Abstract: A telescoping ladder includes first and second telescoping ladder racks each having a top portion and including an outer ladder rack having first and second outer legs having interior surfaces that are sliding surfaces; and an inner ladder rack having a first and second inner legs having a sliding surface that slidably engages the sliding surface of the first outer leg along the length thereof, and the second inner leg having a sliding surface that slidably engages the sliding surface of the second outer leg along the length thereof. The top portions are pivotally connected to form a structure that articulates to open and close the ladder. The outer and inner ladder racks are configured as elongated hollow tubes that have a cross section of a closed tube having a protuberance extending therefrom. The outer legs have lateral support legs having protruding ribs to form a stabilizing support structure.

Abstract: A stretchable ladder, having inner leg bar and outer leg bar, the side edge of the outer leg bar forming an opening. The outer leg bar is sleeved on the inner leg bar, with the inner leg bar and the outer leg bar being relatively slidable. The ladder has a lock structure for locking the inner leg bar and for preventing the inner leg bar from separating from the outer leg bar. The lock structure is disposed at the outer leg bar, and is hookable to the inner leg bar, so as to make the inner leg bar embedded in the outer leg bar.

Abstract: A ladder tube (10, 12) for use in a ladder section of a collapsible ladder (1) is provided. The collapsible ladder comprises several ladder sections (5, 5a-5j), where each ladder section comprises two ladder tubes (10, 12) arranged parallel to each other and interconnected by a rung (20) to form the respective ladder section, and where each ladder tube (10, 12) is telescopically inserted into a ladder tube (10, 12) of a lower section to form the collapsible ladder (1). The ladder tube (10, 12) is characterized in that it has a cross-sectional shape comprising at least one straight section (16) which at each end is connected at an angle larger than 90 degrees to at least one additional section (18) of the cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A fire apparatus includes a chassis, axles coupled to the chassis, a turntable rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an aerial ladder assembly pivotably coupled the turntable. The aerial ladder assembly includes a first ladder section extending longitudinally, a second ladder section extending longitudinally, and a support slidably coupling the second ladder section to the first ladder section such that the first ladder section supports the second ladder section. The support facilitates longitudinal movement of the second ladder section relative to the first ladder section between an extended position and a retracted position. The support is pivotably coupled to the first ladder section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact portable light tower that can be stacked or nested. The light tower employs a scissors lift mechanism to raise a set of bar lights from a housing having a height of about 28? and a length of about 60?, to an extended height of about 360?. The scissors lift is extended and retracted by use of a linear actuator. Batteries or an engine/generator assembly is employed for operation of the actuator and light bar. The housing can be stacked for ease of storage and transportation. Outriggers provide stabilization of ground engagement.

Abstract: A fall arrest anchor trolley for arresting the fall of a user. In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for arresting movement of a worker after falling from an elevated work surface comprising: a rail; a trolley in rollable contact with the rail, the trolley having a body, a brake sub-system, and a plurality of wheels, the brake sub-system comprising a brake rod, a brake pad connected to the brake rod, a lanyard connector connected to the brake rod, and a resilient element; the brake rod slidably coupled to the body so that the brake sub-system is alterable between: (1) a free state in which the brake pad is spaced a distance above the rail; and (2) an arrest state in which at least a portion of the brake pad frictionally engages the rail; the resilient element biasing the brake sub-system into the free state.

Abstract: An telescopic ladder for a vehicle. The telescopic ladder comprises a first ladder section and a second ladder section, with each ladder section comprising a front portion and a rear portion and each including opposing sides extending from the front portion to the rear portion. The second ladder section is configured to telescopically extend from the first ladder section. The telescopic ladder further includes an extension support for facilitating the extension of the second ladder section from the first ladder section. The extension support includes at least one front roller assembly positioned adjacent to a front portion of the first ladder section, at least one pair of side roller assemblies positioned on the sides of the first ladder section, and at least one pair of cam-follower assemblies positioned on the sides of the second ladder section adjacent to the rear portion of the second ladder section.

Abstract: A marine ladder comprising a pair of laterally spaced step support members having a plurality of steps secured therebetween; said steps positioned between a lower portion and an upper portion of said step support members; an attachment member to secure said ladder to a platform; an adjustable support leg extending outwardly to abut a portion of said platform thereby positioning said steps in a generally horizontal plane; and wherein each successive step from said upper portion to said lower portion has a larger step tread than a preceding step.

