Folding step ladder

(54) FOLDING STEP LADDER

(76) Inventor: John J. Cox, 807 South St., Piqua, OH (US) 45356

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/665,011

(22) Filed: Sep. 19, 2000

(51) Int. CI.7 E06C 1/00; E04G 5/02

(52) U.S. CI 182/163; 182/107; 182/25

(58) Field of Search 182/150, 163,

182/214, 107, 127, 164, 95, 206, 22-26

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

257,168 A * 5/1882 Lape 182/163

341,284 A * 5/1886 Sharp 182/25

1,973,774 A * 9/1934 Pflugradt 182/163 X

3,474,881 A * 10/1969 Green 182/24

3,912,043 A 10/1975 Brannan

4,483,415 A * 11/1984 Disston et al 182/22

D300,365 S 3/1989 Wallick, Jr. et al.

4,852,691 A * 8/1989 Bruno 182/46 X

D324,019 S 2/1992 Bailey

First and second ladder sections are each molded ol a rigid plastics material, and each ladder section includes parallel spaced elongated leg portions integrally connected by two parallel spaced step portions. The ladder sections are pivotally connected by pins extending through overlapping laterally projecting ears and move between a collapsed position with the ladder sections adjacent and an extended aligned position where the second ladder section is supported by the first ladder section. The leg portions ol the second ladder section define longitudinally extending cavities which receive corresponding elongated arms pivotal to generally horizontal positions adapted for seating on a motor vehicle tire. The arms also releasably connect with the leg portions of the first ladder section to position the ladder sections in the form of a short A-shaped step ladder.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets