Ladder transport system

Abstract

Embodiments of ladders ( 22, 106 ) are disclosed which utilize a wheel means ( 112 ) to allow users to transport these ladders easily by rolling along a surface without carrying the entire weight of the ladder. The wheel means ( 112 ) are located in positions which do not interfere with the use of these ladders.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a ladder ( 106 ); said ladder ( 106 ) including a pair of rails ( 108 );    each of said pair of rails ( 108 ) including 
 an end surface ( 108   a );  
 a side surface ( 108   b );  
 a front surface ( 108   c ); and  
 a rear surface ( 108   d );  
   a plurality of rungs ( 110 ); said rungs ( 110 ) being disposed generally across said rails ( 108 ); and    an internal wheel means ( 112 ) for allowing a user to transport said ladder ( 106 ) by lifting only a portion of the weight of said ladder ( 106 ) while moving said ( 106 ) by rolling on said wheel ( 112 );    said wheel means ( 112 ) being located on a rail ( 108 ) in a position which does not interfere with the safe user of said ladder ( 106 ).    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said internal wheel means ( 112 ) is affixed to a side surface ( 108   b ) near an end of one of said rails ( 108 ) of said ladder ( 106 ).  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said internal wheel means ( 112 ) is affixed to a front surface ( 108   c )-near an end of one of said rails ( 108 ) of said ladder ( 106 ).  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said ladder ( 106 ) is a ladder ( 106 ) having a pair of generally straight rails ( 108 ).  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said rails ( 108 ) include four generally flat sides.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said sides of said rails ( 108 ) are arranged in pairs of generally parallel sides.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said rails ( 108 ) are generally solid.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said rails ( 108 ) are generally rectangular in cross-section.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said rails ( 108 ) are formed from a channel material.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said internal wheel means ( 112 ) is partially enclosed by three sides of said channel material.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a portion of said internal wheel means ( 112 ) protrudes beyond one of said surfaces of said channel material.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which one of said pair of rails ( 108 ) includes a cavity which partially encloses said internal wheel means ( 112 ).  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which one of said rails ( 108 ) includes a cavity, in which said internal wheel means ( 112 ) resides.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a portion of said internal wheel means ( 112 ) extends beyond a surface of one of said rails ( 108 ).  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said rails ( 108 ) have generally rounded edges.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said rails ( 108 ) are composed from generally transparent colored material.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said rungs ( 110 ) are composed from a generally transparent colored material.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said ladder ( 106 ) is generally shorter than five feet in length.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said ladder ( 106 ) is an extension ladder.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said ladder ( 106 ) is an A-frame ladder.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said ladder ( 106 ) is formed from metal.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said ladder ( 106 ) is formed from fiberglass.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said ladder ( 106 ) is formed from a plastic material.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said wheel means ( 112 ) is located on a rail ( 108 ) in a position which enables a user to move said ladder ( 106 ) without scraping said ladder ( 106 ) against said surface over which said ladder ( 106 ) is being transported.  
     
     
         25 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 lifting one end of a ladder ( 106 ); said ladder ( 106 ) including an internal wheel means ( 102 ) for enabling a user to move said ladder ( 106 ) without carrying said ladder's full weight and without interfering with the use of said ladder ( 106 ) and without impairing the safe operation of said ladder ( 106 ); and    moving said ladder ( 106 ) by pushing said ladder ( 106 ) along a surface on said internal wheel means ( 112 ) without scraping said ladder ( 106 ) against said surface.