Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of vanity furniture. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a ladder assembly integrated with a vanity furniture unit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.
[0003] Vanity furniture is known in the furniture industry, to be employed in households and being one of a floor-mounted vanity furniture unit and a wall-hung vanity furniture unit. Generally, a vanity furniture unit comprises a storage cabinet unit and a fixture unit, wherein the fixture unit is attached over the storage cabinet unit, and is one of a mirror unit and a basin unit. The concerns pertaining to such a vanity furniture unit is addressed in the present disclosure.
[0004] Usually, the wall-mounted type of vanity furniture unit is employed by a user to access the fixture unit attached on top of the storage cabinet unit thereof. However, as such wall-mounted vanity furniture unit are mounted at least 2 to 3 feet above ground surface, there exists a major problem for the users having a short height to access the fixture unit thereof with ease. One solution to the aforementioned problem is provided by a ladder unit being manually deployed by the user in front of the vanity furniture unit. However, by employing such a ladder unit, an additional space in the desired room of household is occupied, which may cause inconvenience to the users. Similarly, in the floor-mounted type of vanity furniture unit, the aforementioned concern arises i.e., the ladder unit manually deployed by the user in front of such vanity furniture unit occupies additional space in the desired room of the household.
[0005] Accordingly, in light of the limitations and drawbacks existing in the field of art, there exists a well felt need to provide a ladder assembly integrated with the vanity furniture unit, capable of being concealed within the vanity furniture unit, and extending therefrom to provide ease to the users of short height to access a fixture unit thereof. The present disclosure aims to address the aforementioned need.
SUMMARY
[0006] This section is intended to introduce certain aspects of the disclosed invention in a simplified form, and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure.
[0007] The present disclosure relates to a ladder assembly integrated with a vanity furniture unit, the ladder assembly comprising: a fixed frame member fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the vanity furniture unit; and a plurality of step members being pivotally connected to each other, each of the plurality of step members being slidably arranged relative to the fixed frame member, wherein the ladder assembly is capable of being adjusted between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein, in the stowed configuration, each of the plurality of step members are concealed horizontally within the fixed frame member, and wherein, in the deployed configuration, each of the plurality of step members are pivotally adjusted, such that adjacent step members are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the vanity furniture unit can be one of a wall-mounted vanity furniture unit and a floor-mounted vanity furniture unit.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of step members includes at least three step members namely a first step member, a second step member, and a third step member, such that the first step member is in close proximity to the fixed frame member, while the third step member is distal from the fixed frame member, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of step members includes two step members namely, a second step member, and a third step member, such that the second step member is in close proximity to the fixed frame member forming vertical wall, while the third step member is distal from the fixed frame member forming horizontal base, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the ladder assembly comprises a pop-up button unit integrated within a platform of the first step member thereof, such that the pop-up button unit is automatically adjusted to a popped-out configuration to restrict automatic sliding of the first step member into the fixed frame member, as the ladder assembly is adjusted to the deployed configuration, while the pop-up button unit is manually adjusted to a popped-in configuration to allow sliding of the first step member into the fixed frame member to allow the ladder assembly to be adjusted to the stowed configuration.
[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the first step member includes a pair of main hinge provisions on opposite ends of a front face of the first step member, while the second step member includes a first pair of supplementary hinge provisions on opposite ends of a rear face of the second step member, such that the main hinge provisions of the first step member engage with the supplementary hinge provisions of the second step member, to enable pivotal connection therebetween.
[0013] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the pair of main hinge provisions of the first step member defines main fork portions and main depressed regions therebetween, while the first pair of supplementary hinge provisions of the second step member defines supplementary fork portions and supplementary depressed regions therebetween, such that the main fork portions are positioned over the supplementary depressed regions, while the supplementary fork portions are positioned over the main depressed regions, thereby the second step member is allowed a limited pivotal movement of up to 90 degrees relative to the first step member.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the third step member includes a pair of main hinge provisions on opposite ends of a rear face of the third step member, while the second step member includes a second pair of supplementary hinge provisions on opposite ends of a front face of the second step member, such that the main hinge provisions of the third step member engages with the supplementary hinge provisions of the second step member, to enable pivotal connection therebetween.
