Abstract: A column such as a concrete bridge or overpass column is reinforced by transverse post tensioning a steel wire around the length of the column. Apparatus for winding the wire around the column includes a first support frame which is attached to the column and a second support frame which is movably positioned around the column. The second support frame is movably supported on the first support frame whereby the second support frame can move axially along the length of the column. The second support frame includes a fixed inner ring, and a rotatable outer ring engages the inner ring in a tongue-in-groove fashion. The outer ring supports a spool of wire and a tensioning spool, and a drive motor and pinion mounted to the fixed inner ring drives the outer ring gear and rotates the spool of wire around the column as the second support frame is translated axially along a length of the column. The first support frame is repeatedly moved along the column until the full length of the column has been wound with wire.

Abstract: A portable game support for suspending game from a vertical support such as a post or tree, which game support includes a support frame having spaced legs for skirting the tree, a connector bar spanning the legs for engaging one side of the tree, a brace bar pivotally attached to the forward end of the support frame for adjustably engaging the tree beneath the connector bar and a V-shaped rear retainer bar adjustably secured to the legs of the support frame for engaging the opposite side of the tree and cooperating with the connector bar for maintaining the support frame on the tree at a selected height. A V-shaped front retainer may also be adjustably secured to the legs adjacent to the connector bar and overlapping the rear retainer for engaging the tree under circumstances where the tree upon which the portable game support is mounted is relatively small in diameter.

Abstract: A hunter's portable tree stand that has an elongated platform assembly whose rear end is secured against the trunk of a tree. A pair of support arm assemblies have their front ends pivotally secured the front end of the platform assembly. A V-shaped clamping yoke passes around the trunk of the tree and its opposite ends are detachably connected to the respective rear ends of the support arm assemblies. A pair of upright brace members that pivot at the top, which the bottom is adjustable and secured to the rear end of the platform assembly and their top ends connected to the rear end of the support arm assemblies. The support arm assemblies have a unique structure which allows for adjustment of the angle that the platform assembly makes with the trunk of a tree even when the hunter is standing thereon.

Abstract: A tree climbing stand utilizing two climbing elements. Also provided is a spring actuated mechanism for locking the tree stand in its expanded, operational position, a retractable safety bar for supporting the back of the climber, and a readily removable cleat, which may be included or excluded at the discretion of the user, for engaging the tree.

Abstract: A pump jack for traveling up and down a pole includes a frame member which supports a lower shackle having a front and a rear gripping rods applying a clamping force for gripping the pole. A pump arm pivotally supports and operates an upper shackle also having a front and a rear gripping rod for clamping the pole. The lower shackle has a single U-shaped yoke pivotally supported on and biased to a support arm to improve the leverage for operating the lower shackle. The upper shackle is provided with a freely rotatable roller mounted on the upper shackle so as to space the bitting front rod of the upper shackle from the pole to permit stepping up of the upper shackle. The usual tension springs on the upper shackle are eliminated to thereby permit less force needed for its operation.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for stairs comprises a length of rail secured to a wall parallel to the stairs and a handle which is slidable along the rail if force is applied to the handle in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the rail but is jammed with respect to the rail if force is applied in any other direction. Preferably the handle is a loop formed by rubber covered reinforcement and the handle is a loop formed by rubber covered reinforcement and the handle has a neck portion leading to a head portion, the neck portion extending through a slot into a box section of the rail which contains the head portion.

Abstract: A hand climber for hunter's use characterized by a vertical support mounting a flexible band and including a latching arrangement for lengthening and/or shortening the amount of usable band. An outwardly extending handle, for user grasping, is secured onto the support and, as well, a brace extends between the handle and the support, where the latter has an outwardly bent lower end portion adapted to bear against the bark of the tree trunk without a damaging effect.

Abstract: The invention provides a fall arrest device for pole climbers consisting of a yoke for engagement with a pole on the side opposite the climber and two arms attached to respective ends of the yoke. Each arm carries a rotatable engagement structure and strap attachment means so that tension in an associated strap, to connect the climber's waist belt to the device, will bring the arms towards one another and the engagement structures will be forced against the pole to hold the device in position to support the climber. Also, the invention provides a fall arrest device having safety elements passing through the device between the strap attachments so that if the device breaks the safety elements continue to provide a mechanical link around the pole.

Abstract: A portable elevating device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a winch frame for mounting a winch and a harness assembly secured to the winch frame for supporting an operator. In the preferred embodiment, the free end of the cable of the winch is releasably secured at a vertical position by a C-shaped anchor. The anchor may be positioned at the vertical position by a telescoping pole releasably secured thereto. After the free end of the cable is secured to the vertical position, the operator located in the harness assembly can elevate or lower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch. The winch frame in its most preferred form includes a rope gripping member for gripping a rope secured to a vertical position and moveable between a non-engaging position and an engaging position to thus operate as a safety line if the winch, cable, or anchor should fail.

