Abstract: A light weight, easily assembled, readily portable by a single individual, adjustable to most any terrain electric scaffold having a base with a plurality of outrigger members with adjustable feet to accommodate differential terrain wherein the base is affixed to a mast having a drive unit thereon capable of raising and lowering the work platform affixed thereto. The drive unit is plugged into any 110 outlet providing the required power for raising and lowering the work platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides personnel lift devices that include at least one of six design features. Each of the design features is discussed individually. The lift device includes an operator's cage assembly exhibiting ease of operator access and a safety enhancing interlocked design. A control mechanism, requiring the use of both hands to maneuver the controlled device, further enhances the safety of apparatus of the present invention. Interlocked outriggers provide enhanced structural stability and safety. A telescoping mast of extruded metal design includes a plurality of tee slots and/or sliding engagement during extension and retraction of the individual mast stages. A transfer mechanism releasably positionable at a plurality of heights and includes a bumper/roller assembly that is either fixed or freely movable, depending upon the portion of the device being transferred that is bearing the weight thereof.

Abstract: An adaptive control man-augmentation system controls the movement of a suspended work station. A support structure, usually mounted on a chassis, has with an extendable boom and a work station at the end of the boom. A directing member pivots in accordance with operator movements and the pivotal movement is resolved along two axes, normal to each other and having a fixed relationship within the boom. Resolving of operator movements provides signals for moving the boom so as to move the work station to any desired location, in response to operator movements. The position of the work station is monitored. The signals are continuously monitored and adapted with respect to situation variables to produce immediate and accurate movement response of the workstation to match operator requirements.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable work station for use proximate a conveyor belt or the like. The work station includes a platform with side rail assemblies that is mounted for vertical displacement to ground engaging support posts. The posts are telescoped inside the rail assembly and a displacement assembly is provided to raise and lower the platform on the posts. In one embodiment, the posts are externally threaded and belt-driven gear nuts are mounted on the posts and carry the platform. In another embodiment, the posts and side rails are formed to provide a fluid piston-cylinder assembly. In a final embodiment, a pneumatic constant force spring biases the rail assembly and platform upwardly from the posts, and a brake assembly is used to hold the platform at the desired elevation.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable work station for use proximate a conveyor belt or the like. The work station includes a platform with side rail assemblies that is mounted for vertical displacement to ground engaging support posts. The posts are telescoped inside the rail assembly and a displacement assembly is provided to raise and lower the platform on the posts. In one embodiment, the posts are externally threaded and belt-driven gear nuts are mounted on the posts and carry the platform. In another embodiment, the posts and side rails are formed to provide a fluid piston-cylinder assembly. In a final embodiment, a pneumatic constant force spring biases the rail assembly and platform upwardly from the posts, and a brake assembly is used to hold the platform at the desired elevation.

Abstract: A portable telescopic hoist has an auxiliary tilt-back frame at the rear for supporting the hoist when it is tilted from its normal upright position to a backward sloped position to clear an overhead restriction. The tilt-back frame has a strut with a gas spring therein having a nearly constant spring force. This strut has a downwardly sloped operating position from a detachable connection at the back of the mast of the hoist.

Abstract: A mobile aerial lift platform vehicle of the type having an upstanding pedestal and an elevating assembly mounted on the pedestal to raise and lower the work platform while maintaining the center of gravity of the platform within the base area defined by the wheels of the vehicle. The improvement is that the pedestal is pivotally mounted to the chassis of the vehicle for pivotal movement about a first axis extending fore and aft of the chassis and about a second axis extending from side to side of the chassis. Two hydraulic rams for provided, each of which will pivot the pedestal about one only of the axes, so that the pedestal may be leveled even through the vehicle is on unlevel ground.

Abstract: A stairway wheelchair lift includes a stationary motor drive unit, a rail assembly extending along the stairway and a mobile platform movable along the rail. A flexible drive member, such as a chain or cable, within the rail assembly, is driven by the motor drive unit and is connected to the mobile platform to move the platform in either direction along the rail. The mobile platform is adapted to support and transport a wheelchair-bound passenger during use, and to fold upwardly out of the way of the stairway when the lift is not in use. An automatically actuated brake mechanism stops further movement of the mobile platform when the speed of the platform relative to the rail exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a plurality of safety sensing switches prevent operation of the lift in the presence of obstructions along the stairway or other unsafe conditions.

