All Directional Ladder

Abstract

An all directional ladder is provided having a base and a plurality of stair treads supported by and extending upwardly from the base at an angle. The ladder further includes a set of footpads, a retractable first and second set of wheels, and a third set of non-retractable wheels. The first and second set of wheels rotate 360° about a vertical axis to allow the ladder to be moved in any direction. A step lock assembly is positioned proximate the front of the base and a series of linkages are associated with this step lock assembly retracting the first and second set of wheels to change the ladder from a mobile position to a stationary position in which the ladder rests on the set of footpads and the third set of wheels. A kit and a method for retrofitting a ladder with an all directional movement system is also provided.

1 . An all directional ladder comprising:
 a base having a front, a center, and a rear;   a plurality of stair treads supported by and extending upwardly from the base at an angle from the front to the rear thereof;   a set of footpads extending from the front of the base;   a retractable first set of wheels mounted proximate the front of the base, said first set of wheels mounted from a first set of casters adapted for rotating the first set of wheels;   a retractable second set of wheels mounted approximately between the center and the rear of the base, said second set of wheels mounted from a second set of casters adapted for rotating the second set of wheels;   a third set of wheels mounted proximate the rear of the base;   a step lock assembly positioned proximate the front of the base; and   a series of linkages associated with the step lock assembly and the first and second set of retractable wheels for retracting the first and second set of retractable wheels to change the ladder from a mobile position to a stationary position in which the ladder rests on the set of footpads and the third set of wheels.   
   
   
       2 . The all directional ladder as claimed in  claim 1 , including at least one foot lever associated with the series of linkages such that an application of force thereto causes the first and second set of retractable wheels to pivot into an active position to change the ladder from a stationary position to a mobile position. 
   
   
       3 . The all directional ladder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second set of casters are adapted for rotating said first and second set of wheels 360° such that said ladder is adapted for movement in any direction. 
   
   
       4 . The all directional ladder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of casters are attached to a first horizontally extending carriage assembly positioned at the front of the base and the second set of casters are attached to a second horizontally extending carriage assembly positioned approximately midway between the center and the rear of the base. 
   
   
       5 . The all directional ladder as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said first and second carriage assemblies are connected to each other via a first vertically extending linkage, a second vertically extending linkage, and a longitudinally extending linkage extending between said first and second vertically extending linkages. 
   
   
       6 . The all directional ladder as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first vertically extending linkage is attached to a connecting member which is associated with and activated by the application of a downward force to the step lock assembly. 
   
   
       7 . The all directional ladder as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinally extending linkage is adjustable in length. 
   
   
       8 . The all directional ladder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first set of wheels and said first set of casters are mounted onto a first carriage assembly and said second set of wheels and said second set of casters are mounted onto a second carriage assembly and wherein said second carriage member is adapted to be received within a pair of rod receiving members mounted proximate the rear of the base. 
   
   
       9 . A kit for retrofitting a ladder with an all directional movement system, said ladder including: a base having a front, a center, and a rear; a set of footpads extending from the front of the base, and a back set of wheels mounted proximate the rear of the base, said kit comprising:
 a pair of axle rod receiving members adapted for attachment to the rear portion of the base;   a first carriage assembly including a first set of wheels mounted from a first set of casters adapted for rotating the first set of wheels, said first carriage assembly adapted to be supported by a front lateral member mounted proximate to the front of the base of the ladder;   a second carriage assembly including an axle rod adapted for placement within said pair of axle rod receiving members, said second carriage assembly including a second set of wheels mounted from a second set of casters adapted for rotating the second set of wheels;   a step lock assembly adapted for attachment proximate the front of the base; and   a series of linkages associated with the step lock assembly and the first and second carriage for retracting the first and second carriages and the first and second set of wheels to change the ladder from a mobile position to a stationary position in which the ladder rests on the set of footpads and the back set of wheels.   
   
   
       10 . The kit as claimed in  claim 9 , including a pair of kit plates having said pair of axle rod receiving members mounted thereon, said pair of kit plates as adapted for mechanical attachment proximate the rear of the base. 
   
   
       11 . The kit as claimed in  claim 9 , including at least one foot lever associated with the series of linkages wherein an application of force thereto causes the first and second carriages to pivot into an active position to change the ladder from a stationary position to a mobile position. 
   
   
       12 . The kit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second set of casters are adapted for rotating said first and second set of wheels 360° such that said ladder is adapted for movement in any direction. 
   
   
       13 . The kit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second carriage assemblies are connected to each other via a first vertically extending linkage, a second vertically extending linkage, and a longitudinally extending linkage extending between said first and second vertically extending linkages. 
   
   
       14 . The kit as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the first vertically extending linkage is attached to a connecting member which is associated with and activated by the application of a downward force to the step lock assembly. 
   
   
       15 . The kit as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the longitudinally extending linkage is adjustable in length to adapt the movement system to different sized ladders. 
   
   
       16 . The kit as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the longitudinally extending linkage includes a series of apertures extending along a length thereof and the second vertically extending linkage includes a pin adapted for cooperating with said apertures. 
   
   
       17 . A method of retrofitting a ladder with an all directional movement system, said ladder including: a base having a front, a center, and a rear; a set of footpads extending from the front of the base; and a back set of wheels mounted proximate the rear of the base, said method comprising;
 securing a pair of axle rod receiving members onto said base;   providing a first carriage assembly including a first set of wheels mounted from a first set of casters adapted for rotating the first set of wheels, said first carriage assembly adapted for contacting a front lateral member mounted proximate to the front of the base of the ladder;   providing a second carriage assembly including a second set of wheels mounted from a second set of casters adapted for rotating the second set of wheels, said second carriage assembly including an axle rod extending across the length of the second carriage assembly;   inserting opposing ends of said axle rod into said pair of axle rod receiving members;   securing a step lock assembly proximate the front of the base; and   providing a series of linkages adapted for coacting with said step lock assembly and the first and second carriages for retracting the first and second carriages and the first and second set of wheels to change the ladder from a mobile position to a stationary position in which the ladder rests on the set of footpads and the back set of wheels.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said pair of axle rods are secured to a pair of kit plates and the back set of wheels are mounted from a third pair of casters and the method includes mechanically securing the kit plates to the pair of caster plates. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the series of linkages include a longitudinally extending linkage extending between said first and second carriage assemblies, said method including providing a series of apertures adapted for coacting with a pin member for adjusting the length between the first and second carriages according to the size of the ladder.