Abstract: A boarding ladder which may be mounted on a topsides surface of a boat to be swingable between a raised position where all parts of the ladder are above the waterline of the boat and a lowered position where at least one step of the ladder extends below the waterline is formed of a step unit and a mount unit. The step unit has a pair of spaced apart tubular siderails carrying flat tread steps so as to permit the angle of their flat treads to be varied relative to the siderails. A tubular cross member extends across the top ends of the siderails. The mount unit has a pair of spaced apart, tubular sections rotatably carried on the cross member of the ladder unit and which extend normally thereof. Mounting members into which such tubular sections fit permit the ladders to be mounted on the topsides surface of a boat while supporting the ladder in a proper operating posture.

Abstract: A new construction method for a ladder for use on recreational vehicles and boats is disclosed. The ladder comprises two parallel metal tubular rails and a plurality of extruded aluminum steps, including step end caps. The steps are a unique triple-void hollow extrusion, fastened to the ladder rails with a spring pin that goes through two walls of the step extrusion and both walls of the rail tubing, anchoring in a third wall of the step extrusion. This provides a solid, close-coupled assembly that avoids the stresses caused by traditional cantilevered screw fastening methods. Plastic end caps molded with interference fingers, permitting assembly without mechanical fasteners, fit in the ends of the steps, providing protection and an attractive finish to the steps.

Abstract: A portable scaffold having tubular structural elements has necked fittings extending into the ends of the tubular elements and attached thereto by adhesive which is introduced through an entry port preferably provided by a porting ring sleeved on the neck of each fitting and opposed by an O-ring. The adhesive flows from the entry port through longitudinal and circumferential grooves in the neck between the porting ring and O-ring and vents through a vent port in the porting ring.

Abstract: A segment connector to connect two segments of a modular ladder which have through holes near ends of the segments includes: a connector housing having a top open end, a bottom open end, and a side wall, the connector housing being sleeved partially over one of the two segments through one of said top and bottom open ends; a rivet insertable through rivet holes in the connector housing and the sleeved segment to pass completely therethrough to fix the connector housing sleevedly on the segment; a hook means rotatably mounted on the rivet inside the segment, the hook means including a releasing button means; and a spring means wound around the rivet and connected to the hook means to bias the hook means to project out of the connector housing; wherein, when the connector is further sleeved on the other of the two segments, the hook means normally is biased to pass holes of the segment and to project out of holes of the connector housing means, whereby the segments and the connector are firmly engaged together,

Abstract: A ladder comprises a pair of spaced stiles, each having a channel shaped cross-section with the flanges of each stile directed towards those of the other, and a plurality of rungs interconnecting the stiles, each rung also being of general channel section, the tread portion of the rung defining an acute angle with one flange and an obtuse angle with the other flange, and weld beads joining the outer surface of the acute angled rung with one flange of each stile and the inner surface of the obtuse angle rung with the web of each stile.

Abstract: A stairway construction, specifically, an articulating self-supporting staircase. The staircase comprises a plurality of individual, interconnected elements, each element having a tread and a riser. A new wedge locking means to lock the interconnected elements firmly together is disclosed. This construction allows for a variety of widths, materials and layouts of the elements and is sufficiently strong to comply with building codes yet is light weight and easy to install in a variety of configurations. Modularity of assembly and ease of construction is achieved which provides an improvemenmt over the prior art.

Abstract: A ladder consisting of a pair of spaced rails, a plurality of rungs having opposite end portions with first holes extending therethrough for receiving the rails in complementary mating relationship, first slots extending inwardly into the rungs from the bottom sides thereof and terminating at bearing areas which bear on the outer ends of first pins which are carried by the rails, and a pivotal rung-like base having end portions with second holes extending inwardly from the top side thereof for receiving the ends of the rails and second slots extending inwardly into the rung-like base from the top side thereof terminating at bearing surfaces which carry the load transmitted by the outer ends of second pins mounted on the lower ends of the rails.

Abstract: A removable ladder for placement over the side of a boat and extension into water for aiding ingress and egress of swimmers and the like is disclosed and includes a pair of elongated, generally parallel extending upright members terminating at respective first ends in boat engaging hooks with a series of cross members extending generally parallel to one another and spanning the upright members to form a sequence of steps. Each step may comprise a pair of laterally displaced cross members and the boat engaging hooks may be formed as a pair of generally orthogonal projections one extending parallel to and displaced from the direction of upright member elongation while the other extends generally parallel to and displaced from the step forming cross members so that the hooks may be positioned behind upright portions of the boat railing to secure the ladder in place and obviate the need for handrails on the ladder, since the railing upright portions may be used as handgrip regions when using the ladder.

