ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 14 -- United States Patent no. 12,680,381, issued on July 14.
"Expandable step system" was invented by Therese Derusso (Evansville, Wyo.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An expandable step system designed to replace traditional step ladders, makeshift stools, and similar devices for reaching elevated locations. The step system includes a frame that includes a plurality of steps, each step is configured to be raised vertically using a scissor system wherein the steps form ladder steps enabling a user to stand on the steps to reach elevated locations. The step system is stored at the bottom of a cabinet when not in use and can be pulled out of the cabinet by applying a sligh...