Abstract: Automated installation for the laying for masonry on a wall, especially of a converter, comprising an operating station with a work plateform movable vertically inside the enclosure and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the latter, areas for the simultaneous storage of two pallets of bricks on the platform, a robot for handling and laying the bricks, a monitoring and control station, retractable props for stabilizing the operating station and a device for raising and lowering pallets of bricks. The entire operating station is supported by a telescopic mast mounted on a turntable of a movable floor which is located outside the enclosure and with which the operating station forms a retractable self-propelled or towable unit.

Abstract: A manually-operated portable lift which may telescopically raise its mast or post so as to raise a lifting platform above the lift's initial height. The lift may be folded up to a compact and easily-moved configuration for ease of transport and storage. The lift includes a base with built-in outriggers which can be easily snapped out to fixed extended positions and returned to their storage positions. The outrigger is automatically latched in either such position but not between them. The base portion forward of the post can be manually unlatched and folded up parallel to the post. The platform and its arms have provision for manually mounting the arms of the platform in a low lifting position, a high lifting position, and a compact storage position wherein the arms are adjacent the platform. An extension mast is provided in either a storage position adjacent the main mast or as an extension of that mast.

Abstract: A powered access platform unit having a wheeled base carrying a corner pillar to which is articulated one end of a parallel linkage boom articulated at the other end to the remote corner of a platform structure on the same side of said structure as the side of the base which carries the corner pillar, and a drive unit on the base for raising and lowering the platform structure on the parallel linkage boom by means of an hydraulic ram articulated between the base pillar and the boom.

Abstract: A telescopic mast system has a base tube, a plurality of axially movable coaxial inner tubes nestable successively within each other and within the base tube, and a winch supported at the lower end of the base tube with a pair of preferably wire ropes driven thereby for extending and retracting the inner tubes. The base and inner tubes have collars at their respective ends, the collars of adjacent tubes engaging each other to limit extension thereof and to provide additional structural support during application of bending loads on the mast system. The ropes are connected to pulleys mounted near or within tube collars so that the ropes and pulleys are totally enclosed within the mast system. As the winch is rotated in one direction, the ropes axially move the inner tubes from a nested or stowed position within the base tube to a fully vertically extended operational position.

Abstract: A selectively positionable extension for an elevated walkway includes a planar ramp mounted by rollers to a frame and coupled to the frame by a selectively extensible hydraulic ram. The frame itself is supported by a second ramp for controlled vertical positioning. A pair of handrail gates are pivotally mounted on the ramp frame at opposed lateral sides thereof, and engage guide channels in the ramp side edges for automatically opening and closing the handrail gates as the ramp is extended from and retracted into the frame. The guide channels are so constructed that the handrail gates open and close from overlapping positions without interference. The entire extension is provided as a modular assembly which may be readily incorporated into existing or new walkway constructions.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated aerial lift with an improved bucket position control device supported by the bucket. Control valves for controlling operation of the aerial lift hydraulics are mounted on the stationary frame of the lift and the bucket position control device supported by the bucket is operably connected to the control valves by an optic fiber.

Abstract: The inspection car is intended to inspect the lower side of the bridge construction of a high level road from above the high level road as well as from the ground and it comprises a swingable and extensible boom vertically swingably pivoted on a rotatable pedestal rotatably mounted on the chassis of the car about the vertical rotational axis of the pedestal, a reciprocal boom pivotally mounted on the tip of the swingable and extensible boom through a saddle, and an extensible inspection passageway pivotally connected to one end of the reciprocal boom, the passageway being swingable between a position parallel to the reciprocal boom and a position at right angle thereto while it is allowed to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the reciprocal boom, a plurality of hydraulic cylinder means for the movement of the respective components listed above, and a control device for detecting the amount of movement of each component and controlling the movement thereof on the basis of the detected amount of movement

Abstract: A dock structure (10) supported by a support structure (29) being movable relative to the support structure (29) by sleeve-like tubular members (33a, b) mounted on elongated upright support members (32a, b) of the support structure (29). The dock structure (10) being raised and lowered by a winch assembly (50) including a winch (51) removably mounted on one of the elongated upright support members (32a, b) and interconnected to a cable (60) passing under the dock structure (10) and being removably attached to an upper end of the other elongated upright support member (32a, b).

