Abstract: Stepladders and related methods of using and manufacturing stepladders are provided. In one embodiment, a stepladder is provided that comprises a top cap, a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly has a pair of spaced apart rails pivotally coupled with the top cap. The second assembly includes at least one rail pivotally coupled with the top cap. The first assembly and second assembly are configured to be displaced relative one another such that the stepladder is selectively positionable between a first, deployed state and a second, collapsed state. The first assembly, the second assembly and the top cap are cooperatively configured such that the at least one rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested within an envelope defined by the pair of spaced apart rails of the first assembly with the step ladder is in a collapsed state.

Abstract: An upright tree stand includes a base pole section with a support pad, an intermediate pole section or sections, a lowermost one of which is connected to the base pole section by a knuckle hinge, and a top pole section. The top pole section is provided with a top securement assembly which utilizes a self-tapping screw and a remotely operable, dual-action ratchet wrench. The base pole section is initially secured to a tree. The intermediate pole section or sections and the top pole section are then swung, about the knuckle hinge, into an upright position. This movement is accomplished with sufficient force to embed the tip of the self-tapping screw into the tree. Operation of the dual-action ratchet wrench, remotely from the ground, will accomplish the positive securement of the top of the upright tree stand to the tree while the user remains safely on the ground.

Abstract: A collapsible safety rail system for providing a portable or permanent protective barrier to provide for fall prevention from elevated or other work areas. Lockable pivot assemblies are located between heavy bases and the end posts of collapsible safety rail assemblies. Removable detent pins are utilized to lock the pivot assemblies to maintain the erected position of the collapsible safety rail assemblies in protective vertical orientation or are removed to allow maneuvering of the collapsible safety rail assemblies to a minimum viewable profile position when not required for personnel protection.

Abstract: A cargo lifting apparatus for use with a ladder includes a lift track coupled to each ladder side rail. Each lift track includes first and second adjacent channels, the first channel defining a longitudinal slot. The apparatus includes a carrier assembly having a back portion, a pair of support members extending perpendicularly and forwardly from the back portion, opposed mounting members configured to be received in a respective first channel slot, and rollers attached to the back portion configured to bear against respective ladder side rails. A motor/brake combination is coupled to a lower rung of the ladder. A pulley assembly includes a lower sprocket operatively coupled to the motor, an upper sprocket, and a cord extending between the sprockets and coupled to the carrier assembly for selectively raising and lowering the carrier assembly when the motor is activated or deactivated.

Abstract: A step tool has front and rear leg tubes, a bottom and top footplate, a connection device for connecting the footplate and the leg tubes, a lock catch device of the top footplate. The front leg tubes are joined to the rear leg tubes rotatablely. The foreside of the top footplate joins to the front leg tubes rotatablely. A rail is fixed on the rear leg tubes. The lock catch is disposed on the top footplate and is detachly connected to the rail. The lock catch device includes two connecting ears, a rotation axis, a lock catch and a torsion spring.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a fall arrest system. The fall arrest system may include a post disposed on a clamp. The clamp may be configured to secure to a base structure. The fall arrest system may also include a davit arm disposed on the post via one or more hinges. The post may be configured to support a winch and the davit arm may be configured to support a cable therefrom.

Abstract: A tray is adapted to be attached to a scaffold, which may be achieved either through a clamp or by inserting an element into the end of a scaffold vertical member. A support structure of the tray may be affixed to a support structure, wherein the support structure is configured to provide a surface on which the user may position certain items. The tray has at least two axes of rotation with respect to the structure to which it is mounted, and the tray may be configured to be height adjustable. In one embodiment, the tray is configured specifically to support a paint container, and in another embodiment the tray is configured so that the support structure is formed as a tub.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long nylon rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: Personnel safety apparatus is provided on a machine to prevent users from falling while moving between access points on the machine. The apparatus includes a rail having a first end positioned adjacent a first user access point and a second end positioned adjacent a second user access point to define a rail path that spans a vertical elevation. A carrier is movably coupled to the rail and has a first mode, in which the carrier engages a fixed position on the rail, and a second mode, in which the carrier is permitted to move relative to the rail. A tether extends between a harness on the user and the carrier to secure the user to the machine.

Abstract: A ladder comprises two stiles and at least a step unit mounted between the two stiles. The step unit includes a hollow step, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is fit into the hollow step, at an end of which a position restriction portion is located to prevent the inner sleeve from moving out, and the outer sleeve is adapted to surround the end of the hollow step. Besides, a fastener is set, the fastening end of which is passed through the stile, the outer sleeve and fastened in the inner sleeve. The present technique solution has a high supporting strength and a high shear resistance.

Abstract: A toeboard system for scaffolding has telescoping, articulating, and interlocking members. The telescoping member has inner and outer sleeves configured in telescope arrangement for linear extension of the inner sleeve. Connecting brackets are positioned between the telescoping member and the articulating member to facilitate rotational positioning of the articulating member. In addition, the telescoping member and the articulating member, respectively, include a mounting structure and a receiving structure, which are configured to interlock one toeboard system to another toeboard system. Alternative toeboard systems with the mounting structure and the receiving structure but without telescoping members or articulating members are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladder step attachment made of a single, unitary piece of extruded aluminum having no moving parts. The attachment has a horizontal standing surface improved with a gripping surface, the standing surface having two notches for engaging the rails of a ladder and extending partially between the ladder rails. A lip connected to the standing surface presents a resilient member to abut the back side of the rung. A substantially tube-shaped support has a tube wall. One part of the tube wall shares a portion of the standing surface and another part of the tube wall engages the ladder's rails. A bend at the top of the rail engaging tube wall separates that portion of the tube wall from a substantially vertical portion of tube wall above the bend to facilitate removal.