Abstract: A removable and adjustable ramp for aiding an animal or human into a small boat from water in which the boat is floating comprising an inclined planar member removably attached to the vertical wall portion of a small boat and extending into the water with an integrally associated platform wherein said platform is disposed in a substantially horizontal position when said inclined planar member is touched by a forward portion of the animal or human to accommodate a rearward portion of the animal or human to ease access of the animal or human onto the boat without external aid. The ramp is adjustable to accommodate various sizes and weights of animals and humans. The ramp is lightweight, portable, and may include additional access aids such as indentations and low slip surfaces on the ramp.

Abstract: A ladder assembly for use on an articulating member of a moveable vehicle which includes a main ladder mountable on the member, a truss assembly coupled to the main ladder and couplable to the articulating member supporting the main ladder, and a bracing means affixed to the ladder assembly for bracing the main ladder from the ground.

Abstract: A stair or ladder which has a central stringer adapted for mounting between an upper level and a lower level at a relatively steep angle of inclination, and a plurality of tread members disposed in alternating arrangement on respective sides of the stringer, each of the tread members having a foot support portion outwardly extending from the stringer. A pair of handrails is disposed substantially in a plane forward and parallel to a plane passing through the front edges of the foot support portions and positioned with respect to the foot support portions to provide support of the user. The tread members are substantially identical, except for the top tread and bottom tread of the stairway and include a foot support portion and an outwardly extending support adapted for connection to a rail. The stairway is preferably composed of components preformed of aluminum and welded together to provide a completed structure which is relatively light weight, rigid, and strong.

Abstract: A stair having a central stringer and two parallel side stringers. A plurality of vertically-spaced half treads is disposed on each side of the central stringer and extends between the central stringer and an adjacent side stringer. The half treads on one side of the central stringer alternate with those on the other side of the central stringer. The central stringer may or may not be a structural member depending upon the stair configuration but in all cases serves at least as a protective shielding of the inside corners of the treads, thereby minimizing user injury from the corners in case of a fall or other user mishap. A pair of handrails are disposed in a plane forward and parallel to a plane passing through the front edges of the treads and positioned with respect to the treads to provide support for a user.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a handhold (10) is provided including a base handhold member (12) including a first fastening flange portion (16) and a longitudinally extending rod portion (14). The length of the longitudinal portion is sufficient to meet most if not all distances between fasteners utilized on railway cars and other transportation vehicles. A second handhold member (30) includes a base portion (32) having an opening 34 and an upwardly extending flange portion (40). The base portion slidingly receives the rod portion and thus enables adjustment of the distance between the flange portions. The rod portion thus may be cut at the installation site to meet desired length. In one embodiment the distance D.sub.2 of the second flange above or below the rod may be varied by utilizing a selected member having this desired distance. Also different second members may have selected distances D.sub.1 from the vehicle body.

Abstract: Elements to be assembled to form in situ a temporary stair, from a pair of planks (1,1') or longitudinally sawn boards, or identical cross-section, intended for serving as stringers and which elements consist of steps (2), identical with one another, the steps being self-locking one by means of another onto and against the planks (1,1'), with the exception of the top step which has to be wedged against these planks (1,1'); each step (2) rests, at each side at the front, on the upper edge of a plank and, at the rear, is brought against the lower edge of the plank by a pair of flats (14,14') terminating in a hook (16) and mounted freely pivotal in the step placed next above.

Abstract: An improved shoring frame adapted by a unique design to utilize relatively thin-walled aluminum tubing with a reasonable load-rating, be easily manufactured, and be compatible with existing steel accessories; where the extruded aluminum legs are each generally circular with a longitudinally-extending flattened portion for attaching struts and studs, and preferably having at least two internal ribs, circumferentially symmetrically-spaced relative to said flattened portion axially to contain accessories such as existing jack screws, extension legs, U-head fixtures, and the like.

Abstract: A stairway is constructed of one or more stringers which are assembled from a plurality of stringer units of cast material. The stringer units are so constructed as to allow for their simple and rapid assembly on-site into stringers of any desired size and configuration, including stringers of a configuration required for the construction of spiral stairways.