Abstract: An on-board aircraft loading apparatus including an improved cargo platform and a simplified suspension frame therefor and improved hoist means for lifting and lowering the cargo platform with respect to the suspension frame.

Abstract: A device for fighting fires in highrise buildings and towers is disclosed, whereby a pair of parallel arranged platforms are provided for alternative ascension up the side of the building in stepwise fashion. The upper platform is first released from fixed connection with the upper story to which it is attached and raised relatively to the lower platform still fixedly attached the story of the building below. After raising the upper platform to a higher story, it is fixedly attached to that story, whereupon the lower platform is released and raised toward the upper platform until it is positioned adjacent the story previously having the upper platform attached thereto. At this point, the lower platform is fixedly attached to that story. The process repeats a series of times to climb up the side of the building to the upper floors where a fire is burning to put out the fire and save lives. To descend, the process is simply reversed.

Abstract: A substructure for an oil derrick comprising a base frame, a top frame and an intermediate bifurcated support frame consisting of a pair of horizontally extending traveling frames. A linkage network of swingable leg members intercouples the base, traveling and top frames for movement in parallelism between collapsed and elevated conditions of the substructure. In the collapsed mode the frame members are positioned in an adjacent relationship for presenting a low profile to a flatbed truck which allows a portable oil rig to be easily shifted onto the top frame and into alignment with the oil wellhead therebelow. A block and tackle assembly operably engages the traveling frames and is coupled to the derrick hook carried by the traveling block of the oil derrick. Upon operation of the latter the swingably mounted traveling frames move towards each other causing an elevation of the top frame so as to present a working space between the elevated oil derrick and oil wellhead.

Abstract: An improved self contained elevating table suitable for loading dock and the like load lifting operations. The platform is supported by at least one pair of scissor legs the opening of which is accelerated and amplified by a cylinder-operated toggle lever subassembly the opposite ends of which are pivotally connected between the outer end portion of one leg and a bracket mounted for movement with the other leg at a point spaced radially from the common midlength pivot access of the pair of legs. The roller-equipped pivot interconnecting the toggle lever and cylinder is offset from a line through the remotely positioned pivot axis of the cylinder and toggle subassembly, and this roller cooperates with a ramp or other constraint on the apparatus to accelerate and amplify initial opening of the scissor legs from the collapsed horizontal positions thereof.

Abstract: A rungless motorized ladder of a type having an elongated pole with a cable attached at the top thereof. At the bottom thereof, the cable is attached to a spool which is motorized. The spool is attached to a carriage having a place for receiving a person's feet. Foot controls are provided on such carriage for permitting persons utilizing the device to move the carriage up or down on the pole with a simple movement of one foot. Likewise, when the foot control is not being utilized, an automatic braking device is provided for holding the carriage securely in a stationary position.

Abstract: An improved system for monitoring lift chains included within mast assemblies in material handling vehicles disables downward movement of the forks upon detection of a first level of slackness in a lift chain. Since upward movement of the forks is not disabled, the forks may be raised to clear any obstruction causing the chain slackness. A lift chain may also be monitored to detect a broken chain in which case all vertical movement of the forks is disabled. In a material handling vehicle wherein the operator is elevated along a first mast and the forks are elevated along a second mast connected to an operator's platform, dual lift chains in the first mast are individually monitored for both slackness and breakage while dual lift chains in the second mast are monitored in common primarily to detect slackness. Lateral and rotational movement of the forks is also disabled for detection of a slack or broken first mast lift chain, but not for detection of a slack or broken second mast lift chain.

Abstract: A road towable platform having a sectional mast for rapid erection at the face of a structure for the performance of work thereon. The platform is vertically driven on the mast by means of dual independent drives each comprising a motor, a centrifugal overspeed brake, a triple reduction spur gear train, and a pinion engaging an independent rack on the mast. Each motor also has an integral disc brake engaged when the power is off.

Abstract: A lift apparatus for use in material handling characterized by a self-propelled and steerable chassis which mounts a pair of laterally spaced multi-stage mast assemblies for raising and lowering a lift carriage, and a stabilization torsion bar system actuatable by the mast assemblies for maintaining the lift carriage in a horizontal plane during such operation.

