AUTOMATIC LADDER FOR ATTIC ACCESS

• US 20080060874A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jean-Pierre Lair
• Original Assignee: Jean-Pierre Lair
• Inventors: Lair, Jean-Pierre
• Granted Patent: US 8,028,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 182/77
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/064 with stringers overlapping when folded
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/12 extensible, e.g. telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 9/085 ladders unfolded in the direction of the longitudinal members

Abstract

An access panel is shown in the present invention to provide easy and safe access to an attic space or elevated structure. The access panel is fully automatic. During opening, the access panel uses an energizing motor to control the gravitational forces for opening a cover and deploying ladder sections. During closing, the access panel is energized to retract the ladder sections and close the access panel. The motor is energized to close the access panel until a stow latch engages to stow the access panel during non-use. A safety switch is mounted inside the attic space to allow a user to open the panel and extend the ladder should the user be trapped in the attic space.

Claims

1. An automated access panel having an energy source for installation in an opening in a ceiling to provide access to an attic type space comprising:

a framing structure for installation in said opening;

a cover for said opening, said cover being pivotally attached to a first end of said framing structure;

a plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections, a first of said slidably extendable ladder sections being mounted on said cover and a second of said slidably extendable ladder sections being slidable with respect to said first of said slidably extendable ladder sections;

a motor connected to said energy source;

a cable connected between a reel and said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections; and

a free wheeling gear located between said motor and said reel, said free wheeling gear (a.) locking when rotating in a lowering direction by said motor to control the velocity at which said cable unwinds from said reel which allows gravity to lower said panel and extend said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections, or (b.) locking when rotating in a raising direction by said motor to wind said cable about said reel which retracts said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections and closes said panel.

2. The automated access panel to allow access to an attic type space as recited in claim 1 wherein said motor is connected to said free wheeling gear and is secured to said framing structure.

3. The automated access panel to allow access to an attic type space as recited in claim 1 wherein said motor is connected to said free wheeling gear and is secured separate from, but adjacent to said automated access panel.

4. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 2 further comprising a floor on one end of said framing structure to support said motor thereon.

5. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 2 or claim 3 further comprising a stow latch between said frame and said cover to hold said cover in a closed position.

6. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 4 wherein said motor further comprises at least one gear attached to said motor, said at least one gear preventing said reel from rotating in said lowering direction to lower said plurality of said slidably extendable ladder sections unless desired.

7. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space recited in claim 4 wherein said stow latch can be operated both manually and electronically.

8. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 4 wherein said stow latch is automatically re-latched when said cover is closed.

9. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 1 wherein said cable and said reel are on each side of said framed structure, said cables are directed through pulleys so that said cables are substantially vertical when closing said cover to exert the maximum lifting force on said cover with the least amount of energy.

10. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 1 further comprising seal between said cover and said framing structure to create an environmental seal around said opening in said ceiling.

11. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 2 wherein said framing structure is substantially rectangular with said pivot of said cover being at a forward end and said motor being at an aft end thereof.

12. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 1 wherein said free wheeling gear (a.) rotates in a lowering direction by said motor at a predetermined rate or (b.) rotates in a raising direction by said motor at a predetermined rate.

13. The automated access panel to provide access to an attic type space as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of slidably extendable ladder sections further comprises:

at least one stop on a lower end of said first of said slidably extendable ladder sections; and

at least one corresponding stop on an upper end of said second of said slidably extendable ladder sections;

wherein said at least one corresponding stop on said second of said slidably extendable ladder sections contacts said at least one stop on said first of said slidably extendable ladder sections when said second of said slidably extendable ladder sections is fully extended with respect to first of said slidably extendable ladder sections.

14. A method of installing and operating an automated access panel located in an opening in a ceiling to allow entry into an attic, said method comprising the steps of:

installing a framing structure of an access panel in said opening, said access panel having a lower cover on which slidably extendable ladder sections are mounted;

stowing said slidably extendable ladder sections in said attic by securing said lower cover closed against said framing structure with a stow latch;

releasing said stow latch to allow said lower cover to pivot at one end thereof with respect to said framing structure to open a predetermined distance by gravity;

sliding said slidably extendable ladder sections by gravity with respect to each other with a first section thereof being attached to said cover and a last section extending to a floor;

controlling the velocity by which said gravity slides said slidably extendable ladder sections with respect to each other during said sliding step;

retracting said slidably extendable ladder sections by reeling in a cable attached between said last section and a reel;

turning said reel during said retracting step with a motor connected to a power source to wind said cable around said reel;

raising said lower cover against said framing structure; and

closing said stow latch to secure said lower cover against said framing structure.

15. The method of installing and operating the automated access panel located in the opening in the ceiling to allow entry into the attic as given in claim 14 further including (a.) a step of locking rotation of said reel in a lowering direction during said releasing step, sliding step, and controlling step, or (b.) locking rotation of said reel in a raising direction during said turning step, retracting step, and closing step.

16. The method of installing and operating the automated access panel located in the opening in the ceiling to allow entry into the attic, as given in claim 15 wherein said (a.) locking rotation of said reel in a lowering direction step, and (b.) locking rotation of said reel in a raising direction are accomplished by a motor connected to a power source.

17. The method of installing and operating the automated access panel located in the opening in the ceiling to allow entry into the attic, as given in claim 16 wherein said locking rotation of said reel in a lowering direction step occurs at a predetermined rate by said motor.

18. The method of installing and operating the automated access panel located in the opening in the ceiling to allow entry into the attic, as given in claim 16 wherein said locking rotation of said reel in a raising direction step occurs at a predetermined rate by said motor.

19. The method of installing and operating the automated access panel located in the opening in the ceiling to allow entry into the attic as given in claim 14 further having during said sliding step abutting stops of adjacent sections of said slidably extendable ladder sections that abutt so that each of said successive sections pulls out each said adjacent section.

20. The method of installing and operating the automated access panel located in the opening in the ceiling to allow entry into the attic as given in claim 14 wherein said stow latch is manually operable if said power source is interrupted.