space above access holes.

Innovation Solution

A telescoping access ladder with sections that positively lock and unlock using plungers, allowing for sequential extension and retraction, enabling convenient mounting and storage within ceiling access holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a long ladder is used to reach through the access hole, then the ladder can access ceiling areas, but it is too long to store conveniently in the house

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder lengthVSAvoidstorage convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be separated and stored individually or in compact configurations, allowing the long ladder to be broken into manageable segments for convenient storage in small spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder sections are designed to telescope into one another like nested dolls, with each section containing the next smaller section, enabling the long ladder to collapse into a compact form that fits within the access hole or small storage areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of moving object

If a long ladder is used to reach through the access hole, then the ladder can access ceiling areas, but it is difficult to maneuver through the house

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder lengthVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder features dynamic telescoping sections that can extend and retract as needed, transforming from a compact stored state to a fully extended working state, enabling easy maneuverability through narrow spaces while maintaining the capability to reach high ceiling areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of moving object

If the ladder sections telescope open, then the ladder extends to reach ceiling areas, but the sections must lock securely to ensure safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder extensionVSAvoidlocking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder sections incorporate self-latching mechanisms with plungers that automatically engage when sections are extended, providing secure locking without requiring manual intervention, and ensuring the ladder maintains its extended position safely during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed with pre-positioned plungers and receiving features that ensure positive engagement before the ladder section is fully extended, preventing accidental slippage and ensuring safety is established before the ladder is subjected to load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS7748498B2Access ladder with plungers

Publication Date: 2010.07.06 WERNER CO

AI summary

An access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor. The ladder comprises a plurality of sections which telescope open and closed, and from a bottom section each section telescopes open to positively lock to the section below it with plungers that lock and unlock each section in sequence as the sections open and close, respectively. A method for using an access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor