Abstract: A display assembly for the display of merchandise packages with provisions for moving product packages toward the front as packages are removed by customers. A pusher sled is formed of front and back plastic wall panels, joined at the top and spaced apart at the bottom, with side opening notches near the bottom for sliding engagement with spaced apart, wire-like supports. A coiled strip spring has its coiled body confined between the wall panels and a strip portion thereof extends through an opening in the front wall panel to an anchor point at the front of assembly. Exceptional economies are realized in the manufacture of the display assembly while providing a system which aesthetically attractive, with superior performance. A variety of simple clip-on or snap-on devices may be used for anchoring the front of the coil spring, including a clip-on label holder element which mounts at the front of the assembly and includes a slot for reception of a forward end of the spring.

Abstract: A ladder apparatus for providing access to an area over an elevated structure, the ladder apparatus including a housing secured to the elevated structure wherein the housing includes a housing mechanism having a central opening, a ladder pivotally mounted to the housing mechanism wherein the ladder includes a first ladder section and at least one additional ladder section slidingly mounted to the first ladder section, first motorized deploying mechanism structured to pivotally displace the ladder to and from a stored configuration and a partially deployed configuration, second motorized deploying mechanism structured to linearly displace the at least one additional ladder section to and from a partially deployed configuration and a fully deployed configuration; and control mechanism structured to operatively control the first and second motorized deploying mechanism.

Abstract: A Bahama or Colonial-type shutter assembly for external openings of a structure, where the shutter assembly is resistant to damage by flying debris from high wind storms and hurricanes. The shutter assembly comprises a generally rectangular frame fabricated of a light-weight metal, such as aluminum, having a pair of side members, and top and bottom members. Extending between and into the side members are a plurality of angled slats, where the ends of the angled slats are anchored within the side members by a pair of rod members passing through apertures in proximity to the slat ends. A locking mechanism may be provided to secure a pair of shutter assemblies during the periods of high winds and hurricanes.

Abstract: A device for moving a platform at least in vertical direction along a facade (1) of a building defining a front face by a cable (16, 17) which extends along the facade, which device comprises a winding apparatus (14, 15) for the cable, which can be driven by a driving apparatus, and a guide for causing the cable (16, 17) to extend vertically along the facade on the outer side thereof, wherein an apparatus for moving the guide in such a manner that the guide pass the front face.

Abstract: A slip resistant step stool includes a step surface with four legs extending downward. A slip resistant surface is bonded to the step surface. The slip resistant surface may be disposed in a pocket and have a ridge surrounding it. The slip resistant surface can be a thermoplastic elastomer. The stool can be manufactured by inserting the slip resistant surface in a mold adapted to form a step stool, then injecting molten resin into the mold, thereby bonding the resin to the slip resistant step stool.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and dispensing kitchen articles includes an upstanding grate adapted to hang kitchen articles, to house kitchen articles, and to dispense kitchen articles. The kitchen articles can be stored and dispensed from locations inside of and outside of the grate.

Abstract: A tree stand including a horizontal platform and mechanism for detachably coupling the platform to a vertical support, such as a tree. The platform includes a vertical access opening therethrough allowing an individual to gain access to the top side of the platform from the underside thereof via a vertical opening extending through the platform. A pair of closure doors is articulately mounted on the platform for swinging movement between co-planar, closed positions, closing the opening and transverse, open positions. The doors can either be individually swingably mounted at there laterally outer edges to the platform or articulately connected to each other and only one of the doors pivotally coupled to the platform.

Abstract: A ground-movable load-lifting vehicle for lifting a load over ground. The vehicle comprises a platform bed, a ground-movable carriage, and an extendible scissor linkage assembly supporting the platform bed spacedly over the carriage. A hydraulic ram system enables power extension of the scissor linkage assembly against the bias of a load supported by said platform bed. The carriage further includes peripheral ground-engageable pivotal casters, rotatably mounted to the carriage in spaced apart fashion, and a pair of ground-engageable drive wheel assemblies, mounted for relative movement to a central portion of the carriage, wherein the drive wheel assemblies provide omnidirectional displacement capability for this load-lifting vehicle. A power unit, controlled by an electronic circuit, powers both the hydraulic rams of the scissor linkage assembly and the drive wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A self-raising platform assembly (1) comprising at least one mast (3, 5, 113) along which a platform (13) may be moved up or down including the following: a) a base element (9) with a supporting plate (25) connected to a jack (27) and several stabilizer arms (33, 37) incorporating height adjustment, b) modular mast sections (7) made from rectangular sections with openings (63) cut out to form steps and bars (55) to allow adjacent sections to be bolted together, c) hydraulically operated ram lifting mechanism (73, 83, 84) with hooks (77, 79, 81) to engage steps on the mast to raise and lower the platform, d) a plastic lined sleeve (17, 19) on the platform which slides against the mast, e) a modular platform which can be lengthened or widened by adding additional modules (101, 103).

