Abstract: A portable ladder for attachment to truck and trailer beds having stake or post pockets spaced about the outer periphery of the truck or trailer frame, including an attachment plate having a post sized for fitting into one of the stake or post pockets and a ladder section pivotally connected to the attachment plate by a pair of links or hinges, to permit the ladder section to be pivotally moved downwardly over the edge of the truck or trailer bed into a use position for climbing and to be pivotally moved upwardly over the truck or trailer bed into a stowage position.

Abstract: A drop-in stair assembly for a pool which comprises alternating treads and risers forming a series of steps extending between first and second side walls and with a pair of L-shaped connectors, each of the connectors having first and second arms and an elbow portion, the arms having a plurality of attachment locations such that the stair unit can be aligned in both a horizontal and a vertical fashion with respect to a pool wall and rim.

Abstract: A step assembly for a swimming pool, includes an upper step section including two upper steps at a first height, front, side and rear supporting walls for supporting the two upper steps on a ground surface, a hollow chamber defined between the supporting walls and the upper steps, and an opening in the rear wall for permitting access to the hollow chamber; a lower step section including two lower steps at a second height lower than the first height, front, side and rear supporting walls for supporting the two lower steps, and the lower step section having dimensions less than the opening so as to fit through the opening and be removably positioned in the hollow chamber; and a securing assembly which removably secures the upper step section with the lower step section, and including a tongue in the rear wall of the lower step section and a groove in the front wall of the upper step section which removably receives the tongue.

Abstract: A retractable safety post for facilitating access in and out of a manhole is slidably attached to each side rail of a wall-mounted ladder. Each post slides within a tubular sleeve fixed to the side rail and is selectively movable between a retracted or stowed position to an extended or use position. Each post has at its upper end a cap and handle for ease of grasping during use, and at its lower end a latch member for securing the post in its extended position during use. A wall bracket anchoring the ladder to the manhole serves as a resting support for the latch member and its post when in the extended position. The post is secured in the extended position by merely lifting the post, twisting the post a given amount in a pre-set direction, and lowering the post slightly so that the latch member can engage the wall bracket. In its stowed position, the post rests wholly within the manhole.

Abstract: A marine vessel ladder system that is primarily used for overboard emergency situations. The ladder system is collapsible and separable into two pieces with one piece substantially smaller than the other. The smaller piece serves both as a retainer to hold the larger piece in a folded, stowed position and also as a connector to fasten the larger piece to a customized area along an edge of the vessel's deck. The ladder system is deployable by one deckhand and includes vertically oriented upper and lower ladder sections with a horizontally oriented grate section therebetween. Fixed vertical railings and collapsible side railings are provided for assistance in ascending and descending the ladder system. Optional safety straps are provided to secure the system prior to and during use.

Abstract: A telescoping bleacher system having plural sectional rows of cantilever mounted seats and horizontal foot decks moveable between an extended use position whereat the rows are cascaded in descending order and a storage position in which the rows are superposed in vertical registration, and wherein plural guard rail units are permanently secured to the cantilever seats and foot decks for movement therewith between stored and extended positions; such guard rails being individually associated with each sectional row to provide vertically extending safety barriers across the exposed ends of the seats and foot decks and importantly operable to nest in a storage position within the foot well of each row without interfering with telescoping movements of the bleacher sections.

Abstract: An access ladder assembly for an agricultural machine having a body with an elevated operator's station. The ladder assembly includes a ladder that is mounted to the frame of the machine by a pivot mechanism that allows the ladder to be moved in either rotational direction about both a generally horizontal axis and a generally vertical axis. A locking mechanism releasably holds the ladder in an angularly adjusted position about both of these axes. A release mechanism conveniently located relative to the operator's station controls operation of the locking mechanism. The ladder assembly further includes rail structure carried by the ladder and movable about a generally vertical axis to either of two adjusted positions.

Abstract: A device for blocking stairs which is attached to the vertically-extending side panels of a stairway. A pair of expanding support elements is wedged between the side panels and separated from each other by a few steps. A material sheet is attached to, and extends between, the pair of expanding support elements. The material sheet covers the few steps so that access to the steps and the stairway is blocked. The support elements include outwardly-biased end plates equipped with rubber pads. One of the support rods has a rotationally-biased spool for retracting the material sheet during transport or storage.

