zhongxinladder

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:56 o\clock

A Aluminum Ramp attached to and used for the loading

by: zhongxinladder   Keywords: Aluminum, Ramp

A Aluminum Ramp attached to and used for the loading and unloading of goods from a vehicle, typically a truck. When not in use, the ramp folds compactly and is latched in an upright position at the rear of the vehicle. The ramp may be unfolded and extended in order to transport goods to and from the vehicle. As used, the ramp also may be latched in a half-ramp arrangement to serve as a bridge or dock plate. In the half-ramp arrangement, the ramp is folded to form two legs of a three-dimensional triangular structure, so that one portion of the ramp supports the other and allows it to bear weight.

When you have a health condition that requires use of a wheelchair, you quickly find which establishments have ADA compliance and which do not. When you get in or out of your home, car, or van a portable wheelchair ramp is a handy thing to have around. Here is what you need to consider when purchasing a portable wheelchair ramp.
 Ramps according to the present invention are lightweight, sturdy, and durable and can be folded and positioned vertically on the rear of a truck. Such a woking ramp can be mounted to brackets attached to the exterior of the truck and folded compactly so that the ramp does not extend above the vehicle or beyond the truck's rear bumper. Latching means help prevent the ramp from moving while the truck is in motion. By attaching the ramp to the vehicle's exterior rather than placing it inside the bed or cargo space, the volume of that area is made available for storing and transporting goods.

Ramps of the present invention additionally can be pivoted and latched in a triangular "half- ramp" arrangement. A second section of the ramp supports a first section in order to allow the first to bear weight according to this arrangement. In this manner the ramp may serve as a dock plate bridging the distance between the truck and a loading dock. The triangular truss structure of the half- ramp arrangement allows the lightweight ramp to be able to absorb large downward forces as might occur when heavy goods are being loaded or unloaded.

Determine the situations for which you need the ramp. If you need the wheelchair ramp to access your house, select a non-folding more ridged type, while a ramp for the van requires a more portable type for easy transport. You also need to consider the change in elevation since some ramps are better than others for steep elevation changes.
Consider your options. You want a aluminum ramp manufacturer that is light and easy to move, but also ridged enough to hold up for safe operation. Aluminum is a great choice, but the cost is significantly more for this material.

 Ramps of the present invention also can be stowed or deployed quickly and easily by one person. Spring cylinders damp the movement of the ramps as they are folded or unfolded for better control. One person may stand either behind or to the side of such a ramp, grasp one or more handles attached to it, and merely pull up or down on the ramp to fold or unfold it.

Ramps of the present invention may include rollers or simply flat surfaces as load-bearing surfaces. Alternatively they may include rows of skate wheel conveyor rollers, each supported by a single axle spanning the width of the ramp. The skate wheel structure also may include a support brace in order to prevent the skate wheel axles from bending under heavy loads.

Aluminum Ramps of the present invention can be mounted so that their height is adjustable and so that they can be quickly and easily removed. They also may slide laterally along the rear bumper of the truck for rapid positioning in the optimal location for a particular loading or unloading operation.

Set a budget. Expect to pay anywhere from 25 dollars for a simple threshold ramp to over $600 for an aluminum ramp with handrails.
Shop medical supply houses both in person and online. While it might be easy to surf the Internet for a new portable wheelchair ramp, visit the local medical supply house as well. The great deal you find at an Internet medical supply house might not be such a great deal when you include shipping charges.
Ask suppliers about a trial period and return policy. Manufacturers design portable wheelchair ramps to work in all sorts of situations. If you purchase one and it turns out you cannot use it in the places you need, you don't want to be stuck with it.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, sturdy, and durable ramp which can be stored easily and compactly.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a aluminum ramp 6001b3s which can be latched in a triangular half- ramp arrangement to serve as a lightweight but sturdy dock plate between a truck and a loading dock.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a ramp which includes spring cylinders for damping movement of the ramp as it is being raised or lowered, thereby allowing one person to position the ramp without difficulty.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ramp with skate wheel conveyor rollers in order to facilitate the movement of the cargo along it and to provide a support brace to help prevent the skate wheel axles from deforming under the weight of the goods being loaded or unloaded.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a aluminum ramp 6002b3s  whose height can be adjusted in relation to the height of the truck bed or the height of a dock.

