Abstract: A telescopic ladder system includes a lower base configured to be connected to a ladder-supporting portion of a vehicle, and a ladder including a base section and a fly section operatively connected to the base section and slidable relative thereto. A supporting member is disposed at a distal end of the fly section. A security railing is connected to the distal end. The ladder has an attachment point for attaching a safety line thereto. The attachment point is disposed at one of the fly section, the supporting member and the security railing. A first actuator selectively sets an inclination angle of the ladder relative to the lower base. A second actuator selectively extends the ladder by sliding the fly section relative to the base section. A safety system and a method for securing an operator atop a vehicle or van are also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention is a mobile maintenance stand that combines the function of an adjustable stairway and hydraulic scissor lift that independently elevates and descends an access work platform to support maintenance tasks on commercial and military aircraft. The elevating access work platform has an extended reach of 144? and is initiated by a secondary hydraulic scissor lift that promotes upward extension beyond the parameters of the adjustable stairway reach, to provide further maintenance access. The additional extension range of the access work platform with a hydraulic scissor device, provides vertical movement to the work deck at all check levels. Further, this invention is self-contained that collapses to a compact dimension and be transported on an air cargo pallet. Thus, the invention's mechanical scheme of the scissor lift to extend access work platform beyond the adjustable stairway is novel and, is unlike any existing articulating stairway and, or scissor embodiments.

Abstract: A deck deployment system is adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel between spaced elevations. The deck deployment system includes a deck defining a substantially flat and continuous deck surface for supporting personnel. A convertible stairway is hinged to the deck and adapted for movement between a stowed condition and a deployed condition. The convertible stairway includes an adjustable frame assembly and a series of articulating horizontally-disposed foot treads carried by the frame assembly. The foot treads remain substantially horizontal upon movement of the stairway between the stowed condition and the deployed condition. When the stairway is in the stowed condition, the foot treads integrate with the deck to form a substantially flat and continuous portion of the deck surface. When the stairway is in the deployed condition, the foot treads cooperate to form steps extending from the deck to an elevation spaced from the deck surface.

Abstract: There is provided a mobile height-adjustable platform that includes a chassis with ground engaging wheels. A mast is pivotally connected to the chassis and is movable between a transport position where the mast is parallel to and disposed over the chassis, and an operative position where the mast is perpendicular to the chassis and extends upwards. A conveyor moves along the mast and a work platform is pivotally connected to the conveyer. The work platform is movable between a transport position where the platform is parallel to the mast and an operating position where the platform is perpendicular to the mast.

Abstract: A ladder safety device, systems and methods of arresting falls from ladders are provided. The ladder safety device includes a safety guide that extends along the length of an extension ladder. The length of the guide along the length of the ladder extends and contracts in unison with the extension and retraction of the extension ladder, and a tension is maintained on the guide to maintain a load during use of the ladder for climbing.

Abstract: An outrigger is disclosed for stabilizing a wheeled vehicle having an extensible service equipment mounted to a chassis thereof. The outrigger is deployable between a stowed and a deployed position where a foot of a telescopic leg assembly comes into contact with the ground thus stabilizing the vehicle. The telescopic leg assembly is mounted to the chassis of the vehicle such that travel of the foot is initially in a horizontal direction with no downward component followed subsequently by travel in a substantially vertical direction with limited horizontal movement such that when the foot comes into contact with the ground, lateral forces are limited. There is also disclosed a stabilized wheeled vehicle comprising opposed pairs of outriggers.

Abstract: A collapsible access tower has a chassis 10 supporting a pair of road wheels 11 and outriggers 16,17 to impart stability when in use, and a pair of extensible multi-section columns 26,50 carrying a platform 35. A section 27 of one column 26 is rigidly connected to the chassis and another section 33 of that column to the platform 35. The other column is configured as an extendible ladder 50 one section 51 of which is hinged to the chassis 10 and another section 52 of which is hinged to the platform 35. When the platform is in its lowermost setting, the hinged connections of the two sections 51,52 of the ladder 50 are co-axial so that the ladder may be pivoted to a transit setting. A winch arrangement 39 is associated with column 26 to allow raising and lowering of the platform 35.

Abstract: An access assembly leading to first and second storage tanks of a planting implement is provided. The access assembly includes a central ramp located between and fixed in relation to the first and second storage tanks, and an extended ramp having a forward end opposite a rearward end aligned in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the direction of travel of the implement. The forward end of the ramp is pivotally connected about a first horizontal axis at a rearward end of the central ramp. The access assembly further includes a ladder pivotally independently coupled about a second horizontal axis at the rearward end of the extended ramp. The ladder and the extended ramp pivot together about the first horizontal axis at the forward end of the extended ramp between a lowered, operative position and a raised, inoperative position above the central ramp.

Abstract: A method for erecting a platform is presented. The method includes providing a selectively liftable platform mechanism wherein the platform mechanism generally includes a platform, a trailer, at least one support bar, and a ladder. The at least one support bar and the ladder provide structural support for the platform when the platform is raised above the trailer. The at least one support bar has a proximal end pivotally connected to a first end of the trailer, and a distal end pivotally connected to the platform. The ladder has a distal end pivotally connected to the platform, and a proximal end pivotally and slidably connected to the trailer. The proximal end of the ladder is movable along a longitudinal axis of the trailer in order to level the platform in its raised position. The platform mechanism also includes a cable operatively connected to the platform.

Abstract: The elevator work platform assembly comprises a base movable over ground, an intermediate platform, a first stairway pivotally linked to the base and the intermediate platform and leading from one to the other, a work platform, a second stairway pivotally linked to the intermediate platform and the work platform and leading from one to the other, a linkage pivotally linked to the base and the first and second stairways, and an actuator capable of actuating the linkage and first and second stairways to move the work platform between a collapsed position in which it is adjacent to the base and a deployed position in which it is located away from the base. The stairways have self-levelling steps to allow access to the work platform in all positions thereof between the collapsed and deployed positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ladders and more specifically to auxiliary stands or supports for utilization with ladders where it is not possible or desirable to rest the top of the ladder legs against a vertical surface or roof edge guttering for support and the required work height is beyond the reach of a conventional step ladder.

Abstract: A floor section is formed at the rear of a vehicle body, at one side of the vehicle body. A lifting floor device having a floor body lifted and lowered by a lifting drive device is placed above the vehicle body. The floor body has a cutout at the left side of the floor body, at the rear half thereof. The right side of the floor body is used as a passage for a physically handicapped person. A stairway device is provided between the floor body and the floor section as a passage for an able-bodied person, on the floor body side in the cutout, and the stairway device is pivotable in a vertical plane. A lifting table is placed behind the vehicle body, on the left side thereof so that the lifting table can face the rear end of the passage for a physically handicapped person.

Abstract: A selectively liftable platform mechanism is first provided. The platform mechanism generally includes a trailer, a platform, and a support structure on the trailer for pivotally raising the platform from a lowered position to an elevated position. The support structure includes a ladder having a distal end pivotally connected to the platform and a proximal end pivotally and slidably connected to the trailer. The proximal end of the ladder is movable along the longitudinal axis of the trailer in order to level and stabilize the platform into a viewing position. A method for erecting a shooting house is also provided. The shooting house is positioned onto the liftable platform mechanism.