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Abstract

A pivotable type ladder assembly intended primarily as a life saving device for persons who accidentally fall into the water adjacent to the marine structure of a yacht basin or small boat marina. The ladder having two parallel side rails, with upper and lower ends, joined at appropriate intervals by a plurality of perpendicular cross-members, or treads, the bottom most of which is ballasted. The ladder is connected, pivotably; to a mounting bracket suitable for attachment to a marina walkway or docking structure. The bracket having a pivot pin which articulates with a pivot hole positioned in the upper one-third of the ladder and having also at its lower extremity a cross-member to support the ladder while it is in the vertical, deployed position and to prevent side-to-side movement while the ladder is in use. The ladder assembly, including also a stowage cleat positioned so as to support the ballasted lower end of the ladder out of the water at an elevation substantially equal to that of the upper, pivoting end, thus maintaining the ladder in a horizontal position, essentially flat against the side skirt of the marina docking or walkway structure. The ladder being easily dislodged from the cleat is brought by ballast action, automatically, to a secure vertical deployment. Having served its purpose, the ladder may then be rotated easily back onto the stowage cleat.

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First Claim