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: A paint roller tray mounting device includes a platform that has a width sized to fit between first and second side rung supports of a ladder, a length sufficient to support a paint roller tray. The platform has a recess in an upper surface sized and shaped to provide a gripping surface for a ladder rung. At least two securing hooks have a hooking end and an attaching end. The hooks are symmetrically attached at the attaching end adjacent opposite edges of the platform. The hooks extend from at least a lower surface of the platform to a surrounding upper edge of the paint roller tray. The hooks have a tightening device for urging the tray and the platform together. The platform is located beneath the ladder rung or a top shelf of a step ladder. The paint roller tray is located above either the rung or the top shelf.

Abstract: A platform mountable in a lower part of a die casting machine below the platens. The platform includes at least one pair of first and second coupled plates, the first plate affixed to an underlying base of the platform. The second plate is movable between first retracted positions overlaying the first plate to a second extended end-to-end co-planar position relative to the first plate to form an elongated co-planar platform surface. The base can support two pairs of coupled and longitudinally spaced first and second plates. An actuator coupled to each second plate for moving each second plate between the first retracted position and the second extended position.

Abstract: A personal fall arrest system including a safety harness with a tie-off point low at the back and elastomeric bands at the leg apertures to protect the femoral arteries of a wearer in the event of a fall. The system also includes an energy-absorbing lanyard contained within a cover and connected on opposing ends to a pair of non-conductive self-closing and self-locking hooks.

Abstract: A fall arrester (100) for reducing injuries of a user (108) thereon when falling comprising a rotatable spool (314) with webbing (200) wound thereon, the webbing (200) being protracted from and retracted back upon the spool (314), a torsion bar (310) operationally connected to the webbing (200) through the spool (314) to generate a generally constant reaction force on the spool (314) as the torsion and bar and spool (314) rotate to absorb kinetic energy of the fall; the fall arrester (100) according to claim 1 further including a counting mechanism (500) to maintain a reserve amount of webbing (200) on the spool (314) to enable the torsion bar (310) to twist through its operational range without encountering an end-of-webbing condition.

Abstract: A vehicle access system and method with retractable access means (10) e.g. ladder or stairs and a retracting mechanism (25) therefor. Force applied to the access means is sufficient to retract the access means from a fully deployed position to a partially retracted position but not sufficient to not be physically resisted by a user during at least part of the retraction. With the access means in a fully retracted position, force exerted on the retracted access means can be sufficient to hold the access means in a retracted position without the need for auxiliary restraining means.

Abstract: A ladder rest and restraining device is provided for the edge of a roof or other elevated structure which is regularly or periodically accessed by means of an extension ladder or other similar device. The device may be permanently or removably mounted on the edge of the roof or structure where the ladder is normally positioned, to limit movement of the ladder horizontally, sideways, as well as vertically downward. The device includes an elongated primary support, a pair of legs extending from spaced apart locations of the primary support, the legs terminating in mounting feet. A plurality of restraining members extend from additional spaced apart locations of the primary support. The mounting feet are adapted to engage any of horizontal, vertical or angled surfaces associated with the elevated structure, such that a first sub-plurality of the restraining members are adapted to abut an underside of a selected rung to prevent downward movement of the ladder.

Abstract: An adjustable platform assembly attaches to a tree to provide a hunting dog perch or a seat for a hunter. The assembly includes a tree hugging subassembly having first and second padded tree engaging members connected together by a hinge, and strap fasteners connected to outer side edges of the tree engaging members for securing the assembly to a tree. A first frame member is attached to the tree hugging subassembly and is pivotally adjustable about a first axis that extends generally perpendicular to the tree and perpendicular to a first plane. A second frame member is attached to the first frame member and is adjustable about a second axis that extends generally parallel with the first plane. A platform attached to the second frame member can be adjusted to a desired horizontal orientation by adjusting the first and second frame members about the first and second axes.

Abstract: A safety rope blocker having a body provided with a through hole for the passage of an anchoring ring and a curved groove opening into the through hole for the passage of the safety rope through the anchoring ring, the body being able to rotate between a blocking position in which the safety rope is blocked by the anchoring ring against the body and a releasing position in which the safety rope slide in the curved groove, the groove includes a deviation element to allow, in the releasing position, the safety rope to slide in the curved groove and outside the through hole.

Abstract: A reconfigurable, modular ergonomic sit harness or saddle for use by linesmen, arborists, or the like includes a gender-specific back pad assembly that supports a number of removable, optional attachments allowing customization for user preference or job environment. Gender-specific angled wing portions of the back pad contain an armor layer and extra padding to protect the bony protrusions of both the male and female pelvis. A “one size fits all” approach includes a waistband having length adjustability over approximately a 3:1 range. Each component and sub-system of the sit harness is ergonomically designed to maximize comfort and minimize stresses on a user's body. The back pad features interchangeable lumbar support pads. Optional, removable features include a seat, an abdominal support, and a body harness for use with a fall restraint device. Interchangeable suspension bridges allow user attachment to a wide range of support systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising a self-jacking scaffold system including extending a jacking screw and jacking screw bracket axially upward, connecting a jacking screw bracket to an overhead tank bracket for a plurality of scaffold sections coupled to a jacking assembly, detaching a plurality of scaffold mounting brackets from a plurality of tank mounting brackets, raising the continuously coupled plurality of scaffold sections, and reattaching the plurality of scaffold mounting brackets to a plurality of tank mounting brackets. Noting the plurality of scaffold sections is continuously coupled proximate a circumference of a shell tank, the continuously coupled scaffold sections and tank mounting brackets provide stiffness to the tank shell to enable it to resist external loads and can be quickly moved and restored as required during tank construction.

