Boarding ladder

Abstract

A boarding ladder includes an upper step having a first and second collar, a lower step having a left and right side selectively slidably engaged with the first and second collar, respectively, with the lower step selectively slidable between raised and lowered positions. Left and right extensions are pivotally engaged with the left and right sides, respectively, with the left and right extensions pivoting between folded and extended positions. The left and right extensions are selectively slidably engaged with the first and second collars, respectively, in the extended position. A method of lowering a boarding ladder includes pivoting a left and right extension of a lower step to an extended position, disengaging a retention member from an upper step and the lower step, and lowering the lower step from the upper step until a stop on each of the left and right extensions abuts the upper step.

1 . A boarding ladder assembly, comprising:
 an upper step assembly including a first collar and a second collar;   a lower step assembly having a left side and a right side selectively slidably engaged with the first collar and the second collar, respectively, wherein the lower step assembly is selectively slidable between a raised position and a lowered position; and   a left extension and a right extension pivotally engaged with the left side and the right side, respectively, the left and right extensions selectively pivot between a folded position and an extended position, wherein the left extension and the right extension are selectively slidably engaged with the first collar and the second collar, respectively, in the extended position.   
     
     
         2 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a central axis of each of the first and second collars is generally perpendicular to a step portion of the upper step assembly. 
     
     
         3 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a retention member selectively engaged with the upper step assembly and the lower step assembly. 
     
     
         4 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the retention member is a dowel pin. 
     
     
         5 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein ends of the left and right extensions are pivotally engaged with bifurcated ends of the left and right sides, respectively, of the lower step assembly. 
     
     
         6 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein indent balls in the bifurcated ends of the left and right sides engage indentations in the ends of the left and right extensions, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the left and right extensions includes a stop. 
     
     
         8 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the stop is a roll pin. 
     
     
         9 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper step assembly and the lower step assembly are manufactured from grade  304  stainless steel. 
     
     
         10 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a bushing disposed between the first collar of the upper step assembly and the left side of the lower step assembly and the second collar of the upper step assembly and the right side of the lower step assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the bushing is a nylon material. 
     
     
         12 . A boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper step assembly includes mounting brackets for mounting to a boat. 
     
     
         13 . A method of lowering a boarding ladder assembly, comprising:
 pivoting a left extension and a right extension of a lower step assembly from a folded position to an extended position;   disengaging a retention member from engagement with an upper step assembly and the lower step assembly; and   lowering the lower step assembly from the upper step assembly until a stop on each of the left extension and right extension abuts the upper step assembly.   
     
     
         14 . A method of lowering a boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the left extension and the right extension are generally perpendicular to a left side and a right side of the lower step assembly, respectively, in the folded position. 
     
     
         15 . A method of lowering a boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the upper step assembly includes a first collar and a second collar that are selectively slidably engaged with a left side and a right side of the lower step assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A method of lowering a boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the left extension is pivotally engaged with the left side and the right extension is pivotally engaged with the right side. 
     
     
         17 . A method of lowering a boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the retention member is selectively engaged with the first collar of the upper step assembly and the left side of the lower step assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A method of lowering a boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the retention member is a dowel pin. 
     
     
         19 . A method of lowering a boarding ladder assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the stop is a roll pin. 
     
     
         20 . A boat comprising:
 a boat hull;   an upper step assembly mounted to the boat hull, a step portion of the upper step assembly being generally parallel to a boat deck and including a first collar and a second collar;   a lower step assembly having a left side and a right side selectively slidably engaged with the first collar and the second collar, respectively, wherein the lower step assembly is selectively slidable between a raised position and a lowered position; and   a left extension and a right extension pivotally engaged with the left side and the right side, respectively, wherein the left and right extensions selectively pivot between a folded position and an extended position.