Abstract: A combination foldable ladder and hand truck is disclosed comprising a plurality of ladder sections joined at respective ends by hinges and having retractable transport wheels and a retractable support means. The device is functional as a step ladder as well as an extension ladder in an open position with the support means and transport wheels each in their retracted positions. The device is functional as a hand truck in a closed position with the support means in an extended forward position for supporting goods and the transport wheels in an extended downward position, for rolling.

Abstract: A portable, foldable swimming pool step device includes a pair of sectional stiles interconnected by transverse steps and provided with sectional handrail structures. The stiles, steps, and handrail structures are formed of a thermoplastic material. Each stile includes a pair of sections hingedly connected together and foldable between an extended operative position and a folded position. The steps are adjustable to permit the swimming pool step device to function as an inclined ramp. Suitable rollers are mounted on the stiles to permit easy movement of the swimming pool step device when the ladder is in the folded position.

Abstract: A multi-purpose work unit comprising a platform having; a top side, and bottom side, carrying on the platform top an anti-slip surface, and a padding on the bottom side; a plurality of support members of alternative cross-section having a top section extending from the bottom side of the platform at its extremities parallel to the platform and abutting the interior surfaces of the platform and fastened thereto, said support members continuing from the platform extremities in a downward angle away from the platform and arcing at the extremities of the support remote the platform defining a support member bottom, continuing therefrom in complimentary circumscription returning to its origin at the underside of the platform; wherein a number of relationships exist amongst the dimensions of the work unit described.

Abstract: An emergency escape rope apparatus includes an elongated rope with knots or other protruberances spaced along it and which is arrayed within a container. The container has a plurality of elongated protuberance receiving tubes positioned in it, each tube having a slot extending along its wall and opening at an open end of the tube. In an order from one tube to the next, each tube sequentially receives a selected number of knots with loops of the rope between the knots extending through the slots. Between one tube and the next, an anchor segment of the rope between two sequential knots is stretched taut between the top of the one tube and the bottom of the slot of the next tube to retain the knots within the one tube until the rope secured by the next tube has payed out. The container has a clip in its cap for removably retaining a cap end of the rope for quick access.

Abstract: A portable hunting stand which is adapted to be retro-fitted to a three wheeled motorcycle, ATV or the like for permanent operative association therewith may be deployed by a hunter or the like in a low profile ATV-transportable position, a cage position providing an enclosure, or a hunting position for seating the hunter in a secure elevated position above the terrain. A plurality of upwardly extending, rigid support stanchions operatively disposed generally at the vertices of the standard ATV rectangular deck support a chair support plate coupled to the stanchions. An associated foldable footrest may be deployed to provide a firm footing and to brace the elevated chair upon which the hunter may sit. A front stabilizer leg associated with the front of the chair provides a stabilizing connection to the chair support plate.

Abstract: A suspension ladder comprises a string of identical rigid rectangular sections (1) which are hinged together about a series of parallel axes adjacent their longer rear edges (2), and each of which has one or more apertures (11) forming a rung of the ladder. Each section (1) has a trapezoidal cross sectional profile providing the section with sloping top and bottom edge faces (4) and (5) which converge towards the front face (6) from the longitudinal rear edges (2) and form stops which limit the extent to which adjoining sections can pivot towards each other in a forward direction. The ladder therefore cannot be flexed in this direction beyond a predetermined minimum radius of curvature and will therefore form a substantially rigid cradle (21) when its lower end is lifted while its upper end is suspended. In contrast adjacent sections can pivot flat against each other in the rearward direction so that the ladder can be rolled up tightly for easy storage.

Abstract: A combination tree seat and animal drag device includes an elongated central support having a first end and a second end and an elongated cross support attached to the first end of said central support and extending approximately transverse thereto. The central support and cross support together form a substantially T-shaped frame member. A seat member is removably attached to a planar surface of said frame member. Tree grip means are provided on the second end of said central support. An elongated strap is removably attached at each end thereof to an attachment means at the ends of the cross support. The frame member may be attached to a tree by engaging the grip means on the central support with an outer surface of the tree and passing the strap around the tree and attaching the strap to the attachment means on the cross support.