It is yet an additional object to provide a ramp which can be removed from a truck bumper quickly and easily and may slide laterally along the bumper.

 

 

source:townhall|aluminum ramp

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:36 o\clock

Step ladders provided a means for an individual to climb

by: zhongxinladder   Keywords: Step, ladders

The current invention relates to the field of household  step ladders , and to the design of step ladders to permit a folding structure to be used as a self-supporting, or free-standing ladder, while maintaining an adequate degree of stability to prevent over-tipping and dangerous falls.

Step ladders provided a means for an individual to climb to a height for manipulating objects or performing work where the ladder is essentially free-standing; that is, the ladder depends solely upon its construction and erection to insure its stability, in comparison to standard extension ladders which are braced against a structure to be climbed.

A typical step ladder is designed to be folded into a convenient size for storage and carrying, and the requirement that it be portable is a further constraint, restricting the total weight of the ladder. Thus, a typical step ladder will be found to weigh thirty pounds or less weight, in order to insure that it may be easily handled, and it is typically designed to be folded into an essentially flat package of not much increased size over a fixed ladder of similar size.

The classic Aluminum step ladder has a front ladder portion having two vertically ascending parallel members with angled steps periodically interposed between to permit climbing. At an upper end a rear leg section is pivotally attached, and a folding brace member is used to extend the ladder into an expanded, climbable configuration. The front and rear leg members and the cross-brace form the classic letter "A" in the extended position.

Using a ladder that's too short can put stress on your back as well as expose you to the danger of toppling. Always choose a ladder that allows you to reach your work area safely.
Familiarize yourself with the ladder's load capacity. Light-duty ladders are designed to hold 200 lbs.; medium-duty ladders hold 225 lbs.; heavy-duty ladders hold up to 250 lbs.; and extra-heavy-duty ladders hold weights of up to 300 lbs.

The stability of such a ladder is totally dependent upon the user's movement upon the ladder during use. The requirement that the ladder be portable tends to reduce the static weight of the ladder to as low a level as is consistent with minimum structural strength, and it will typically be found that such a step ladder will weigh under thirty pounds; when considering that a typical user will weigh one hundred and fifty pounds or more, this implies that in use practically all the weight involved in the dynamic couple of step ladder and user will be concentrated in the user and that there will be very little static weight tending to Ladder stabilizer .

Use a stepladder for most household purposes. This type of ladder is available in heights of 4 to 16 feet and has a hand foldout shelf on the side opposite the rungs.
Use an extension ladder outdoors to reach high branches or the roof. These are made to reach 20 to 40 feet..
Try an articulated or multipurpose ladder for a variety of uses. This aluminum alloy ladder can be a stepladder or straight ladder or act as a scaffold, and comes in lengths of 12 to 16 feet.

The dynamic motion coupled from the user's motion imposes two separate forces to the ladder. The first is asymmetrical side thrusts. To the extent that the force of the user's weight is projected along the force of gravity but off centered from the center of gravity of the ladder a differential vertical loading is established downward along the leg. Since the total of the downward gravitational component along the leg must equal the total combined weight of the user with load and the static weight of the ladder, it should be apparent that significantly increasing the side thrust loading along one leg can result in a significant decrease in the thrust loading along an opposite leg. This can be observed in wooden step ladders of relatively filmsy construction on an uneven surface as an actual lifting of one leg off the ground; it is quite naturally an alarming condition to the user and occurs immediately before overturning and toppling. Furthermore, since ladders involve at least one lattice structure of vertical legs and steps, such uneven loading produces actual sideways stress upon the bottom portion of the parallel legs where they touch the ground. It has been observed by testing agencies that when Household ladders of typical construction are tested for this condition that some ladders will actually bend and fall at the forced detachment point of the leg and the lowest step due to the side thrusts generated.

The current invention discloses a step ladder of innovative design in which stability is enhanced by providing, in lieu of the standard paired, parallel rear legs, two individually extensible rear legs, coordinated by extension braces, and installed so that upon extension they form an expanding triangular footprint of increased stability in comparison to the rectangular footprint of a classic step ladder.

In addition, the individual rear legs are braced with a unique rigidified truss brace having a rigid cross-section and having means for fixation in the vertical plane, the legs are hinged with relatively wide torque resistant hinges to a rigid top plate from which descend fixed, vertical brace support which provides a point of leg brace fixation nearly in line with the center of gravity of the Ladder Manufacturer . This novel brace significantly decreases bending moment and movement possible within the legs and braces.

