STEPLADDER SPREADER MECHANISM
A stepladder with an ergonomic robust spreader mechanism is disclosed. The spreader mechanism includes pivotable connections to each rail of the stepladder and an ergonomic handle central to the stepladder to facilitate opening and closing of the stepladder. The arms of the spreader mechanism include coining for strength and rigidity and a channel center bracket covers the central pivot points for strength and finger protection.
1 . A folding stepladder comprising:
a pair of front rails connected by a step;
a pair of rear rails connected by a cross brace;
a top cap connected to at least one of the pair of front rails or the pair of rear rails;
a spreader mechanism comprising:
a C-shaped spreader bar operably connected to each of the pair of front rails;
a pair of hinges, each hinge pivotally connected to the spreader bar and comprising:
a spreader member pivotally connected to a respective rear rail; and
a handle affixed to the spreader bar, the spreader bar comprising a tool orifice.
2 . The folding stepladder of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a grip.
3 . The folding stepladder of claim 2 wherein the handle comprises two parts.
4 . The folding stepladder of claim 3 wherein each handle part comprises a tool orifice.
5 . The folding stepladder of claim 3 wherein each handle part comprises a grip.
6 . The folding stepladder of claim 4 wherein C-shaped spreader bar is sandwiched between the two handle parts.
7 . The folding stepladder of claim 6 comprising a means for affixing the two handle parts to the C-shaped spreader bar and the means for affixing traverses the C-shaped spreader bar.
8 . The folding stepladder of claim 7 wherein the handle comprises a length and wherein the spreader bar is completely enclosed within the handle along the entirety its length.
9 . The folding stepladder of claim 7 wherein the means for affixing the two handle parts is a self-tapping screw.
10 . The folding stepladder of claim 7 wherein the means for affixing the two handle parts is a rivet.
11 . The folding stepladder of claim 5 wherein each handle part comprises a tool orifice on either side of the grip.
12 . A folding stepladder comprising:
a pair of front rails connected by a step;
a pair of rear rails connected by a cross brace;
wherein at least one of the pair of front rails and pair of rear rails is pivotally connected a top cap;
a spreader mechanism comprising:
a spreader bar operably connected to each of the pair of front rails;
a pair of hinge members, each hinge member pivotally connected to the spreader bar to a respective rear rail; and
a handle affixed to the spreader bar, the spreader bar comprising a tool orifice.
13 . The folding stepladder of claim 12 wherein the handle comprises two parts.
14 . The folding stepladder of claim 13 wherein each of the two handle parts comprises a tool orifice.
15 . The folding stepladder of claim 14 wherein each of the two handle parts comprises a grip.
16 . The folding stepladder of claim 15 wherein the spreader bar is sandwiched between the two handle parts.
17 . The folding stepladder of claim 16 wherein the two handle parts are affixed to the spreader bar by a screw that traverses the spreader bar.
18 . A spreader mechanism for a ladder comprising a pair of front rails and a pair of rear rails,
the spread mechanism comprising:
a C-shaped spreader bar;
a pair of arms, each arm pivotally connected to the spreader bar and to a respective one of the pair of front rails or pair of rear rails;
a handle affixed to the spreader bar, the handle comprising a tool orifice.
19 . The spreader mechanism for a ladder of claim 18 wherein the spreader bar comprises a grip.
20 . The spreader mechanism of claim 19 wherein the handle comprises a tool orifice on the inside of the spreader bar and a tool orifice on the outside of the spreader bar.