Abstract: A window shade includes a reel and an aperture control module respectively assembled with a head frame, and a panel assembly including transversal vanes respectively connected with two panels. The reel is rotatable to wind and unwind the panel assembly. The aperture control module includes a positioning arm connected with a rubbing roller, and is operable to rotate the rubbing roller relative to the positioning arm and to displace the positioning arm and the rubbing roller between two positions, the rubbing roller being displaced away from a sidewall of the head frame in a first position and pressing the panel assembly against the sidewall in a second position, the rubbing roller being further rotatable relative to the positioning arm in the second position to cause relative sliding between the two panels for switching the panel assembly from a closed state blocking light passage to an open state allowing light passage.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus suspendably mounted on a holding apparatus, wherein during operation a pivot angle of the holding apparatus which deviates from a vertical straight line can be limited by a safety apparatus, wherein the pivot angle can be monitored and limited in two opposite directions, wherein swinging of the lifting apparatus back towards the vertical straight line is not impeded.

Abstract: The collapsible stepladder is a climbing structure that allows a person to increase their vertical elevation. The collapsible stepladder comprises a plurality of support stiles, a telescopic stile, a plurality of telescopic handrails, a plurality of steps, a plurality of detents, and a plurality of assembly hardware. The plurality of support stiles and the plurality of steps form the stepladder portion of the collapsible stepladder. The telescopic stile and the plurality of telescopic handrails are safety devices associated with the collapsible stepladder. The vertical height of both the plurality of telescopic handrails and the telescopic stile are adjustable such that safety grips are available at a vertical height appropriate for the elevation. The plurality of detents and the plurality of assembly hardware are used to assemble the collapsible stepladder.

Abstract: A quick-release attachment point for fall protection. It includes a body portion, a retaining member, a capturing and releasing mechanism, a remote control module, and an energy source. The body portion, and the retaining member in a normal position thereof, together form a closed aperture for capturing a D-ring attachment point or other article of attachment hardware. The capturing and release mechanism is operated through the remote control module to free the retaining member so that it can move, in response to energy provided by the energy source, in a direction away from the normal operating position and in an amount such that it no longer closes the aperture, so that the article can escape from the apparatus.

Abstract: A scaffold system adapted for securing to a structure and for vertical movement relative to the structure. The scaffold system includes first and second wall mounts, each of the wall mounts having a bar and at least one spring biasing the bar in a first direction, a slide post having a slide hook, a slide arm and a hanging pad secured to the slide arm, the slide post arranged for vertical axial movement within at least one of the first and second wall mounts, a main post having at least one post hook, a first deck fixedly secured to the main post, and a ball screw jack having a mounting plate and a lifting screw, the mounting plate secured to the first deck and the lifting screw secured to the hanging pad. The main post is arranged to complementarily fit within slide post, the slide hook is adapted for releasable engagement with the first wall mount bar or the second wall mount bar and the at least one post hook is adapted for releasable engagement with the first wall mount bar or the second wall mount bar.

Abstract: A ladder for use with heavy machinery such as farm equipment, the ladder having platform steps, the ladder being convertible between a deployed position for supporting a person or other load, to a storage, scaffold, or ramp position in which the steps lie in a generally planar arrangement. When deployed, the ladder steps remain parallel to each other. The ladder includes two frames, the frames pivotably connected by a plurality of platform steps, one of the frames being pivotably attached to a piece of heavy machinery. The frame nest within one another in the storage configuration. The pivotable attachment to the heavy equipment may be wheels on the ladder frame that engage horizontal tracks on the heavy equipment, allowing the ladder to be lifted up, the frames nested, and the ladder in the storage configuration slid along the tracks and stored.

Abstract: A ladder securing device provides a means to safely secure a ladder to an edge of a building structure while performing such activities as painting, construction, roofing projects, and the like. The device includes a ladder hooking portion, a turnbuckle, and a clamping assembly. The portions of the device are affixed to each other to form a length-adjustable assembly. It is envisioned that a pair of the devices would typically be utilized to hook onto opposing side rails of the ladder and to adjacent edge features of the building, and then tightened down using the turnbuckles.

Abstract: A line retraction device includes a rotatable drum having a line associated therewith, with the line including a first end directly or indirectly attached to the drum and a second end opposite the first end, and at least one retraction member biasing the drum in a first rotational direction of the drum opposite a second rotational direction of the drum, where the drum is configured to: (i) retract the line when the drum moves in the first rotational direction; and (ii) payout the line when the drum moves in the second rotational direction. The device further including a damper assembly configured to provide rotational resistance to the drum in: (i) the first rotational direction of the drum as the line is being retracted; and (ii) the second rotational direction as the line is being paid out.

Abstract: A gutter protection and ladder support and safety apparatus includes a mechanism structured and arranged to be releaseably positioned in a gutter to prevent damage thereto caused by a ladder. The apparatus includes a mechanism for locking the apparatus in place to prevent lateral tipping and slippage of a ladder, a ladder supporting member operatively connected to the locking mechanism, and an adjustable ladder securing apparatus connected to the ladder supporting member and configured to releaseably secure a ladder thereto.