Abstract: A suspension platform system having a work platform suspended from at least one modular mast by a hoisting system. The modular mast is 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. The work platform has at least one mast stabilizer that cooperate with the stabilizer guide device to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform. The hoisting system includes a carriages, hoist, and mast cable. The carriage engages the associated mast so that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the mast.

Abstract: The disclosed principles provide a personal moveable, automated lift mechanism. In one embodiment of an automated personal lift as disclosed herein, the lift may comprise an outer frame comprising a horizontal base support and an outer handrail supported above a perimeter of the horizontal base support by a plurality of outer vertical supports coupled to the horizontal base support, the outer handrail comprising a first opening having a width sufficient for a human user to step through. Such an exemplary lift may also comprise an inner frame positioned within the outer frame and comprising a horizontal platform configured to support the user and an inner handrail supported above a perimeter of the platform by a plurality of inner vertical supports coupled to the platform, the inner handrail comprising a second opening aligned with the first opening in the outer handrail.

Abstract: A tree stand includes a tree stand post. In one embodiment, the tree stand post has a non-tubular cross-sectional shape. In one embodiment, a tree claw and cinch line posts are integral with the post as a single unitary body. In one embodiment, the post has a plurality of longitudinally extending oblique curved portions.

Abstract: A mobile roof safety device and method of use for arresting the fall of a roof worker off an elevated flat roof is described. The mobile device comprises a displaceable frame having a weighted base adapted to be positioned on a flat roof surface for restraining a load. At least one actuable surface gripping assembly having a pivoting arm to which a safety line is attached for the engagement of a gripping formation is secured to the weighted base. When a pulling force is applied on the pivot arm by a worker attached to the safety line secured to the pivot arm, the gripping formation is biased in the flat roof surface to arrest the fall of the worker.

Abstract: A self-propel accessory provides an easily attachable optional drive function for a platform device. The platform device is supported by a device frame including a wheel at a rear end and a post at a front end. The self-propel accessory includes an accessory frame attachable to the device frame via a bracket, a driving wheel connected to the accessory frame, a motor operatively coupled with the driving wheel, and a handle connected to the accessory frame. The accessory frame is pivotable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and a weight of the platform device biases the accessory frame toward the disengaged position.

Abstract: A descent device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a housing; an inlet capstan; a drive wheel coupled to a centrifugal brake, the drive wheel rotatable with respect to the housing about an axis, the drive wheel including a groove formed along its outer perimeter, the groove having a first inner side wall, a second inner side wall, and a bottom, a distance between the first and second inner side walls decreases from the outer perimeter to the bottom in a direction toward the axis, wherein at least a portion of a radial extent of the inner side walls includes a pattern of protrusions positioned between inner side walls to form an irregular rope path along the groove; an outlet capstan; and a rope extending through the rope inlet, around the inlet capstan, around the drive wheel, around the outlet capstan, and through the rope outlet.

Abstract: An aerial lift having a basket or cage having a control panel for an operator standing in the basket to maneuver the basket to a desired location, a safety switch means operable to prevent further movement of the basket in unsafe conditions, and a safety device comprising a load cell or strain gauge on the cage and an auxiliary safety switch operatively connected to the load cell via an amplifier is connected in series with the safety switch means, the auxiliary switch being operable to cut off power to the safety switch means when the sensed load on the cage exceeds a predetermined value, typically if the load strikes a stationary object.

Abstract: A vehicle step is disclosed comprising a frame and a plurality of steps. Said vehicle step comprises a first side, a second side, a front, and a back. Said frame supports said plurality of steps. Said plurality of steps comprise, at least, a first step and an adjustable step. Said first step serves as a platform for a user of said vehicle step to gain access to said adjustable step. Said adjustable step comprises a one or more hinges. Said adjustable step is rotateably attached to said frame such that said back of said vehicle step can be placed near a wheel, and said adjustable step can rotate on said one or more hinges over and rest on a top portion of said wheel.

Abstract: A horizontal lifeline traversing device is capable of traversing intermediate lifeline supports without detachment from the lifeline but is easily attached to or detached from the lifeline. A paddle wheel having a plurality of radially spaced apart paddles prevents the device from vertical movement. The paddles are made of first and second sets of paddles rotatable about the same axle. The first set is substantially fixed on the axle but the second set is movable axially between a first position where it is axially spaced from the first set and a second position where it is in substantial axial alignment with the first set. A spiral spring biases the second set into the first position. By rotating the second set of paddles slightly, it can be moved axially into the second position where the device can be attached to or detached from a horizontal lifeline.