Abstract: A combination step and extension ladder manufactured of composite material such as fiberglass is disclosed. The inner and outer side rails are molded fiberglass so that the fibers are angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective side rail. Hinges are provided on each of the inner side rails of the ladder so that the ladder may be folded and unfolded from a step ladder configuration to a straight extension ladder configuration and vice versa. The inner side rails are telescopically mounted within channeled outer side rails so that the inner side rails can be extended to increase the height of the ladder in either configuration. The outer side rails have a foam strip molded into one side such that the ladder rungs between the outer side rails are supported by both the fiberglass and the foamstrip.

Abstract: A structural joint for joining two elements, the first element having an elongate major tongue of malleable deformable material and in one embodiment an elongate minor tongue, the second element having a curled tab. The major and minor tongues define an elongate recess adapted to receive the curled tab on joint formation. The two elements are pressed together to press the curled tab of the second element into the recess between the minor and major tongues of the first element and to cause the minor tongue and the second element to mutually penetrate and deform each other. The major tongue is then deformed about the curled tab to form at least a portion of an encircling curl which contacts the curled tab's external surface. When the elements are so joined, the gap between the major and minor tongues is less than the width of the curled tab, thereby precluding removal of the curled tab from the encircling curl.

Abstract: A circular ladder for use along a cylindrical wall and having a single stringer which is disposed in a helical path around the cylindrical wall and an array of half treads disposed on each side of the stringer. Each array of half treads is vertically spaced from the other along the length of the stringer, the half treads being affixed to and laterally extending from the respective sides of the stringer. Each half tread includes an outwardly extending portion which terminates in a plane which is forward of a plane passing through the front edges of the treads. First and second handrails are disposed in this forward plane and affixed to the outwardly extending tread portions. In an alternative embodiment, a single outside handrail is employed, the cylindrical wall providing a body support in place of an inside handrail.

Abstract: A ladder which can be ascended and descended at either of two rates and which comprises an array of half treads on one side of a stringer and an array of full treads on the opposite side of the stringer, each array being vertically spaced from the other along the length of the stringer. Treads are affixed to and extend from respective sides of the stringer, and at least one of the arrays includes outwardly extending portions affixed to a handrail.

Abstract: A metal ladder is fabricated from a pair of spaced rails in which the rails have web portions which are provided at spaced intervals with inwardly directed embossments. Each of these embossments has an opening into which one end of a tubular rung is inserted and swaged to the rail. The embossments act as ribs to carry the load toward the flanges constituting the stiffer portions of the rail thereby increasing the strength and effectively reducing the web flexure and angle changes between the rungs and the rails, due to sideward forces in ladder use. By reason of the built in stiffness web thickness may be reduced resulting in savings in materials. Additionally, intermediate these embossments, just described, the web portion of each rail is formed with one or more outwardly directed embossments.

Abstract: A fabricated steel ladder is provided particularly adapted for use on the sides of railroad cars and the like wherein the ladder rungs are formed with ends turned in 90 degrees in a manner so that cracks are avoided in the steel grains adjacent the inner radius of each turned end. A special indentation is formed on the inside surface of the turned end adjacent to the point of bending--the indentation causing a desired material flow so as to avoid cracking while increasing the material strength. The rung ends are cold headed during assembly with the other components of the ladder structure which avoids the necessity of separate fasteners used in prior art designs, and insures that substantially no radial clearance will be left between the rung ends and the apertures in which they are mounted and furthermore insures that the rung will be firmly affixed to the ladder stiles in an axial sense so as to eliminate looseness and rattle in the resulting structure.

Abstract: A ladder intended for use in boarding small boats has side rails and treads interconnected by integral and precut joint elements designed for ready connection and disconnection. The connected treads and rails are suspended from the deck or side of a boat by crank-like hangers pivotally and releasably secured to the side rails and having grooves enterable by one of the treads. Anchoring members on the hangers engage corresponding fittings permanently secured to the boat to suspend the ladder over the side of the vessel. One of the treads has braces which engage the sloping side of the boat to keep the ladder rails generally vertical.

Abstract: Improvements in roofing ladders and work platforms; anti-skid devices for aiding seating and movement of a roofing worker on and over the (typically) inclined roof surface being worked; anti-skid seats, platforms and ladders for roofing work.

