Four-point stepladder bracing system, brace and method
A ladder includes a first rail. The ladder includes a second rail. The ladder includes a step attached to the first rail and the second rail. The ladder includes a first brace attached to the first rail. The ladder includes a second brace attached to the second rail. Each brace is attached at least at two distinct points to the step and at least at two distinct points to a respective rail. A brace for supporting a step to first and second rails of a ladder includes a central portion. The brace includes a rail portion extending from the central portion which attaches to a respective rail. The brace includes a step portion extending from the central portion which attaches to the step. A method for using a ladder. The method includes the steps of placing a load on a step. There is the step of distributing the load to the rails from the step through a first and second brace attached to the first and second rails, respectively. Each brace is attached at least at two distinct points to the step and at least at two distinct points to a respective rail.
1 . A ladder comprising:
a first rail;
a second rail;
a step attached to the first rail and the second rail;
a first brace attached to the first rail; and
a second brace attached to the second rail, each brace attached at least at two distinct points to the step and at least at two distinct points to a respective rail.
2 . A ladder as described in claim 1 wherein each rail has a front flange and each brace is attached to the front flange of the respective rail.
3 . A ladder as described in claim 2 wherein each brace is attached to the step and the respective rail with fasteners.
4 . A ladder as described in claim 3 wherein each brace has a central portion, a rail portion extending from the central portion which attaches to a respective rail, and a step portion extending from the central portion which attaches to the step.
5 . A ladder as described in claim 4 wherein the central portion has at least one gap, and the rail portion and the step portion each have at least two holes through which the fasteners extend to attach the brace to the respective rail and step.
6 . A brace for supporting a step to first and second rails of a ladder comprising:
a central portion;
a rail portion extending from the central portion which attaches to a respective rail; and
a step portion extending from the central portion which attaches to the step.
7 . A brace as described in claim 6 wherein the central portion has at least one gap, and the rail portion and the step portion each have at least two holes through which the fasteners extend to attach the brace to the respective rail and step.
8 . A method for using a ladder comprising the steps of:
placing a load on a step; and
distributing the load to the rails from the step through a first and second brace attached to the first and second rails, respectively, each brace attached at least at two distinct points to the step and at least at two distinct points to a respective rail.