ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 2 -- United States Patent no. 12,484,701, issued on Dec. 2.
"Collapsible step stool" was invented by Thomas G.B. Merey (Port Hope, Canada).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A collapsible step stool includes step-shaped side panels and folding tread panels. Each folding tread panel is pivot connected to respective top edges of the step-shaped side panels to define a step when unfolded. Each folding tread panel includes a hinge to enable it to fold. A support post is connected to the hinges of adjacent folding tread panels. The support post rests on a surface and supports the upper one of the folding tread panels when the step stool is unfolded. The support post synchronizes t...