The result is an extremely rigid structure having a wide base footprint and a significantly decreased susceptibility to both static instability and to walking effects. The angles of extension of the rear legs produce a ladder which has a reduced tendency to walk as the user mounts to a higher step, due to the increased motion required of the user to produce an unloading effect on the triangularly extended legs.

Mar 9, 2010 at 08:14 o\clock

How to buy a step ladder?

by: zhongxinladder   Keywords: step, ladder

The invention relates to an Aluminum step ladder with ladder legs and a ladder top or platform, foldably connected to the ladder legs and arranged to receive certain tools. The step ladder can be opened into an A-frame state in which it is free standing. The ladder top is molded from a hardenable flowable material such as a curable polymer forming a rigid shape. The ladder top generally comprises an inverted cup shape having a flat central web serving as the platform for placing articles such as tools, paint brushes, containers of paint and so on. The web has a periphery formed with mined-down flanges and an underside formed with ribs that extend between and interconnect the flanges, wherein the flanges and ribs coact to stiffen and/or strengthen the ladder top. The top side of the web has a pair of protruding eye-loops that are spaced and arranged for removably receiving a pair of hooks on a roller pan such that the pan can be cantilevered over the edge of the platform, away from the step side of the ladder.

When it comes time to access those hard-to-reach cabinets in your kitchen that are way above the refrigerator, unless you're extremely tall you'll need a step ladder. Aluminum step ladders are a convenient tool to have to enable you to reach items that would otherwise be out of reach.
 Step ladders are popular in residential and commercial environments to enable users to reach higher on walls, ceilings or the like, for various chores and activities. When not in use, step ladders are folded up or collapsed, to be stored in a closet, hung on a wall hook or the like. Step ladders have pivotable structures connecting the ladder legs for movement between the collapsed flat storage position and an A-frame use position, with means provided to limit opening of the legs to a predetermined angle. Advantageously, the pivoting structure includes a platform or ladder top, which provides a surface on which items can be rested. Ladder tops are arranged with sufficient strength to withstand loads induced by a user standing on a step of the ladder during use. Although not preferred for reasons of stability and safety, the ladder top is typically strong enough that a person can stand on top of it as well. A household step ladders , including its ladder top, should be durable and strong to remain stable over a long useful life, but also must be economical.

Ladder tops can include auxiliary features that supplement the basic function of pivotably connecting the ladder legs and forming a platform or top-most step. For example, ladder tops are known with formed holes for receiving and holding the shafts or handles of screwdrivers, hammers, paint brushes and so on.

Various materials can be used for ladder legs, steps and tops. It is known to fabricate ladder tops in a molding process from flowable material that hardens in a relatively rigid shape, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic curable resin, for obtaining a molded ladder top. Molded ladder tops have various advantages over other ladder tops, such as ladder tops stamped from aluminum or made of wood. Polymer material is very inexpensive. It is easily formed to shape, including integrally formed flanges, surface features, tool storage apertures and other aspects that are useful in a ladder top. A polymer ladder top can be made as strong or stronger than stamped a metal one, is comparably light in weight, and is less expensive to manufacture than a stamped and folded sheet metal top. One way to achieve comparable strength is to provide the polymer ladder top with stiffening and/or strengthening elements, such as flanges and ribs, that are less prominent in metal stamped ladder tops.

To buy a step ladder:
1.Know how you're going to use the Household ladder . They come in small two-step ladder sizes that are usually used indoors, to the larger 8-foot step ladder that work well when hanging seasonal decorations or doing home maintenance.
2.Determine where you're going to store the step ladder to make sure you buy one you can readily store. If you frequently need to use your step ladder to access common household items located on upper shelves in your kitchen, then storage isn't a problem. However, if you live in a small apartment and will have to store the step ladder, you have to take that into consideration before you buy it.
3.Calculate how much weight the ladder should hold. If you're going to be using your step ladder to put away heavy materials, keep in mind that your weight coupled with the material is the total amount that your latter has to withstand.
4.Decide whether you want an aluminum step ladder or a FRP ladder . Aluminum is lightweight, but it can bend or corrode, and shouldn't be used for electrical jobs. Fiberglass is heavier and doesn't act as an electrical conduit.

