Abstract: A safety system includes (a) a rope or lanyard; (b) a safety hook attached to the rope or lanyard; (c) a load detection sensor retrofit to the hook without altering the structural integrity of the hook; and (d) a transmitter arranged to convey a load status signal.

Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline assembly (10) includes a housing (12), a shaft (14) fixed to the housing (12) against rotation, a drum (18) mounted for rotation on the shaft (14) and including a compartment (20) within the drum (18), a lifeline (22) wound on the drum (18), a brake module (24) carried on the shaft (14) and mounted within the compartment (20), and a pawl mechanism (26) mounted on the drum (18) for rotation therewith. The pawl mechanism (26) is mounted within the compartment (20) and configured to selectively engage the brake module (24).

Abstract: A ladder walkthrough assembly can include a ladder; and a ladder walkthrough including a frame and a guide post, the frame coupled to the ladder the guide post coupled to the frame and extending upwards above a top end of the ladder. The frame can include a first bracket coupled to a first side rail of the ladder and a second bracket coupled to a second side rail of the ladder.

Abstract: A portable and foldable hunting stand comprises a rigid frame for temporary attachment to a tree that supports a selectively deployable platform adapted to be folded between a generally vertical transportation orientation and a generally horizontal, deployed position. A first platform strut is pivoted with an axis of rotation forming an acute angle relative to the frame. A second platform strut is pivoted relative to said frame with an axis of rotation forming a similar acute angle relative to the frame, but which extends away from the first strut. The platform struts outwardly diverge when the stand is foldably deployed, forming an obtuse angle between them, yielding a generally trapezoidal configuration. A selectively deployable traversing strut may extend between the platform struts in deployment. When the stand is folded for transportation, the platform struts are retracted to assume a parallel vertical, orientation.

Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus comprising a rotationally-activated braking device that comprises at least one flexure-borne pawl.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a locking mechanism for use with the adjustable toe board to retain the toe board in its retracted position when necessary for transport, storage, or when the size of the portion of the platform the toe board will be used in requires the toe board to be in its fully collapsible state. The locking mechanism may be comprised of a latching member that is capable of automatic locking when the adjustable toe board is moved into its substantially retracted position. Further, the instant invention may be provided in any number of varying adjustable lengths to accommodate the various platform sizing through the use of a uniquely shaped wedge pin that is used with a fork to couple adjustable or non-adjustable toe boards to scaffolds and the like.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a vehicle includes an actuator assembly configured to be coupled to a chassis of the vehicle and a ground pad coupled to the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is selectively repositionable between an extended position and a retracted position to reconfigure the stabilizer between a lifting configuration and a storage configuration. The ground pad has a bottom surface configured to engage a support surface below the chassis. When the stabilizer is in the lifting configuration, the bottom surface of the ground pad engages the support surface. When the stabilizer is in the storage configuration, the ground pad is not in contact with the support surface.

Abstract: A multipurpose ladder having a first inner section. The ladder has a first articulated hinge and a second articulated hinge. The ladder has a second inner section. The ladder has a first outer section. The ladder has a first locking bar. The ladder has a second outer section. The multipurpose ladder may have a plurality of brackets disposed about outer rails of the outer sections. The brackets provide support to each of the outer rails and strengthens them against bending forces so the rails can be thinner and of lighter weight. The ladder may have an ANSI duty rating of 1A or an ANSI duty rating of 1AA. A method for using a multipurpose ladder. A method for producing a multipurpose ladder.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including various embodiments of a combination ladder. In some embodiments, a platform is provided that is fixedly coupled with a rail assembly of a combination ladder. The platform may pivot between a useable position or state and a stowed or stored position or state. The platform may maintain a position relative to certain rungs of the rail assembly while being displaceable relative to other rungs of the rail assembly. A hand rail may be coupled to the rail assembly and a tray may be coupled with the hand rail. The tray and the platform may be configured to maintain a constant distance between one another while the rail assembly is adjusted for height.