Abstract: A pack frame and tree stand assembly is comprised of two major components. A back engaging support platform serves as the pack frame in the back pack mode and as the tree engaging support platform in the tree stand mode. A pack carrying seat is the second main component and is carried by spaced framework members which are pivotably attached to the back engaging support platform. In the back pack mode this second component forms a shelf upon which a pack can be placed. By being rotated through generally about 90.degree., the pack carrying seat becomes the seat portion of the tree stand. The stand is attachable to a tree by a tree encircling line which is carried by, and is securable to the frame of the seat of the tree stand.

Abstract: A ladder shield for use in preventing toddlers and the like from climbing the steps of a ladder, such as an above-ground swimming pool ladder, when the ladder or the device to which the ladder is coupled is unattended is disclosed. The ladder shield comprises a rigid yet slightly flexible shell of plastic which is sized and shaped to fit around the front and sides of the ladder so as to block access to the steps on the ladder. The ladder shield is removably secured to the ladder by a removable locking bar which when inserted extends through a pair of holes in the side walls of the shield. The locking bar is secured in place by a lock. When not being used to prevent access to the steps of the ladder, the ladder shield may be used as a mini-foot wash.

Abstract: A scaffolding system useable on either a flat or pitched gable roof a roof and including a mast, rollers which connect the mast to the roof, and a winch for adjusting the position of the scaffolding system relative to the roof.

Abstract: This invention is a combination stepladder and hand truck apparatus having a ladder support frame assembly pivotally connected to an upper portion of a hand truck support frame assembly and further including a support and lock plate assembly and a wheel support assembly which are both connected to a lower portion of the hand truck support frame assembly. The ladder support frame assembly includes a basic support frame with a support handle member at one end portion thereof and interconnected by axially spaced support step assembly. The support step assembly includes a lock or latch step member which is operable to support a user thereon and conjointly locks with the hand truck support frame assembly in a rigid condition when in the stepladder usage condition. The support and lock plate assembly includes a support plate member which is pivotally mounted on a support shaft member which, in turn, is secured across a lower portion of the hand truck support frame assembly.

Abstract: A combination portable dolly and collapsible stool for transporting photography equipment and the like, and for providing an elevated platform for taking photographs. The legs of the stool are pivotally mounted at opposite ends of a rectangular box platform and are braced by members (which may be U-shaped) that are pivotally secured to vertical portions of the stool legs and which have free ends that are secured by a latching means in either extended leg bracing position or in collapsed carrying position.Rollers are mounted on the exterior of the legs adjacent the pivots so that when the legs are collapsed the rollers support the base platform as a dolly. In such collapsed condition, the legs rest within each other and are secured together by an interlocking means.

Abstract: Combination airplane tow bar, platform and step stool structure for use in attending to small aircraft. The platform includes an upper deck member having depending side flanges inset from each side edge thereof with each flange extending beyond the end edge of the deck member and terminating in a rounded apertured end. Leg assemblies are pivoted to the ends of the flanges for movement between a position perpendicular to the deck member for use of the device as a seat, step stool, elevated platform or the like and a position extending longitudinally outwardly of the deck member for use of the device as an airplane tow bar. One of the leg assemblies includes a latch structure for connection with an aircraft to enable the aircraft to be towed. The latch structure may include a spring latch depending on the aircraft attachment. Both leg assemblies can be pivoted into overlying relation to the deck member for compact storage and when folded, the device forms an effective wheel chock for the aircraft.

