Abstract: A hold open arm assembly for a non-vertically hinged door prevents a door for a roof or floor opening from closing unexpectedly and allows one-handed operation. The assembly includes an elongated arm that bears directly against a stop aligned with the axis of the arm when a closing force, such as a wind load, is applied directly to the door. The arm has a guide that engages a guide slot in a bracket attached to the door. The guide slot is tapered and widens near the stop. When a closing force is applied to a handle connected to the arm, the guide moves parallel to the guide slot and the arm clears the stop, allowing the door to close. When the closing force is applied to the door, and not the handle, the guide moves perpendicular to the guide slot so that the arm engages the stop. The guide is provided with a low friction roller bearing for smooth operation.

Abstract: A counterbalancing assembly and a non-vertically hinged door assembly incorporating the same include a first pair of torque rods directly connected between the door and a frame which produce a partial counterbalancing torque. A second pair of torque rods acting through cams produce an augmenting counterbalancing torque such that the sum of the partial and augmenting torques fully counterbalance the door throughout its arc of motion.

Abstract: A counterbalanced door assembly particularly suited for heavy-duty load bearing applications such as sidewalk access doors, and for precasting into concrete slabs, comprises a door, a frame surrounding the door, a hinge connecting the door to the frame for rotation about a first axis, a torque rod arm mounted to rotate about a second axis displaced from the first axis, and one or more torque rods. One end of the torque rod arm is connected to the torque rod to twist the torque rod as the torque rod arm rotates about the second axis thereby generating a counterbalance force. A force control mechanism, which may be a cam with a properly shaped cam surface or a link hinged at either end, receives the counterbalance force from the torque rod arm and applies it in a controlled direction over a controlled effective moment arm relative to the first axis to generate the desired counterbalance torque.

Abstract: A counterbalanced door assembly particularly suited for heavy-duty load bearing applications such as sidewalk access doors, and for precasting into concrete slabs, comprises a door, a frame surrounding the door, a hinge connecting the door to the frame for rotation about a first axis, a torque rod arm mounted to rotate about a second axis displaced from the first axis, and one or more torque rods. One end of the torque rod arm is connected to the torque rod to twist the torque rod as the torque rod arm rotates about the second axis thereby generating a counterbalance force. A force control mechanism, which may be a cam with a properly shaped cam surface or a link hinged at either end, receives the counterbalance force from the torque rod arm and applies it in a controlled direction over a controlled effective moment arm relative to the first axis to generate the desired counterbalance torque.

Abstract: A safety post assembly for assisting entry to or exit from the upper portion of a wall having mounted thereon a series of rungs forming a ladder, the assembly comprising a tubular support sleeve; adjustable mounting means for securing the sleeve to the rungs in an upstanding position; an elongated extension rod having a tapered lower end portion for sliding insertion into the tubular sleeve and an opposite upper end portion adapted to extend above the upper portion of the structure and provide grasping means during the entry and exit; a projection extending outwardly from the extension rod, and adapted to rest against the upper end of the sleeve for limiting insertion of the rod lower end portion into the sleeve to a predetermined distance sufficient to support the weight of a person grasping the rod upper end portion during the entry and exit; and a step member extending transversely on opposite sides of the extension rod between the upper and lower end portions and positioned to provide a foothold in the vi

Abstract: An extendable railing for use in stairwells, hallways and the like. The railing comprises an elongated moveable member nonrotatably but slidably mounted inside an elongated fixed, hollow member. The moveable member is supported on at least one friction reducing spacing means for movement from a first retracted to a second extended position with counterbalance means. The railing further comprises means for stopping said movement and for locking said moveable member in the extended position.