Abstract: A propeller is mounted within a shroud to produce an upwardly moving air flow to levitate human beings. The user wears an air inflatable suit and a harness. A couch is disposed just outside the shroud to support the user in prone position. A jib crane is positioned near the couch and shroud and carries a self-winding reel to which a strap is attached at one end, the other end of the strap carrying a hook which is attached to the harness at the back of the user. The jib crane lifts the user off the support through the strap and translates the same above the shroud within the air flow being suspended by the strap in prone position. When the user is levitated by the air flow, the reel automatically reels in the strap.

Abstract: Each vertically rotating blade of a wind-driven main rotor carries a secondary rotor oriented to be driven by the wind during its circular motion about the main rotor axis. The secondary rotors are thus exposed to a much increased relative wind speed and transmit torque to a rotary energy-producing device, such as an electric generator directly coupled to the shaft of the secondary rotor without the necessity of a speed-up transmission. Each secondary rotor may be located, in line with the chords of the main rotor blade, anywhere along said blade but, preferably, in the vicinity of the blade tip.

Abstract: A safety fence for scaffolds of the type having flat end portions is disclosed. The fence comprises a rectangular framework, upright when installed and provided with a bottom slot for slidably receiving an end portion of the scaffold. A second framework is rigidly fixed to the bottom of the main framework and forms a second slot to slidably receive the end portion of the scaffold, and this maintains the framework in secure immobile upright position.

Abstract: A scaffolding attachment and method of using the same during construction of an outer wall next to an inner wall. Each attachment consists of a beam adjustably secured to a support post and a bracket element fixed to the inner wall at the same height as the beam. A flat link member is rigidly, permanently secured to the bracket and detachably attached to the beam. The rear portion of the link member is made frangible. The flat link member and flat plate part of the bracket are adapted to be embedded in the mortar between the next-to-highest and the highest building unit at each desired level. Once the mortar has set, the scaffolding beam is detached and the frangible portion of the link member is removed. The outer wall then remains secured to the inner wall thereat and the work platform of the scaffolding may be raised.

Abstract: This scaffolding comprises a base, a pair of spaced posts on said base each formed of modular post sections, releasably secured one on top of the other by fasteners. Each post section is formed of a lattice frame with transversely-extending bars forming anchoring steps, equally spaced along the post. A work platform surrounds the posts and is guided therealong for up-and-down movement. A pair of anchoring hooks are pivoted at theri lower end to the platform and are engageable with the steps of the two posts to suspend the platform. A pair of hydraulic rams are pivoted also to the platform adjacent each post and upwardly-upstanding piston rods are provided with hooks to engage the steps of the post and raise or lower the platform. The hydraulic supply for the rams is mounted on the platform. The hook members are biased towards the posts, so that they automatically engage the steps. A single operator can operate the rams to raise and lower the work platform.

Abstract: An installation such as in the form of a building having a room or chamber in which an upward air flow is produced to levitate human beings. This installation, herein called a levitationarium, is constructed and arranged to be simple, safe and economic to operate in particular by comprising a blowing propeller that is shrouded and arranged to produce an induced suction flow in an annular air passage around it, under the action of the direct flow by the propeller inside the shroud; by having a toroidal air passage arranged for closed circuit streamline air flow serially through it and the levitation chamber; and by including a toroidal core portion interposed between the levitation chamber and the toroidal air passage and providing a spectator gallery and access to the levitation chamber.