A polymer ladder top, for example, typically has an overall shape of an inverted-cup, including a central web with a rectangular periphery and depending flanges at the periphery, the flanges being smoothly joined to define a continuous generally-rectangular shape in plan view. Additionally, the typical polymer ladder top includes ribs formed on an underneath side of the web, extending between and intersecting the flanges at oblique angles to further stiffen and/or strengthen the ladder top.

A stamped metal ladder top also typically has peripheral flanges, bent downwardly from a flat sheet and lapped at the corners for attachment with rivets. The flanges of the typical polymer ladder top are relatively larger than stamped metal ones, more particularly being relatively longer-extending and/or thicker than their sheet metal counterparts. The ends of metal flanges can be rolled or folded back to avoid sharp edges, but otherwise strengthening ribs are not employed in metal stamped ladder tops, particularly under the flat central web part of the ladder top.
household step ladders are often used for painting, and can have a pivotable shelf below the ladder top for supporting a paint can. Advantageously, the ladder top and/or the shelf is dimensioned such that a paint roller tray can be secured thereto by the hooks provided on the tray. The hooks of a typical roller tray are provided on the underside of the tray at the higher edge of a sloping end of the tray, for example extending downwardly to a plane common with the bottom of the tray on an opposite, deep end, where the hooks are bent to a right angle. The hooks function as feet when the tray is rested on a flat surface or as hooks when the tray is cantilevered from the edge of a shelf or other surface by grasping the bent ends of the hooks around the underside of the shelf or the like.

Paint roller trays can have two sets of tabs at different vertical positions, one for engaging under the edge of a short thin shelf (e.g., 0.75 inch or 2 cm) and the other for resting vertically on a horizontal surface. It may be convenient depending on the vertical level at which one is painting, to use a paint roller engaged on the pivoting shelf of a step ladder. In situations where the user is higher on the ladder, however, bending over to the shelf to coat the paint roller is not convenient. It is more comfortable in that case to have the roller tray mounted higher as well, namely on the top of the ladder.

 

 

from:townhall|household step ladder

Mar 9, 2010 at 08:04 o\clock

A fixed position for stabilizing the ladder

by: zhongxinladder   Keywords: ladder, stabilizer

The objects are further accomplished by a step ladder having a front step section and a rear prop section, the rear prop section being movably attached to a top portion of the step ladder adjacent to the front step section, a step ladder stabilizer , attached to the front step section and extending between the front step section and the rear prop section to provide stabilization, comprising a channel having an upper bracket and a lower bracket for mounting to the front step section of the step ladder, the channel having an opening running the length of the channel, a slide lock bracket adapted to slide along the opening of the channel and be locked at a preferred position, a first leg attached to a first side of the slide lock bracket, the first leg extending downward away from the channel,

a second leg attached to a second side of the slide lock bracket, the second leg extending downward away from the channel, a spreader bar attached between the first leg and the second leg, a first arm having a first end attached to the first leg and a second end adapted to attach to the front section of the step ladder, and a second arm having a first end attached to the second leg and a second end adapted to attach to the front step section of the step ladder. The spreader bar comprises means for folding-up the spreader bar. The slide lock bracket comprises means for securing the slide lock bracket along the channel at the preferred position to stabilize the step ladder. The step ladder stabilizer closes-up against the front step portion of the step ladder when the slide lock bracket is raised along the channel.

