Ladders are conventionally utilized to provide a user thereof with improved access to elevated locations that might otherwise be inaccessible. Ladders come in many shapes and sizes, such as straight ladders, straight extension ladders, stepladders, and combination step and extension ladders. So-called combination ladders may incorporate, in a single ladder, many of the benefits of various ladder designs.
Ladders known as step ladders, sometimes referred to as A-frame ladders, are self-supporting ladders, meaning that they do not need to be leaned against a wall, pole or other structure for stability. Rather, step ladders may be positioned on a floor (or other similar surface) such that at least three feet of the ladder, and conventionally four feet, provide a stable support structure for a user to climb upon, even in an open space (e.g., outside or in the middle of a room) without a wall, roof, pole or other type of structure being necessary for the stability of the ladder. Conventional step ladders may include a first rail assembly coupled with a top cap and a second rail assembly coupled with the top cap. One of the rail assemblies conventionally includes a plurality of rungs that are evenly spaced between the supporting surface (e.g., the floor or ground) and the top cap.
Regardless of the type of ladder being employed, using a ladder can present various risks to the user. For example, one potential hazard exists where a user is distracted or is not paying attention and loses track of which rung they are currently standing on—particularly when they are descending the ladder. In such a case, a user may think, for example, that their next “step” downward will place them on the ground at the bottom of the ladder when, in reality, there is still one more step for them to descend prior to reaching the ground. This misperception can result in the user stumbling on, or even missing completely, the lowest rung of the ladder. There is a continuing desire in the industry to provide ladders that reduce the risk of accident and provide improved safety and stability to a user thereof.