Abstract: A utility cart has features that allow it to be used over rough ground and stairways. The cart is a two wheel cart, with a base plate that projects forwardly for balancing the cart upright. The cart is rolled by tilting it rearwardly with handles. The cart has a back plate that is mounted across the frame and has a number of retainers for releasably retaining storage bins. Side plates are located on the sides of the base plate and back plate. The side plates have retainers for holding tools. Brackets on the insides of the side plates will receive a shaft for holding a spool of wire. The brackets will also receive a rung. The cart can then be used as a ladder. Braces extend rearwardly from the axle for facilitating moving the cart over stairways. A cover fits over the upper and front edges of the side plate to provide a secure enclosure. The cover can be moved to an open position where it will also serve as a temporary work table.

Abstract: Combi-equipment functioning as transport cart and ladder, particularly boat-ladder, said equipment comprising a main frame (1) supported by wheels (9, 10) and a load-carrying member, said main frame comprising two elongate, substantially parallel side frame pieces (2, 3) and upper and lower end frame pieces (4, 5), joining the side frame pieces, as well as a number of transverse stays between the side frame parts.

Abstract: A preferred tower of a lookout is triangular in cross section and tapers inwardly from the bottom to top. The tower has an upper and a lower section of about equal lengths, and the tower can be easily and quickly disassembled, and then the sections nested for easy transportation and storage. When the sections are nested, wheels that extended outward from a side near the bottom of the tower become wheels of a dolly to help transport the components of the tower and any load tied upon the nested sections. An extending platform as a stand or a footrest is removable from near the top of the tower and readily stowed within the nested sections.

Abstract: A platform is used to climb a tree to an elevated position. A means is connected to the platform to latch it in a secure position so that a hunter may sit or stand on the platform in a hunting position. In a second use of the device, a forward v-shaped tree gripping portion of the platform is flipped over and carries a pair of wheels at one end thus to provide a wheeled platform and cart arrangement for removing game from the forest.

Abstract: A multi-purpose attachment for ladders enhances the safety and convenience of a ladder. A basic attachment unit is adjustable along ladder side rails and can be locked in any selected position. The basic unit contains fittings which allow the ready attachment and locking of gutter, roof and ladder side rail attachment components all held securely by set screws.

Abstract: A dual purpose ladder attachment usable singularly as a human body support platform with hand rails or in a pair as a scaffold jack. Each ladder attachment comprises two pairs of pivotally joined support beams. Each pair of pivotally joined support beams have their non-joined ends connected to ladder rung engaging brackets. Each bracket is sized and shaped to fit over the side rail of the ladder while engaged with a ladder rung. When the device is being used as a body support platform, a cross-bar connected between the parallel support beams supports a rigid planar surface which is also attached to a ladder rung. This platform is useful for standing on the ladder while holding the side rails. In this configuration the device is mounted to extend vertically upward on the upper side of the ladder, allowing a user to stand comfortably on the ladder.

Abstract: A trestle leg assembly comprising a foldable pair of legs which may be opened out and locked into A-frame configuration. Angles are bolted to horizontal plates welded to the tops of the legs, and the bolt holes are located so that when the upright legs of the angles are positioned back to back, they clamp the sides of a standard 2.times.4, and when they are placed face to face they grip the edges of a 2.times.4 lying flat.

Abstract: Two frame sections are hingedly attached at their top and each frame section contains a pair of wheels at the bottom. One of the frame sections consists of a pair of laterally spaced parallel side rails having horizontal steps disposed therebetween. The other frame section contains a pair of parallel spaced channel bars on which ride a vertically movable platform. The platform can be hoisted along the channel bars by use of a hand crank and winch assembly. The two frame sections can be folded together for use as a conventional hand truck or the frame sections can be folded apart and the wheels locked for use as a stepladder.

Abstract: A hand truck comprises a frame having handles at its rear end, wheels attached at least to the front end of the frame on opposite sides of its bottom, and a load support provided on the upper side of the frame and mounted on the frame shiftably longitudinally of the frame. Loads can be transferred from the truck, for example, to the bed of a light van positioned at some distance above the ground or from the bed to the truck by raising or turning down the truck on the principle of the lever, with the load support attached to the frame at a position corresponding to the level of the bed. The truck can be connected in a slanting position to the bed by a connector attached to the rear end of the frame to take loads from the vehicle along the truck as by a chute. The frame is foldable into two. The truck is usable also as a stepladder when the frame is held in an inverted V-shaped half-unfolded position by a holder.

