Abstract: The disclosure relates to portable staircases having a staircase assembly including an outer staircase and an inner staircase that can move in a telescoping relationship with respect to the outer staircase. Portable staircases of the disclosure are particularly useful for accessing an oil drilling rig as they are independently supported with respect to the drilling rig, thus providing numerous safety improvements and advantages. Methods of using the portable staircases of the disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladder is revealed. A sliding rail is formed on a surface of one side of each of two ladder poles of a ladder body. At least one sliding block is mounted and sliding in the sliding rail of the ladder pole. An assembly member is arranged between the sliding blocks of the ladder poles. A ring on user's safety clothing is set on the center of the assembly member and connected to the assembly member during climbing. When the user falls off the ladder accidentally, the sliding blocks connected to the assembly member are also pulled so that the sliding blocks are inclined an angle and the braking end within the sliding rail is against the wall of the sliding rail for braking and slip resistance. Thereby the descending is slowed down and the ladder safety during climbing is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of extendable ladders, in particular firefighting ladders, consisting of at least two ladder parts, each part being formed from side rails and rungs running between the side rails, and the uppermost ladder part is formed from at least two ladder sections interconnected by an articulated link, the articulation axis of which runs substantially parallel with the rungs, and when the uppermost ladder part has been fully retracted into the ladder part lying below, the first ladder section and the second ladder section overlap the ladder part lying below.

Abstract: A portable lookout platform is provided with legs which can be moved between raised and lowered positions via a cable and winch system. Pulleys and rollers provide for controlled movement of the legs. A platform is mounted on top of the legs to support a person. The ladder provides access for a person to the platform when the legs are raised. The legs, platform and ladder are mounted on a trailer for transportation.

Abstract: A motorized extension ladder comprising a stationary first section, a moveable second section which is reversibly moveable from a proximate location to a distal location, a first cable pulley system with a first cable and first pulley to reversably move said moveable section from said proximate location to said distal location, and back, by a motor. The motor can be permanently affixed to the ladder, or operatively connected as required. A series of pulleys is provided which are moveable by rotation of a threaded rod, in order to cause the moveable section of the ladder to extend or retract. A motorized method for extending or retracting an extension ladder is provided.

Abstract: An extension ladder is disclosed. The extension ladder includes a bottom stage and a top stage that are interlocked and configured to telescope with respect to each other, such that the top stage extends from a back surface of the bottom stage to an extended position. In the extended position the bottom stage and top stage are locked and secured together through one or more securing features such that overlapping rungs from the bottom stage and the top stage are substantially aligned and parallel to provide a stable stepping plane with the extension ladder leaning to form an acute angle between the back surface of the bottom stage and a support surface.

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 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: A lightweight, multifunctional, robotic construction aid capable of replacing heavy, dangerous, conventional construction equipment including cranes, manlifts, scissorlifts, scaffolds, and extension ladders. More particularly, the apparatus comprises a base, a lower ladder portion, an upper ladder portion, and a support. The lower ladder portion is pivotably connected to the base and extends therefrom in a first direction. The upper ladder portion is pivotably connected to the lower ladder portion and extends therefrom in a second direction opposite the first direction and includes an access therethrough from the lower ladder portion. The support is capable of bearing the weight of the first and second ladder portions and of fixing the relative positions of the upper ladder portion, the lower ladder portion, and the base.

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: A motorized utility extension ladder having a main and upper riser section extendable by a motor. The ladder further comprising a telescopic prop so that the ladder may be free standing, side wing legs for stabilizing the ladder, wheels for transporting the ladder, and a removable shelf.

Abstract: A ladder apparatus and method for use with large construction equipment, such as large tractors, mining trucks and similar vehicles that have an operator's platform or operating station located a substantial distance off the ground. The powered ladder has a fixed ladder portion rigidly attached to such a vehicle. The fixed ladder portion has spacedly attached thereto a frame element upon which a retractable ladder element is slidably disposed. The retractable ladder element is raised and lowered by an electric winch operable from the vehicle's operating station.

