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loft ladder design

Mike_D_'s picture

loft ladder design (post #159686)

Mike_D_ on Thu, 12/14/2000 - 14:09
in

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I am building an 8' tall hardwood ladder to access a loft in a room. I want the ladder to be angled to the floor when needed to climb into the loft, and placed flat against the wall when not in use. My idea is to hinge the bottom 12" or so to fold up, similar to an attic ladder, and allow the ladder to lay flat against the wall. The only problem is that the ladder will need a special hardware set up at top to allow the ladder to move away from the wall to lie flat. The ladder MUST stay attached to something at top and I have to angle it for climbing.

Anyone have a solution or idea?

Thanks!

Mike

-A +A

(post #159686, reply #1 of 5)

by calvin_ in reply to Mike_D_ [original] on Thu, 12/14/2000 - 10:29

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The rolling "stock" or library ladder company may have a non rolling one you could purchase or check out to give you ideas. Here's one: http://www.putnamrollingladder.com , or search the net using "rolling ladders".

(post #159686, reply #2 of 5)

by pat_white in reply to Anonymous [original] on Thu, 12/14/2000 - 13:39

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Mike, why not hinge it at the top, and then use a pulley sytstem to pull it up and out of the way when not in use.Suspend the pulley from the ceiling vertical to where the ladder sets on the floor when in use.then when you need to just lift it up and out of the way. Pat

(post #159686, reply #3 of 5)

by Bill_Conner in reply to Anonymous [original] on Thu, 12/14/2000 - 14:09

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A linear beaing that allows it to slide up when lifted and set against the wall would work. A low tech version might have a sliding (and pivoting) dovetail or simply a dowel (rung extended to outside of rails?) riding in slots in a pair of hardwood runners affixed to the wall. This would also allow you to remove the ladder by lifting and rotating. Wer it heavy, wheels on the bottom would work. Were it light, the slots could allow it to be set against the wall and lifted onto a peg for a neater and easier to vacume under arrangement.

(post #159686, reply #4 of 5)

by Mike_D_ in reply to Mike_D_ [original] on Thu, 12/14/2000 - 14:09

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I am building an 8' tall hardwood ladder to access a loft in a room. I want the ladder to be angled to the floor when needed to climb into the loft, and placed flat against the wall when not in use. My idea is to hinge the bottom 12" or so to fold up, similar to an attic ladder, and allow the ladder to lay flat against the wall. The only problem is that the ladder will need a special hardware set up at top to allow the ladder to move away from the wall to lie flat. The ladder MUST stay attached to something at top and I have to angle it for climbing.

Anyone have a solution or idea?

Thanks!

Mike

did you come up with a solution? (post #159686, reply #5 of 5)

by dmscholl in reply to Mike_D_ [original] on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 12:01

Hi Mike, I just came across this thread in the archives. I'm curious if you ever came up with a solution. I am exploring ladder options for a similar purpose: accessing a loft in my bedroom. Looking for something attractive and functional. Please share,  if you are still out there! Thanks.

Donna