Abstract: A retractable ladder apparatus (30) for access between a lower and an upper floor is provided. A ladder (60) is moved by moving means, which may be a garage door opener (40), between a position of storage within the upper floor to a position where the lower end of the ladder abuts the lower floor.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus having a base, a platform disposed above the base, and a vertically extendable mast arrangement coupled between the platform and base to effect vertical lifting of the platform. The mast arrangement normally includes a pair of vertically extendable mast assemblies disposed in parallel relationship, and each having plural vertically elongate masts disposed in vertical sliding relationship with one another. One mast is fixed to and projects upwardly from the base, another is fixed to the platform, and at least one additional mast is vertically slidably coupled therebetween. Each mast has sequencing structure associated therewith for requiring that the individual masts be vertically extended in a controlled sequence, and also has a locking structure for vertically fixedly coupling adjacent masts together when one is vertically extended relative to the adjacent mast.

Abstract: An improved apparatus supports weight on an upright structure. The apparatus has a frame with a weight bearing surface and a mechanism attached to the frame that grips the structure to hang the frame on the structure free of contact with the ground. The gripping mechanism can be easily attached to and removed from the structure by the user from a position on the ground. The force that gripping mechanism exerts to hold the frame in place upon the structure is directly proportional to the weight borne by the frame.

Abstract: A formwork arrangement for erecting a structural wall of castable material, for example, of concrete. The arrangement includes at least one work platform and formwork plates which have a large surface area. For erecting the structural wall, the formwork plates and the work platform are progressively vertically raised by the height of the formwork plates. A support frame which extends parallel to the platform is provided above the formwork plates of a formwork section. Horizontally extending rails which are horizontally spaced from each other are mounted on the support frame. The rails can be swiveled about a vertical axis. A carriage is slidably mounted on each of the rails. Each carriage has a suspended anchor member on a side facing the formwork plate. The anchor member can be connected to an upper edge of the formwork plates.

Abstract: A stepladder arranged to conceal a waste receptacle, wherein the stepladder includes a plurality of horizontal steps disposed at increasing heights; two side panels spaced apart and having indentations forming horizontal edges for supporting the steps, the side panels forming a space for holding the waste receptacle. According to a further feature, the stepladder has at least one of the steps hingedly attached to the side panels for providing an upward-facing opening for accessing the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A mobile vehicular apparatus for moving an operator around a three-dimensional aerial work location such as an electric cable or wire supported on posts includes a mobile vehicle having a vehicle body, a boom movably mounted on the vehicle body, a platform mounted on a distal end of the boom, for carrying an operator thereon, the platform having an operator's seat, and a control device operable by the operator on the platform, for moving the boom to move the platform into a three-dimensional position. The control device comprises a plurality of swingable foot treadles disposed in front of the operator's seat, detecting means for detecting swinging movement of the foot treadles, and control means for controlling movement of the platform in response to detected signals from the detecting means. The foot treadles are arranged such that directions in which the foot treadles swing correspond respectively to directions in which the platform moves.

Abstract: A Johnson Ladder Leveler serving to level a ladder on an uneven surface comprising an extension leg held by a bolt nut apparatus to a treaded triangular foot which said extension leg extends longitudinally when in use while fastened by way of a spring pin head on a spring pin welded to said extension's leg's medial side and by way of a threaded screw bolt from without to a ladder receiving sleeve via insertion into said ladder receiving sleeve's outermost of two compartments while said ladder receiving sleeve internally holds an internally mounted ladder leg within the innermost of said ladder receiving sleeve's said two compartments.

Abstract: A knock-down swing stage base includes a pair of extruded aluminum beams with generally C-shaped cross-sections. The beams are oriented parallel to one another and joined by identical aluminum cross-members. Each cross-member is integrally extruded with paired ribs defining a set of screw-receiving passages in a predetermined spacing arrangement. Sets of apertures are formed in the webs of the beams at regular intervals, each set observing the spacing arrangement characteristic of the set of screw-receiving passages. Each cross-member is located with its set of screw-receiving passages simultaneously registered with a set of apertures in one beam and a corresponding set in the other beam. Screws are used to releasably secured the cross-members to the beams. A combination of left-hand and right-hand screws are used to enhance resistance of the base to twisting. Brackets are shaped to receive and slide along an upper flange extruded with each beam.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus including a chassis having front and rear ends, and a drive unit for moving the chassis in forward or rearward directions. A turntable is mounted on the chassis for horizontal turning movement between front and rear positions. Boom assembly is mounted on the turntable and has a bucket mounted adjacent the free end thereof. An operating mechanism including an operator-actuated driving member is mounted on the bucket for controlling the forward and rearward traveling direction of the chassis. The driving member is movable in opposite first and second directions relative to the boom assembly for respectively causing forward and rearward travel of the chassis when the turntable is in the front position. A reversing arrangement reverses the controlling direction of the driving member when the turntable is in the rear position so that movement of the driving member in the first and second directions relative to the boom assembly respectively causes backward and forward travel of the chassis.

Abstract: A device for storing and displaying compact discs comprising a series of horizontally interconnecting elongated rigid display panels, which may vary in length and are assembled vertically. Each panel member includes a forward and rearward surface and upper and lower edge portions which incorporate the means used to couple each member to the one next adjacent. The rearward surface, which is generally flat, contains a means to mount each member separately to a vertical flat surface, such as a wall. The member is mounted against the flat surface so that the lower portion of each said member is positioned at a slight acute angle relative to the surface of the wall. Along the upper edge of each panel member is a top guide ridge member which includes an edge and a lip extending around the edge surface for releasably retaining each compact disc case on the display rack. Along the lower edge of each panel member is a base upon which the bottom edge of each compact disc case rests when stored and on display.

