US Patent 10494866 Swimming pool ladder with automatic lift mechanism

The present disclosure provides a ladder which selectively allows or prevents user access to the ladder steps, such that the ladder can only be climbed when such access is allowed. For example, the ladder may only selectively allow ingress into a bathing enclosure, e.g. when operated by an adult, but may allow egress from the bathing enclosure by any user. The ladder includes an elevator that is movable between a safety configuration, in which ingress is prevented or inhibited but egress is permitted, and a ladder configuration, in which both ingress and egress are permitted.