Abstract: A visual indicator for a ladder is provided which may include a component having a photo luminescent material, a component have a reflective material, or both. In one embodiment, the visual indicator includes a rung plug having a cap portion and a body portion, the body portion being configured to be inserted into the interior hollow of a ladder rung such that the cap portion is visible along the side of an associated ladder rail. The cap portion may comprise a photo luminescent material, a reflective material or both. In one embodiment, the cap portion comprises a photo luminescent material while a separate reflective indicator is placed on the ladder rail at a location adjacent the rung plug.

Abstract: A tool for use with elevators and escalators, having two or more slidably connected assemblies, is provided. The assemblies have rails connected together and arranged in a parallel orientation. Support members are connected to the rails and a plurality of treads is attached to the support members. The treads are configured to provide a working surface upon which personnel can stand, sit or kneel and upon which materials can be placed. An extension member is connected to one end of the rails. Each extension member includes a locking member and a stop. Each locking member includes a first arm, a second arm and a third arm. In an open position, the third arm is in contact with the stop and in a closed position, the second arm is in contact with the stop. The assemblies are configured to bridge gaps formed within and around the elevators and escalators.

Abstract: A ladder having several collapsible ladder sections (100), each comprising two hollow ladder bars (102, 103) arranged parallel to each other and interconnected by a rung (104), where each collapsible ladder section is telescopically inserted into a lower ladder section. Each ladder bar of a collapsible ladder section has a locking hole (111) and an extension (112) below the locking hole. Retaining mechanisms (106) are provided in the rungs for locking the collapsible ladder sections relative to one another, and the retaining mechanisms comprise a locking pin (108), which can engage a corresponding locking hole provided in the ladder bar of a ladder section positioned there above. At least part of the collapsible ladder sections have a non-locking slot or groove (101) formed in the extensions of the ladder bars, where the slot reaches from a distance below the ladder bar to the bottom of the ladder bar.

Abstract: A brace rail shield combination for a rail of a ladder having at least one rung having a first portion that has a shape that conforms with an interior cross sectional surface of the rail. The brace rail shield combination includes a second portion that extends from the first portion at a first location to the rung to provide structural support to the rung. The second portion having an attachment portion at a second location spaced apart from the first location that is fixed to the rung. The first portion and the second portion being one continuous piece. A method for using an extension ladder, A method for producing a knee brace rail shield combination.

Abstract: An adjustable hang ladder includes a main ladder section and a hang ladder section secured to the main ladder section. The hang ladder section has a hang ladder insert pivotally secured to an attachment section and locked in place by a locking mechanism. The hang ladder section is provided with a fall arresting and damping arrangement designed for connection to a roofer using the ladder for providing a cushioning effect in the event the roofer falls from the ladder.

Abstract: A brace rail shield combination for a rail of a ladder having at least one rung having a first portion that has a shape that conforms with an interior cross sectional surface of the rail. The brace rail shield combination includes a second portion that extends from the first portion at a first location to the rung to provide structural support to the rung. The second portion having an attachment portion at a second location spaced apart from the first location that is fixed to the rung. The first portion and the second portion being one continuous piece. A method for using an extension ladder. A method for producing a knee brace rail shield combination.

Abstract: An attic ladder system includes an upper portion that can be extended above the attic floor and a lower portion that can be extended into a room below the attic. The upper portion can extend automatically into the attic upon extension of the lower portion, or may be operated independently of the lower section. Ladder extension can be telescopic or by unfolding of sections. Retraction of either or both ladder portions may include a pivoting capability to reduce vertical height when stored. A gap can be provided between lowest the rungs to avoid danger to a user's hands. Embodiments can be used to access the top of a vehicle roof from within the vehicle. Embodiments can support a user weighing up to 300 pounds. A gas spring can assist in lifting and stowing the lower portion. Pivot latches can secure the ladder in its stowed and deployed configurations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extendable ladder configured to extend a second ladder segment relative to a first ladder segment. The ladder includes a first ladder segment, a second ladder segment, and at least two slider cups. When the ladder is mounted to a surface, the ladder can be moved from a generally vertical orientation to an angled orientation of between greater than 60 degrees and approximately 90 degrees away from the horizontal reference. The ladder may be mounted to one or more of a vehicle, a building, and a piece of equipment. The vehicle may be one or more of a trailer, recreational vehicle, truck, and bus.