Abstract: Extending ladders and associated manufacturing methods are disclosed. A ladder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of rung units, each rung unit including a left column, a right column, and a rung extending between the left column and the right column. The ladder may include a first column assembly including a first column and a ring coupled to the first column proximate a distal end thereof, and a second column assembly including a second column and a sleeve coupled to the second column proximate a proximal end thereof. The second column being at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by an internal surface of the first column. The sleeve includes an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column and the ring includes an internal guiding surface for contacting an exterior surface of the second column.

Abstract: A door ladder assembly for use with the an above ground swimming pool, the assembly comprising a ladder having a plurality of steps, a door with a first side hingedly connected to one side of the ladder and arranged to hingedly move between open and closed positions, a handle being located at the top portion of the door, and a door lock to lock the door in a closed position, the door being provided with a lock operator to unlock the lock, the lock operator being located proximate the handle. The arrangement provides for easy access for an adult, while preventing a child from having access to the unlocking mechanism.

Abstract: A door closing arrangement includes a first door closer for closing a first door leaf, the first door closer being positioned on the opposite side of the first door leaf from the its hinge, and a second door closer for closing a second door leaf. The distal end of the pull arm of the first door closer moves along a guide member in a direction towards the second edge of the door frame during movement of the first door leaf from a fully open position to a partially closed position and moves along the guide member in a direction towards the first edge of the door frame during movement of the first door leaf from the partially closed position to a fully closed position. The distal end of the second pull arm move along the guide member during closing of the second door leaf at least initially in a direction towards the first edge of the door frame.

Abstract: An inventive stepladder of tripod structure with an actuating mechanism that extends the rear legs and front step assembly in a coordinated manner to assume the tripod footprint. The actuating mechanism may include a vertical center post; a sliding collar journaled on the center post to coordinate the extension and retraction of the rear legs and step assembly; an A-brace for extending and retracting the step assembly and further serving as an auxiliary work platform for the uppermost step in the step assembly; leg braces for extending and retracting the rear legs, and a stop block attached to the lower end of the center post. A locking pin may be provided to secure the position of the sliding collar along the center post. The stop block may function to relieve shear stress on the locking pin and to provide support for a user's weight on the A-brace.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly includes a barrier plate extending across the lower portion of the doorway to prevent the intrusion of water during severe weather conditions. A notch within the barrier plate, enlarging the passageway opened by the sliding door to form an obstruction-free passageway, is sealed by compressing a gasket between the barrier plate and a compression plate mounted to move with the sliding door. An actuator, mounted along the floor adjacent the compression plate with the sliding door closed, moves the compression plate toward the barrier plate, compressing the gasket, in response to operation of a latch lever.

Abstract: A valet rack assembly includes a three-piece fully extendable slide assembly having a base rail for installation on a closet sidewall in an operative position, an intermediate extension member slidably coupled to the base rail, an outer housing member slidably coupled to the intermediate member, and an apparel support member in the form of a tie clasp or belt post slidably coupled to the outer housing member. The intermediate extension member provides a first range of extension from a first position wherein the intermediate member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the base rail, to a first stop position wherein the intermediate member only partially overlaps the base rail. The outer housing member provides a second range of extension from a second position wherein the outer member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the intermediate extension member, to a second stop position wherein the outer member only partially overlaps the intermediate extension member.

Abstract: A merchandising display comprises an array of vertical wires and an array of horizontal wires, and sheet metal panels which snap onto wires of one of the arrays to provide a slotted display backing. Shelf brackets extend through the slots and are supported by the horizontal wires. In one embodiment the slots are horizontal, and in another embodiment, the slots are vertical.

Abstract: An emergency escape system includes an escape apparatus and a door. The escape apparatus is connected to the door. The escape apparatus includes a cord and a release mechanism. The release mechanism is configured to provide a controlled lowering of a person being lowered on the cord.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security belt, in particular for personal protection, which can be attached and fixed to the human body. The belt comprises at least two belt sections which enable the security belt to be fitted and removed and a fixing element for connecting the belt sections in a secure and detachable manner. The security belt has at least one fixing device for various security and safety elements, which is connected to at least one of the belt sections in a fixed manner. The weight and dimensions of the security belt which encompasses the fixing device are configured in such a way that the security belt is very comfortable to wear and allows extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rail for a ladder. The method may include pultruding in a longitudinal direction, a rail having a selected cross-sectional shape. The rail may then be cut to a predetermined length at a distal end. A force may be applied, in a lateral direction, to the rail to form a curvature therein. The curvature may be characterized by a flared portion, a straight portion, and a curved region providing the transition therebetween. The rail may be held at the desired curvature for a time selected for the rail to take on the curvature substantially permanently. The force may then be removed and the rail may be assembled into a ladder.

Abstract: An adjustable width product display system which includes spaced-apart front and back display supports formed of an engineering plastic material, suitable for food freezer environments. Formed wire side elements, provided with transversely extending mounting portions, are slideably received in transversely disposed recesses in the plastic display supports. Each display support includes a pair of closely adjacent, parallel recesses for receiving the mounting portions in overlapping relation, providing a wide range of width adjustment to accommodate packages of different size. A wire frame, comprising a pair of elongated wire elements extending from front to back of the display system joins the two display supports in spaced relation. These wire elements also function as an underneath support for product packages confined between the side elements.