Abstract: A ladder guard, when in placed on the front section of a two-section extension ladder, prevents persons from climbing on the ladder, from either the front or back, and reduces the chances of theft by preventing the ladder from being retracted. The ladder guard comprises a unitary, semi-rigid shell having a central panel portion and two channel portions to each side of the panel. The panel is recessed relative to the channels so that the panel may be drawn closely to the rungs. The channels extend around the side rails of the ladder. The shell may have a multiplicity of openings to allow wind to blow through the shell. The ladder guard includes a hook for engaging a rung of the ladder to support the guard, and an adjustable locking means for securely locking the ladder guard to the ladder.

Abstract: The invention is a ladder guard which prevents unauthorized access to a ladder. Preventing injury to children is a primary goal of the invention. The ladder guard has a top and a bottom hook extending from two metal sheets. The hooks can be adjusted to go between two to four ladder rungs, thus preventing use of the covered rungs. The top and bottom hooks are adjustable to fit any size rungs. The metal sheets may be locked to prevent removal. A tool tray is also mountable when the ladder is in use. The invention works with all known ladders. It is, therefore, a removable universal fitting ladder guard.

Abstract: A handrail including one or more tubular members, the ends whereof are provided with respective fastening members. Inserts made of photoluminescent material are arranged between the tubular members and the fixing members and are suitable to make the handrail visible even in poor lighting conditions or in complete darkness.

Abstract: A stairway climbing aid having a plurality of individual adjustable half-step members fixedly connected to a rigid elongated channel member at spaced locations along the length of the latter to comprise a rigid assembly. The channel member is connected to each of the half-step members adjacent the rear end of the latter and at an elevation and angle such that the channel member will extend upon or adjacent the outer edge of the tread of each step. The half-step members are longitudinally adjustable so that their length can equal the depth of the particular steps to which they are applied. Thus, any stairway can be readily modified to facilitate travel thereover by persons having difficulty in taking full steps, by applying such an assembly to the steps along one side of the stairway, after adjusting the individual half-steps to the depth of the treads.

Abstract: An improved safety shield for permanent ladders of the type having a pair of side rails and a plurality of rungs permanently secured to a support structure such as storage tanks, smoke stacks, television towers, tall buildings, bins and silos, the shield includes a front plate having two longitudinal side edges, a pair of side flanges, each of which extends rearwardly and outwardly from one of the side edges in angular relationship thereto. A hinge means connects a first of the side flanges and the front plate along juxtaposed side edges and at least one support bracket connects the first side flange to the ladder. The front plate has an opening and is movable between a first open position and a second closed position wherein the front plate, side flanges, and supporting structure substantially enclose the ladder to prevent unauthorized access thereto.

Abstract: An aircraft servicing pit located beneath a surface across which aircraft travel while on the ground is provided with a ladder and a pair of reciprocally retractable handrails on each side of the ladder. Each of the handrails has an inverted "J-shaped" configuration. With the lid open the handrails can be drawn up out of the pit and rotated so that their legs can rest upon the tarmac surface at the edge of the pit. Service personnel utilizing the pit are thereby provided with stabilizing hand grips which enhance their safety when entering and leaving the subsurface chamber within the pit. When the pit is to be closed the retractable handrails are lifted, rotated, and lowered to their fully retracted storage positions.

Abstract: A protective assembly for a ladder system is provided for scaffolding structures of the type which utilizes a connector/retention system for detachably securing upright and horizontal members. The protective assembly is comprised of substantially U-shaped and substantially J-shaped horizontal members the ends of which have secured thereto connector means and which when secured to upright members to both sides of said ladder system provides an efficient enclosed circular cage with unobstructed access from a lower ladder to a platform at the base of an upper ladder.

Abstract: An effective riser reducer step device is provided, which consists of a mechanism placed upon a tread of a step of a staircase for reducing the height of a riser of the step. Another mechanism is for moving the riser height reducing mechanism to the tread of each successive step of the staircase, so that a physically impaired person suffering from atrophy, back and leg problems can ascend and descend the steps of the staircase.

Abstract: A ladder apparatus comprising a longitudinally elongated step support for mounting between an upper level and a lower level at a forward angle of inclination. The elongated support has an upper end and a lower end. A series of steps are mounted relative to the elongated support. A hinge assembly is mounted relative to the elongated support adjacent its upper end. The hinge assembly includes a pivot positioned adjacent one of the outer longitudinal edges enabling the ladder apparatus to be swung at least about 90.degree. between an operable position and a stowed position. The hinge assembly preferably comprises retaining means for inhibiting the ladder apparatus from swinging away from the operable position.

