Abstract: A mobile shelter comprising a vehicle, a post pivotally attached to the vehicle at one end, and releasably attached at the other end to an umbrella-like collapsible marquee. The marquee comprises a frame, whereby the marquee is attached to the post, a number of articulated brace assemblies pivotally connected to the frame, each brace assembly comprising a number of pivotally interconnected braces. The brace assemblies define a ground-resting end, and a pivot joint pivotally attached to a spreader ring, which in turn slidably engages the post.

Abstract: A hook attachment for a ladder is provided and includes a pair of curved members, each of the curved members being formed in a tapered shape having a base portion of a first cross-sectional area and a tip portion of a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area. A cross-sectional area between the base portion and the tip portion decreases in a substantially continuous manner in a direction from the base portion to the tip portion.

Abstract: A gear shaft assembly for actuating linear movement of an object, including a lower channel assembly, which includes: (a) a threaded rod; (b) a first gear adjacent an end of the threaded rod; (c) a second gear engageable with the first gear and attached to the end of the threaded rod; (d) a mechanism for driving the first gear against the second gear; (e) at least one threaded journal bearing threaded on the correspondingly threaded rod; (f) at least one bearing housing supporting the at least one journal bearing; (g) a movable carrier arm mounted on the threaded rod and attachable to the object; wherein, when the drive mechanism activated, the first gear drives the second gear, rotating the threaded rod, and moving the carrier arm on the threaded rod. A tandem gear shaft assembly and a method for installing a gear shaft assembly and shutter on a window are also included.

Abstract: A wheeled dolly or support for a ladder is made in two pieces, including a base plate that permanently affixes to an outside surface of a rail of a ladder, and a frame that is removably mounted on the base plate. The frame carries wheels that will support the ladder when the ladder is placed on edge and one end of the ladder is lifted. The frame normally is near a base end of the ladder. The frame that holds the wheels can be removed when desired for storage, or for use in a location where the wheels may restrict clearance around the ladder.

Abstract: An apparatus that secures a hunter to a tree while in a tree-mounted hunting stand that includes a safety harness assembly (200) having a belt retractor (24) and a body harness (16). The belt retractor is configured to be removably secured about the tree and removably secured to the body harness. The belt retractor along with energy-absorbing materials improves the hunter's safety while in tree stand and provides a sufficiently large range of motion about the stand.

Abstract: A hung window carrier system and method is provided. The system includes a jamb having a pair of tracks. Also included is a sash clip to be affixed to a window sash, a carrier having a slidable portion and a window sash support portion, wherein the window sash support portion removably engages the sash clip and supports the window sash. The slidable portion slides along the jamb, and the carrier is connectable to a balance. A locking mechanism includes a jamb lock located on the jamb and a carrier lock located on the carrier, the jamb and carrier locks are configured to align with each other by sliding the carrier within the jamb. After the jamb lock and carrier lock are aligned, the locking mechanism may be used to lock the carrier in place along the jamb such that the carrier cannot move in either an upper or lower direction.

Abstract: A quick release ladder leveler attachment system. So that a leveler may be mounted or released from the rails of a ladder quickly and without requiring the use of tools, a leveler attachment structure is added to the lower outer surface of the ladder rails. It may be integrated with the ladder rails or attached to ladder rails with bolts or rivets. The attachment structures include surfaces that engagingly mate with mounting structures on the leveler. The attachment and mating structures may be a keyhole slot and a knob. A spring catch may retain the leveler in place and a locking pin may be added to ensure safety.

Abstract: An anchoring system includes an anchor member to anchor the lifeline and at least one extending unit to extend the anchor member out to a working position beyond (horizontally) and above (vertically) an edge to provide for an overhead anchoring point. The anchoring system preferably further includes a support to which the extending unit is attached. The support immobilizes the overhead anchoring system so that the anchor member remains at the working position (even in the case of a fall by the worker). A method of anchoring a fall protection lifeline for use by a worker working at or beyond an edge includes the steps: elevating an anchor member to position the lifeline above the head of a worker and supporting the anchor member at the working position. The method can also include the step of extending the anchor member to a working position horizontally beyond and above the edge.

Abstract: A washer door or lid as defined by a tempered glass panel bordered by an open frame-like encapsulation of one-piece injection molded polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material. The latter material is preferably acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate polymer blended with mica glass beads at a ratio of substantially 70%–30% to 90%–10% by weight, but preferably 80%–20% by weight. Further specifics of the washer lid include a relatively thick inner periphery of the encapsulation which securely grips and reinforces an outer peripheral edge of the tempered glass panel, a rigid outer peripheral skirt, an indiscrete handle, a reinforced hand corder for a switch actuator and opposite rear corners carrying hinges for securing the washer lid to an associated washer opening.

Abstract: A tool and hardware accessory having base securable to the top cap of a ladder at clamps which are designed to provide universal mounting to most ladder caps. A tray is pivotally mounted to the accessory base at hinge sections and when deployed extends forwardly and slightly upwardly to accommodate weighty items, such as paint cans, without being depressed below a generally horizontal position. The tray has compartments for hardware items and may include removable organizer containers for small parts. A magnetic element, such as a flexible magnetic pad, may be provided to retain small parts.

Abstract: A bracing device capable of clamping to a rung ladder is disclosed. The bracing device holds the rung ladder in position when hooked over the peak of a pitched roof. At the forward end of the clamping device are wheels which allow the user to wheel the ladder up the pitched roof.

Abstract: A device and method for improving the mobility of a ladder. The device includes slide pads that attach to the bottom ends of a ladder's rails. In this manner, the slide pads are interposed between the bottom of the ladder rails and the ground when the ladder is erected. The bottom surface of the slide pads have a lower coefficient of friction than do the bottom ends of the ladder rails. Accordingly, the presence of the slide pads at the bottom of the ladder rails makes the ladder rails easier to slide over the ground.

Abstract: A sliding door security insert assembly installable into an opening made when one sliding door mounted for lateral movement within a door frame is partially opened to define the opening between one door jamb and a facing sliding door stile. A substantially rectangular insert frame includes a lower transverse member adapted to be supported on the lower track while said upper transverse member is adapted to be positioned into the upper track for lateral sliding movement only. An elongated locking shim is positionable between the upper transverse member and the upper track prevents insert frame removal. Offset locking pins attached to one insert frame stile are adapted to be inserted into a mating hole formed into the facing sliding door stile and visa versa whereby the insert frame and the sliding door are connectable together. Full adjustability in height and mating thickness with the existing sliding door edge is also provided.

Abstract: A safety harness comprises a strap portion for extending over a portion a the person's body to retain the person within the safety harness. The strap portion is fabricated from a flexible material having an elastic extension in the range of approximately 3 to approximately 15% under a tensile load of approximately 10 pounds. The material of the strap portion also preferably has ultimate tensile load of at least approximately 5,000 lbs. A safety harness to be worn by a person to protect the person at a height, at least a section of a shoulder strap of the safety harness comprises a single strap having elastic extension to enable free movement of a person in the safety harness, the elastic extension of the strap being limited to prevent separation of a person from the safety harness.

Abstract: A sentinel event reduction door comprises a trapezoidally-shaped panel comprising four sides. A continuous hinge is connected to the panel along substantially the full length of a first side thereof. A second side of the panel is adjacent to the first side, wherein the angle defined by the intersection of the first and second sides of the panel is an acute angle. A third side of the panel, the side opposite the side of the panel from the first side, may comprise a pliable material attached thereto.

Abstract: A method for descending and/or lowering objects from a height employing a device that includes a fixed strand, a locking carabiner, and a simple harness. The carabiner serves as both a connector between the harness and the strand, and a friction device. Wrapping the strand one or more times around a side of the locking carabiner opposite its locking gate provides friction when the strand is pulled below the carabiner to apply tension thereto. This construction eliminates one component commonly used in similar systems, and results in a lowering and descending system that is lightweight, easy to use and is quick to set up and dismantle.

Abstract: Articulating window assemblies are provided comprising, in combination, a windowpane and a hinge having a hinge axis. The hinge comprises a first hinge member that cooperates with a second hinge member and optionally with a hinge pin to form a hinge joint. The first hinge member has at least an encapsulation section with at least a first encapsulant void, optionally two or more encapsulant voids. A continuous body of encapsulant overlays at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of the encapsulation section, at least partially fills the first encapsulant void, overlays at least a portion of an inward-facing surface of the encapsulation section and overlaps either at least a portion of an external peripheral edge of the encapsulation section, a portion of a void edge defining a second encapsulation void, or both from both the outward-facing surface and the inward-facing surface. This provides a mechanical grip of the first hinge member by the encapsulant.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor detects a trigger event. In response to the trigger event, the transmitter transmits a detection signal. If the receiver receives a reflected detection signal, the processor determines that a door is in a first position. Additionally, if the receiver receives a reflected detection signal, the processor signals an opener to move the door to a second position.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly is disclosed for use in an environment where both sides of the door are useable. The door assembly includes at least one bottom roller mechanism fitted into a lower portion of a bottom rail. The bottom roller mechanism is adjustable and concealed within the bottom rail. The door assembly further includes at least one top roller mechanism fitted into an upper portion of a top rail. The top roller mechanism is concealed in the top rail.

Abstract: Disclosed is a window assembly for use in mass transit vehicles which allows the quick and easy removal and replacement of transparent sacrificial glazing panels which protect the glazing of the window from vandalism and wear. The window assembly utilizes a sacrificial protective panel and mounting arrangement which allows quick and easy replacement of protective panels on one or both sides of the window assembly, but inhibits removal by non-maintenance personnel such as vandals. The frame of the window assembly incorporates one or more retainers which fit into slots along the interior sides of the window frame and sandwich the glazing between the frame and the retainers. In turn, the retainers are essentially “locked” into position in the frame by an inner protective panel, which significantly inhibits the removal of the retainers from the window assembly when the protective panel is in its desired position against the windowpane.