Abstract: An emergency escape device for hazardous elevated structures such as offshore oil and gas drilling rigs and production platforms and the like. This device comprises a platform with an overhead support and a centrally located opening. A line is attached to the overhead support an hangs vertically through the opening. Persons may escape peril on an elevated structure by sliding down the line to safety. When not in use the line is compactly stored within the opening.

Abstract: A clamp member is mounted to a leg of a ladder assembly, wherein the clamp member includes a channel to receive a leg therewithin for adjustably mounting the clamp member as desired relative to the associated ladder leg. A paint support bracket is provided formed with a suspension web mounting a support cylinder at a lower terminal end for mounting a paint can therewithin. The suspension web includes a keyhole slot positioned adjacent an upper terminal end thereof for pivotally mounting the suspension web relative to the clamp member.

Abstract: An improved intermediate support is provided for ensuring the safety of a worker while moving relative to a fixed structure at elevated locations, with the worker being secured by a lanyard to a safety or fall restraint cable. The intermediate support is secured to the fixed structure, and includes a supporting plate having a notch along the periphery thereof for receiving the safety cable, and a pair of opposing hook members positioned on opposite sides of the supporting plate. The hook members prevent the safety cable from inadvertently or intentionally moving out of the notch. The method of the present invention ensures that an end of the lanyard secured to the safety cable may be quickly and easily moved sequentially past one hook member, then the supporting plate, and then the other hook member to allow the worker to efficiently and safely move past the intermediate support.

Abstract: A ladder treestand comprises a main ladder section and an auxiliary ladder section that can be coupled to the main section on either the top or the bottom thereof to serve either as a gun rest or to alternatively increase the ladder height. In addition, a trailer kit may be used to convert the ladder treestand into a towable trailer that may be connected to a motorized vehicle. This allows the treestand to be more easily transported into and out of the hunting area, and to be used as a litter for transporting game.

Abstract: Apparatus for engaging a tree (e.g. tree stand) or other generally vertical member for supporting a user above the ground is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame for suppporting the weight of the user, means for gripping said vertical member and platform means for receiving the feet of the user. A seat assembly carried by said support frame, includes a collapsible frame and a seat carried by the collapsible frame, said collapsible frame includes means for adjusting the vertical relationship between the seat and the platform means to accommodate users of different heights.

Abstract: An emergency escape system for multistory buildings in which stair units are stored in recesses in the floor of each above grade level of the building. The stair units are released for gravity depolyment to the next below balcony in an emergency, and a cover panel is opened to enable egress by building occupants through the recess, down the deployed stairs to the next balcony and so on until ground level is reached.

Abstract: A one piece plastic leg construction. A main body having an inverted v-shaped configuration includes a pair of downwardly extending legs each having a c-shaped cross section. The legs are mutually opposed and open toward each other and include a plurality of horizontally extending inner walls. Indicating means on the outer surface of each leg provides a guide for severing the leg immediately beneath a particular inner wall depending upon the height desired of the final leg construction. A pair of upwardly extending walls are integrally mounted to the legs forming a channel to receive the object to be supported by the construction.

Abstract: A combination two-piece tree stand includes a climbing platform and a locking element. The two components interlock to fasten the components to one another and to add substantial stability to the individual components. The stand includes a generally horizontal platform havig a notch portion for engaging the tree and a band for surrounding the tree in a known configuration. The locking component includes, in the preferred embodiment, a pair of legs insertable into a portion of the platform which converge to engage the tree at a location above that of the platform. A cross member between the legs is fastened, e.g. by a strap, rope or web, to a component of the platform to draw the locking device downwardly toward the platform and urge the converging portion of the legs into tighter engagement with the tree. Substantially increased stability results from the arrangement disclosed herein.

Abstract: An improved cable or bundle tie arrangement includes a plastic tie strap and a tie head. The tie head includes a housing having a pair of spaced apart slots extending therein forming a pair of strap-receiving passageways. Each passageway has an entrance opening and at least one of the passageways has an exit opening. A pawl-receiving channel extends through the housing intermediate the passageways having at least one channel opening disposed substantially normal to the entrance openings. An intermediate portion of the channel intersects each of the passageways. A pawl member is mounted in the channel through the channel opening. The pawl includes a base portion and a pair of arms extending from opposed sides of the base. Each pawl arm has a free end with a blade section.

Abstract: When a piece of an upright 2" by 4" lumber is used as a cross member of a sawhorse, staging, or scaffolding, a drop over hanger is removably lowered down over the upright piece of 2" by 4" lumber. Thereafter, on opposite sides of the 2" by 4" lumber, this drop over hanger positions its integral respective two sets of four originally upstanding spaced top entry projecting slotted tabs, one set being on each side of the 2" by 4" lumber. When a like second drop over hanger, oriented upside down and rotated ninety degrees to the first one, is manipulated to interfit with a set of four originally upstanding spaced top entry projecting slotted tabs, but now facing downwardly, to a like set of the first drop over hanger, then this second drop over hanger is positioned to support another piece of 2" by 4" lumber at right angles to the first piece of 2" by 4" lumber.