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: An L-shaped swimming pool ladder guard having hooks for attachment to a swimming pool ladder to prevent an automatic pool cleaner from being entangled between the ladder and the pool wall.

Abstract: A safety ladder comprises a pair of spaced-apart parallel main support rails which typically extend between the ground and the side of a building. The steps of the ladder are connected between a second set of parallel side rails which are spaced inwardly toward the building, and are interconnected with the main side rails by means of truss-like support braces. This causes the step bearing portion of the ladder to be suspended from the load bearing rails to improve the stability of the ladder. The load bearing rails also act as hand rails, to assist users of the ladder in balancing on the ladder.

Abstract: A ladder is disclosed which includes gate members to block access to the ladder. The gate members preferably include a warning against unauthorized use of the ladder. The ladder may be mounted on wheels such that it may be transportable, for uses in environments such as warehouses. Since these environments may be exposed to customer use, the warnings may prevent unauthorized use of the ladder by customers.

Abstract: An improved handrail is provided to aid a visually handicapped person in moving up and down stairs. The handrail extends along the stairs. Indicia on the handrail identifies the steps along which the handrail extends. The indicia is in the braille system and includes characters which project downwardly away from a lower side of the handrail.

Abstract: A swimming pool safety ladder is described in which the individual steps employed are enclosed along both their side edges and along their back edge so as to prevent the accidental catching of one's hand, arm, foot, or leg between a step and the pool wall.

Abstract: A retractable walk-in swimming pool ladder includes a platform having side frames secured thereto. A plurality of steps extended between and are secured to the side frames. A first pair of rollers are journaled on the platform and a second pair of rollers are journaled on the side frames adjacent the lowermost step. Linkages pivotally connect the platform to the swimming pool deck and cooperate with the rollers to permit the swimming pool ladder to be readily retracted from and returned to the swimming pool.

Abstract: Ladder assemblies are needed on large vehicles for an operator to ascend to the cab of a vehicle. The ladder assembly should be moveable between a lowered position for easy access and a raised position to prevent damage to the ladder when the vehicle is in use. The subject ladder assembly includes a pair of spaced rails mounted to the vehicle and an elongate ladder moveably positioned between the spaced rails. Cooperating means extend between the rails and the elongate ladder to position the ladder with respect to the rails and guide the ladder on the rails when the ladder is moved. The arrangement of components provides a simple and compact arrangement for raising and lowering the ladder.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an emergency ladder equipment. Such an emergency ladder equimpment is mounted on the outside wall of the top floor of buildings. The emergency ladder equipment substantially comprises a number of ladder members which are stored in a storage case in a stacked or folded manner except for an emergency case, wherein the storage case is mounted on the outside wall of buildings. Each ladder member is connected by a connecting device to the subsequent ladder member. Furthermore, the bottom end of each ladder member is supported by a support stay disposed in the storage case. By releasing the support stay, each ladder member slides down one after another in series while being connected by a plurality of connecting devices to form a complete ladder which is installed along the outside wall of the building.

Abstract: An A-frame ladder comprises two side rail assemblies and a platform guard rail assembly each provided in their rail members with elongate oval apertures defining handholds or hand grips. Steps of the side rail assemblies and the platform of the platform guard rail assembly are formed with elongate openings for draining water from the upper surfaces of the steps and the platform and for augmenting the gripping of users' feet by those upper surfaces. The steps are connected to the side rails by snap lock pins and the side rail assemblies are connected to guard rail members of the platform guard rail assembly by twist-ock pins, whereby an outer side rail assembly may be removably disconnected from the platform to prevent access to a swimming pool by youngsters. Brackets are attachable to the guard rail members of the platform guard rail assembly for connecting the platform guard rail assembly to sections of a perimetrally extending fence, whereby the ladder becomes an integral part of the fence.

Abstract: A portable stair barrier intended to prevent very young children from climbing up a stairway is formed by a ramp having support members adapted for rest on the stairway, wherein the ramp bridges over one or more stairs when deployed.

Abstract: A sleeve fits securely over a ladder rail with attached hooks over at least two rungs of the ladder. Interchangeable hook components may be rounded recessed hooks for extension-type ladders or flat angled hooks for step ladder. The hook components are adjustably attached to the sleeve. Brackets for utility attachments are pivotally secured to the sleeve with two bolts through a half circle slot and central hole through the sleeve. Paint buckets, paint trays and utility trays may all be pivotally attached. A hand railing, safety railing support and holder for paint brushes and other tools may also be attached.

