Light weight ladder systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A ladder comprising:
- a first rail having a first wall and a second wall spaced therefrom, a first opening in the first wall and a second opening in the second wall, wherein the first opening exhibits a first cross-sectional area and the second opening exhibits a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area;
at least one rung having a first portion thereof extending through the first opening in the first wall and through the second opening in the second wall, a first end of the first portion of the at least one rung being swaged adjacent a first surface of the second wall; and
a support member adjacent the first portion of the at least one rung and abutting a second, opposing surface of the second wall, the support member including a collar substantially surrounding at least a segment of the first portion of the at least one rung.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a rail for a ladder. The method may include pultruding in a longitudinal direction, a rail having a selected cross-sectional shape. The rail may then be cut to a predetermined length at a distal end. A force may be applied, in a lateral direction, to the rail to form a curvature therein. The curvature may be characterized by a flared portion, a straight portion, and a curved region providing the transition therebetween. The rail may be held at the desired curvature for a time selected for the rail to take on the curvature substantially permanently. The force may then be removed and the rail may be assembled into a ladder.
43 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A ladder comprising:
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a first rail having a first wall and a second wall spaced therefrom, a first opening in the first wall and a second opening in the second wall, wherein the first opening exhibits a first cross-sectional area and the second opening exhibits a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area; at least one rung having a first portion thereof extending through the first opening in the first wall and through the second opening in the second wall, a first end of the first portion of the at least one rung being swaged adjacent a first surface of the second wall; and a support member adjacent the first portion of the at least one rung and abutting a second, opposing surface of the second wall, the support member including a collar substantially surrounding at least a segment of the first portion of the at least one rung. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of forming a ladder, the method comprising:
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providing a first rail having a first wall and a second wall spaced from the first wall; defining a first opening in the first wall of the first rail; defining a second opening in the second wall of the first rail; defining a cross-sectional area of the first opening to be larger than a cross-sectional area of the second opening; extending a first portion of a first rung through the first opening and through the second opening; disposing a support member adjacent the first portion of the first rung including abutting a first surface of the second wall with the support member; and swaging a first end of the first rung adjacent a second, opposing surface of the second wall. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification