Patents Assigned to Aluminum Ladder Company
  • Publication number: 20160177582
    Abstract: A locking device and apparatus is disclosed. The locking device is particularly suitable for use in combination with a device such as a track mounted gangway and safety cage to reduce the ability to reposition the gangway and safety cage along a track surface while in the lowered access position. The locking device preferably includes a lever assembly and a pivot assembly having a friction pad connected to the lever assembly. When the lever assembly and/or gangway device is adjusted in a first direction, the friction pad applies pressure on the track surface and moveability between the gangway and the track surface is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ALUMINUM LADDER COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn Cramer MIZELL, Anthony Jay COOK
  • Publication number: 20140360812
    Abstract: A locking device and apparatus is disclosed. The locking device is particularly suitable for use in combination with a device such as a track mounted gangway and safety cage to reduce the ability to reposition the gangway and safety cage along a track surface while in the lowered access position. The locking device preferably includes a lever assembly and a pivot assembly having a friction pad connected to the lever assembly. When the lever assembly and/or gangway device is adjusted in a first direction, the friction pad applies pressure on the track surface and moveability between the gangway and the track surface is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: ALUMINUM LADDER COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn Cramer MIZELL, Anthony Jay COOK
  • Patent number: 8656556
    Abstract: A foot lock roller assembly and apparatus is disclosed. The foot lock assembly preferably includes a cylinder, a mounting plate, and a lock bar that is particularly suitable for attachment to a device such as a gangway having a stationary base and a pivotable access. The cylinder is preferably attached to the pivotable access of the gangway by the mounting plate and includes a first and second sleeve and a clip for attaching the sleeves to the cylinder. The lock bar is preferably attached to the stationary base of the gangway. When the pivotable access of the gangway is raised the second sleeve of the cylinder is inserted into an opening in the lock bar and secures the gangway device in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20140041961
    Abstract: A mobile platform has a separate and independent linear actuator pivotally connected near each opposite end of the platform where there is a contact limit switch that when triggered by contact with the side of a flatbed, stops movement of the actuator, and thus stops movement of the platform, toward the side of the flatbed. Because each of the two actuators is pivotally connected to its respective end of the platform and moves independently of the other, each end of the platform can stop moving toward the flatbed before or after, depending on how the flatbed is misaligned, the other end of the platform stops moving toward the flatbed. In this way the platform self-aligns to the alignment of the flatbed and avoids the need to reposition a flatbed that is not precisely aligned parallel to the central axis of the loading bay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: ALUMINUM LADDER COMPANY
    Inventors: Kaiwen SUN, Ray COOK, Mark Anthony PERKINS, James Thomas MAYS
  • Patent number: 8573607
    Abstract: A creeper is provided wherein the creeper has a main frame comprising a front and a rear; wheels attached to the main frame; a handle attached to the mainframe rearward of said wheels; a platform slidably attached to the main frame and rail engagement brackets attached to the mainframe forward of the wheels. Pressure is applied to the handle thereby lifting the front of the main frame thereby supporting the creeper on the wheels. The creeper is moved to a position under the railcar. Pressure is removed from the handle thereby allowing the front of the creeper to lower wherein the rail engagement brackets engage with rails of a track. The personnel lays on the platform and slides the platform under the railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: William Shane Meacham, William W. Just
  • Publication number: 20130256324
    Abstract: A crossbar assembly for use in connection with a hatch on the upper surface of a container is disclosed. The crossbar assembly may include a main body and an adjustable body. The adjustable body is preferably slideably aligned with the main body and preferably includes an adjusting device attached to the main body and the adjustable body for transitioning the adjustable body between positions along the main body. Two extenders may be positioned extending outwardly from the main body and the adjustable body. The main body and adjustable body also may each include stops for securing the crossbar assembly within the hatch of the container so as to preferably prevent workers from falling into the hatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventor: William Shane Meacham
  • Patent number: 8499889
    Abstract: An adjustable work platform comprises a fixed platform carrying a multiplicity of adjustable members designed to slide out of the fixed platform to variable lengths as needed. A large irregularly shaped object, such as an aircraft, may be driven into the interior of the platform with the adjustable members retracted. Once in place, the adjustable members are extended to form a heavy duty work platform conforming to the irregular shape of the exterior of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Adam Lewis DuBose, Ronald W. Bennett, Rodrick Lafaye Williamson
  • Patent number: 8479882
    Abstract: A safety cage improves the safety of workers servicing tanker vehicles having top side hatches. A part or parts of the cage can be repositioned to permit the hatch cover to be opened and then can be returned to a safety enhancing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Adam Lewis DuBose, Ronald Wayne Bennett
  • Patent number: 8479884
    Abstract: A locking device and apparatus is disclosed. The locking device is particularly suitable for use in combination with a device such as a track mounted gangway and safety cage to reduce the ability to reposition the gangway and safety cage along a track surface while in the lowered access position. The locking device preferably includes a lever assembly and a pivot assembly having a friction pad connected to the lever assembly. When the lever assembly and/or gangway device is adjusted in a first direction, the friction pad applies pressure on the track surface and moveability between the gangway and the track surface is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Shawn Cramer Mizell, Anthony Jay Cook