Abstract: An access ladder for an access hole in a building includes a plurality of sections which telescope relative to each other between an extended position, where the sections define a plane and a user can climb the sections, and a retracted position where the sections are folded on each other. Several of the sections have a least one step which preferably moves between an unfolded position where the user can stand on the step when the sections are in the extended position, and a folded position when the sections are in the retracted position. Each section slides relative to another section of the plurality of sections which it is in contact in order for the sections to telescope. A method for using an access ladder attached to an end of an access hole of a building.

Abstract: An access ladder configurable from an extended position for providing access to a structure and a stowed position. The access ladder comprises an elongated first member having a first step extending laterally therefrom. An elongated second member is associated with the first member and configured for translational movement relative thereto and has a second step extending laterally therefrom. A link extends between the second member and the structure such that rotation of the first member moves the second member translationally relative to the first member, thereby moving said at least one second step towards said at least one first step.

Abstract: An access ladder for an access hole in a building includes a plurality of sections which telescope relative to each other between an extended position, where the sections define a plane and a user can climb the sections, and a retracted position where the sections are folded on each other. Several of the sections have a least one step which preferably moves between an unfolded position where the user can stand on the step when the sections are in the extended position, and a folded position when the sections are in the retracted position. Each section slides relative to another section of the plurality of sections which it is in contact in order for the sections to telescope. A method for using an access ladder attached to an end of an access hole of a building.

Abstract: A ladder storage device includes: a ladder end cradle, adapted to releasably, rotatably receive the top end of the ladder when the ladder is in an lowered orientation. When the ladder is received and rotated into a raised orientation, the ladder end cradle retains the top end of the ladder so that the legs of the ladder may be releasably held to the ceiling, thereby storing the ladder adjacent to the ceiling.

Abstract: An access ladder for an access hole in a building includes a plurality of sections which telescope relative to each other between an extended position, where the sections define a plane and a user can climb the sections, and a retracted position where the sections are folded on each other. Several of the sections have a least one step which preferably moves between an unfolded position where the user can stand on the step when the sections are in the extended position, and a folded position when the sections are in the retracted position. Each section slides relative to another section of the plurality of sections which it is in contact in order for the sections to telescope. A method for using an access ladder attached to an end of an access hole of a building.

Abstract: A brace rail shield combination for a rail of a ladder having at least one rung having a first portion that has a shape that conforms with an interior cross sectional surface of the rail. The brace rail shield combination includes a second portion that extends from the first portion at a first location to the rung to provide structural support to the rung. The second portion having an attachment portion at a second location spaced apart from the first location that is fixed to the rung. The first portion and the second portion being one continuous piece. A method for using an extension ladder. A method for producing a knee brace rail shield combination.

Abstract: A ladder is disclosed which includes a pair of side rail members having step plates selectively vertically movably mounted thereon to enable the user to climb upwardly on the side rail members or to climb downwardly thereon. The ladder may be converted from an A-frame type ladder to an extension type ladder.

Abstract: Truss arrangements utilizable in ladder sections of extendible ladder arrangements are described. Also described are ladder arrangements utilizing in the truss arrangements, and methods designed in use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extending, folding ladder comprising a single post (1) which is disposed in the symmetry plane thereof and which is formed by an assembly of segments (2) and adjacent segments (3) of the same length, each segment and the corresponding adjacent segment being articulated with one another at the midpoint thereof. In addition, the ends of consecutive segments are articulated with one another, such that the distances between two successive articulations are identical. The inventive ladder is deployed by manually extending the constituent parallelograms until the ladder is fully extended and said process is performed in reverse in order to retract the ladder for storage. The rungs (4) of the ladder are positioned at the midpoint articulation between two opposing segments or at each articulation between two successive segments on the front face of the ladder. The articulations between two successive segments on the rear face of the ladder are not equipped with rungs.

Abstract: An extension ladder with improved mechanism includes a plurality of ladder sections, connection kits, locking mechanism, and transverse step portions; wherein each ladder section is a hollow rung, and the caliber of the rung becomes smaller when it is in a higher location. The upper ladder section and lower ladder section can be interconnected and fit each other; said connection kits are horizontally provided in the upper end of said ladder section. The internal part of said connection kit is provided with a locking mechanism to snap-fit into the through hole of said ladder section to secure the extension between each ladder section. The outside of said locking mechanism is covered by the transverse step portion, by the improved locking mechanism, the extension ladder can be assembled easily and firmly for providing superior safety to people, even when an external force is applied.

