Abstract: A ladder system comprises first and second rails with at least one rung connected between and perpendicular to both rails. First and second non-linear rail slots are located adjacent the bottom of the respective rails. Also, the ladder system comprises first and second ladder shoes. First and second bolts extend through the first and second shoes, respectively, and the first and second slots, respectively, to moveably connect the first and second shoes to the first and second rails, respectively, with both slots of a shape so that each shoe can move about the bottom of each respective rail and each respective rail can rotate relative to each respective shoe inside each respective shoe without interference occurring between the rails and shoes.

Abstract: A staging system has a hand rail coupler system with an inner coupling tube which interconnects two coaxially aligned hand rail sections. A pair of opposed coupler clamps are aligned over the interconnected hand rail sections. A studded knob extends through the opposing coupler clamps and the inner coupling tube and is connected to a nut. Rotation of the studded knob acts to tighten the coupler clamps to hold the hand rail sections in place.