The objects are further accomplished by an extension ladder stabilizers comprising a channel, capable of being attached to a side of a ladder, which comprises an opening on an outer side running the length of the channel, a slide lock bracket attached to the channel and adapted to slide along the opening of the channel and be locked at a preferred position, a hinged connecting plate attached to a lower portion of the slide lock bracket, having means for attaching a first section of the hinged connecting plate to the slide lock bracket, an extending leg having a first end attached to a second section of the hinged connecting plate enabling the leg to rotate about the attaching means, and a foldable arm having a first end attached to a lower end portion of the channel and a second end attached to a predetermined location on the extending leg. The slide lock bracket comprises a lever for securing the slide lock bracket along the channel at the preferred position for optimum stabilization of the ladder. The extending leg comprises an extension section which extends from the extending leg for stabilizing the ladder. The foldable arm comprises means for locking the arm into a fixed position for stabilizing the ladder. A U-shaped guard is positioned between a side of the ladder and the channel to protect the extending leg when closed and adjacent to the ladder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The objects are further accomplished by an extension ladder comprising a plurality of steps positioned between a first side and a second side of the ladder, each one of the plurality of steps having a first expansion insert placed into a first side of the ladder and into each of the plurality of steps and a second expansion insert placed into a second side of the ladder and into each of the plurality of steps, a first ladder stabilizer manufacturer attached to the first side of the extension ladder, a second ladder stabilizer attached to the second side of the extension ladder, the first ladder stabilizer and the second ladder stabilizer each comprising a channel attached to the side of the ladder having an opening on an outer side running the length of the channel, a slide lock bracket attached to the channel and adapted to slide along the opening of the channel or to be locked at a preferred position, a hinged connecting plate having a first section attached to a lower portion of the slide lock bracket,

an extending leg having a first end attached to a second section of the hinged connecting plate enabling a second end of the extending leg to be moved toward or away from the side of the ladder, and a foldable arm having a first end attached to a lower end of the channel and a second end attached to a predetermined location on the extending leg. The slide lock bracket comprises means for securing the slide lock bracket along the channel at the preferred position for optimum stabilization of the ladder. The extending leg comprises an extension section which extends from the extending leg for stabilizing the ladder. The foldable arm comprises means for locking the arm into a fixed position for stabilizing the ladder. A first U-shaped guard is positioned between a first side of the extension ladder and the channel of the first ladder stabilizer, and a second U-shaped guard is positioned between a second side of the ladder and the channel of the second ladder stabilizer .

The objects are further accomplished by a lever lock assembly comprising a lever having means on an end of a right angled portion of the lever for griping a first surface when the lever is in a closed position, a frame for mounting the lever lock assembly to a second surface, the frame having an opening for the end of the right angled portion of the lever to enter, means for securing the right angled lever within a center portion of the frame to enable the lever to rotate about the securing means with the right angled portion of the lever protruding through the opening in the frame when the lever is in the closed position, and a U-shaped spring, one end attached to the frame below a handle portion of the lever and the other end positioned against an underside of the handle portion of the lever. The griping means comprises a plurality of teeth on the end of a right angled portion of the lever. The U-shaped spring comprises a U-shaped leaf spring.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

 

 

from:freepatentsonline

Mar 2, 2010 at 10:37 o\clock

Set the ladder at the proper angle

by: zhongxinladder   Keywords: household, ladder

Set the ladder at the proper angle by creating a right triangle with your body, as shown in the photo.
Make sure the feet of the ladder can’t slip backward. On soft ground, flip up the ladder shoes so the spurs poke into the ground. On decks, screw down a cleat.
Make sure the top of the ladder is resting on a flat surface and doesn’t slide or wobble when you put weight against When climbing the ladder grab onto the rungs of the Household ladder using a hand over hand method never letting go of one rung before before grabbing the next. Sliding your hands up the beam (side) of a ladder is unsafe because you may not have as secure a grasp as you would when using the rungs to climb with.

