A **monkey ladder** (also known as a **ship's ladder** or **ship's stairs**) is a type of steep, narrow ladder typically used on ships, boats, or in tight spaces where a regular staircase wouldn’t fit.
The name "monkey ladder" comes from its design, which is often steep and compact—similar to how a monkey would navigate climbing with agility.
**Key characteristics of a monkey ladder:**
1. **Steep Angle**: The ladder is typically steeper than a regular ladder, often at angles of 60° or more. This allows for compactness and easy storage but requires more care when climbing.
2. **Narrow Steps**: The rungs or steps are usually narrower than those of a standard ladder, which further reduces the space the ladder takes up while maintaining the necessary function for climbing.
3. **Material**: While traditionally made of wood, many modern monkey ladders are made from metal (such as aluminum or steel) to provide increased durability and resistance to environmental conditions like moisture or corrosion.
4. **Safety Features**: Depending on the design, some monkey ladders are equipped with handrails or guardrails for additional safety, though many are designed without them to save space.
5. **Compact Design**: Monkey ladders are built to be compact and space-efficient, making them ideal for use in confined spaces like ships' hulls, small utility rooms, or in tight industrial settings.
**Applications:**
**Maritime**: On ships or boats, especially in tight spaces or for accessing higher decks.
**Industrial or Commercial Use**: In factories, warehouses, or on construction sites where space constraints make a traditional ladder impractical.
**Maintenance**: Used in places where standard staircases are too large or where space optimization is important.
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