[0015] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the pair of main hinge provisions of the third step member defines main fork portions and main depressed regions therebetween, while the second pair of supplementary hinge provisions of the second step member defines supplementary fork portions and supplementary depressed regions therebetween, such that the main fork portions are positioned over the supplementary depressed regions, while the supplementary fork portions are positioned over the main depressed regions, thereby the third step member is allowed the limited pivotal movement of upto 90 degrees relative to the second step member.
[0016] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the ladder assembly comprises a scissor leg arrangement connected to a bottom surface of either or both of the first step member and the third step member, for supporting respectively the first step member and the third step member, on a ground surface, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly.
[0017] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the scissor leg arrangement comprises: a slider frame member fixedly attached to the bottom surface of respective first step member and the third step member; and a pair of scissor legs comprising a slider end and a support end, arranged in a scissor configuration thereof, the slider end being slidably supported in the slider frame member, such that a sliding movement of the slider end of the pair of scissor legs within the slider frame member corresponds to adjustment of an overall height of the scissor leg arrangement.
[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the scissor leg arrangement comprises a screw-type locking unit attached between the slider end of one of the pair of scissor legs and the slider frame member, for locking the sliding movement of the of the slider ends of the pair of scissor legs within the slider frame member, and thus locking the overall height of the scissor leg arrangement.
[0019] The present disclosure further relates to a vanity furniture unit comprising: a storage cabinet unit; a mirror unit attached over the storage cabinet unit; and the ladder assembly as described hereinabove, wherein the ladder assembly is integrated to a bottom portion of the storage cabinet unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:
[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vanity furniture unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0022] Figure 2 is a side view of the vanity furniture unit of Figure 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a ladder assembly deployed in the vanity furniture unit of Figure 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0024] Figure 3a is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the ladder assembly of Figure 3, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0025] Figure 3b is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the ladder assembly of Figure 3, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0026] Figure 4a is a first rear perspective view of the ladder assembly of Figure 3, illustrating a scissor leg arrangement in an open state, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0027] Figure 4b is a second rear perspective view of the ladder assembly of Figure 3, illustrating the scissor leg arrangement in a closed state, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vanity furniture unit [100], in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a side view of the vanity furniture unit [100] of Figure 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figures 1 and 2 are to be viewed in conjunction with each other, in order to better understand the concepts of the present disclosure. The vanity furniture unit [100] may be deployed on walls of any room in households, and comprises a storage cabinet unit [102], at least one fixture unit (not shown) attached over the storage cabinet unit [102], and a ladder assembly [200]. In an implementation, the fixture unit is integrated with the storage cabinet unit [102], to form a single continuous structure thereof. In another implementation, the fixture unit is mounted on the wall above the storage cabinet unit [102], such that . The at least one fixture unit can be one of a mirror unit (not shown), a basin unit (not shown), and a combination thereof, and the aforementioned implementations in respect of the mirror unit and the basin unit may be envisioned either alone or in combination thereof. Other similar known fixtures may also be one of the at least one fixture unit, which may be envisioned by a person skilled in the art, and the same is within the scope of the present disclosure. Notably, the ladder assembly [200] is integrated to a bottom portion [102a] of the storage cabinet unit [102]. The detailed structure and arrangement of each of the storage cabinet unit [102] and the mirror unit of the vanity furniture unit [100] is not repeated herein, for the sake of brevity.
