Holding Means Patents (Class 182/17)
  • Patent number: 5082086
    Abstract: A ladder is disclosed including wheels normally received off the ground, and four legs normally supporting the ladder. When it is desired to move the ladder, it is pivoted off the legs until the wheels contact the ground and fully support the ladder. The ladder may then be moved. A rail includes an angled portion which provides a handle allowing the ladder to be easily moved. The wheel is most preferably mounted above the ground by a distance between its radius and its diameter such that when the ladder is supported on the wheels, the legs will not interfere with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Material Control, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5080192
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Material Control, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5022490
    Abstract: A safety base is provided for a scaffold. The scaffold has casters so that it can be moved periodically at the job site. The safety base has two components, each consisting of an elongate bar with adjustable safety legs near the ends, along with detachable locks for readily attaching the component to frame members of the scaffolding. Feet of the legs are positioned near the supporting surface so that if the casters encounter a depression as the scaffold is being moved, the feet will engage the surface and the scaffold will not tilt excessively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Bil-Jax, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Wyse
  • Patent number: 4949808
    Abstract: An aerial apparatus swingable outwardly of a fire truck chassis is stabilized by outriggers on opposite sides of the chassis with the aerial apparatus being swingable to one side or the other only if an extendible section of an outrigger for that side has been moved relative to its base section from a storage position to a fully extended outrigging position on that side. The swinging of the apparatus to a side of the chassis is enabled by withdrawing stop means which is spring urged into the path of rotation of the apparatus to that side. The withdrawal of the stop means is actuated mechanically by means on the extendible section engaging and moving an actuating rod carried by the base section for the extendible section to effect operation of a linkage to withdraw the stop means against its spring bias. On retraction of the extendible section from its fully extended position, the spring urged stop means resets as the extendible section leaves the fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Figgie International, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward V. Garnett
  • Patent number: 4941546
    Abstract: A fire truck includes an aerial ladder mounted on a rotatable base and outriggers on each side of the truck to stabilize the ladder in use. The outriggers may be deployed on only one side of the vehicle to permit use in confined areas. The ladder base is interlocked with the outriggers to permit the ladder to be positioned only on the side of the fire truck stabilized by the deployed outriggers. A retractable pin is connected through a mechanical linkage to each outrigger. Stop blocks mounted on opposite sides of the rotatable base contact any extended pins. Rotation of the base is thereby confined to a sector where the pins have been retracted by deployment of the associated outriggers. Small auxiliary jacks on each side of the fire truck are deployed in response to deployment of the outriggers on the opposite side of the truck. The jacks provide stability when the aerial ladder is used as a water tower for supporting a high pressure hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Figgie International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Nist, Edward V. Garnett
  • Patent number: 4923050
    Abstract: A machine for the disposition of a ladder includes a frame having front leg means at the proximal end thereof, rear leg means and ladder fixing means at the distal end thereof and cradle fixing means between said proximal end thereof and said distal end thereof. A cradle is also included having means for rotatable attachment to opposite sides of said proximal end of said frame. Longitudinal cradling means are disposed between said means for rotatable attachment of said cradle and the distal end of said cradle and have means for rotatable attachment of a ladder therebetween near said distal end of said cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: John R. Vitols
  • Patent number: 4919229
    Abstract: A load support platform for use in conjunction with a vehicle tire wherein a pair of outwardly flared feet 22, 24 interact with the tire such that lateral or downward forces on the platform 6 is resisted by the weight of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: David E. Wells
  • Patent number: 4877107
    Abstract: A mobile scaffolding system having a substantial rectangular rolling base which supports pump jack poles on which rides up and down pump jacks across which a platform is supported. The poles are supported by extensible supports when moved to a desired location and when a user mounts the platform, the poles extend downward to lock onto the support surface stabilizing the base and preventing further movement of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Inventor: Carl Anderson
  • Patent number: 4834215
    Abstract: An aerial device--motor vehicle fire fighting assembly in which a movable frame carrying an aerial device is connected between the fifth wheel of the tractor vehicle and the forward end of the fixed frame of the trailer vehicle. The connection between the movable and fixed frames is pivotal about a transverse horizontal axis under the control of hydraulic piston and cylinder units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Donald L. Smeal
  • Patent number: 4777751
    Abstract: A portable iluminated signal person station is disclosed having a first frame supported on legs and a second frame having legs pivoted to it. A person can stand on the platform and direct traffic. Signs, light and reflectors can be supported on the second frame to add visibility and a spot light can be supported on the second frame and directed onto the signal person on the platform to increase his visibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Aquino R. Pasquale
  • Patent number: 4768617
    Abstract: An adjustable stairway is disclosed that is supported on a retractable, wheel mounted carriage. A locking mechanism selectively maintains the carriage in a lowered, ground engaging position for easy maneuvering of the stairway. The weight of the stairway urges the carriage into a raised position when the locking mechanism is released, allowing the stairway to rest on stationary foot pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Mason, Herman A. Clausen, Gary J. Lurken, Dale A. Sellner
  • Patent number: 4726445