Abstract: An all purpose ladder includes a fixed base ladder segment that is conventionally made with long side pieces that are connected together by rungs or steps. An upper ladder segment comprises a pair of long side pieces connected together by rungs. As is conventional with extendible ladders, the side pieces of the upper ladder segment are in sliding engagement with the side pieces of the base ladder segment. A screw or worm shaft is rotatably mounted to one side piece of the lower ladder segment and a threaded bracket engages both the upper ladder segment and the screw or worm shaft such that when the screw or worm shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the bracket travels along the length of the screw or worm shaft, thereby moving the upper segment relative to the fixed base ladder segment. Gears and a handle are provided so that a user can adjust the relative extension position between the base ladder segment and the upper ladder segment on a continuous basis.

Abstract: In a multiple extending section aerial ladder, a control linkage which allows the elevation, rotation and extension of the ladder to be controlled both from its base and from a working station on its top end. Two sets of rotatable tubes on the middle section of the ladder receive rotatable rods mounted on the upper and lower sections. The sets of rods and tubes rotate together, and each rod can extend out of and retract into its tube to accommodate extension and retraction of the ladder. The tubes in the two sets are connected in pairs by crank arms which cause the tubes in each pair to rotate together but in opposite directions. Hydraulic valves which control the ladder functions can be operated directly from the base of the ladder by hand levers on the lower set of rods. The valves can also be operated through the control linkage by handles on the upper set of rods.

Abstract: An automatic locking device is provided for a telescoping work platform that includes: a base frame, a middle frame and a platform frame, the locking device comprises a first sliding member mounted in the middle frame, a first notch in the base frame for receiving said first sliding member and a first cam on said platform for disengaging said first member from said first notch, it also comprises a second sliding member mounted to the middle frame, a second notch in the base frame for receiving said second member and a second cam on said base frame for disengaging said second member from said second notch.

Abstract: A ladder or boom extension system includes a base section, at least one movable section in telescoping arrangement with the base section, and a piston rod fixedly connected longitudinally of the base section. A double acting hydraulic cylinder is movable relative to the piston rod in response to the application of hydraulic forces on either side of a fixed piston. A crosshead including cable carrying pulleys is affixed at each end of the hydraulic cylinder whereby the cylinder and the crossheads travel as a unit for extension and retraction while tensioning in response to hydraulic forces. Extension and retraction cables interconnect between the base section and the movable section and are trained about the crosshead pulleys to pull the movable section toward or away from the base section.

Abstract: A portable, extensible ladder is disclosed of the type having a plurality of sections sliding into each other. The normally uppermost section is provided with hook for suspending the ladder from a window sill or the like. The same, normally upper section is provided with winch and brake means for controlling the extension of the ladder by gravity by operating same from the top end thereof. The lowermost section is provided with support wheels facilitating the manipulation of the ladder over obstructions such as a lower window sill or the like as the ladder is being extended. The ladder also has means for locking same in an extended state, whereby the ladder becomes generally rigid to facilitate handling from the bottom end. The ladder is particularly suitable as a portable fire escape ladder but has many other applications as well.

Abstract: A truck mounted telescopically extensible ladder is rotatably connected to a turret and pivoted about an elevation cylinder. A double acting-double end hydraulic cylinder, mounted in the base ladder section, is connected by a cable and pulleys to an intermediate ladder section for extending and retracting the latter. A top ladder section is connected to the intermediate ladder section by a cable entrained around pulleys at the respective ends of the intermediate ladder section and secured to the upper end portion of the base ladder section for telescopically extending the top ladder section in response to telescopic extension off the intermediate ladder section.

Abstract: A movable shelter floor type emergency escape for a multi-story building installed on the wall of each of the stories, including a movable shelter floor at one end pivotally mounted on the wall at an opening therein so as to be received in the framework defining the opening to close the opening when it is not used, and so as to open the opening when it is to be used, escape means normally received in an escape exit and downwardly extensible toward the movable shelter floor on a lower story, and means to support the movable shelter floor in a horizontal manner relative to the wall of the building.

Abstract: An extension ladder including a base section and a fly section, each having a pair of side rails and including, mounted at the ends of each of the side rails, a guide unit interconnecting the adjacently sliding side rails of the fly and base section, said guide unit also including an integrally formed cut protector portion and slide pad.