Ladders are known to be unstable and often require the assistance of a second person for steadying the ladder when a first person has climbed the ladder. However, another person is not always available when a ladder has to be used. There have been many devices made for Ladder stabilizer , and yet they do not solve the problems of being adjustable to all site conditions, convenient to use, easily installed on the ladder, compromising the integrity of the ladder, interfering with the use of the ladder, retractable and out of the way for storage, and providing stabilization when one side of the ladder is close to a wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,054 issued to Clayton E. Larson in 1975 discloses a step ladder stabilized by channel members which are fixed on each side of the lowest rung of the ladder and have an extendable member. Braces are provided at the upper rungs to provide rigidity and resistance against sway. However, it is not adjustable to all site conditions and adds very little stabilization to the ladder.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,488 issued to John V. Stewart on Oct. 23, 1990 discloses a step ladder stabilizer for a step ladder comprising a brace hinged to a ladder rail and an arm hinged to the rail at a lower position trussing the brace. The stabilizers on each side of the ladder fold against the front of the ladder. However, this Ladder stabilizer is not adjustable to all site conditions and it interferes with the use of the ladder when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,222, issued to Francois Charbonneau on Feb. 9, 1999 discloses an extension ladder having a telescopic tube mounted to each side of the ladder's lower section and a lateral brace to support the telescopic tube extending away from each side of the ladder. However, the telescopic tubes bolt to the ladder which may compromise the integrity of the ladder, it is not easily installed on the ladder, and it is cumbersome and inconvenient to use. Also, it has removable pins and clips which are easily lost.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,231, issued to Douglas A. Chantler et al. on Apr. 3, 1979 discloses a ladder stabilizing device connected on the outer sides of the side pieces of the ladder. The device comprises outwardly extensible legs having an upper leg part connected to a slide plate on the side of the ladder which adjusts up and down. A lower leg support-extends from the side of the ladder near the bottom and extends out to the upper leg part at its lower end. The upper and lower leg parts lie flat against the side of the ladder for storage when the ladder is not in use. However, this device lifts the ladder legs off the surface which eliminates the stability which otherwise would be provided by these legs. Also, this device is cumbersome and inconvenient to use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,477, issued to Robert Ralston on May 28, 1984 discloses an adjustable stabilizer device for an extension ladder with hollow rungs comprising two stabilizing elements, an upper bracket and a lower bracket. Each stabilizing element connects to an upper right angle bracket which connects to a side wall bracket. The stabilizing elements are connected to each other by rods which extend through the hollow rungs of the ladder and attach to the side wall brackets. When the ladder is not in use the stabilizer elements are retained flush against the sides of the ladder for storage. However, this device is not adjustable to all site condition, is cumbersome and inconvenient to use, and has removable pins and clips which can be easily lost.

A ladder rung is a step of a ladder. When most people think of the word ladder, a very specific image comes to mind, most likely of a Aluminum step ladder , known as a fixed ladder. This type consists of two long pieces of wood, metal or plastic on each side that are connected by a series of rungs, which can be of the same or different material. There are, however, many different styles of ladders, some of which are designed for more specific purposes, and others which are multi-purpose. The rungs of these ladders can also be unique in several different ways, mostly depending on the function and construction of the ladder.

A fixed ladder can be made of wood or lightweight metal, with each individual ladder rung consisting of the same material. The rungs are spaced an equal distance from one another, and they are typically anywhere from 10 inches (25.4 cm) to 12 inches (30.5 cm) apart, but can be more or less. Ladders with 12- inch-spaced rungs are not usually built in lengths that are divisible by 12, however, so the distance from the top and bottom rungs to the ends of the ladder will usually be different from one another, and will be shorter than the spaces between each ladder rung.

The shape of a ladder rung will vary from ladder to ladder. A cylinder is a common rung shape that is found on many ladders, both metal and wood. Because of its roundness, however, it may be difficult to stand in one place without proper shoes, so the function of ladder rungs with circular, or ovular, cross sections is mainly for climbing up and down. Metal circular rungs are often covered with a gritty, sandpaper-like finish for a better grip while standing on the ladder rung.

Household step ladders , or folding ladders, are more popular for use when someone wants to stand in one place. These are designed with hinges at the top and two or sometimes even three folding sides. A ladder rung on at least one side of a step ladder is usually designed with a flat top that is several inches in length for better support for a person standing on any rung. These rungs are flat so that it is just as easy for someone to do his or her necessary work while standing at any point on the ladder, and the rungs can be finished with slip-proof material to help prevent accidents.

 

 

from:townhall|step ladder

Mar 2, 2010 at 10:26 o\clock

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States

by: zhongxinladder   Keywords: ladder, stabilizer

A step ladder stabilizer for mounting behind the front step portion and having two adjusting legs which adjust as a slide lock moves vertically within a slot attached to the rear of the ladder steps. When not in use, the ladder stabilizer closes flush against the back of the ladder steps. An alternate embodiment includes a ladder stabilizer for an extension ladder comprising an extending leg and a stabilizer arm with the top of the extending leg attaching to a slide lock that slides along a channel mounted on the side of the ladder. Bolts passing through expansion inserts hold the channel onto each side of the ladder.