Abstract: A foldable assembly comprising a seat rotatably mounted on a support to which are collapsibly mounted three legs. One of the legs can be secured to a tree. Foothold means are provided on one of the legs. Means are provided also to adjust the length of the legs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multipurpose apparatus that may be used, for example, as a tree stand or backpack frame or the like. Structurally, the apparatus comprises a main frame structure having a seat pivotably mounted about one area thereof and a back area provided above said seat within said main frame structure. Straps are provided about said main frame structure for enabling the apparatus to be strapped about a tree or other structure, or to be utilized as shoulder straps for supporting the apparatus about an individual when the apparatus is used as a backpack frame.

Abstract: A combination plant box and fire escape ladder includes an anchor rail for fixed attachment to an outside wall of a building, a frame for holding a top rung of the ladder outwardly from the wall, a pair of flexible cables forming the ladder rails, and a plurality of lower rungs. The plant box is attached to the flexible rail ends remote from the top rung, and the lower rungs are attached to the flexible rails between the top rung and plant box. The frame includes a center portion lying adjacent the wall and two end portions which project generally perpendicularly from the center portion and the wall to support the top rung. The anchor rail is provided with a pair of attachment points by which the frame is attached to the anchor rail. The upper ends of the flexible rails are attached to respective attachment points of the anchor rail and extend through the top rung to fix the lower rungs in spaced apart relation from the wall.

Abstract: A generally flat platform member is reinforced by a pair of support struts mounted to its bottom side, with a flexible fastener adjustably coupled between the two reinforcing struts by a tension clamp. The flexible fastener is adapted to extend generally parallel to the plane defined by the platform member, when mounted to a tree or other upstanding support, for securely mounting the platform member to the upstanding support. Advantageously, the support struts may be pivotally mounted to the platform member to accommodate upstanding supports of various sizes, and enable folding into a compact back-pack frame. The platform may also be formed with a rounded indentation along a portion of its back edge for abutting the support, and may include a reinforcing member thereat.

Abstract: A doorway type opening is formed through the outside wall of a building. A door device is hingedly affixed to the building at the lower edge of the opening and has a plurality of telescoping sections juxtaposed when the door device is closed and forming an extended planar incline when the door device is opened. Thus, the door device when open supports people leaving the building via the opening and functions as a slide to conduct them to the ground. A door control device affixed to the door device and the building lowers one end of the door device to the ground supporting the door device in its extended open condition from the lower edge of the opening to the ground and supports the door device in its closed condition as a door openable only from inside the building.

Abstract: A combined hand truck and ladder having a frame with a pair of elongated side rails and longitudinally spaced interconnecting cross braces. An upper back frame member is pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of the frame and is pivotally movable from locked positions parallel to the frame to an extended 90.degree. angle positions. The pivotally connected end is spaced a short distance from the end of the frame so that when the frame is inverted, an angled support provides a freely supported ladder. The frame member also has lower wheels and an extended support foot to be used in the hand truck mode.

Abstract: An improved hunting stand which is vertically displaceable from a ground surface and is adapted to be mounted to a supporting element such as a tree. The improved hunting stand includes a platform area where the user may position himself for extended periods of time. Additionally, a sectional ladder is provided which is inserted into the ground and the platform on opposing ends thereof. A stand securing device is mounted to the platform and lockingly engages the supporting element in discrete segmental areas. The stand securing mechanism is adapted to grip the supporting member in a load bearing and frictional interface and not impale the surface of the support element. Additionally, the stand securing mechanism can be attached above or below impeding tree limbs without having to remove the limbs. In this manner, the stand securing device provides for advantageous ecological consequences wherein the external environment is not harmed by the user.