Abstract: An add-on extension ladder is removably mountable to a portion of a conventional ladder to extend the reach of the conventional ladder without any structural modification to the conventional ladder. The add-on extension has integral elements for engaging rungs on the upper portion of the conventional ladder to easily mount and remove the extension ladder to and from the conventional ladder.

Abstract: An aerial ladder roller assembly to improve the function of the ladder during extension and retraction of sections of a multiple-section aerial ladder. One embodiment has a plurality of aligned apertures for rotatably mounting and a roller that is rotatably mounted in a housing. The housing has a roller pad and an aperture through which a roller extends. The housing is adapted for pivotal mounting at a point approximately central to the length of the axis. A roller is rotatably mounted in the housing on each side of the pivotal mounting point. A pair of rollers is rotatably mounted in the housing on each side of the pivotal mounting point. Also provided is a multiple-section ladder, having at least two nested sections with a housing having at least one roller is rotatably and pivotally mounted extending through an aperture. The slide plate of the second section juxtaposes the roller assembly.

Abstract: Extending ladders and associated manufacturing methods are disclosed. A ladder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of rung units, each rung unit including a left column, a right column, and a rung extending between the left column and the right column. The ladder may include a first column assembly including a first column and a ring coupled to the first column proximate a distal end thereof, and a second column assembly including a second column and a sleeve coupled to the second column proximate a proximal end thereof. The second column being at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by an internal surface of the first column. The sleeve includes an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column and the ring includes an internal guiding surface for contacting an exterior surface of the second column.

Abstract: An adjustable-height stepladder has an upper-front frame and an upper-rear frame interconnected by a top member. The upper-front frame and the upper-rear frame each have an elongate slide track. A lower-front frame, wider than the upper-front frame and positioned centrally rearward thereof, has a pair of rails, each having a slide mechanism slidingly engageable with the slide track of the corresponding upper-front frame rail. A lower-rear frame, wider than the upper-rear frame and positioned centrally forward thereof, has a pair of rails, each having a slide mechanism slidingly engageable with the slide track of the corresponding upper-rear frame rail. Each slide mechanism has a hinged swing arm and a biasing spring, the combination of which allows the slide mechanisms to engage the slide tracks although the lateral distance between the upper-frame rails and their corresponding lower-frame rails may vary.

Abstract: Extending ladders and associated manufacturing methods are disclosed. A ladder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of rung units, each rung unit including a left column, a right column, and a rung extending between the left column and the right column. The ladder may include a first column assembly including a first column and a ring coupled to the first column proximate a distal end thereof, and a second column assembly including a second column and a sleeve coupled to the second column proximate a proximal end thereof. The second column being at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by an internal surface of the first column. The sleeve includes an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column and the ring includes an internal guiding surface for contacting an exterior surface of the second column.

Abstract: An add-on extension ladder is removably mountable to a portion of a conventional ladder to extend the reach of the conventional ladder without any structural modification to the conventional ladder. The add-on extension has integral elements for engaging rungs on the upper portion of the conventional ladder to easily mount and remove the extension ladder to and from the conventional ladder.

Abstract: Extending ladders and associated manufacturing methods are disclosed. A ladder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of rung units, each rung unit including a left column, a right column, and a rung extending between the left column and the right column. The ladder may include a first column assembly including a first column and a ring coupled to the first column proximate a distal end thereof, and a second column assembly including a second column and a sleeve coupled to the second column proximate a proximal end thereof. The second column being at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by an internal surface of the first column. The sleeve includes an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column and the ring includes an internal guiding surface for contacting an exterior surface of the second column.

Abstract: An extension ladder comprised of a pair of base rails interlocked in a tongue and groove relationship with a pair of slide rails is disclosed. The rails may be manufactured in a variety of shapes including “I” beams, rectangles, boxes, or even ovals or circular shapes. Some embodiments of the ladder include a pulley assembly which is fastened to a fly rail rung and a rope is passed through the pulley to form a continuous loop around the rungs of the base set of rail rungs and the fly fail rungs. In addition, some embodiments include means for attaching tools to the fly rail.