A folding ladder can be a handy tool to have around the home. When unfolded, a Aluminum step ladder makes it possible to access hard to reach places. When folded, it can be easily stored away and kept out of site. There are several things you should consider when purchasing a folding ladder.
Setting up an extension ladder at the correct angle is the key to working safely on the walls or roof of your house. Make it too steep and the ladder could tip over backward. Give it too much angle and it could bend or the bottom could slide out. This article shows the right way to set up a ladder.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A ladder stabilizer for a step ladder comprising: a channel having a slot along a side of said channel; means for attaching said channel to a front step portion of said step ladder; means attached to said channel for mounting a pair of legs wherein said legs extend or retract in accordance with the movement of said mounting means along said slot of said channel; means attached between said pair of legs for fixing said legs in a spaced-apart position and for releasing said legs to enable said pair of legs to be retracted adjacent to said channel; and means for securing each leg of said pair of legs to said front step portion of said step ladder.

2. The stabilizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises a slide lock bracket adapted to move along said slot of said channel.

3. The stabilizer as recited in claim 4 wherein said legs securing means comprises a first arm attached between a first one of said pair of legs and said front step portion of said household step ladders , and a second arm attached between a second one of said pair of legs and said front step portion of said step ladder.

4. A stabilizer for a step ladder comprising: a channel having an upper bracket and a lower bracket for mounting said channel to a front step portion of said step ladder; a slide lock bracket adapted to slide along said channel and be locked at a preferred position; a first leg of said stabilizer attached to a first side of said sliding lock bracket, said first leg extending downward away from said channel; a second leg of said stabilizer attached to a second side of said sliding lock bracket, said second leg extending downward away from said channel; a spreader bar attached between said first leg and said second leg; a first arm of said stabilizer having a first end attached to said first leg and a second end adapted to attach to said front step portion of said step ladder; and a second arm having a first end attached to said second leg and a second end adapted to attach to said front step portion of said step ladder.

5. The step ladder stabilizer as recited in claim 4 wherein said spreader bar comprises means for folding-up said spreader bar.

6. The step ladder stabilizer as recited in claim 4 wherein said slide lock bracket comprises means for securing said slide lock bracket along said channel at said preferred position to stabilize said step ladder.

7. The step ladder stabilizer as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said first leg and said second leg comprises an extension leg which extends from said first leg and said second leg to stabilize said step ladder.

8. The step ladder as recited in claim 4 wherein said stabilizer closes-up against said channel when said slide lock bracket is raised along said channel.

9. In combination: a step ladder having a front step section and a rear prop section, said rear prop section being movably attached to a top portion of said step ladder adjacent to said front step section; a step ladder stabilizers , attached to said front step section and extending between said front step section and said rear prop section to provide stabilization, comprising: a channel having an upper bracket and a lower bracket for mounting to said front step section of said step ladder, said channel having an opening running the length of said channel; a slide lock bracket adapted to slide along said opening of said channel and be locked at a preferred position; a first leg attached to a first side of said slide lock bracket, said first leg extending downward away from said channel; a second leg attached to a second side of said slide lock bracket, said second leg extending downward away from said channel; a spreader bar attached between said first leg and said second leg; a first arm having a first end attached to said first leg and a second end adapted to attach to said front section of said step ladder; and a second arm having a first end attached to said second leg and a second end adapted to attach to said front step section of said step ladder.

10. The combination as recited in claim 9 wherein said spreader bar comprises means for folding-up said spreader bar.

11. The combination as recited in claim 9 wherein said slide lock bracket comprises means for securing said slide lock bracket along said channel at said preferred position to stabilize said Aluminum step ladder .

12. The combination as recited in claim 9 wherein said step ladder stabilizer close-up against said front step portion of said step ladder when said slide lock bracket is raised along said channel.
13. A lever lock assembly comprising: a lever having means on an end of a right angled portion of said lever for griping a first surface when said lever is in a closed position; a frame for mounting said lever lock assembly to a second surface, said frame having an opening for said end of said right angled portion of said lever to enter; means for securing said right angled lever within a center portion of said frame to enable said lever to rotate about said securing means with said right angled portion of said lever protruding through said opening in said frame when said lever is in said closed position; and a U-shaped spring, one end attached to said frame below a handle portion of said lever and the other end positioned against an underside of said handle portion of said lever.

24. The lever lock assembly as recited in claim 23 wherein said griping means comprises a plurality of teeth on said end of a right angled portion of said lever.

25. The lever lock assembly as recited in claim 23 wherein said U-shaped spring comprises a U-shaped leaf spring.