[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a ladder assembly [200] deployed in the vanity furniture unit [100] of Figure 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 3a is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the ladder assembly [200] of Figure 3, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 3b is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the ladder assembly [200] of Figure 3, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 3, 3a, and 3b are to be viewed in conjunction with each other, in order to better understand the ladder assembly [200] as disclosed in the present disclosure. In light of the aforementioned accompanying drawings, a structure and arrangement of the ladder assembly [200] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0031] In the preferred embodiment, the ladder assembly [200] is integrated with a vanity furniture unit [100], to be adjusted between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration thereof. In an alternate embodiment, the ladder assembly [200] may be detachably attached on to a bottom portion [102a] of the vanity furniture unit [100], by any conventionally known fastening means or adhesive bonding means. Particularly, the ladder assembly [200] comprises a fixed frame member [202] and a plurality of step members [204]. In the preferred embodiment, the fixed frame member [202] is fixedly attached to the bottom portion [102a] of the vanity furniture unit [100]. In an alternate embodiment, the fixed frame member [202] may form an integral part of the bottom portion [102a] of the vanity furniture unit [100], and the same is also captured within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0032] Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of step members [204] of the ladder assembly [200] is pivotally connected to each other, wherein each of the plurality of step members [204] are slidably arranged relative to the fixed frame member [202]. Notably, virtue of the relative arrangement of the plurality of step members [204] and the fixed frame member [202] of the ladder assembly [200], in the stowed configuration of the ladder assembly [200], each of the plurality of step members [204] are concealed horizontally within the fixed frame member [202]; while, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200], each of the plurality of step members [204] are pivotally adjusted, such that adjacent step members [204] are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of step members [204] includes at least three step members namely a first step member [206], a second step member [208], and a third step member [210], such that the first step member [206] is in close proximity to the fixed frame member [202], while the third step member [210] is distal from the fixed frame member [202], in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200]. In an alternate embodiment, the plurality of step members [204] includes two step members [204] namely, the second step member [208], and the third step member [210], such that the second step member [208] is in close proximity to the fixed frame member [202] forming vertical wall, while the third step member [210] is distal from the fixed frame member [202] forming horizontal base, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200]. For ease in reference and understanding, concepts of the preferred embodiment of the plurality of step members [204] including at least three step members, however, similar concepts may also be applicable to the embodiment of the plurality of step members [204] including two step members, as well.
[0034] Notably, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of step members [204] including at least three step members, each of the first [206], second [208], and third step members [210] are pivotally connected to each other, such that the first step member [206] is in close proximity to the fixed frame member [202], while the third step member [210] is distal from the fixed frame member [202], in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200], and the second step member [208] is connected therebetween. In respect of the three step members [204] of the ladder assembly [200], a detailed understanding of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be elucidated hereinafter.
[0035] The ladder assembly [200] further comprises a pop-up button unit [212] integrated within a platform of the first step member [206] thereof, wherein the pop-up button unit [212] is adjustable between a popped-out configuration and a popped-in configuration. Preferably, such adjustment of configuration of the pop-up button unit [212] may be one of a manual adjustment, an automated adjustment, and a semi-automated adjustment. Notably, in a popped-out configuration of the pop-up button unit [212], the pop-up button unit [212] restricts automatic sliding of the first step member [206] into the fixed frame member [202], to retain the ladder assembly [200] in the deployed configuration thereof. Whereas, in the popped-in configuration of the pop-up button unit [212], the pop-up button unit [212] allows sliding of the first step member [206] into the fixed frame member [202], to allow the ladder assembly [200] to be adjusted to the stowed configuration thereof. A relative connection between the first step member [206] and the second step member [208] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0036] The first step member [206] includes a pair of main hinge provisions [206b] on opposite ends of a front face [206a] of the first step member [206], wherein the pair of main hinge provisions [206b] of the first step member [206] defines main fork portions [206c] and main depressed regions [206d] therebetween. While, the second step member [208] includes a first pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208b] on opposite ends of a rear face [208a] of the second step member [208], wherein the first pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208b] of the second step member [208] defines supplementary fork portions [208c] and supplementary depressed regions [208d] therebetween. Notably, to enable a pivotal connection between the first step member [206] and the second step member [208], the main hinge provisions [206b] of the first step member [206] engage with the supplementary hinge provisions [208b] of the second step member [208]. More particularly, the main fork portions [206c] are positioned over the supplementary depressed regions [208d], while the supplementary fork portions [208c] are positioned over the main depressed regions [206d], thereby the second step member [208] is allowed a limited pivotal movement of up to 90 degrees relative to the first step member [206]. A relative connection between the second step member [208] and the third step member [210] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0037] The third step member [210] includes a pair of main hinge provisions [210b] on opposite ends of a rear face [210a] of the third step member [210]. Notably, the pair of main hinge provisions [210b] of the third step member [210] defines main fork portions [210c] and main depressed regions [210d] therebetween. While, the second step member [208] includes a second pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208f] on opposite ends of a front face [208e] of the second step member [208], wherein the second pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208f] of the second step member [208] defines supplementary fork portions [208g] and supplementary depressed regions [208h] therebetween. Notably, to enable a pivotal connection between the second step member [208] and the third step member [210], the main hinge provisions [210b] of the third step member [210] engage with the supplementary hinge provisions of the second step member [208f]. More particularly, the main fork portions [210c] are positioned over the supplementary depressed regions [208h], while the supplementary fork portions [208g] are positioned over the main depressed regions [210d], thereby the third step member [210] is allowed the limited pivotal movement of upto 90 degrees relative to the second step member [208].