Abstract: An adjustable ladder includes a base ladder and at least one extendable ladder movably fastened on the base ladder, the extension of which ladder can be locked by a locking bracket pivotally fastened on the extendable ladder. Locking is operated by a cable line running over guide rollers that are fixed on the base ladder. The guide rollers are arranged on the base ladder below a rung thereof and can be fastened by a first plug element serving as a mounting. The mounting can be formed of a wire or rod-shaped blank and loops around a substantial portion of the hollow section of the rung. The mounting has a bent portion extending in the direction of a rung axis and extending through a hollow tube supporting the guide roller. The bent portion is fastened to a spar of the base ladder and extends through the spar. The bent portion projects with a first end piece from an outer cheek of the spar so far that the end piece can be fixed in the direction of the rung axis.

Abstract: A ladder tie strap is wrapped around adjacent rungs of upper and lower ladder sections in an extension ladder to prevent the upper ladder section from accidentally retracting relative to the lower ladder section. A fair of tie straps may also be secured to the upper end of the ladder and fastened to a ladder support structure to stabilize the ladder against lateral movement. The structure may be a wall or a wire, and when a wire the straps are wrapped around the wire and around the ladder rung or ladder side members.

Abstract: An extension ladder comprises a base section comprising a first base rail, a second base rail in spaced relationship and in parallel with the first base rail, and at least a first base rung connected to the first base rail and the second base rail. The extension ladder also comprises a fly section slidably connected to the base section. The fly section comprises a first fly rail, a second fly rail in spaced relationship and in parallel with the first fly rail, at least a first fly rung connected to the first fly rail and the second fly rail, a first combination end cap/guide bracket connected to the bottom of the first fly rail, and a second combination end cap/guide bracket connected to the bottom of the second fly rail. Each end cap/guide bracket is one continuous piece. The first fly rail is adjacent to and in parallel with and in spaced relationship with said first base rail. The second fly rail is adjacent to and in parallel with and in spaced relationship with said second base rail.

Abstract: An extensible ladder includes a plurality of sections, each having a pair of tubular uprights connected by a rung, with the uprights of each section being slidably engaged with the corresponding uprights of an adjacent section. The inside surface of the tubular uprights are provided with longitudinally extending grooves, which reduce the area of sliding contact between adjacent uprights, thereby making the ladder easier to extend or collapse.

Abstract: A portable collapsible tower including a frame, at least one stationary tower member fixed to the frame and at least one movable tower member movable along the exterior portion of the stationary tower member relative to the stationary member. A coupling, movably couples the stationary and movable tower members for movement along the exterior portions. At least one cable located along the exterior portions of the tower members, is used to extend and retract the tower members and a light or tool support bar. As the tension in the one or more cables is altered by a tension altering device, the support bar and tower members are moved between fully extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A modular ladder system for climbing trees is provided, comprising at least two ladder modules, each ladder module comprising a hollow, primary support member having an upper end and a lower end; a secondary support member, telescopingly slidable within the primary support member, having an upper end and a lower end; a first step attached to the lower end of the secondary support member; a second step attached to the lower end of the primary support member; a top step attached to the upper end of the primary support member; a spring-loaded lock operatively disposed between the primary support member and the secondary support member for locking the position of the secondary support member relative to the primary support member; at least two stabilizer brackets attached to the primary support member and the secondary support member for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree; and a strap and quick-release buckle attached to the primary support member for holding the ladder module to the tree.

Abstract: A foldable extension ladder includes first and second ladder sections; each ladder section including a three foldable sections, each foldable section including a pair of end rails and a plurality of transverse rungs connecting the pair of end rails in a parallel, spaced apart relation, hinges for hingedly connecting together the three foldable sections in end to end relation for movement between an in-line configuration and a folded configuration in which all of the foldable sections are arranged in a substantially parallel, overlaying relation with each other, each hinge including a pivot pin pivotally connecting ends of two adjacent foldable sections, the pivot pins of all hinges of the first ladder section being arranged to a first side of the first ladder section, when the first ladder section is in the in-line configuration, the pivot pins of all hinges of the second ladder section being arranged to a first side of the second ladder section, when the second ladder section is in the in-line configuration,

Abstract: An emergency escape system for multistory buildings in which stair units are stored in recesses in the floor of each above grade level of the building. The stair units are released for gravity depolyment to the next below balcony in an emergency, and a cover panel is opened to enable egress by building occupants through the recess, down the deployed stairs to the next balcony and so on until ground level is reached.

