Triangular Stepladder Frame with Spread Stoppers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stepladders, such as four-legged and tripod models, face a higher risk of lateral toppling due to increased width with height, and their fixed leg configurations restrict installation in narrow spaces or uneven areas, making them unstable and difficult to set up in various environments.

Innovation Solution

A stepladder design featuring a regular triangular coupling frame with adjustable supports and a spread stopper mechanism that allows the supports to form a regular triangular pyramid, enabling uniform balance and stability by restricting displacement in multiple directions, thus reducing the risk of toppling and accommodating various installation locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the height of the stepladder is increased, then the working height is improved, but the width increases and the risk of lateral toppling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveheightVSAvoidlateral toppling risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a regular triangular coupling frame instead of a symmetric rectangular frame, creating an asymmetric base geometry that reduces the width for a given height while maintaining stability through the triangular configuration's inherent rigidity and weight distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If the width between front and rear legs is increased, then the stability is improved, but the footprint increases and installation in narrow spaces becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidfootprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The regular triangular coupling frame creates an asymmetric footprint that minimizes the area occupied while maintaining stable weight distribution. The triangular geometry provides inherent stability without requiring the larger rectangular footprint of conventional designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If the front and rear legs are fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the stepladder cannot be set in places with slopes, unevenness, or overhead obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidinstallation location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the coupling frame rotatable about the vertical axis passing through the coupling point, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one that can adapt its orientation to match slopes, uneven surfaces, and avoid overhead obstacles while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If the width of the front legs is increased, then the stability is improved, but the stepladder cannot be set in narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The regular triangular coupling frame with optimized side lengths creates an asymmetric configuration that reduces the width between front legs while maintaining stable weight distribution through the triangular geometry, enabling installation in narrow spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The stepladder effectively reduces the risk of lateral toppling and expands installation options by allowing adjustable leg lengths and angles, enabling stable use in narrow spaces and uneven areas while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure.

Implementation Method 1

A coupling pipe of the front support is rotationally coupled to the front shaft of the coupling frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

A coupling pipe of the rear right fixing member is rotationally coupled to the right shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS9689204B2Stepladder

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 AOI TOKUO

AI summary

A stepladder provided with a coupling frame in the shape of an equilateral triangle, a front support, a rear right support, a rear left support, and spread stoppers for stopping the front support, the rear right support, and the rear left support from spreading. The front support is rotationally attached to a front shaft of the coupling frame, the rear right fixing member is rotationally attached to a right shaft, and the rear left fixing member is rotationally attached to a left shaft. The rear left support and the rear right support are detachably mounted to the rear left fixing member and the rear right fixing member, respectively. The supports of the stepladder are coupled by the spread stoppers, whereby the three supports are restricted from being displaced forward, to the right rear, and to the left rear.