Abstract: To enable use to be made of relatively thin sheet metal to be employed in the manufacture of a ladder which is formed by punching adjacent openings from the sheet to leave edge strips which are subsequently folded to form stiles and cross pieces which are twisted to form tread bodies, embossed corrugations are incorporated into the twisted metal portions between the tread bodies and the stiles, and stiffening cheeks along the edges of the tread bodies are folded below the said bodies, thereby to impart rigidity to the ladder structure. Additionally or alternatively, holes and/or further corrugations may be provided, and the stiles may, if desired, be of oval cross-section each with connecting cheeks along their facing edges.

Abstract: A construction module which when combined with other identical modules may be used to form ladders, wall or ceiling supports, etc. Each module overlaps on each side at three points with two other modules and a single connecting means may be inserted in the area of overlap to connect the modules together. The modules may be molded from plastic so that the construction assembly is water resistant and non-conducting.

Abstract: Ladders made of metal comprising first sections of metal channel that intersect second sections of metal channel have the first and second sections joined together without use of rivets or weldings by providing the first sections with pairs of U-shaped cavities, the second sections with tip flanges, fitting the tip flanges, in various ways, into the U-shaped cavities and press forming portions of the first sections against the tip flanges to lock the first and second sections together. Typically, the first sections would be side rails and the second sections, steps, rungs or cross braces.

Abstract: A ladder is provided which is especially adapted for shipboard use and which is safe and comfortable to use, of relatively light weight and occupying relatively small floor and overhead space. The ladder comprises a single stringer disposed between upper and lower deck or floor levels at a predetermined angle of inclination, and having an array of half treads on each side of the stringer, each array being vertically spaced from the other along the length of the stringer. The half treads are affixed to and extend from the respective sides of the stringer and each include an integral outwardly extending portion which terminates in a plane forward of a plane passing through the front edges of the treads. Handrails are disposed in this forward plane and are affixed to and supported by the outwardly extending tread portions.

Abstract: A ladder structure in which a plurality of extruded aluminum steps are secured to spaced, vertically disposed side rails, the rails seating in slots in the ends of the step. The slots are closed by end caps, and a screw extends through the end cap and rail into a screw receiving recess in the step. The step contains two laterally disposed screw receiving recesses, and screws extend through the cap into those laterally disposed recesses and, along with the first screw, secure the caps firmly on the end of the step and the step firmly in place on the side rails. The ladder has particular application to vehicles such as motor homes, vans, campers, pickup campers and boats, as well as other uses where the ladder is permanently installed.

Abstract: A self-storing step structure for vehicular mounting including a first step section, means for pivotally connecting the first step section to a vehicle for pivotation about a horizontal axis between an operative position and a stored position, an extensible step section slidably engaging said first step section, and means for adjustably interlocking said first step section with said extensible step section at a preselected relative location.

Abstract: A ladder is provided for use with a recreational vehicle in which step treads are formed in two parts. The treads are divided generally along a plane defined by the disposition of the upright ladder rails. The two parts of the stair treads are positioned on either side of the rails and are clamped together in interlocking fashion by means of engageable arms on each step portion which extend toward each other to latch together. Positioned on the upright ladder rails, the ladder steps are securely attached thereto by means of self tapping screws which pass through the opposing step sections and through the ladder rails to sandwich the ladder rails between the step sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to a specialized ladder for use with a ring-like shield bordering the entryway into a manhole, said ladder being characterized by hook-forming subassemblies depending from the right and left handrails adapted to releasably hook over the upwardly-facing rim of the shield, each such hook subassembly including a hanger member projecting out over the shield rim in overhanging relation to the latter, a downwardly and inwardly inclined tubular slide on the overhanging end of the hanger member and a self-locking latch pin mounted within said slide for automatic free-sliding gravitational movement therein from a retracted unlocked position out of contact with the cylindrical shield wall into an extended latched position resting thereagainst.

Abstract: A metal stairway stringer with horizontal slots at each tread level, into which the treads are inserted laterally for supporting them at one end, the other ends of the treads being similarly supported in like manner by a second stringer. The slots for the treads each taper from adjacent the open end at the edge of the stringer toward the back, so that the treads must be wedged into position and are therefore held rigidly by the stringer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable light-weight ladder for use in connection with welding metal plates together positioned in an upright or vertical position comprising a main frame portion having extended side rails or stanchions which are rigidly affixed to each other by connecting rungs at each respective end of the side rails as in the manner of a conventional ladder. The side rails are further joined to each other by interconnecting rungs which in turn are provided with a removable portion at approximately the center thereof which portion can be swung or relocated out of position to provide access to an area immediately behind the particular rung, e.g., to gain access to a seam to be welded. One end of the present ladder is provided with an attachment for securing the ladder against a structure upon which the present ladder is to be employed.