Abstract: This invention is an electrically powered movable elevator device comprised of a base mounted on wheels upon which is mounted a substantially vertical hollow support member through which a screw passes. A support nut attaches to a platform and engages the screw. An electrical control system attached to the platform allows a person standing thereon to be raised or lowered by the rotation of the screw. A reversible electric motor is belt-coupled to the screw which may be made to rotate in either direction, by the electrical control system.

Abstract: A rotatable platform assembly having upper and lower frames coupled together for rotation of the upper frame relative to the lower frame and about a first and fixed vertical axis. A large diameter ring, having its center at the first vertical axis, is mounted on the lower frame and has a cylindrical vertical outer surface and an annular horizontal track surface. The upper frame has a plurality of rollers in rolling engagement with the track and a chain sprocket mounted thereon and rotatable about a second vertical axis. A standard roller chain is trained around the ring and chain sprocket and the ring is provided with fixed chain-engaging pins and adjustable pad members engageable with the chain to take up chain slack between pins. A manually-operable, lockable and impact-releasable drive means is provided in the upper frame for rotation of the chain sprocket, so that the upper frame rotates about the first vertical axis with the rotating chain sprocket orbiting around such axis.

Abstract: Scaffolding including at least: two posts (1), a lifting working bridge (2) and a lifting platform (3), said scaffolding being made of modular elements, connectable to each other in disassemblable manner, each post (1), which is triangular in cross section, being formed; by a base lattice element (7) which can rest on the ground selectively by means of wheels (15) or by feet (16) of adjustable height; and by other lattice elements (7a), each bridge (2) platform (3) having a carrying structure including; at least a carrying framework (31) supporting a motor unit (4) and a braking unit (5) mounted in correspondence of each post (1); and end lattice elements (46) and intermediate lattice elements (47a, 47b) triangular in vertical cross section, said carrying structure also supporting a front and a rear parapet (149 and 150), each made of modular elements (56), at least the parapet (150) being mounted so as to be moved to and from the other parapet (149) so as to vary the width of the walk surface (148) of the br

Abstract: A self-propelled off-road vehicle particularly adapted for military use against targets such as tanks. The vehicle chassis mounts an elevatable support platform to which an operator platform is pivoted. The operator platform carries one or more weapons pods and a sighting device such as a periscope, both of which can be elevated above the operator platform. The operator platform is rotatable relative to the support platform to sweep the sighting axis of each weapons pod through azimuth, and its pivotable relation to the support platform allows the sighting axis to be swept through elevation for alignment with the target. Other aspects of the invention include propulsion, transmission, and wheel suspension systems enabling the vehicle to negotiate difficult terrain, maneuver at relatively high speeds, and utilize rocks, trees, and low folds in the ground to avoid exposure to ground-level sightings by tanks or the like.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated bucket for lifting persons over railroad cars.

Abstract: A compact powered manlift cart suitable for usage in building interiors for raising and supporting an operator at elevated heights. The cart has front and rear wheels of which one front and one rear wheel are driven by a two-speed drive motor through a chain and sprocket drive train. Power driven front and rear steering assemblies allow the front and rear wheels to be steered independently of one another making the cart highly maneuverable. A lift mast for raising and supporting the operator includes a lift bucket wherein the operator stands during operation of the cart and also includes telescoping mast sections driven by a motor through a cable and pulley arrangement. The mast is extended and retracted for positioning the lift bucket at various heights up to a maximum height for supporting the operator for overhead work.

Abstract: Rails are mounted on the wall of a domelike reactor tank along pilasters extending downwardly from the top of the dome. A carriage is drivably mounted on the rails along each pilaster. The carriages each comprise drive means, and a working and inspecting platform. The platform is pivotally mounted and means are provided to control the setting of the platform so that it is always kept horizontal, irrespective of the slope of the rails.The carriage comprises a main frame in which two sub-frames are pivotally mounted one after the other, on pivot means extending transversally of the direction of motion of the carriage. Two wheel units, or boggie frames, are pivotally mounted in each sub-frame, one on each side of said pivot means. Each boggie frame is carried by wheels engaging the rail means.

