At a glance
| Patent number | CN206290197U (application CN201621379038) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Portable mobile tool box with telescoping ladder function (一种具有伸缩梯功能的便携移动工具箱) |
| Patent owner | Fujian Huian Jiangu Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. |
| Filing date | 2016-12-15 |
| Grant date | 2017-06-30 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (effective 2019-12-15, recorded 2020-11-27) |
| Patent family | Only this Chinese patent - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 6 later documents, including one European application from a tool company |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN206290197U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a portable tool box with a telescoping ladder:
- two symmetrical telescoping ladders hinged together; each has left and right rails made of nested hollow tubes getting smaller from the bottom up, and steps fitted through locating sleeves at the top of each tube, with locks between the steps and sleeves;
- characterized by a tool box on one ladder, whose back carries two sliding sleeves with concave inner faces that half-wrap the left and right rails and are fixed to them by bolts.
Claims 2-6 add: casters under the tool box; a carry handle on top; a box with a lid and a lid stay (slot, stay bar and stop block); a pad on the end of the bolt; and a threaded hole in the sleeve for the bolt.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed in 2019 because annual fees were not paid. It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Telescoping ladders, ladder trays and rolling tool cases are all patented in many forms, including in the US. Have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Ladder height | Step-ladder heights for household use or taller A-frame versions - to be set with the duty rating |
| Ladder material | Aluminum alloy rails and steps; non-conductive rail covers for electrical work |
| Tool box | Size, internal trays and dividers, lockable latches, waterproof seal |
| Box material | Impact-resistant plastic or aluminum case |
| Casters | Swivel casters with brakes; larger wheels for rougher floors |
| Clamp | Hand-knob bolts for tool-free height adjustment |
| Colors & branding | Brand colors, logo on the case, retail packaging |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Ladder standards - ladders sold in the US are generally expected to meet ANSI-ASC A14 standards (A14.2 for portable metal ladders) with the required duty-rating labels; professional buyers also look at OSHA rules.
- Product liability - ladders carry high liability risk; plan testing, clear instructions and warning labels, and product liability insurance.
- Electrical work - aluminum ladders conduct electricity; label them clearly and offer non-conductive options for electricians.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target users, ladder height, duty rating, tool box size and quantity.
- Design - ladder geometry, clamp and sleeve details, case design and caster selection.
- Prototype - samples for strength, stability and rolling tests.
- Certification testing - ladder testing to the chosen standard.
- Production - volume production, labeling and packaging.
Quantities & timeline
The ladder uses standard telescoping-ladder tooling; the case needs its own molds. Certification testing adds time before launch. Send us your requirements and quantity and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
