Multifunction button for ladder adjustment

Abstract

Ladders have first and second assemblies with pairs of rails that form a pair of hinges rotatable about a pivot axis. The hinges include at least one retainer movable between axial positions along the pivot axis. The at least one retainer includes a body and a support arm coupled with the body. The arm can be pivotable relative to the body between a deployed position and a collapsed position. The support arm can support objects while a user is in an elevated position on the ladder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ladder, comprising:
 a first assembly, including:
 a first pair of rails spaced apart from each other; 
 a first set of rungs coupled to and extending between the pair of rails; 
 a first pair of hinge portions coupled to the first pair of rails; 
   a second assembly, including:
 a second pair of rails spaced apart from each other; 
 a second pair of hinge portions coupled to the second pair of rails; 
 wherein the first pair of hinge portions and the second pair of hinge portions are pivotally coupled to each other to form a pair of hinges rotatable about a pivot axis; and 
   at least one retainer movable between a first axial position along the pivot axis and a second axial position along the pivot axis, the first assembly being rotatable relative to the second assembly while the at least one retainer is in the first axial position, the first assembly being prevented from rotation relative to the second assembly by the at least one retainer while the at least one retainer is in the second axial position;   wherein the at least one retainer includes:
 a body; and 
 a support arm coupled with and extending from the body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer comprises a pin portion extending from the body into at least one of the pair of hinges. 
     
     
         3 . The ladder of  claim 2 , wherein the body is reversibly removable from the pin portion. 
     
     
         4 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein the support arm is pivotable relative to the body between a deployed position and a collapsed position. 
     
     
         5 . The ladder of  claim 4 , wherein the support arm is selectively biased into the deployed position and into the collapsed position. 
     
     
         6 . The ladder of  claim 4 , wherein the deployed position is substantially perpendicularly offset from the collapsed position. 
     
     
         7 . The ladder of  claim 4 , wherein the body comprises a protrusion limiting rotation away from the deployed position while the support arm is in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         8 . The ladder of  claim 4 , wherein the support arm is substantially aligned with a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis while in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         9 . The ladder of  claim 4 , wherein the support arm forms a loop with the body while in the deployed position. 
     
     
         10 . The ladder of  claim 9 , wherein the loop includes at least three linear segments. 
     
     
         11 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one support surface engaging a downward-facing surface the support arm while the support arm is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         12 . The ladder of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one support surface is pitched toward a centerline of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of rails and the second pair of rails are movable relative to the pivot axis between at least a freestanding configuration and a collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The ladder of  claim 13 , wherein while the first pair of rails and the second pair of rails are in the freestanding configuration on a substantially horizontal support surface, the support arm extends substantially horizontally relative to the substantially horizontal support surface. 
     
     
         15 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the body comprises at least one aperture extending perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         16 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein the support arm is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         17 . The ladder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer is movable between the first axial position and the second axial position in response to application of an axially-oriented force to a substantially axially-facing surface of the body. 
     
     
         18 . A button for a locking mechanism, the button comprising:
 a body having a first side surface, a second side surface positioned opposite the first side surface, and at least one lateral surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface;   a support arm coupled with the body and pivotable relative to the body about a pivot axis intersecting the at least one lateral surface, the support arm being pivotable about the pivot axis between a deployed position and a collapsed position;   wherein in the collapsed position, the support arm lies between a first plane defined by the first side surface of the body and a second plane defined by the second side surface of the body; and   wherein in the deployed position, the support arm extends from the second side surface in a direction extending away from the first side surface.   
     
     
         19 . The button of  claim 18 , wherein the body is directly coupled with an adjustment mechanism of a rail of a ladder. 
     
     
         20 . A button for a locking mechanism, the button comprising:
 a body having a first side surface attachable to a shaft, a second side surface positioned opposite the first side surface, and at least one lateral surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface;   a support arm coupled with the body and pivotable relative to the body about a pivot axis intersecting the at least one lateral surface, the support arm being pivotable about the pivot axis between a deployed position and a collapsed position;   wherein in the deployed position, a substantially upward-facing portion of the at least one lateral surface limits rotation of the support arm about the pivot axis.