Collapsing Stepstool Project

[Bill in Buena Park]

I've spent some time surfing the web trying to locate any type of stepstool design that will collapse/fold up completely flat for storage, and found nothing. I've been playing with a design that requires 12 (6 sets) of mortised hinges, allowing the hinged steps to swing back & flat behind the end-plate (back of the stepstool), and allow the sides to fold in... and I'm thinking of using red oak for this.

Has anyone run across anything like this - or perhaps something a less complex that achieves the same storage size?

[LinuxRandal]

I don't know how tall your looking for, or where it is for, but chairs are always handy, and if you have a spot that needs a chair, you might look up a Franklin chair (chair that flips to a step stool).

[Pappy]

Unless you are intent on making it yourself, these are great. Folded it will stand flat against a wall.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...3-2&lpage=none

[Salty]

This may not be exactly what you are looking for but may give you some ideas.
I have been thinking of building this for years but just never got around to it.

[Salty]

This would be fun too! NOT!

[Salty]

how about this?
http://www.grandinroad.com/jump.jsp?...7070&k=ZZ50888

[LinuxRandal]

Salty, the first one you showed is the Franklin Chair. (I always liked that one)
The Last one, sounds like it fit his requirements perfectly. Do you know of hardware or plans for it (Those steel rods along side the steps and the inserts)?

Thanks

[Bill in Buena Park]

Thanks for the input!

The version posted by Salty looks alot like one attempted by Ronak Shah (thread posted back in 2005) that used doweled wood "stringers" in place of the metal bar-stock shown in the link's pictures.

I've been thinking along the lines of a "Shaker Stepstool", but not limiting myself to handtools
(http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea20.html)

I've been asked to produce a bit smaller, and diminutive in collapsed footprint - but would need to incorporate design changes to make it collapsible.

I've seen the Franklin chair, and would like to try that as a separate project for myself.

I think I'll take a stab producing what I've sketched out, and post it on the "finished projects" thread its done.

Thanks again for all the input.