This was a fun side project during the development of the DT65. We wanted to have a ladder on the tailshelf, but didn’t want the hassle of having to deploy it manually, nor the issue of forgetting to stow it. This ladder simply attaches to the outrigger and deploys and stows alongside it. Its a very simple solution that saves the customer effort and thought. It just works.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10112542B2/
Abstract
A deploying ladder assembly configured to be associated with a vehicle and configured to be selectively placed into a deployed position and a stowed position, the deploying ladder assembly comprising an outrigger, an actuator, a ladder support, and a ladder. The actuator is associated with the outrigger, and is configured to selectively move the outrigger between the deployed position and the stowed position. The ladder support apparatus configured to be secured to the utility vehicle. The ladder is secured to the outrigger and moveably secured to the ladder support apparatus. The actuator imparts a force on the ladder through the outrigger, such that the ladder is in the deployed position while the outrigger is in the deployed position and the ladder is in the stowed position while the outrigger is in the stowed position.
