Ladder, wide rung and method
A ladder having a first rail and a second rail. The ladder having a standard rung having a width permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The ladder having a first wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung, which is permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The ladder having a second wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung which is permanently attached to the first rail and the second rail. The first wide rung and the second wide rung are disposed in a work zone of the ladder. The work zone of the ladder is where a user typically stands on the ladder while performing tasks. The standard rung is disposed outside the work zone. A wide rung. A method for using a ladder. A method for producing a ladder.
1. The method for producing a ladder comprising the steps of:
attaching a standard rung having a width to a first rail and a second rail of a ladder;
attaching a first wide rung to the first rail and the second rail of the ladder, the first wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung, the first wide rung is hollow and a one piece extrusion having a right side and a left side and a somewhat D-shaped cross-section formed of a portion having width wider than the width of the standard rung and a front and a back, a first segment connected to and extending down from the front of the top portion, a second segment connected to and extending down from the back of the top portion, a third segment connected to and extending inward toward the back from the first segment, a fourth segment connected to and extending down from the second segment inward toward the front and connected to the third segment, a first boss adjacent the front of the top portion, a second boss adjacent the back of the top portion, and a third boss adjacent to the third and fourth segments; and
attaching a second wide rung to the first rail and the second rail of the ladder, the second wide rung having a width greater than the width of the standard rung, the first and second wide rungs attached to the first and second rails and only in a work zone of the ladder, the standard rung disposed outside the work zone.
2. The method of claim 1 including:
a right cover attached to the right side of the first wide rung;
a left cover attached to the left side of the first wide rung, each cover having a cross-section which conforms with the cross-section of the first wide rung, a closed face having a first hole and a second hole in a third hole whose locations in the face align with the first boss and second boss and third boss, respectively, a top side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the top portion and is positioned over the top portion, a first side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the first segment and is positioned over the first segment, a second side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the second segment and is positioned over the second segment, a third side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the third segment and is positioned over the third segment, and a fourth side that extends inward from the face in alignment with the fourth segment and is positioned over the fourth segment;
right side fasteners which extend through the first rail and the first and second and third holes of the right cover and the first and second and third bosses, respectively, to attach the right side of the first wide rung and the right cover to the first rail; and
left side fasteners which extend through the second rail and the first and second and third holes of the left cover and the first and second and third bosses, respectively, to attach the left side of the first wide rung and the left cover to the second rail.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first and second wide rungs are the only wide rungs attached to the first and second rails.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein each cover is made a plastic and each wide rung is made of aluminum.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein each cover has a first plate extending inward from the face and in parallel and spaced relation from the top side to define a first slot in which the top portion is disposed, a second plate extending inward from the face and in parallel space relation from the third side to define a second slot in which the third segment is disposed, and a third plate extending inward from the face and in parallel and spaced relation from the fourth side to define a third slot in which the fourth segment is disposed.