Abstract: A modular platform system utilizing a number of components including a platform. The platform is configured so that each of the components may interchangeably connect to any side of the platform. The components include, for example, handrails and stairways, as well as other platforms. The platform and most of the components are formed from single, continuous pieces of metal.

Abstract: A lift device includes a wheel assembly coupled to a frame. The wheel assembly includes a rim having an inner barrel, an outer barrel, and a lip defining a first surface and a second surface. The lift device also includes an adapter plate and an axle having a first end coupled to the frame and a second end including a hub. The adapter plate includes a barrel portion defining a first face and a second face, a hub portion directly coupled to the hub, and a transition portion extending between the barrel portion and the hub portion. The second surface of the lip engages the first face of the barrel portion when the wheel assembly is in a first configuration and the second face of the barrel portion when the wheel assembly is in a second configuration thereby reducing a track width of the lift device.

Abstract: An ascender includes a pulley, an input shaft, a support member, a transmission mechanism, a rope guide, a cam, an energizing member, an operating member, and a closing member. A rope is removably wound on the pulley. An output shaft of a rotary electric tool is removably connected to the input shaft. The transmission mechanism transmit a rotational force of the input shaft to the pulley. The cam moves toward the pulley to bite into the rope so as to prevent a movement of the rope when the rope is going to move in a descending direction. The cam moves away from the pulley to allow the movement of the rope when the rope is going to move in an ascending direction.

Abstract: Work platform systems and related methods of assembly and use are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of installing a work platform system into an internal cavity of a structure includes supporting a first platform portion at a first location, and adding a plurality of additional platform portions to the first platform portion, where successive ones of the additional platform portions are respectively positioned at respective locations that are successively farther outward away from the first platform portion. The method further includes coupling the additional platform portions to one or more other locations, and detaching the additional platform portions from one another. The method additionally includes lowering or raising one or more of the first and additional platform portions to one or more additional levels below or above the first level, where the work platform system includes the first and additional platform portions.

Abstract: A load indicator for use with a fall protection apparatus having a line and a connector for connecting to a user includes a housing having a pass-through opening and a covered indicator region. At least a portion of the housing is configured for connecting to the line. The load indicator also includes a shear pin supported by the housing and extending across the pass-through opening, and a saddle extending across at least a portion of the pass-through opening and supported by at least a portion of the shear pin. The saddle is configured for connecting to at least a portion of the connector. The saddle is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position when a force exceeding a predetermined threshold value is applied on the saddle causing the shear pin to shear or break. At least a portion of the indicator region is uncovered in the second position of the saddle when the shear pin shears or breaks.

Abstract: A safety landing may include a first support panel positionable within the shaft and having a first support surface and a second support surface spaced apart from the first support surface. At least a first platform may have a first end that is movably connected to the first support panel and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The first platform may have an upper surface, an opposing lower surface and an end surface at the first end. The first platform may be movably between a closed position in which the first platform extends laterally across the shaft, and in which the lower surface rests on the first support surface and an open position in which the first platform is generally upright and the end surface of the first platform rests on the second support surface.

Abstract: A remote overhead anchor system for use at an elevated overhead position and adapted to be secured to a ring or similar anchor point includes a substantially U or C shaped hook with two ends, one of which is adapted to pass through the anchor point to secure the hook to the anchor point. A latch is pivotally connected adjacent the other end of the U and can move between a closed position wherein it engages the first end and an opened position wherein it is spaced therefrom and a spring biases the latch into the closed position. To prevent the latch from unintentionally opening, a lock mechanism is carried by the other end of the U shaped hook and engages the lever. A conically shaped receiver secured to the hook faces downwardly to receive the upper end of an elongated vertically extending pole.

Abstract: Fall protection device for a rescue cage of an aerial ladder, in particular for firefighting vehicles, comprising a retractable fall protection device having a body with a first and a second end, opposite to said first side, wherein said first side is individuated by an opening through which a relative self retractable safety belt slides, deflecting means arranged in front of said first side and spaced apart from said first side, supporting means comprising a joint connected to said second side of the body and supporting said deflecting means so as to be in front of said first side and spaced apart from said first side.

Abstract: An ant-falling device includes a shell, a first axle and a second axle supported therein, a buffer unit coupled at the first axle, and a reel spring for retracting the buffer unit. The buffer unit includes a rope reel and a driven gear. The second axle includes a driving gear, a first buckling member, and a handle that controls the driving gear to engage with the driven gear for retracting a rope via the rope reel. The shell includes a button, having a second buckling member, movably mounted thereon and being pushed by a spring. When the driving gear is engaged with the driven gear, the button is actuated to couple the second buckling member with the first buckling member to enable the rope being smoothly retracted. As the button is pressed, the first buckling member is released to disengage the driving gear with the driven gear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method to repair the interior of a vertical structure. The invention includes a telescopic ladder and a knockdown platform that can be deployed and assembled on-site.

Abstract: A fall arrest apparatus comprises a rod (5) adapted at a first end region thereof to be attached to a structure (3), and an energy absorber (11) attached to a second end region of the rod. The energy absorber includes an attachment point (33) for further fall arrest means and an energy absorbing rip zone (41) which tears to absorb energy when subject to a force in excess of a threshold.