Abstract: A deer stand and game carrier having a framework, a back pack connection at one end of said framework, and a pair of wheels mounted on the other end, and a ladder mounted on the framework between said back pack and wheels, which, when the desired location is reached, may be pivotally mounted on the framework and moved into stand position, with the backpack portion being utilized as a stand seat. The framework is composed of telescoping members to permit the legs to be extended as desired.

Abstract: A convertible ladder-carrier vehicle assembly includes a pair of parallel tubing elements connected by at least four transverse tubing elements. A second pair of tubing elements are positioned slidably within the first pair. Both pairs of tubing elements have aligned apertures. At least one resilient member having a hook element at each end is secured between the first pair of tubing elements detachably within the aligned apertures of the first and second pairs to thereby maintain the second pair of tubing elements in fixed relation to the second pair. A wheel assembly is detachably connected to each side of the first pair of tubing elements, journalled in intermediate transverse tubing elements.

Abstract: A portable enclosure has a base on which a seat, a back rest, and canopy are supported. The front, bottom, sides and back of the enclosure are closed by curtains, with the front curtains being held upright on poles which project upwardly from stabilizing arms which in turn are fitted into the base. The space enclosed by the curtains is warmed with heater. The enclosure may be reduced to a highly compact condition by removing the seat and placing the forward stabilizing arms in hollow seat posts on which the seat normally rests. The canopy also lowers and is to a limited extent disassembled and stored on the base. The heater likewise fits on the base. The back rest is turned around and forms a back pack for easily transporting the enclosure.

Abstract: A storage-stand having a deck and a pair of legs pivotally attached to opposite ends of the deck and movable between folded positions inwardly of the ends of the deck and parallel to the deck and extended positions at an obtuse angle to the deck. When the legs are extended they spread obtusely outward from the deck. The legs and the deck are hollow and have means within them for retaining tools for storage.

Abstract: A pair of projecting platforms attached around a tree trunk one above the other are moved up a tree by a person sitting on the uppermost platform and reaching below and pulling the lowermost platform up close to the botton of the uppermost platform and then while standing on the lowermost platform rising from the seat of the uppermost platform and lifting it upwardly behind and then repeating the procedure until the desired height is reached. The uppermost and lowermost platforms both have adjustable tree-engaging frames which are placed around the tree trunk.

Abstract: A stepladder with a sturdy plate mounted on its top surface and a pair of wheels mounted near the top of the ladder is provided so that upon folding the legs together and inverting the ladder, it becomes a dolly which rides on said wheels and employs the plate as a carry plate. Additional wheels or casters are added to the other end of the ladder to convert same to a wheeled flat bed.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder suitable for installation on high-rise buildings and capable of modification to be architecturally unobstrusive and compatible with a variety of architectural designs is described. The ladder comprises two or more telescoping stile pair sections in which the upper stile section has an attached upper rung and the lower stile section has an attached lower rung. The intermediate rungs are slidably mounted in the telescoping stile members which are made of channel stock. In the normal position covering a window the telescoping stile pairs are retracted and the rungs are stacked one over the other adjacent to the attached upper rung. In an emergency the ladder can be released to the extended position for use from inside a window whereby it falls on pivot arms down and away from the building at a distance sufficient to permit passage of a person between the building and the ladder, the lower stile section extends, and the rungs fall into spaced position held by spacer arms between them.

Abstract: A tree-climbing platform has a stand portion of rigid sheet material and a pair of tubular runners secured to either side of the stand spaced thereabove. The tree-contacting end of the stand has a V-notch at the center and projecting teeth formed in plates secured to the stand along the sides of the notch. The runners project beyond this end and a crossbar having a toothed plate secured to the center thereof is adjustably and removably secured at each end to the runners. Stirrups for the feet of the climber are secured to the stand adjacent the V-notch and a seat of fabric belting looped around the runners is provided above the stirrups. Back-pack straps are removably secured to the under side of the stand and pads are provided for being secured looped around the toothed plates at the V-notch when the platform is backpacked.