Abstract: A tree stand lifting system and method are provided. The system includes a base member, a first strap assembly, and a base pole assembly. The base pole assembly has a first end portion that is rotatably coupled to the base member such that the base pole assembly is rotatable from a first position to a substantially vertical position relative to the base member. The base pole assembly has a first plurality of teeth. The system includes a carriage assembly that is removably coupled to the base pole assembly, and an electric drive unit that is coupled to the carriage assembly. The electric drive unit has a gear assembly and an electric motor. The gear assembly has a main drive gear that rotates and operably engages at least a portion of the first plurality of teeth of the base pole assembly to move the carriage assembly on the base pole assembly.

Abstract: A tree climbing stick nesting system includes a plurality of tree climbing stick assemblies each including a stick body. A step and a standoff are each attached to the stick body. A coupler is attached to the stick body and releasably secures together a pair of the tree climbing stick assemblies to define secured tree sticks such that longitudinal axes of the secured tree sticks are orientated parallel to each other. The coupler includes a first mating member and a second mating member. The first mating member of one of the tree climbing stick assemblies is vertically engageable with the second mating member of another one of the tree climbing stick assemblies when the stick bodies of the secured tree sticks are vertically orientated.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are provided including a rung assembly that provides an alert to a user of the ladder that they are standing on a particular rung or step. In one example, the lower most rung or step of a ladder includes a rung assembly having an alert mechanism. The alert mechanism may provide an audible and/or other sensory alert to a user when they step on the rung assembly so that the user recognizes their position relative to the ground or supporting surface. In one embodiment, the rung assembly is configured to include a base member, a displaceable member and an alert mechanism, wherein the displaceable member is positioned between the alert mechanism and the base member.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. In other embodiments, spreader mechanisms are provided with cross bracing located and configured to provide additional stability to the ladder while also incorporating a handle that enables efficient collapsing of the ladder while reducing the potential of pinching ones hands or fingers. In another embodiment, a device is provided for selective coupling with the ladder that includes a support or safety rail and an adjustable tray. The device may be coupled with the ladder in a number of different positions including a stowed position. In another embodiment, a hinge assembly is provided having a magnetic component configured to be magnetically coupled with and temporarily store an object on the ladder.

Abstract: A climbing system includes a treestand and a plurality of climbing sticks. The treestand includes a monolithic platform formed from strengthened material. Each of the climbing sticks includes a frame having a plurality of weight-reduction apertures formed therethrough. Methods of manufacturing a treestand and climbing sticks are also disclosed. The method of manufacturing a treestand includes providing a solid, strengthened piece of material and removing portions of the material to form openings between structural supports. The method of manufacturing a climbing stick includes providing a frame and forming a plurality of weight-reduction apertures therethrough.

Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus comprising a rotationally-activated braking device that comprises at least one flexure-borne pawl and at least one buttress that is on a sidewall of a rotatable drum of the braking device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates systems and methods involving movable/adjustable platforms and/or guardrails. An example system includes a bracket configured to be coupled to a fixed structure having a walking surface. The system also includes a flip door portion rotatably coupled to the bracket and a guardrail portion rotatably coupled to the flip door portion. The system includes a linkage further coupling the flip door portion to the guardrail portion. The system yet further includes an actuator configured to controllably adjust a configuration of the flip door portion, the linkage, and the guardrail portion between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration with respect to the walking surface.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

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: Apparatus, devices, and methods relating to a mechanical proximity sensor for a slidable extension. An illustrative apparatus may comprise an elevated platform and an extension slidably extendable from the elevated platform toward a workpiece. The apparatus also may comprise a probe coupled movably to the extension. The apparatus further may comprise an indicator connected to the probe and configured to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to engagement between the probe and the workpiece as the extension approaches the workpiece. The indicator may be configured to complete rotation from the first orientation to the second orientation when a leading edge of the extension is located at a predetermined distance from the workpiece.

Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus that includes a computing device configured to detect a mechanical command signal, and methods of using such an apparatus.