US2918108A - Stool and ladder combination - Google Patents

Description

1959 H. STURMHOEFEL 2,918,108-

STOOL AND LADDER COMBINATION Filed May 7, 1958 INVENTOR fi y W ATTORNEY STOOL AND LADDER CGMBINATKQN Heinz Sturmhoefel, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Application May 7, 1958, Serial No. 733,573

1 Claim. (Cl. 15542) My invention pertains generally to ladders and, particularly, it pertains to an improved ladder and stool combination.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a combined stool and ladder wherein the ladder may be folded completely in two and is hidden by the stool when completely folded.

A further object is to provide a ladder composed of hinged sections that will fold in alternate directions to occupy a minimum of space in the folded position.

Another object is to provide a stool and ladder combination wherein the ladder is coupled to the seat of the stool and movement of the seat will erect or collapse the ladder.

A still further object is to provide astool and ladder combination wherein the ladder may be locked securely in the erected position.

An additional object is to provide a stool and ladder combination manufactured from readily obtainable low cost parts.

Another object is to provide a stool and ladder combination having a pleasing exterior appearance to fit unobtrusively into standard household furnishings.

Additional objects and advantages resulting from my invention will be seen on reading the attached specification in conjunction with the drawings attached. While I will describe my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that the information therein is by way of example and illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation. Various changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim may be made without departing from the inventive spirit and scope thereof.

In drawings which illustrate one practical example of my invention and wherein like numbers refers to like or similar parts,

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of my invention in the folded position,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of my invention showing the ladder in the partially collapsed position,

Figure 3 is another side elevational view in section and showing my ladder in the completely open or extended position.

As seen in the drawings, my device comprises the stool 1 which is of common construction, composed of vertical legs 2 joined together by cross pieces 3 to form a rectangular structure. A cover or seat 4 is connected hingedly at the rearward upper edge of the stool by the hinge 5 and, in its preferred form, the stool is provided with side panels 6 and and a back panel 7 with the front and top of the stool being left open.

The stepladder is constructed in sectional form in three 2,918,108 Patented Dec. 22, 1959 ice sections 8, 9 and 11) joined together by hinges 11. Each of these sections is of common construction and includes parallel side members 12 with horizontal steps 13 keyed to the side members 12 as is common in ladder construction and with an enlarged upper step 14 at the top of the ladder section 8. p

The section 9 of the ladder is connected pivotally to the stool 1 at the pivots 15 and the section 8 of the ladder is connected hingedly to the top 4 by the hinge 16. In this manner, it will be obvious that as the cover 4 is opened and closed with respect to the stool 1, the ladder will be moved to the extended position illustrated in Figure 3 or collapsed to the closed position.

As seen in the drawings, the pivotal connections 15 are positioned so the lower section 10 of the ladder will be at the same level as the bottom of the legs 2 and will engage the floor or on whatever other surface the stool may be placed, when the legs are in the extended position. Obviously, it will be necessary to raise the forward edge of the stool to fold the section 10 under the stool or to move the section 10 to the extended position as illustrated.

To hold the ladder in the extended position, I have provided the supporting brace composed of the member 17 connected pivotally to the stool at 18 and the member 19 connected pivot-ally at 20 to the member 17 and connected pivotally at 21 to the ladder. When in the maximum supporting position illustrated in Figure 3, the member 17 and 19 are provided with a friction catch 22, which is common in braces of this type and does not require further description.

An additional friction catch 23 is provided on the member 10 of the ladder to engage with the protuberance 24 on the member 9 and hold the member 10 out of the way when the ladder is not in use. As an additional aid, I have provided the removable tray composed of the member 24 and hooks 25 which will engage on the top step 14 to provide an enlarged working surface when the ladder is in use. When the ladder is not being used, the tray may be lodged within the stool 1 or may be stored as required.

What I claim as my invention is:

A combination stool and ladder comprising a stool open at one side and the top thereof, a cover for the top connected hingedly to the stool, a ladder comprising upper, middle and lower sections connected hingedly together to collapse in alternate directions, a hinged connection between the said cover and the upper section of the ladder, pivotal connections adjacent the said open side of the stool and connecting the middle section of the ladder to the stool, such pivotal connection being located at a height on the stool whereby the lower section of the ladder may engage with the surface on which the stool is placed and a collapsible brace connected at one end to the stool and at its opposite end to the said middle section of the ladder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,887,492 Lundstrom Nov. 15, 1932 2,555,149 Mushta May 29, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 462,537 Great Britain Mar. 10, 1937 1,067,743 France Jan. 27, 1954

Images