Abstract: A support assembly for a tree-based platform includes a rod having a length greater than a diameter of a tree to which the platform is intended to be attached. The assembly further includes a first ring defining an opening configured to receive a portion of a tree, and a first plurality of extending members inwardly advanceable relative to the first ring. Each of the extending members has an end portion configured to engage the tree in the opening of the first ring when sufficiently advanced. The assembly further includes a second ring defining an opening configured to receive a portion of the tree, and a second plurality of extending members inwardly advanceable relative to the second ring. Each extending member has an end portion configured to engage the tree in the opening of the second ring when sufficiently advanced. The assembly further includes first and second supports. Each support has a bottom rail, a top rail, and two side rails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a securing device for protecting individuals against falling, with two stop elements which can be attached releasably to a positionally fixed securing element and can be connected via a connecting element to the individual. Each stop element has a locking device which can be adjusted between an unlocking state, in which the stop element can be attached to the securing element or released therefrom, and a locking state, in which the stop element cannot be released from the respective securing element. A coupling device is coupled to the locking devices of the stop elements in such a manner that, in the unlocking state, the locking device of the other stop element is blocked in its locking state. A preferred construction of the coupling device has a blocking lever which can be pivoted into a blocking position for blocking the locking device in its locking state.

Abstract: A lightweight safety harness comprises adjustable belt sections for the upper chest, waist and upper thighs. In one of two shoulder straps, there is stored a primary release pin and secondary brake strap. The shoulder straps criss-cross to form a soft, triangular shaped panel on the harness wearer's back. A spine brace divides that triangle in two. Near the top of that spine brace is a rack having at least one aperture wrapped with Kevlar® webbing. A long, thin composite rope serpentines back-and-forth, between sets of elastic loops running down opposed legs to the triangular panel before being threaded through the rack in a preferred pattern. At the base of that triangular panel, there is attached one end to a reserve suspension relief strap (RSRS). A cover extends the triangular panel but can be removed for inspection before every use.

Abstract: A safety lockout system for releasably locking a mast guided working surface to a mast is provided. The safety lockout system may include an outer rollcase, an inner rollcase, and a lockout assembly. The lockout assembly includes a retractable dog that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The lockout assembly may include a dog release device that operates both manually and automatically to move the retractable dog from the disengaged position to the engaged position. Automatic operation of the dog release device is triggered when the working surface experiences a tilted condition. A dog emergency release device may be provided to manually move the retractable dog to the disengaged position in the event of a malfunction. The lockout assembly may include a lockout assembly locking device that allows a portion of the lockout assembly to fold up and move the retractable dog to the disengaged position.

Abstract: A suspension platform system having a work platform suspended between a sinistral modular mast and a dextral modular mast by a hoisting system. The modular masts are composed of at least two mast units stacked vertically and attached to one another. Each mast unit has a multifunction rail including a plurality of safety engagement devices and a stabilizer guide device, and a unit interconnection device. The work platform has at least two mast stabilizers that cooperate with the stabilizer guide devices to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform. The work platform has a plurality of platform mast engagers cooperating with at least one of the mast safety engagement devices to releasably lock the platform to the modular masts. The hoisting system includes multiple carriages, hoists, and mast cables. Each carriage engages the associated mast so that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the mast.

Abstract: In an first aspect, a ladder for mounting on a vehicle trailer includes an attachment bracket assembly for mounting on the trailer; a first side rail; a second side rail parallel to the first side rail; and a plurality of rungs pivotally connected to both the first and second side rails. The ladder is collapsible to decrease a distance between the first and second side rails. In a second aspect, a ladder for mounting on a vehicle trailer includes an attachment bracket; a first side rail; a second side rail parallel to the first side rail; a plurality of rungs connecting the first and second side rails; and a pivotal connection. The first and second side rails define a plane and the pivotal connection allows for rotation of the plane about a vertical axis. The pivotal connection is disposed between the attachment bracket and the first side rail.

Abstract: A step for use in association with a tree stand ladder. The step includes a frame that includes a plurality of elongated members that are formed into a rectangular or square form; a first pair of said elongated members extending substantially in parallel with each other and each having extending free ends; two holding pieces secured at the end of respective free ends of the pair elongated members; a planar platform secured within the frame to enable a person to stand on the platform and a pair side braces that extend from respective elongated members to respective ladder rails to provide support for said frame and planar platform.

Abstract: A pump jack pole brace. The brace comprises a U-shaped yoke member having a first leg and a second leg. The brace includes a latch plate assembly having a first side slidably and pivotably attached to the first leg, and a second side having a tab which engages with the second leg to form a closed envelope with the yoke. A method for securing a pole for use of a pump jack system.