    Abstract: A mobile lift comprises an undercarriage structure having a tow bar (1), a towing extension (9) and road wheels (7) supporting a main swivel bearing (6) for a lift boom (5) with a basket or platform (4). The lift has a first supporting beam (1) formed integrally with the tow bar, a second supporting beam (2) extending therefrom on the other side of the main swivel bearing (6) and two further supporting beams (3). All supporting beams are arranged in such a manner that the longitudinal axes thereof in supporting position meet in the main bearing (6).There is thus obtained a personnel lift where the undercarriage structure is very simple and consequently very cheap without reducing the strength, the reach or the carrying capacity of the lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Hansen & Skov A/S
    Inventor: Niels Aagaard
  • Patent number: 4690248
    Abstract: A collapsible frame of a general ladder shape having elongated side rails connected by transverse support members. The frame defines an inverted U-shaped frame when in its unfolded operative position. A winch and pulleys attached to the frame are used for lifting or lowering a load. One downwardly extending leg of the frame has telescoping legs and wheels to provide for height adjustment and use as a hand truck for transporting a load. The second leg of the frame may be connected to a ladder bracket and ladder for lifting a load to an elevated location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventor: Walter H. Killeen
  • Patent number: 4620608
    Abstract: An improved base is provided for supporting conventional mobile scaffolding commonly used to erect and maintain buildings. The components of the base according to the present invention may be easily stored and transported to the jobsite, and then quickly and reliably assembled in a manner which decreases the likelihood of improper or unsafe assembly. The safety of personnel utilizing such scaffolding is substantially increased by providing a plurality of stop members fixedly secured to the assembled base, with each stop member extending downward and terminating a selected distance above the ground engaging surface of a roller. At least two stop members are provided for each of the base corner rollers, and each stop member is preferably positioned adjacent a line extending between two corner rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Builders Equipment and Tool Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William E. Gilbreath
  • Patent number: 4545628
    Abstract: A tool chest for mechanics tools which chest is movable on wheels and has a retractable step affording easy access to the topmost storage compartments when stepped upon by the tool chest user. The step is horizontally movable beneath the tool chest when not in use, and also is movable vertically so that it does not engage the floor when the tool chest is being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: The Jacobs Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Clyde D. Richey
  • Patent number: 4519475
    Abstract: Scaffolding that is intended for operations carried out at a certain height and involving horizontal forces as well as the recovery of these forces.The scaffolding includes a tower (5) consisting of at least one liquid-tight element (6) that can contain liquid ballast (9), means (1) of supporting the tower on the ground, and an operations deck (8) at the top of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Soletanche
    Inventor: Karl Bollinger
  • Patent number: 4442919
    Abstract: A portable tower or derrick which may be easily towed to a selected location and then erected by a single operator. While in the transporting position, the lower portion of the portable tower is supported by wheel assemblies mounted on at least two of the tower support legs. A pivoting tongue assembly is affixed to the tower at one end and may be coupled to a vehicle at the other end. The tongue assembly serves to support the upper portion of the tower during horizontal transport. A winch or other mechanical means is utilized to erect the tower by controlling the pivotal motion of the tower about the end of the tongue assembly. Once erected, horizontal sections of the tongue assembly may be utilized to ascend the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Inventor: Rodney D. Fulcher
  • Patent number: 4398620
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a working platform on a roof comprises hook members for engaging the roof cap, a cable extending downwardly from the hook member and a support unit attached to the lower end of the cable and provided with a winch so that it can be moved up and down the cable. The apparatus is used in pairs or larger numbers with an elongate working platform supported on the support unit of each apparatus. The support units can roll up and down the roof on balloon tires and are provided with a chassis section lying close to and parallel to the roof so that if the support units are overloaded the balloon tires will deform and the chassis section will come into contact with the roof, thereby spreading the load and reducing the risk of damage to the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Inventor: Clyde D. Townsend
  • Patent number: 4397373
    Abstract: A pedestal scaffold having a base member with an upwardly extending mast and a work cage mounted thereon for vertical movement. Retractable outriggers with ground-engageable pads are extendable outwardly on the cage side of the scaffold and lockable into support position to provide a large support area for the elevated work cage. Ground-engageable casters are mounted on the base and the cage and the cage is releaseably locked to the base. When the base and cage are locked together, the scaffold can be moved horizontally on the base and cage casters with the mast being vertical. When the cage is unlocked for vertical movements, scaffold weight is transferred from the cage casters to the non-rolling outrigger pads so that the scaffold cannot be moved along the ground when the cage is elevated. If the cage-side outriggers are not properly braced, the cage can be unlocked from the base but cannot be raised off the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Inventors: Michael D. Ream, Paul C. Guignard
  • Patent number: 4392436
    Abstract: A knockdown metal table having legs and a flanged top and including auxiliary components such as a drop leaf and modesty panel having attaching means which in assembly are clamped between the legs and the table flanges. A lift assembly including casters is attached to the legs and is adapted to be selectively actuated to move first one pair of casters and then the other into or out of engagement with a floor surface to permit rolling of the table over said floor surface or to rest the table on the floor surface in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: BMC Products
    Inventor: Raywood C. Weiler
  • Patent number: 4373761