Abstract: A mobile self-propelled aerial lift machine comprises a chassis, a swingable boom support structure mounted on the chassis, an elevatable telescopic boom mounted on the support structure and an adjustable work platform supported at the outer end of the boom. A plurality of hydraulic motors operable at variable speeds are provided to effect movement of the chassis, support structure, boom and work platform. The control system for the hydraulic motors includes an engine-driven destrokable radial piston-type pump mounted on the support structure and having a pressure port and a control (destroke) port whereby a change in the rate of fluid flow to the control (destroke) port effects a change in the fluid pressure at the pressure port. A plurality of solenoid operated selector valves are located on the support structure and are operable to permit fluid flow from the pressure port to the hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A stabbing board assembly comprising a support platform mounted for powered vertical adjustment on a pair of laterally spaced vertical rails which are in turn fixed, preferably releasably, to structural members of a derrick by upper and lower sets of longitudinally adjustable mounting arms. The platform in turn includes a section slidably engaged therewith and power controlled for selective extension and retraction.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented hydraulic cylinder has its piston rod attached to a pulpit or a lectern that is vertically guided as the piston is actuated. The hydraulic cylinder contains a column of oil in the cylinder between the piston and a supply line connected to the cylinder and coming from a water main such as a city domestic supply. An exhaust line off the supply line exhausts on the piston downstroke to a drain or sump. Each of the supply line and the exhaust line is controlled by a solenoid operating valve electrically connected to a manual switch. Preferably a limit switch located to be actuated at the bottom of the downward travel of the speaker's apparatus closes the exhaust valve before the oil-water interface in the cylinder reaches the cylinder outlet to the supply line. The supply entry of the cylinder may be baffled to reduce water turbulence to preserve the interface between water and oil in the cylinder.

Abstract: An electrically powered steerable scaffolding cart having a vertically positionable platform and handrails transports and supports a workman while he performs overhead work.

Abstract: A staging includes sections that are easily transported or stored and in use are detachably joined to form vertical assemblies detachably interconnected by a railing with the assemblies connected to the building by braces. Each vertical assembly includes a support for platform-forming planks and a mechanism by which the platform may be raised or lowered by workmen supported thereby. The staging also includes sections connectable to the vertical assemblies to form roof-supported assemblies having brackets for platform-forming planks.

Abstract: An elevatable operator-actuated lifting device, including a lower support frame and a platform section telescopically interfitted with the support frame as to be elevatable with respect thereto. Hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder means are provided for telescoping and de-telescoping the platform section with respect to the support frame, to enable elevation and lowering of the platform section. Means moveable with the platform section, including a manually actuated hydraulic pump, enable pressurization and de-pressurization of the piston and cylinder means, to thereby enable raising and lowering of the platform section by an operator standing thereupon.

Abstract: A portable multi-stage lift has a winch-operated reeving system operable from ground level or from the lift carriage. The stages of the lift mast slidingly interfit front to back and each has the same cross-section shaped to be formed of a single extrusion. Provision is made for automatically locking the lift stages and carriage together if the cable in the reeving system were to fail.

Abstract: A stool which includes a platform thereupon, the platform being electrically powered and mechanically driven so to elevate to various different heights so that a person, standing on the platform, can reach high up.

Abstract: An orbital service bridge for positioning a work platform at desired positions within an overlying dome-shaped structure comprises inclined leg members pivotally mounted at one end near the top of the dome. A motor driven trolley positions the other end of the leg member along a track circumferentially disposed on the base of the domed area. A carriage movably supported on the leg members positions the work platform at the desired height, and a telescoping mounting assembly extends the work platform in either direction away from the leg members and into the desired position. The bridge may also be assembled with complimentary leg members to form a self-supporting bridge structure useful in assembling the dome and related systems.

Abstract: An overhead service unit provided with a base having a fixed frame projecting upwardly therefrom. A series of movable frames are slidably interconnected to each other and to said fixed frame with a platform movably supported on one of said movable frames. A pair of cylinders are mounted on said base and are provided with a pair of rams which are movable in opposite directions to cause a plurality of chains operatively connected to said rams, the fixed and movable frames and platform to raise and lower said movable frames and platform for moving said platform to and from elevated work positions.