Compact truck tailgate and general purpose utility ladder

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment sets forth an apparatus, including a non-collapsible single unit stair comprising: a pair of opposing side rails supporting at least a top step and a bottom step; a coupler adapted to couple the apparatus to an edge of a horizontal surface; and a height adjustable user-support arm, coupled to one of the side rails with a rotatable coupling, wherein the user-support arm is moveable between a support position and a storage position.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a non-collapsible single unit stair comprising: a pair of opposing side rails supporting at least a top step and a bottom step; and    a roller system adapted to attach said apparatus adjacent to a substantially horizontal surface, said roller system providing for movement of the apparatus between a user-ready position and a storage position under said substantially horizontal surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a height adjustable user-support arm, coupled to one of said side rails with a rotatable coupling, wherein said user-support arm is moveable between a support position and a storage position.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a second height adjustable user-support arm.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said roller system comprises: 
 a pair of spaced-apart travel rails attached to said horizontal surface; and    a pair of rollers attached to said single unit stair and located on said travel rails.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said roller system is adapted to connect to the underside of a vehicle.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator mechanism adapted to move said apparatus between the user-ready position and the storage position.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said actuator mechanism comprises a pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable bracket associated with said single unit stair, said adjustable bracket adapted to connect to a structure associated with the substantially horizontal surface, wherein said adjustable bracket retains said single unit stair in the user-ready position.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said adjustable bracket is adapted to adjust at least the vertical height of said single unit stair with respect to the substantially horizontal surface when said single unit stair is in the user-ready position.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one ladder brace connecting said adjustable bracket to said single unit stair.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a non-collapsible single unit stair comprising: a pair of opposing side rails supporting at least a top step and a bottom step;    at least one hinge adapted to connect said apparatus to an edge of a horizontal surface, said hinge providing for movement of said single unit stair between a user-ready position and a storage position; and    a height adjustable user-support arm, coupled to one of said side rails with a rotatable coupling, wherein said user-support arm is moveable between a support position and a storage position.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a second height adjustable user-support arm.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an angle iron adapted to mount to said edge of said horizontal surface, wherein said hinge is mounted on said angle iron.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a ladder holding plate, and at least one second hinge attaching said ladder holding plate to said angle iron.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said horizontal surface is part of a vehicle.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a non-collapsible single unit stair comprising: a pair of opposing side rails supporting at least a top step and a bottom step, and a backdrop located behind and above the top step of the stair;    an angle iron adapted to mount to an edge of said horizontal surface, said angle iron comprising a first leg extending substantially parallel to the horizontal surface, and a second leg extending substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface;    a ladder holding plate;    at least one first hinge connecting said single unit stair to said angle iron; and    at least one second hinge connecting said ladder holding plate to said angle iron;    wherein surface engagement between said angle iron and backdrop supports said single unit stair in said user-ready position.