Abstract: A staircase having a small base area is formed with one or more stringers and a plurality of horizontal treads placed along the stringer, the leading edges of alternate treads being set back from the usual tread edge and the setbacks alternating from side to side along the treads. The arrangement permits the treads in their unset back regions to overhang one another while the setback regions permits the foot to clear each tread in passing through the tread thereabove or therebelow. The arrangement permits a steep staircase to be negotiated with ease.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for blind hole mounting an external appurtenance including safety appliances such as ladder rungs, hand holds, and walkways on a railway freight car. One or more key hole slots are provided through the surface of the car where the external appurtenance is to be mounted. Each slot includes an enlarged bolt head receiving portion through which the head of a fastening bolt may be inserted and a key portion of smaller size forming a continuation of the slot into which the shank of the bolt may be slipped for retaining the fastening bolt in the slot. The relative dimensions of the bolt head and the bolt head receiving portion of the key hole slot are such that the bolt head can only pass through the bolt head receiving portion of the key hole slot when the bolt head is first inserted edgewise through the bolt head receiving portion and the bolt then rotated to a perpendicular position relatively to the key hole slot.

Abstract: Greenhouse plants are displayed on horizontal shelves supported between side rails extending at an angle between vertical support posts, the posts being interconnected in pairs between confronting vertical grooves formed in the posts. Each shelf is assembled from elongated sections held in parallel spaced relation to each other by spacers at the longitudinal ends of the shelf which are received within grooves formed in the side rails.

Abstract: A selfsustaining ladder, especially designed for use in harvesting fruit from trees, having an arcuate curvature to generally conform to the horizontal curvature of a segment of a fruit tree. The ladder has more than two uprights and the rungs, each of which connect with all of the upright, are spaced at considerable distances apart to provide maximum accessibility, between the rungs, to the fruit.

Abstract: A ladder kit comprises a plurality of parts from which a ladder may be constructed. The parts of the kit may be selected and assembled in a number of ways, resulting in various types of ladder structures. The main components of the assembled ladders include elongated tubular side rail sections and rectangular frame sections. The frame sections fasten the side rail sections into coplanar pairs and form the rungs of the ladder.

Abstract: A fiberglass ladder comprising a pair of rails and a plurality of rungs interposed at selected intervals. Each rung and each rail has a continuous layer of fiberglass filaments extending parallel to its respective length. At the intersection of the rails with the rungs, the filaments bend with a portion of the filaments in the rung extendingin one direction along the rail, and a portion of the filaments in the rung extending in the other direction along the rail. The ladder is cast in a mold in a solid integral piece. Woven fiberglass is placed in the channels of the mold over a coating of resin. The fiberglass filaments are placed over the fabric in the bottoms of the channels. The channels are then filled wth a rigid plastic foam and the ladder is allowed to cure.

Abstract: This case discloses a stairway having a plurality of treads which are compressed between spacer blocks functioning as stringers. The compression is effected by rods, the heads of which are encased in mortises which are suitably covered.

Abstract: A small reinforced structural building component, in particular a step, comprises a solid block of rock or the like with at least two longitudinal bores and at least one transverse bore intersecting the longitudinal bores, and reinforcing means extending throughout the system of bores. The reinforcement may comprise metal rods, wire rope, glass rovings, or glass fiber-loaded plastics, and pre-stresses the block.

Abstract: Ladder structures are disclosed comprising a pair of side rails and a plurality of tubular extruded aluminum rung members extending therebetween. The opposite ends of each rung are interconnected with the corresponding side rail by means of an expandable fastener extending through an opening in the rails and into the rung end. The openings in the rails and rung are non-circular and the corresponding portions of the fastener are non-circular, whereby rotation of the fastener and rung relative to the side rail is precluded.

Abstract: A ladder is made from extruded aluminum steps supported on a pair of vertical tubes fitted through large diameter holes drilled vertically through the steps. The steps are hollow except for a pair of vertical walls extending longitudinally thereof and lying on opposite sides of the vertical holes. Small horizontal holes are drilled through these walls from the rear of the steps to receive fastening pins which are driven through the tubes to locate and support the steps on the tubes.