    Abstract: A combined article mover and worker support comprising a plurality of stepped horizontal platforms or steps, at least one of which is supported vertically by vertical frame members, and a handle, supported by one of the steps, which projects vertically above the uppermost step and serves to maintain the balance of a worker standing on the uppermost step. A tool receptacle or support may be placed on the uppermost step providing ready access to tools for the worker and also providing additional means to maintain the balance of a worker standing on the uppermost step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Inventor: Charles J. Hansberry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4302023
    Abstract: A dolly is disclosed having a vertically adjustable shelf attachable to independent vertical side rails resting on a surface, the rails constituting legs for the support of the shelf, two of which are wheeled, the shelf having a pair of laterally and oppositely attached wheels which can be lifted with the shelf from the bottom to the top of the legs to render the device stationary and permit a weight to be supported on the shelf. When the shelf is lowered on the rails to its lowermost position, all four wheels contact the surface for movement of the dolly from one location to another. In either mode of use, a weight is supportable on the shelf. In another form of the dolly, a storable handle bar can be attached near the top of the legs to permit use as a hand truck when the device is in the mode of use which allows movement of a supported weight. With the first form, movement along a surface is contemplated, while in the second form, movement up and down stairways is also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Inventor: Lloyd W. Kiesz
  • Patent number: 4194591
    Abstract: A pedestal scaffold having casters on the scaffold base to permit the scaffold to be rolled horizontally while the scaffold is in a generally vertical position. Retractable outriggers are extended outwardly and locked in position to provide a large support area for the scaffold, with the act of extension and locking of the outriggers causing the casters to lift off the ground so that the scaffold cannot be moved when in use. When the outriggers are not in use and the scaffold is movable on its casters, the casters support the scaffold with a substantial tilt from elevation so that it cannot be used. Additional wheel support frames are provided so that the scaffold can be tilted down for rolling transport, such wheel support frames also serving to protect the user in case the scaffold should tip over when it is generally vertical and supported on its base casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: Up-Right, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4174021
    Abstract: A ladder truck, e.g. for use in stores for transporting goods from central storage to display shelves and for facilitating the loading of such goods on display shelves, comprises a wheeled truck having attached to one end a stepladder. The stepladder is pivotally secured to one end, and has a first position in which it is wholly supported by the truck, clear of the ground, so that the truck can be wheeled around without interference from the stepladder and a second position in which the lowermost extremities of the stepladder engage the ground or floor surface, and take a portion of the weight of the truck, so that the adjacent wheels of the truck are raised clear of the supporting ground surface. Then, with the truck resting on a single wheel or pair of wheels and on the base of the stepladder, the truck is effectively locked against accidental rolling movement across the surface, and the stepladder can be safely mounted. The stepladder is easily moved from one position to another by simple manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Assignee: Alnor Material Handling Limited
    Inventor: Norman A. Barlock
  • Patent number: 4063616
    Abstract: A safety ladder assembly having a plurality of steps and at least three support feet for supporting the ladder on a horizontal surface. A caster assembly having at least three casters for providing for rollingly transporting the ladder from one location to another. The casters are positively and conjointly moveable between a retracted storage position in which the support feet stably support the ladder on a horizontal surface and a second transporting position in which the casters stably support the ladder assembly on the horizontal surface with the support feet elevated thereabove so that the ladder assembly may be rollingly transported along the surface. A linkage interconnects the casters so that they may be raised and lowered via actuating and retracting pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Inventor: Ernest F. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 4044857
    Abstract: A mobile ladder has a base, castors mounted to the base, a ladder connected to the base, a support member connected at one end to the base and at the other end to the ladder forming a structural triangle between the members, the ladder including a floor engaging member affixed thereto. The connection of the ladder to the base includes a link member which also forms a step of the ladder, pivotally mounted to the base about a first axis, and the link is also connected to the ladder about a pivot having an axis parallel to the first axis. The link is adapted to pivot about the first axis such that the ladder, if it follows an arc between the first position where the ladder is engaging the floor in frictional contact therewith and a second position whereby the ladder pivot with the link is passed over the gravitational dead center above the first axis and the ladder is cleared of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Moody Si Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcel Guerette
  • Patent number: 3997024
    Abstract: A portable collapsible scaffold ladder has a pair of upright caster-mounted end members joined together by a horizontal platform member. A pull-out ladder for ascending to the platform is connectable at its upper end and slidable along its connected end member for movement between a nested position within that end member and a diagonally extending operative position. The platform member is joined to the two end members by T-shaped glide members pivoted to each of the four corners of the platform member. Each glide member has a glide portion slidable along one side of a connected end member and a pivot portion pivoted to an adjacent side portion of the platform member. Each glide member has a resilient leaf-type spring which carries two locking pins, one for interlocking with the platform and the other for interlocking with one of a series of pin-receiving openings in the upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventors: Anthony T. Fredricks, Paul F. Smith
  • Patent number: D248290
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Moody Si Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcel Guerette