Abstract: A ladder platform for step ladder, ladder or extension ladder. The platform has two tray positions which hinge relative to one another and are movable between a storage position and a work position. One tray portion has integral handles and is securable to stiles of the ladder. The platform, in the work position, can support tools or other items.

Abstract: Access to the top of a caged ladder (2, 3) is barred by the device of the invention which comprises a door panel (6) and a closure member (10) both hinged about respective vertical axes (7b, 12), and interconnected like a pair of compasses by a hinge piece (11) and a lever (14) which engages in a slot (13) of the hinge piece.

Abstract: An improved safety attachment for a ladder in which the attachment is collapsible to render it more compact for storing and handling purposes yet the attachment can be readily expanded for use on a ladder. The attachment includes a pair of spaced sides which are coupled together by a pair of vertically spaced cross-pieces with the cross-pieces being either removable from connection with the sides or articulated with respect to the sides so that the sides can be moved toward and away from each other to form a compact unit to facilitate storage and handling of the attachment.

Abstract: In a ladder tower having multiple telescoping sections, each section includes a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced apart truss members and a plurality of longitudinally spaced ladder rungs interconnecting the truss members. Each truss member includes an upper elongated hand rail, a lower elongated rung rail being spaced below and lying in a common plane with the upper hand rail, and a plurality of braces extending between and interconnecting the upper hand rail and lower rung rail of each truss member. The ladder rungs of each section extend between and interconnect the rung rails of the truss members thereof. Pretensioning structure is connected to the hand rail of each truss member so as to load the hand rail in compression and the rung rail in tension and thereby substantially offset the dead load of each section due to its weight and permit an increase in the live load capacity of each section. Further, the hand rail of each truss member of each ladder tower section is hollow.

Abstract: A portable, foldable swimming pool step device includes a pair of sectional stiles interconnected by transverse steps and provided with sectional handrail structures. The stiles, steps, and handrail structures are formed of a thermoplastic material. Each stile includes a pair of sections hingedly connected together and foldable between an extended operative position and a folded position. The steps are adjustable to permit the swimming pool step device to function as an inclined ramp. Suitable rollers are mounted on the stiles to permit easy movement of the swimming pool step device when the ladder is in the folded position.

Abstract: A safety ladder particularly suited for permitting access to the top of a tank having a convex exterior surface is provided. The ladder is designed to provide a safe vertical path between the ground and a flat work platform attached to the ladder at the top of the tank. The safety of the tank ladder is enhanced by providing a pair of smooth, continuous, unbroken vertical handrails spaced outwardly of the ladder along which the tank operator can slide his hands without removing them from the rails from the top to the bottom of the ladder. Safety steps include spaced rung sections secured to vertical supports to define a central opening through which spilled liquids, rain or snow may drop instead of accumulating on the surface of the step as in prior art ladder steps. A central reinforcing bar extends between the rung sections to strengthen the steps. A flat platform is attached to the top of the ladder to form the top step of the ladder and to provide a safe work space at the curved top of the tank.

Abstract: A device for helping a handicapped person move up and down a flight of stairs. The device includes a base having a pair of vertically spaced platforms which define intermediate steps between the steps of the stairs. By stepping from a lower step to the platforms and then to the adjacent upper step, a person may climb the stairs while lifting his feet vertically through only relatively short distances. A handle extends upwardly from the base and helps stabilize the person using the device. The handle also is used to move the device from step to step.

Abstract: A boat platform ladder attaches at one end to the stern of a vessel and can be raised and lowered between stored and in use positions. A ladder is rotatably mounted to the opposite end of the platform. When the platform is lowered, locking mechanism fix the ladder in a perpendicular orientation relative to the platform. When the platform is raised, the ladder is unlocked so as to rotate into a parallel orientation relative to the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for aiding a person in walking up andn down a staircase which has at least one railing running alongside. The apparatus includes a series of structures which are affixed to the at least one railing for supporting a person's hands and arms and, thereby, a portion of the person's weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to tripodal support structures and more particularly to a three-legged folding step-ladder having outrigger-type support extensions on the two front support legs, a rear support member having a single ground contact point, and independently extendable and retractable safety hand rails. The support legs of the instant invention contact the ground at points spaced apart from one another to form an equilateral triangle when viewed from above.