  • Patent number: 8403109
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing safe access to a top of a mobile container. The mobile container has a top, a longitudinal dimension, and a plurality of hatches arrayed along the longitudinal dimension on the top. The apparatus has a raised platform and an extended cage attached to the raised platform wherein the extended cage extends along the longitudinal dimension. A tracking gate, attached to the extended cage, is adapted to vary an effective interior size of the extended cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20120042458
    Abstract: A pivot block connection and assembly is disclosed. The pivot block assembly may include a pivot block connection and a gangway device having a stationary base and a pivotable access that is capable of being raised and lowered. The pivot block connection may include a first support body attached to a first side of the pivotable access, a first pivot bracket attached to the stationary base, and a first pivot rod spacer positioned between the first support body and the first pivot bracket. The pivot block connection may also include a second support body attached to a second side of the pivotable access, a second pivot bracket also attached to the stationary base, and a second pivot rod spacer positioned between the second support body and the second pivot bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Bennett, Sandy William Tyner, Ellie Harold MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20120006619
    Abstract: A safety cage improves the safety of workers servicing tanker vehicles having top side hatches. A part or parts of the cage can be repositioned to permit the hatch cover to be opened and then can be returned to a safety enhancing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Adam Lewis DuBose, Ronald Wayne Bennett
  • Patent number: 8051951
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing access to vehicles and containers on a pair of railways or thoroughfares. The apparatus is comprised of a raised walkway between the pair of thoroughfares having a tracking platform movable thereon. Pivotally attached to and carried by the tracking platform is a turret. Carried on the turret and hinged thereto is a bridge that is rotatable in a vertical plane. At the end of the bridge is a cage pivotally attached to the bridge so that the cage remains horizontal when the bridge is rotated vertically on the turret. The bridge and cage are dimensioned so that, when the turret is rotated such that the bridge is directed between and parallel to the thoroughfares and the bridge and cage are raised, the apparatus is entirely out of the clearance envelopes of the thoroughfares.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Bennett, Ellie H. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8015647
    Abstract: An extended safety cage provides access to a plurality of hatches on the top of a mobile container. The cage is rotatably attached to the end of a gangway, which extends from and is rotatably attached to a platform. The platform carries a pair of braces that extend out in opposite directions and support the cage through spring-loaded lifting arms. The apparatus can include actuators, such as hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, that urge the gangway and cage downward when activated. Secondary braces ensure that the lifting arms and safety cage move in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7832525
    Abstract: A flatbed servicing station provides a mobile elevated workers platform with an elongated deck. The platform is selectively moved toward and away from a flatbed and has safety features for stopping movement of the platform toward the flatbed when a foreign object is detected between the platform and the flatbed. A plurality of side-by-side safety gates are provided on the side of the deck adjacent the flatbed and a guard gate is provided which is positionable across the rear of the flatbed. Safety apparatus is provided to prevent injury of personnel disposed between a platform and a flatbed being serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Bennett, Ellie H. MacDonald, James A. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 7802652
    Abstract: A servicing station for flatbeds includes a workers platform which is driven along one lateral side of the flatbed by an electric motor driving a spur gear in mesh with a rack on an overhead beam positioned sufficiently high to not interfere with lift truck loading and unloading of the flatbed. The electric motor is supplied electrical power through a power chain positioned on the overhead beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Bennett, Ellie H. MacDonald, James A. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 7798344
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for tarping a cargo loaded on a flat bed vehicle which includes a pair of ruggedly constructed double scissors linkages carried by an overhead horizontal traveling trolley and connectable at their lower ends to the tarpaulin. A vertically adjustable horizontal roller is provided, over which the tarpaulin is pulled during its installation in covering relation to the loaded cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Bennett, Anthony J. Cook
  • Patent number: 7448470
    Abstract: A wheeled maintenance stand for aircraft has a worker platform elevated by a pair of double scissor linkages, which have track and follower connections with a mobile base frame and the worker platform. A staircase with self-leveling steps is connected to a laterally outer side of one of the double scissor linkages. A power unit supplies fluid power for propelling the stand, operating the scissor linkages and steering. The upper worker platform has left, right and center rolling sections. A manually operated brake is provides for each of the rolling sections. Electric power, compressed air and cooling air are supplied to the upper work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Eugene R. Brown, Eugene R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7216741
    Abstract: A safety cage improves the safety of workers servicing tanker vehicles having top side hatches. A part or parts of the cage can be repositioned to permit the hatch cover to be opened and then can be returned to a safety enchancing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Ellie Harold MacDonald, Darrel Scott Cramer
  • Patent number: 6923140
    Abstract: A boat access stairway having a landing attachable to a pier, a ramp which can be raised, lowered and slewed and a platform at the free end of the ramp whose orientation relative to a boat positioned parallel to the pier remains the same regardless of the slewed condition of the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventor: Anthony Jay Cook