Abstract: A cage for surrounding a section of a work area of the top of rolling stock includes an inboard side, an outboard side, a front end section and a back end section. The inboard side of the cage is attached to an associated deployment apparatus. Each of the two sides can define a pair of fence notches to slide over the rails surrounding the work area. Each of the two end sections can define an inboard notch and a center notch. Some embodiments of the end sections can define an outboard notch that includes a self-adjusting straddle. The cage can be provided as part of a portable fall protection device that includes a telescoping positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A cage for surrounding a section of a work area of the top of rolling stock includes an inboard side, an outboard side, a front end section and a back end section. The inboard side of the cage is attached to an associated deployment apparatus. Each of the two sides can define a pair of fence notches to slide over the rails surrounding the work area. Each of the two end sections can define an inboard notch and a center notch. Some embodiments of the end sections can define an outboard notch that includes a self-adjusting straddle. The cage can be provided as part of a portable fall protection device that includes a telescoping positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A cage for surrounding a section of a work area of the top of rolling stock forms part of a portable fall protection device that includes a positioning mechanism capable of telescoping, folding and pivoting motions that are maneuvered by pneumatically-powered or hydraulically-powered apparatus. A gate, lock, pressure lines, valves and control devices are combined with the cage to ensure proper deployment of worker fall protection in this working environment.

Abstract: A loading arm that transfers flowing bulk material from a storage vessel and into a transport tank through a top hatch of the transport tank that is carried on a truck or rail car for transport includes an articulating arm having a plurality of connected hollow pipes. A hatch plate connected to the discharge of the aim and defines a top member, a bottom member and an outer edge connecting the top and bottom members. At least one of the bottom member and the outer edge of the hatch plate defines a resiliently flexible section configured to deform upon engaging with the top hatch of the transport tank.

Abstract: Each of a pair of barrier platforms is carried by a pair of carrier stanchions, one disposed to each opposite side of a loading bay in a warehouse environment for a flatbed trailer carrying pallets that must be loaded and unloaded by forklift trucks. Each pair of carrier stanchions also supports a motor that can be operated to raise and to lower, as desired, one of the pair of barrier platforms that in the lowered position provides fall protection for the forklift trucks that service the flatbed trailer. Each barrier platform includes a forklift rub rail and carriages that are configured to cooperate with the carrier stanchions to resiliently absorb impacts from collisions with the forklift.

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.

Abstract: A sprung gangway that is counterbalanced to remain in a given degree of extension or retraction includes a lifting resistance device that includes a linear index rail that slides selectively into and out of a hollow sheath unless engaged by a locking paw that is pivotally mounted to the sheath via a pivot bar, which when pivoted by tugging on a release cord effects disengagement of the locking paw and thereby permits raising of the gangway from the lowered working orientation to a storage orientation.

Abstract: A loading arm that transfers flowing bulk material from a storage vessel and into a transport tank through a top hatch of the transport tank that is carried on a truck or rail car for transport includes an articulating arm having a plurality of connected hollow pipes. A hatch cone is connected to the arm and defines a top member, a bottom member, an inner shell connecting the top and bottom members and an outer shell extending between the top and bottom members. The outer shell of the hatch cone defines a truncated conical wall that is formed by a resiliently flexible section configured to deform resiliently upon engaging with the top hatch of the transport tank.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for a platform comprises a support frame having a laterally extending inner portion, a laterally extending outer portion and a pair of transversely extending side portions defined at laterally opposing ends of the support frame. A handrail system extends laterally along the outer portion and transversely along the pair of side portions of the support frame. A floor portion extends laterally and transversely across the support frame and comprises at least one access panel. The access panel comprises a fixed end portion that is pivotally coupled to the support frame, and an opposing free end portion. A damper is coupled to the support frame and to the access panel so as to control a closure velocity of the access panel as it pivots from an open position to a closed position.

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.

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.

Abstract: A portable liquid transloader includes a wheeled support vehicle. The wheeled support vehicle includes a chassis and a manually operated extension ladder. The extension ladder includes a base section that is carried by the chassis and a fly section that is extendably connected to the base section. A platform extends horizontally outwardly from the fly section. The portable liquid transloader further includes a bulk air eliminator that is carried by the chassis. An inlet is disposed upstream from the bulk air eliminator. A mechanical flow meter is disposed downstream from the bulk air eliminator. A first supply conduit extends downstream from the mechanical flow meter. The first supply conduit is carried by the chassis and extends generally parallel to the extension ladder. A second supply conduit is fluidly coupled to the first supply conduit. The second supply conduit extends vertically above and horizontally beyond the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing safe access to the upper surface of a mobile container. The apparatus includes a pivoting handrail system having a walk surface, a first set of rails and a second set of rails both capable of being raised and lowered between a raised access position and a lowered stored position, a first pull for raising and lowering the first set of rails, a second pull for raising and lowering the second set of rails, and a support device for supporting the walk surface and attaching to the mobile container. An access such as a ladder may be attached to the pivoting handrail system to provide access to the pivoting handrail system.

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.

Abstract: A creeper is provided wherein the creeper has a main frame having a front, a rear, a first side, and an opposing second side. The main frame also includes wheels attached at the front and rear of the main frame, a handle attached at the rear of the main frame, and a rotatable platform. Pressure is applied to the handle thereby lifting the main frame onto railway tracks positioned under a railcar so that personnel can obtain access under the railcar and perform maintenance and work to the underside of the railcar.

Abstract: A self-supporting, flexible support for a flexible hose that is used for loading and unloading flowable bulk product from the bottom of a container includes an articulating arm having a plurality of connected carriage members.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides selectively deployable worker access with fall protection to at least a portion of the top of a container disposed above the ground. A gangway and its associated fall protection cage are selectively deployable from an elevated platform over the top of the container. The gangway and its associated cage are slidably connected to the platform via a track carried along the side of the platform.

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.

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.

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. A pivot rod may extend through the first pivot bracket, the first pivot rod spacer, the first support body.