Abstract: A safety attachment for a ladder to permit the user of the attachment, when it is on the ladder, to be locked onto the ladder so that the user will be more positively connected to the ladder. The attachment includes a frame having hooks for removably coupling the frame to the rungs of a ladder. The frame has a pair of spaced cross-pieces or rods which allow one leg of the user to extend partially about one of the rods while the foot or shin of the leg engages the other of the rods.

Abstract: A ladder device for a boat has a mount unit and a separate step unit that may be moved between a use position with a step thereof immersed in the water in which the boat floats and a storage position where the step is located out of the water. The step in the use position extends aft of the platform and permits a person to climb out of the water and onto the platform without the step making any appreciable movement relative to the boat during such climb. The mount unit has a pair of U-shaped members formed of a section of tubing with first and second ends and a transverse flange is fixed to each first end by which the members may be attached to the upper surface of the platform. The step unit has two parallel S-shaped tubular side sections, each including a long central portion from which upper and lower end portions extend integrally and substantially normally. A step is fixed at its ends to the lower end portions holding the side sections spaced apart from each other.

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: A ladder made of a rectangular main frame, spaced parallel rods interconnecting the two long side legs of the ladder, and step panels each pivotally mounted at its front corners to one rod for pivotal action within the ladder frame. A rigid link pivotally interconnects the rear corners of the step panels on each side thereof. Short lever arms also pivotally interconnect the rear portion of the side edges of the topmost step panel to the interior face of the respective side legs. Each short lever arm has a central longitudinal slot slidingly engaged by a pivot pin projecting from the frame side legs.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible stair which provides support platforms that are spaced laterally and vertically from one another at approximately a one-to-one slope, thus enabling a person to ascend or descend the stair in a more convenient walking motion. There are two inverted U-shaped cross members pivotally connected to one another at a pivot axis intermediate the ends of the legs of the two U-shaped members. An upper support platform extends between the upper ends of the two inverted U-shaped members. There are one or more additional support platforms extending horizontally from forwardly positioned lower leg portions of one of the U-shaped members.

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.

Abstract: An elevated platform is provided including one longitudinal marginal portion alongside which an elongated tank body of a vehicle may be disposed. The marginal portion of the platform pivotally mounts a pair of extension panels therefrom in slightly spaced relation therealong for movement between raised inoperative positions and downwardly and outwardly inclined operative positions and a step ramp has one end pivotally mounted from the platform between the panels for swinging movement between a raised inoperative position and a downwardly and outwardly inclined inoperative position. The outer margins of the panels and the outer end of the step ramp are generally coterminous when in the operative positions for engagement with and support from the near side of the top of a tank body and an upstanding railing assembly is swingably mounted from the platform and positionable for engaging and the support from the far side of the top of a tank body with which the panels and the ramp are engaged.

Abstract: The present invention has as an object a foldable staircase for vehicles, for examples in airplane, which, once folded, is housed in a compartment provided in the fuselage.This staircase comprises:a carriage (4) slidably mounted in the compartment (1) which carriage receives, in an overhanging manner, a foldable staircase structure (5) which, when it is housed in the compartment, is folded and extends toward the opening (3) of this latter,a motor mechanism (6) either for driving the carriage (4) toward the opening (3) and extracting the structure from the compartment (1) outside of which it will be deployed, or for restoring the structure into the compartment after this latter has been folded and conducted at the time of folding into the axis of the compartment,and motor means (7) for unfolding or re-folding, along a vertical plane, the structure (5) when this latter is outside of the compartment (1).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a retractable and flexible steel cable ladder device adopted for descending people from a high building in fire accident, which can be emergently mounted on the wall of a window or place of the like, so that the flexible steel cable ladder thereof can be lowered down quickly for people to step down therefrom.

Abstract: A panel (6) has a flap (9) for closing a person-passing opening (4') (e.g. leading into a ladder cage (4)) and is pivotally mounted to one of the risers of the ladder (1). A locking element (10) having a padlock-receiving hole (12) is pivotally mounted on the other riser (2) and is connected by a first link (14) to an intermediate lever (16) having a finger (23) for holding the panel (6) in its closed position, said intermediate lever being operable from inside the cage (24) by means of an operating lever (21).

Abstract: A portable balustrade and platform assembly for a structure, such as a recreational vehicle, is provided for stabilizing and assisting a person entering and exiting the structure via a door thereof.