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ladder assembly [200] further comprises a scissor leg arrangement [214]. A first rear perspective view of the ladder assembly [200] illustrating the scissor leg arrangement [214] in an open state thereof, and a second rear perspective view of the ladder assembly [200] illustrating the scissor leg arrangement [214] in a closed state thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure, is provided in the accompanying figures 4a and 4b of the present disclosure. The scissor leg arrangement [214] as described hereunder is to be referred to in conjunction with the aforementioned accompanying drawings, in order to better understand the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0039] The scissor leg arrangement [214] is connected to a bottom surface of either or both of the first step member [206] and the third step member [210] of the plurality of step members [204], for supporting, respectively, the first step member [206] and the third step member [210], as the case may be, on a ground surface, while the ladder assembly [200] is in the deployed configuration thereof. The scissor leg arrangement [214] comprises a slider frame member [216], and a pair of scissor legs [218] relatively slidable by virtue of the slider frame member [216]. In particular, the slider frame member [216] is fixedly attached to a bottom surface of the respective first step member [206] and third step member [210]. In an alternate embodiment, the slider frame member [216] may be an integral part of the respective first step member [206] and third step member [210], extending therefrom, to slidably accommodate a pair of scissor legs [218] therein. The pair of scissor legs [218] comprise a slider end [218a] and a support end [218b], arranged together to form a scissor configuration thereof. Notably, the slider end [218a] is slidably supported in the slider frame member [216]. More particularly, a sliding movement of the slider end [218a] of the pair of scissor legs [218] within the slider frame member [216] corresponds to adjustment of an overall height of the scissor leg arrangement [214]. Preferably, the overall height of the scissor leg arrangement [214] may be adjusted up to 225 mm from the ground surface.
[0040] In addition to the aforementioned, the scissor leg arrangement [214] further comprises a locking unit, preferably, a piston-type locking unit [220], wherein the piston-type locking unit [220] is attached between the slider end [218a] of one of the pair of scissor legs [218] and the slider frame member [216], for locking the sliding movement of the slider ends [218a] of the pair of scissor legs [218] within the slider frame member [216], and thus locking the overall height of the scissor leg arrangement [214]. The scissor leg arrangement [214] is adjustable between a normally extended configuration and a retracted configuration. Notably, the piston-type locking unit comprises a cylinder member and a piston member slidably positioned therein, such that the piston member is adjustable between a normally extended position and a retracted position. More particularly, the piston member is automatically adjusted from the retracted position to normally extended position, thereby automatically adjusting the scissor leg arrangement [214] to the extended configuration thereof. Whereas, the piston member is adjusted from the normally extended position to the retracted position, by means of an actuation button (not shown) provided therein, to further adjust the scissor leg arrangement [214] from the normally extended configuration to the retracted configuration thereof. The piston-type locking unit [220] can be either of a pneumatic piston-type locking unit or a hydraulic piston-type locking unit. In an alternate embodiment, the locking unit can be a screw-type locking unit. Such a provision of scissor leg arrangement [214] may be deployed in the ladder assembly [200] integrated with the vanity furniture unit [100] being a wall-hung type, and the same may or may not form part of the ladder assembly [200] integrated with the vanity furniture [100] being a floor-mounted type. An assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed hereunder, and a person skilled in the art may accordingly envision the assembly of alternate embodiments in light of the same.
[0041] In assembly, initially, the scissor leg arrangement [214] is fixedly attached on the bottom surface of either or both of the third step member [210] and the first step member [206]. Thereafter, each of the first step member [206] and the third step member [210] is pivotally connected to the second step member [208], by engaging the pair of main hinge provisions [206b] of the first step member [206] and the pair of main hinge provisions [210b] of the third step member [210], with the first pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208b] and the second pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208f] of the second step member [208], respectively. Pursuant to the above, the aforementioned arrangement of the first step member [206], the second step member [208], and the third step member [210] is slidably arranged relative to the fixed frame member [202] installed on the bottom portion [102a] of the vanity furniture unit [100].
