Step stool and method

• US 8,720,645 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2013
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Werner Company (New Werner Holding Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Werner Company (New Werner Holding Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Parker, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shue, Alvin Chin
• Application Number:
  US13/941,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20130292206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 182/165, 182/180.1, 182/161
• US Class Current: 182/165
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/383 Foldable ladders in which the longitudinal members are brought together on folding E06C9/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/387 having tip-up steps
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/39 Ladders having platforms; Ladders changeable into platforms platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/393 Ladders having platforms foldable with the ladder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A folding step stool includes a front rail assembly. The step stool includes a rear rail assembly, pivotally connected to the front rail assembly, having a crossbar. The step stool includes a step pivotally attached to the front rail assembly having notches which fit over the crossbar when the stool is in an open position. The step stool includes a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar. The linkage assembly compresses to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar and the linkage assembly exerting a force to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. A method for securing a step stool includes the steps of moving the notches of a step against a crossbar of a rear rail assembly pivotally connected to a front rail assembly of the step stool. There is the step of compressing a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar. There is the step of exerting a force with the linkage assembly to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position.

Claims

1. A method of securing a folding step stool comprising the steps of;

providing a step stool with a front rail assembly;

a rear rail assembly, pivotally connected to the front rail assembly, having a crossbar;

a step pivotally attached to the front rail assembly having notches which fit over the crossbar when the stool is in an open position;

moving the notches of the step against the crossbar of the rear rail assembly;

providing a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar;

the linkage assembly includes a bracket fixed to the step and a link having a pair of ends attached to the bracket, the bracket having slots which engage the link ends, when the step is latched to the crossbar, the link ends positioned at a rear end of the slots, in order for the crossbar to move into the notches, the link ends are positioned forward in the slots; and

a spring mechanism including a spring rod and a spring disposed about the rod retained by the bracket, wherein one end of the spring rod engages the ends of the link whereby the spring and spring rod bias the ends of the link toward the rear end of the slots;

compressing the linkage assembly to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar; and

exerting a force with the linkage assembly to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the compressing step includes the step of compressing the link which includes loops of a bent metal wire held by the bracket of the linkage assembly attached to the step.

3. A method as described in claim 2 wherein the compressing step includes the step of compressing the spring about the spring rod against the bracket of the linkage assembly attached to the step.