Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: An electronic lock includes a lock body and a shackle selectively securable via one or more ball bearings. An asymmetric cam can be rotated by a key or an electric motor to: a locked state in which the ball bearing secures the shackle within the lock body via at least one lock notch in the shackle, an unlocked state in which the ball bearing is released from the lock notch to unlock the shackle and subsequently engages a revolved notch on a distal end of the shackle to prevent removal of the shackle from the lock body, and a removal state in which the ball bearing is released from the lock notch and the revolved notch to allow the shackle to be removed from the lock body. A shackle detector can detect a shackle in the locked state. Externally accessible electrical contacts allow for jumpstarting a discharged battery.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a base section and a fly section slidably coupled with the base section. The base section includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a first plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The fly section includes a second pair of spaced apart rails and a second plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails. The various rungs may be coupled with their associated rails in an offset relationship such that they are not centered along a longitudinal center axis line of the rails. A rung lock device may be used which includes an arm pivotally coupled with the base section and configured to selectively engage various rungs of the second plurality of rungs to maintain the fly section in a desired position relative to the base section.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a base section and a fly section slidably coupled with the base section. The base section includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a first plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The fly section includes a second pair of spaced apart rails and a second plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails. The various rungs may be coupled with their associated rails in an offset relationship such that they are not centered along a longitudinal center axis line of the rails. A rung lock device may be used which includes an arm pivotally coupled with the base section and configured to selectively engage various rungs of the second plurality of rungs to maintain the fly section in a desired position relative to the base section.

Abstract: An electronic lock includes a lock body and a shackle selectively securable via one or more ball bearings. An asymmetric cam can be rotated by a key or an electric motor to: a locked state in which the ball bearing secures the shackle within the lock body via at least one lock notch in the shackle, an unlocked state in which the ball bearing is released from the lock notch to unlock the shackle and subsequently engages a revolved notch on a distal end of the shackle to prevent removal of the shackle from the lock body, and a removal state in which the ball bearing is released from the lock notch and the revolved notch to allow the shackle to be removed from the lock body. A shackle detector can detect a shackle in the locked state. Externally accessible electrical contacts allow for jumpstarting a discharged battery.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A wireless, electronic interchangeable locking core insertable into a core receptacle, the locking core including an outer housing and a lock core that is selectively rotatable via an external handle between a locked position and an unlocked position. The handle is prevented from rotating the locking core unless wirelessly-provided authorization credentials are validated and/or a pattern of physical input interactions with an electronic sensor is matched with a stored pattern. The pattern may be defined, for example, as a sequence of short and long interactions with a button, light sensor, touch panel, or the like. The electronic interchangeable locking core may include a battery and be configured for installation in small format interchangeable core (SFIC) housings.

Abstract: A wireless, electronic interchangeable locking core that includes an outer housing and a locking core that is rotatable via an external handle between a locked position and an unlocked position. The handle is prevented from rotating the locking core unless wirelessly-provided authorization credentials are validated and/or a pattern of physical input interactions with an electronic sensor is matched with a stored pattern. The pattern may be defined, for example, as a sequence of short and long interactions with a button, light sensor, touch panel, or the like. The electronic interchangeable locking core may include a battery and be configured for installation in small format interchangeable core (SFIC) housings.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a securing apparatus for securing the ladder to a horizontally extending support structure (e.g., a utility cable), a vertically extending support structure (e.g., a utility pole) or both. In accordance with one embodiment, the securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engagement mechanisms, wherein each engagement mechanism is pivotally coupled with an associated rail of the ladder. Each engagement mechanism includes a frame member, an engagement member pivotally coupled with the frame member and a pole grasping structure coupled with the frame member. In one embodiment, each engagement member is configured to rotate from a first position, wherein an open gate is formed between the engagement member and its associated frame member, to a closed position.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a base section and a fly section slidably coupled with the base section. The base section includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a first plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The fly section includes a second pair of spaced apart rails and a second plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails. The various rungs may be coupled with their associated rails in an offset relationship such that they are not centered along a longitudinal center axis line of the rails. A rung lock device may be used which includes an arm pivotally coupled with the base section and configured to selectively engage various rungs of the second plurality of rungs to maintain the fly section in a desired position relative to the base section.

Abstract: A ladder is provided having a securing apparatus for securing the ladder to a horizontally extending support structure (e.g., a utility cable), a vertically extending support structure (e.g., a utility pole) or both. In accordance with one embodiment, the securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engagement mechanisms, wherein each engagement mechanism is pivotally coupled with an associated rail of the ladder. Each engagement mechanism includes a frame member, an engagement member pivotally coupled with the frame member and a pole grasping structure coupled with the frame member. In one embodiment, each engagement member is configured to rotate from a first position, wherein an open gate is formed between the engagement member and its associated frame member, to a closed position.

Abstract: Described herein is a flashlight apparatus includes a light emitting module at a distal end, a pepper spray module at a proximal end, and a plurality of interchangeable modules positioned between the light emitting module and the pepper spray module. The pepper spray module includes an actuator, a nozzle, and a pepper spray compartment capable of housing a pepper spray source. The actuator includes a pepper spray switch and a pepper spray channel. Actuation of the pepper spray switch releases pepper spray fluid from the pepper spray source, and through the pepper spray channel and nozzle. The interchangeable modules include a power supply with a power source and a power switch module for selectively supplying power from the power source to the light emitting module when the power source is housed by the power compartment.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a power module that includes a power source. The apparatus also includes a power consumption module that is configured to consume power from the power source. Further, the apparatus includes a power control module that is configured to selectively regulate power from the power source to the power consumption module. Each of the power module, power consumption module, and power control module includes a positive power terminal, a negative power terminal, and at least one neutral terminal. The power module, power consumption module, and power control module each is removably interconnected adjacently to at least another of the power module, power consumption module, and power control module via engagement between the positive power terminals of the at least one adjacent module, the negative power terminals of the at least one adjacent module, and the neutral terminals of the at least one adjacent module.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and means are disclosed for a modular backpressure sensor configured for use with a fluid delivery nozzle. The modular backpressure sensor may be installed and removed using simple tools and may optionally include an activator handle attachment. The system may optionally include a protective end plug for the fluid delivery nozzle.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing degradation-resistant expandable tubing. Degradation resistance is supplied by integrally bonding a degradation resistant liner of similar expansion capacities to the expandable tubing.

Abstract: An arrangement for tethering a horse includes a shaft which is resilient throughout. One end of the shaft is provided with a handle-like member for attachment to a tether while the other end of the shaft is provided with a cap. A body of deformable material surrounds the shaft in the area where the shaft enters the cap. The cap is connected to a carrier, and the carrier is pivotable on a support which is designed to be attached to a supporting surface such as the side of a horse trailer. A bolt urges the cap and the carrier against each other. The shaft is pivotable with the carrier between an operative position and a storage position, and the shaft can be locked in either of these positions. A horse can be tethered to the shaft in its operative position using a bungee cord.