IP Library › Granted Patent US 12680381
Granted Patent B2
US 12680381 · App. 18/511,168 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Expandable step system

Inventor: Therese Derusso (Evansville, WY)
E06C1/005E06C7/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680381
App. No.
18/511,168
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An expandable step system designed to replace traditional step ladders, makeshift stools, and similar devices for reaching elevated locations. The step system includes a frame that includes a plurality of steps, each step is configured to be raised vertically using a scissor system wherein the steps form ladder steps enabling a user to stand on the steps to reach elevated locations. The step system is stored at the bottom of a cabinet when not in use and can be pulled out of the cabinet by applying a slight force on the front surface thereof, wherein the force pushes the push latches positioned on the rear surface of the system. The system can be made in any size and weight limit and can be installed under one or multiple cabinets in a kitchen area.

Claims (42)

1 . An expandable step system for reaching elevated locations, the expandable step system comprising:

a frame with a front surface and a rear surface including a pair of push latches;

a first step with a first scissors mechanism;

a second step with a second scissors mechanism; and

a pair of side channels for said step system to be pulled from and pushed to a bottom drawer of a cabinet;

wherein said bottom drawer having a receiving frame for lateral movement of said pair of side channels;

wherein said first scissors mechanism expands and collapses said first step and said second scissors mechanism expands and collapses said second step;

wherein said front surface engageable by a user's foot for actuating said pair of push latches and deploying said step system from the cabinet;

wherein actuating said pair of push latches includes pushing said front surface; and

further wherein at least one of said pair of side channels having a pivoting member for manually expanding and collapsing said first step and said second step.

2 . The expandable step system of claim 1 , wherein said pivoting member having a pivoting pin connected to at least one of said first scissors mechanism and said second scissors mechanism.

3 . The expandable step system of claim 2 , wherein said first step and said second step are coplanar within said frame when said first step and said second step are collapsed.

4 . The expandable step system of claim 3 , wherein said first scissors mechanism having a first extension height and said second scissors mechanism having a second extension height, and further wherein said second extension height greater than said first extension height.

5 . The expandable step system of claim 4 , wherein said pivoting pin secures said first scissors mechanism at said first extension height and said second scissors mechanism at said second extension height.

6 . An expandable step system for reaching elevated locations, the expandable step system comprising:

a frame with a front surface and a rear surface including a pair of push latches;

a first step with a first scissors mechanism;

a second step with a second scissors mechanism; and

a pair of side channels for said step system to be pulled from and pushed to a bottom drawer of a cabinet;

wherein said bottom drawer having a receiving frame for lateral movement of said pair of side channels;

wherein said first scissors mechanism expands and collapses said first step and said second scissors mechanism expands and collapses said second step;

wherein said first step and said second step are coplanar within said frame when said first step and said second step are collapsed;

wherein said front surface engageable by a user's foot for actuating said pair of push latches and deploying said step system from the cabinet;

wherein actuating said pair of push latches includes pushing said front surface; and

further wherein at least one of said pair of side channels having a pivoting member for manually expanding and collapsing said first step and said second step.

7 . The expandable step system of claim 6 , wherein said pivoting member having a pivoting pin connected to at least one of said first scissors mechanism and said second scissors mechanism.

8 . The expandable step system of claim 7 , wherein said first scissors mechanism having a first extension height and said second scissors mechanism having a second extension height, and further wherein said second extension height greater than said first extension height.

9 . The expandable step system of claim 8 , wherein said pivoting pin secures said first scissors mechanism at said first extension height and said second scissors mechanism at said second extension height.

10 . An expandable step system for reaching elevated locations, the expandable step system comprising:

a frame with a front surface and a rear surface including a pair of push latches;

a first step with a first scissors mechanism;

a second step with a second scissors mechanism; and

a pair of side channels for said step system to be pulled from and pushed to a bottom drawer of a cabinet;

wherein said bottom drawer having a receiving frame for lateral movement of said pair of side channels;

wherein said first scissors mechanism expands and collapses said first step and said second scissors mechanism expands and collapses said second step;

wherein said front surface engageable by a user's foot for actuating said pair of push latches and deploying said step system from the cabinet;

wherein at least one of said pair of side channels having a pivoting member for manually expanding and collapsing said first step and said second step;

wherein said pivoting member having a pivoting pin connected to said first scissors mechanism and said second scissors mechanism; and

further wherein said pivoting pin secures said first scissors mechanism at a first extension height and said second scissors mechanism at a second extension height.

11 . The expandable step system of claim 10 , wherein actuating said pair of push latches includes pushing said front surface.

12 . The expandable step system of claim 10 , wherein said second extension height greater than said first extension height.

13 . The expandable step system of claim 10 , wherein said first step and said second step are coplanar within said frame when said first step and said second step are collapsed.