Abstract: A portable elevating device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a winch frame for mounting a winch and a harness assembly secured to the winch frame for supporting an operator. In the preferred embodiment, the free end of the cable of the winch is releasably secured at a vertical position by a C-shaped anchor. The anchor may be positioned at the vertical position by a telescoping pole releasably secured thereto. After the free end of the cable is secured to the vertical position, the operator located in the harness assembly can elevate or lower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch. The winch frame in its most preferred form includes a rope gripping member for gripping a rope secured to a vertical position and moveable between a non-engaging position and an engaging position to thus operate as a safety line if the winch, cable, or anchor should fail.

Abstract: A fall arrest device for a pole climber which has a main yoke with resiliently biased arms at each end for partly encompassing a pole. The resiliently biased arms are movable in the same plane as the main yoke and also urge the secondary yokes into contact with the pole to accommodate a range of pole diameters. Handles are attached to each arm for gripping by the pole climber to move the arms so that the fall arrest device can be raised or lowered, and each arm also has eyelets for receiving safety straps attached to the pole climber. In a preferred embodiment the arms have sharp projections for biting into the pole. A pull on the strap, due to slippage of the pole climber, causes the arms to move towards each other and the sharp projections to bite tightly into the pole. Alternative embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A pole climber's safety device comprises a closed yoke for encompassing a pole, the yoke providing an attachment plate for attaching a safety belt and handle portions to be grasped by the climber. The yoke is formed by two half yokes hingedly interconnected together and secured by a releasable fastening. Pivoted blades are mounted on the underside of the yoke, and blades being biassed to a pole engaging position and being manually retractable.

Abstract: A scaffold apparatus usable in conjunction with conventional on-site building materials to provide an adjustable scaffold, the scaffold apparatus having a matched pair of plank brackets with a releasable clamping mechanism adapted to clamp the brackets to a pair of spaced timber posts, the plank brackets having cantilevered arm portions extending from the post on which a horizontal cross plank is supported, the brackets having an adjustment mechanism cooperating with a cable for raising and lowering the brackets and cross plank on the timber posts, the plank brackets in combination with additional hardware for supporting and bracing the timber posts forming a compact scaffolding kit.

Abstract: A tree-climbing hunter's support apparatus includes a tree-gripping frame section and a collapsible frame section that extends from the tree-gripping section to unfold and support a flexible lounge seat. The positioning of the seat for supporting a hunter provides for a strong and safe tree-gripping lever action to prevent the apparatus from slipping down the tree. The flexible lounge seat permits the hunter to remain safe, comfortable and motionless for long periods. The hunter can climb and descend the tree with the assistance of the apparatus, and can conveniently transport the apparatus on his back.

Abstract: A ladder climber's safety device for use with stationary ladders of the type having side rails of rectangular cross-sectional configuration includes hand grip members slidable along each rail and loosely interconnected by a cable removably attachable to the safety belt of the climber. The handle grip members include opposed gripping teeth adapted to engage their respective ladder rails when rotated downwardly towards the front of the ladder for preventing free downward movement thereof, and roller wheels adapted to engage the rail edges when the handle grip members are pushed in the upward direction to permit free movement thereof along the rails as controlled by the climber in climbing or descending the ladder.

Abstract: A plurality of scaffolds stacked one above the other on a support and each scaffold supported on two laterally spaced self-locking scaffold brackets attached to the supports by load-activated locks. A hoisting mechanism is selectively connected to the scaffolds in such a way as to lift each of the scaffolds up sequentially into its final position. Mechanical jacks connected to the load activated locks are used for final small adjustment of the positions of the scaffolds. The jacks are disabled without removing them during the time that the scaffolds are being moved up or down.

Abstract: A conveyer produces translation along the longitudinal axis of a cylindrically shaped body. An endless length of cable forms a tightly wrapped coil around the body and includes a loop displaced from the body. A support frame is supported by the terminal windings of the coil and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the body. A pulley is mounted on the frame for maintaining the loop in a substantially constant position with respect to the coil while a driving means induces relative rotational motion between the loop and the body about the longitudinal axis of the body. This relative rotational motion winds cable onto one end of the coil while simultaneously unwinding cable from the other end of the coil. The cable is maintained under tension so that the coil is wrapped tightly around the outer surface of the body. In this manner the frame and any load attached to it are conveyed along the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the movement of an operator along a supporting pole for electric lines and the like including a frame forming a footboard for the operator, a side supporting roller, two linkages each comprising a pair of "X" linked rods, whose intermediate pivot is slidable on the frame, and a pair of symmetrical rods engaged with a pin fixed to the frame. A pair of drive rollers is mounted at the ends of the two linkages, and the weight of the assembly and of the operator acts on the frame to urge the drive rollers towards each other and against the pole.