Abstract: A device and methods for supporting a payload, such as a user, at a variable height above the ground and for repositioning the payload in a dynamically stabilized mode of operation. The transporter device has two laterally disposed primary wheels and a payload support that may be used to raise or lower the payload. A torque is applied to the laterally disposed wheels so as to propel the transporter on the basis of a control signal that may include repositioning of the device.

Abstract: A double window shade arrangement for a divided window of a motor vehicle, the window shade arrangement includes two separate winding shafts that are arranged on the window at arbitrary angles relative to one another. Window shade strips assigned to the respective winding shafts are moved in at least one direction with the aid of a common driving motor. For this purpose, the electric motor can be coupled to the free edges of the window shade strips or directly coupled to the winding shafts.

Abstract: An electricity-operated window blind is constructed to include a headrail, a driving mechanism mounted inside the headrail and having a power input device for rotation upon receipt of power supply, and a power output device for synchronously rotating with the power input device, a bind body suspended below the headrail and coupled to the power output device and controlled by the power output device to change window shading status, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a suspension rod downwardly suspended from the headrail by a first end thereof, and a controller installed in a second end of the suspension rod. The controller has a battery set electrically coupled to the power input device for providing the necessary working power to the power input device.

Abstract: A curtain blind take-up drive mechanism with non-slip effect having a freehand turn operation. The non-slip effect is configured to prevent slats of the blind from slipping down, and further includes coupling a power end of a drive shaft to a reel. The drive shaft connects to a worm gear via a transmission amplifier. The worm gear is actuated through reciprocally engaging with a worm driven via a flexible shaft coupling and through operation of a slat tilt rod. Reciprocal teeth meshing and teeth surface pressure between the worm gear and the worm achieves a high slip-rate, and thereby inhibits reverse transmission, thus accomplishing a reverse direction stoppage effect, and further producing a large frictional force and forming a surface-pressure slip effect thereof. The transmission amplifier allows the drive shaft to achieve a high rotational speed, thereby facilitating freehand operation for taking-up and letting-down of the slats.

Abstract: A locking device for a safety gate which includes a gate surface made from material which may be wound up with a mechanism for prevention of unintentional unwinding of gate material, the mechanism including a catch wheel which co-rotates with the unwinding, a rotatable catch for cooperation with the cogs of the catch wheel and a release mechanism releasing the gate for unwinding. The mechanism also includes a driver which is arranged adjacent the catch wheel and may be rotated concentrically therewith, at which rotation a pin which is arranged at the catch is displaced in a slot in the driver so that the pin, when the catch is in a released position, contacts a surface inside or adjacent the slot. The driver includes a fork with two shanks between which the slot is arranged. The slot is L-shaped. In order to release the gate, a manually performed movement in three different directions of an actuator which affects the releasing mechanism is required.

Abstract: A device for rescuing persons and objects from buildings has at least one rescue element that is a rescue rope to be anchored to the ground. A retaining element of a rescue belt can be attached to the rescue rope. The rescue rope is wound onto a winding device in an initial state and unwound for a rescue operation. A deflection unit is attached to the rescue rope and has an axle. At least one driving gear is fixedly attached to the axle of the deflection unit for common rotation, and the rescue rope is redirected by 180° by the deflection unit.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a device for securing a step of a rope ladder to the rope. The device includes an upper and a lower wedge collar, each of which has a central slot through which the ropes to be secured are threaded. The device further includes a diamond-shaped wedge heart which is inserted in the slot between the ropes such that the ropes are compressed between the sides of the wedge collars and the edges of the wedge heart. The wedge heart also has locking lugs on each edge, each locking lug contacting a surface of the upper and the lower wedge collar to prevent the wedge heart from being pulled through the slot in the wedge collars when pressure is applied to the ropes.

Abstract: A climbing device is configured to have a locking mechanism operative to allow the handle and the footplate of the climbing device to pivot to and engage a portion of building structure in a position, in which further displacement of the footplate and handle relative to one another is arrested to lock the portion between the jaws of the device.

Abstract: An improved flyscreen to be slidingly deployed across an opening of window or door, the window or door having a static glazing pane or panel and an opening pane or panel, the flyscreen comprising a frame dimensioned to correspond to the dimensions of the window or door opening to be covered by the flyscreen and having a mesh screen therein extending thereacross, the frame having a brush or filamentous pad strip extending substantially the full height of an upright of the frame and which when the screen is slidingly mounted adjacent to a window or door to be slidingly moved back and forth across the opening of the window or door, is substantially able to brush over the surface of the static pane or panel of the window or door.

Abstract: Fire escape apparatus for egress from a multi-storied building structure from an upper level thereof is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate mesh tube, the tube being substantially longer than the structure height from which escape is required, and sufficiently long to enable extension of the tube downwardly to the ground. The building structure has permanently attached thereto a guide wire or cable extending at a desired angle from the upper level to the ground. The elongate mesh tube has affixed thereto, at spaced-apart intervals along its length, a plurality of supporting blocks-and-pulleys engaging the guide wire or cable. When escape is required, the mesh tube is deployed from the upper level to the ground, riding upon the pulleys, thereby permitting escape to ground level through the tube by persons entering the tube from the upper level.