Abstract: A ladder assembly for ease of access to a wharf or pier is disclosed. The ladder assembly includes a pair of vertical frame members having channels therein which are disposed about a ladder which is free to move upwardly and downwardly within the channels. The ladder may be secured to a cleat on the pier in a raised position when not in use. Upon releasing the ladder from the cleat, the ladder will move downwardly under its own weight so that its lower portion enters the water. A plate member attached to the top rung of the ladder will engage the deck surface of the pier in the lowermost position of the ladder.

Abstract: A ladder apparatus adapted to be borne by a fixture, such as cabinet, including a bracket adapted to be mounted on the fixture, a pair of first support members individually, substantially pivotally mounted on the bracket, a pair of second support members individually slidably mounted on the first support members, and a pair of third support members individually, slidably mounted on the second pair of support members and at least one step mounted on and interconnecting the third support members whereby the apparatus can be disposed in a collapsed, stored attitude inside a cabinet or alternatively extended therefrom and disposed in an operational attitude extending outside the cabinet.

Abstract: A securing means for a double step ladder having a U-shaped element, a coupling element, a retaining rod received within the openings provided on the distal ends of the lateral walls of the U-shaped element, a flap fixed on the lateral wall of the U-shaped element to receive the retaining rod, and a cap to engage with the retaining rod. The securing means is mounted on a step ladder, in which the upper and lower legs of the ladder are clamped among the U-shaped element, the coupling element and the retaining rod. The position of the upper and lower legs is adjustable by the engagement of the retaining rod with the cap. The retaining rod has two horizontally protruding plates on both of which a hole is provided to receive a cylindrical pivot piece which has an eccentric protrusion provided on upper and lower surfaces and a cavity provided on a cylindrical surface to receive a pivot rod which is rotatable to cause a radial movement of the pivot piece urging against the U-shaped element.

Abstract: An escape ladder at rest is an elongated cylindrical body divided lengthwise with a plurality of rung devices hingeably attached between rear quadrants and between front quadrants lockable in a horizontal position and foldable into the tubular body when left and right quadrants and mated together. Right quadrants and left quadrants are interlocked together to allow the interlocked quadrants to slideably move only lengthwise in relation to each other.

Abstract: My invention relates to an extensible stairway capable of being shipped in a knockdown condition and erected with a minimum of labor and without special tools. The stairway has a pair of stair step stringer assemblies each stringer assembly having a pair of telescoping channels nesting slidably together that can be extended to a required height. The vertical load bearing side walls of said channels are provided with a series of registering groups of equally step spaced in-line bores arranged to lie in a substantially horizontal line when the stringer channels are placed in stair inclined position. A plurality of stair step assemblies having tread supports are adapted to be swivably mounted and clamped to said groups of in-line bores to maintain the treads in a horizontal position when the stringers are inclined forwardly to an ascent angle. A rotatable bracket is located at the upper end of each of the inside channels enabling them to be mounted in an inclined position to the upper level of a structure.

Abstract: A ladder extension is disclosed comprising two separable sections to be coupled together in longitudinally overlapping relation by first coupling means coupling a portion of a first ladder section proximate one end thereof to the second section so as to permit the first ladder section to be rotated with respect to the second ladder section to a position where second coupling means are aligned in position for engagement, preferably with stop means being provided to stop rotation of the first ladder section at a position where the second coupling means are aligned for engagement. The ladder comprises two separable sections which is easy to asemble by a single person even under adverse field conditions and which provides means to positively lock together the sections when assembled into an extension ladder.

Abstract: A telescopic beam for use in an inclined hoist has five telescopic members. An actuator comprising a motorized winch and a block and tackle arrangement is provided for extending the telescopic members relative to one another. The block and tackle arrangement includes a cable which passes several times around sets of rollers positioned at the adjacent ends of first and second of the telescopic members. A lock is provided for fixing the positions of the first and second telescopic members. To relieve the operator of the need for controlling several actuators, the single actuator is used to control the extension of all the telescopic members, and to control the angle of inclination of the last telescopic member relative to the penultimate telescopic member. For this purpose, the cable is passed from the second telescopic member to the far end of the penultimate telescopic member, and then to the adjacent end of the last telescopic member where it is secured.

Abstract: A sliding section ladder, comprising sections of varying widths made up of u-shaped modules, comprising a base and upright sections, each module being smaller in width than the one immediately before it, the outer sides of the smaller module backing into the inside of the immediately larger module, whereby the base and upright sections of the u-configuration of the smaller module are adjacent to the u-shaped base and upright sections of the larger module when said ladder is in a closed position.