[0042] In operation, a user may slidably draw the third step member [210] outward, to adjust the ladder assembly [200] in the deployed configuration thereof. In deployed configuration, the pop-up button unit [212] may be adjusted to a popped-out configuration thereof, by way of the manual adjustment, the automated adjustment, or semi-automated adjustment thereof. Thereafter, the overall height of the scissor leg arrangement [214] may be adjusted by the user, based on the user requirement, by manipulating the screw-type locking unit [220] deployed in the scissor leg arrangement [214]. Such deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200] facilitates the user of below average height to have a look into the mirror unit of the vanity furniture unit [100], while sustaining the weight of the user thereon. For concealing the ladder assembly [200], firstly, the user shall shorten the overall height of the scissor leg arrangement [214], and adjust the pop-up button unit [212] of the first step member [206] to the popped-in configuration, to thereby facilitate relative sliding movement between the first step member [206] and the fixed frame member [202]. Finally, the user may slidably push each of the first step member [206], the second step member [208], and the third step member [210] within the fixed frame member [202], to conceal the ladder assembly [200] therein.
[0043] Various advantages of the disclosed ladder assembly [200] exist, as enlisted hereunder. In the stowed configuration, the disclosed ladder assembly [200] is concealed within the vanity furniture unit [100], thereby eliminating use of additional space to stow the same. The pop-up button unit [212] deployed in the ladder assembly [200] eliminates sliding of the first step member [206] within the fixed frame member [202]. Furthermore, the integration of the ladder assembly [200] with the vanity furniture unit [100] enhances the stability thereof, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200]. In addition to the above, in the deployed configuration of the disclosed ladder assembly [200], various aforementioned limiting hinge provisions defined in each of the plurality of step members [204], and the scissor leg arrangement [214] provided below either or both of the first step member [206] and the third step member [210], ensures stability of each of the first step member [206], the second step member [208], and the third step member [210], relative to each other and to the ground surface, respectively. The list of advantages as provided hereinabove are not exhaustive, but merely illustrative, and a person skilled in the art may envision other advantages arising out of the disclosed ladder assembly and various components and sub-assemblies thereof.
[0044] Although, particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended in any way to limit the intended scope of the invention. Variations and adaptions of the system as described herein do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention and is within the expertise of a person skilled in the art.
LIST OF COMPONENTS
100 – Vanity furniture unit
102 – Storage cabinet unit
102a – Bottom portion
200 – Ladder assembly
202 – Fixed frame member
204 – Step members
206 – First step member
206a – Front face
206b – Pair of main hinge provisions
206c – Main fork portions
206d – Main depressed regions
208 – Second step member
208a – Rear face
208b – First pair of supplementary hinge provisions
208c – Supplementary fork portions
208d – Supplementary depressed regions
208e – Front face
208f – Second pair of supplementary hinge provisions
208g – Supplementary fork portions
208h – Supplementary depressed regions
210 – Third step member
210a – Rear face
210b – Pair of main hinge provisions
210c – Main fork portions
210d – Main depressed regions
212 – Pop-up button unit
214 – Scissor leg arrangement
216 – Slider frame member
218 – Pair of scissor legs
218a – Slider end
218b – Support end
220 – Screw-type locking unit
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A ladder assembly [200] integrated with a vanity furniture unit [100], the ladder assembly [200] comprising:
- a fixed frame member [202] fixedly attached to a bottom portion [102a] of the vanity furniture unit [100]; and
- a plurality of step members [204] being pivotally connected to each other, each of the plurality of step members [204] being slidably arranged relative to the fixed frame member [202],
wherein the ladder assembly [200] is capable of being adjusted between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration,
wherein, in the stowed configuration, each of the plurality of step members [204] are concealed horizontally within the fixed frame member [202], and
wherein, in the deployed configuration, each of the plurality of step members [204] are pivotally adjusted, such that adjacent step members [204] are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.
2. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of step members [204] includes at least three step members [204] namely a first step member [206], a second step member [208], and a third step member [210], such that the first step member [206] is in close proximity to the fixed frame member [202], while the third step member [210] is distal from the fixed frame member [202], in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200].
3. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of step members [204] includes two step members [204] namely, a second step member [208], and a third step member [210], such that the second step member [208] is in close proximity to the fixed frame member [202] forming vertical wall, while the third step member [210] is distal from the fixed frame member [202] forming horizontal base, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200].
4. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 2, comprises a pop-up button unit [212] integrated within a platform of the first step member [206] thereof, such that the pop-up button unit [212] is automatically adjusted to a popped-out configuration to restrict automatic sliding of the first step member [206] into the fixed frame member [202], as the ladder assembly [200] is adjusted to the deployed configuration, while the pop-up button unit [212] is manually adjusted to a popped-in configuration to allow sliding of the first step member [206] into the fixed frame member [202] to allow the ladder assembly [200] to be adjusted to the stowed configuration.
5. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first step member [206] includes a pair of main hinge provisions [206b] on opposite ends of a front face [206a] of the first step member [206], while the second step member [208] includes a first pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208b] on opposite ends of a rear face [208a] of the second step member [208], such that the pair of main hinge provisions [206b] of the first step member [206] engage with the first pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208b] of the second step member [208], to enable pivotal connection therebetween.
6. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pair of main hinge provisions [206b] of the first step member [206] defines main fork portions [206c] and main depressed regions [206d] therebetween, while the first pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208b] of the second step member [208] defines supplementary fork portions [208c] and supplementary depressed regions [208d] therebetween, such that the main fork portions [206c] are positioned over the supplementary depressed regions [208d], while the supplementary fork portions [208c] are positioned over the main depressed regions [206d], thereby the second step member [208] is allowed a limited pivotal movement of up to 90 degrees relative to the first step member [206].
7. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third step member [210] includes a pair of main hinge provisions [210b] on opposite ends of a rear face [210a] of the third step member [210], while the second step member [208] includes a second pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208f] on opposite ends of a front face [208e] of the second step member [208], such that the pair of main hinge provisions [210b] of the third step member [210] engages with the second pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208f] of the second step member [208], to enable pivotal connection therebetween.
8. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pair of main hinge provisions [210b] of the third step member [210] defines main fork portions [210c] and main depressed regions [210d] therebetween, while the second pair of supplementary hinge provisions [208f] of the second step member [208] defines supplementary fork portions [208g] and supplementary depressed regions [208h] therebetween, such that the main fork portions [210c] are positioned over the supplementary depressed regions [208h], while the supplementary fork portions [208g] are positioned over the main depressed regions [210d], thereby the third step member [210] is allowed the limited pivotal movement of upto 90 degrees relative to the second step member [208].
9. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 2, comprises a scissor leg arrangement [214] connected to a bottom surface of either or both of the first step member [206] and the third step member [210], for supporting respectively the first step member [206] and the third step member [210], on a ground surface, in the deployed configuration of the ladder assembly [200].
10. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the scissor leg arrangement [214] comprises:
- a slider frame member [216] fixedly attached to the bottom surface of respective first step member [206] and the third step member [206]; and
- a pair of scissor legs [218] comprising a slider end [218a] and a support end [218b], arranged in a scissor configuration thereof, the slider end [218a] being slidably supported in the slider frame member [216],
such that a sliding movement of the slider end [218a] of the pair of scissor legs [218] within the slider frame member [216] corresponds to adjustment of an overall height of the scissor leg arrangement [214].
11. The ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claims 8 and 9, wherein the scissor leg arrangement [214] comprises a screw-type locking unit [220] attached between the slider end [218a] of one of the pair of scissor legs [218] and the slider frame member [216], for locking the sliding movement of the slider end [218a] of the pair of scissor legs [218] within the slider frame member [216], and thus, locking the overall height of the scissor leg arrangement [214].
12. The ladder assembly as claimed in claim 1-10, wherein the vanity furniture unit [100] can be one of a wall-hung vanity furniture unit and a floor-mounted vanity furniture unit.
13. A vanity furniture unit [100] comprising:
- a storage cabinet unit [102];
- at least one fixture unit (not shown) attached over the storage cabinet unit [102]; and
- the ladder assembly [200] as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the ladder assembly [200] is integrated to a bottom portion [102a] of the storage cabinet unit [102].
14. The vanity furniture unit [100] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one fixture unit can be one of a mirror unit, a basin unit, and a combination thereof.
15. The vanity furniture unit [100] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the vanity furniture unit [100] is mounted in one of a restroom, a bedroom, and a dressing closet.