Abstract: A vertical Venetian blind comprises a head rail, a first end cover, a second end cover, a control seat, a plurality of slat transmission seats, a plurality of link pieces, and a transmission shaft. The control seat, the slat transmission seats, the link pieces, and the transmission shaft are assembled together as a whole and can be therefore separate together from the head rail in the event that the head rail must be adjusted in length. The slat transmission seats can be easily adjusted in number. The transmission shaft can be adjusted in length accordingly.

Abstract: A scaffold support system having an adjustable-width hanger. A vertical leg may support a foot upon which rests a deck, providing a working surface during building construction or modification. A lateral beam rests on a support structure forming part of the wall of a building with the vertical leg securing to the lateral beam at a plurality of points. A stop secured to the lateral beam to capture a support structure between itself and the vertical leg. The stop may be adjustable along the lateral beam to accommodate support structures of varying widths. An operator may insert the hanger from inside a building and pass the coupler through a gap between a frieze block and a top plate, presenting the coupler for securement to the vertical leg. A catch may slide along the foot into and out of engagement with an edge of the deck to prevent rotation of the deck.

Abstract: A fall protection lanyard apparatus for use in transferring loads in an elevated environment. The fall protection lanyard apparatus includes first and second load-bearing lanyards, each terminating in a connectable free end. Each lanyard is preferably attached to a common point, such as a load bearing steel O-ring, which in turn is attached to a safety harness which secures the load. The first lanyard incorporates a quick-release mechanism, which, upon activation, results in the separation of the hook and free end portion thereof. The second lanyard incorporates a mechanism for activating the quick-release upon application of a predetermined force thereon.

Abstract: A method of assembling a sectional upward acting door comprising plural generally planar door panels adapted to be guided between opposed guide tracks. The door panels are provided with hinge assemblies including a hinge plate mounted on the upper edge of one door panel with a pin receiving bore and a cooperating hinge plate with a hinge pin formed thereon mounted on the lower edge of the adjacent panel. One panel may be placed between the guide tracks and suitably supported while the next panel is assembled to the already positioned panel by placing the next panel between the guide tracks and moving it vertically downward to engage the hinge plates on the respective panels. The cooperating hinge plates are configured for snap together engagement which may only be released by intentional manipulation of the hinge plate with the pin receiving bore.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a moveable barrier, such as a garage door, that limits unauthorized shifting thereof. The drive system includes a flexible actuator for raising and lowering the door. The flexible actuator is tensioned with a biasing mechanism to minimize actuator throw, and a stop assembly of the biasing mechanism limits unauthorized travel of the garage door from the closed position by a predetermined amount that is sufficiently small so as to keep intruders out of the garage. The flexible actuator may for example, be a cable, a belt or a chain.

Abstract: A light-weight self-propelled scaffold vehicle is guidable through the use of a toggle switch. It is dimensioned and designed to be able to be utilized in small areas and through 30 inch doorways as well as for larger areas.

Abstract: A ladder assembly includes two symmetric support stands pivotally connected with each other. Each of the two support stands includes a main frame, an upper frame, a lower frame, a top bar, a retraction control unit, and four fixing devices. Thus, height of the ladder assembly can be adjusted easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user operating the ladder assembly. In addition, the upper frame and the lower frame can be folded on the main frame, so as to reduce the volume the ladder assembly efficiently, thereby greatly facilitating storage and transportation of the ladder assembly.

Abstract: A foam cornice board for hanging curtains including a foam body having a decorative front surface defining a flat central and decorative upper and lower portions. The central portion is configured to receive a flat strip of decorative material such as a single vertical blind panel. The foam body further includes a notch formed into its back surface along the upper edge for receiving a mounting member connected thereto. For longer spans, a decorative foam keystone connector panel joins two adjacent cornice boards together which are abutted in end-to-end fashion. A decorative foam side cascade with a coextensive side panel is connectable to a wall, the side cascade having an upper margin configured for mating supportive engagement with a lower margin of the cornice board.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly for a louver arch assembly for semi-circular, non-perfect or imperfect arch frame assemblies with louvers rotably mounted therein. A tensioning mechanism keeps the louvers taut between an arched frame member and a smaller anchorage frame member. An actuating mechanism is used to rotate the louvers upon the application of a predetermined force to a chain that coacts with the sprocket assemblies coupled with hooked clip members that removably hold the louvers. The sprocket assembly includes a through opening and a socket with cooperative dimensions to receive the headed end of a pin, and an internal inwardly extending pin. A longitudinal channel is cooperatively disposed to receive the inwardly extending pin therein. In this manner, the louvers are rotated between two extreme positions.

Abstract: A multi-use move, lift, and support device is disclosed. The device is made of a step ladder frame containing a plurality of steps and a hand truck frame. At least one hinge pivotally connects the step ladder frame to the hand truck frame. An anti-wobble hook may be used to lock the frames in a step ladder configuration. The hook is moved in position by the force of gravity.