Abstract: A method and apparatus of producing an adjustable scaffold shelf. The adjustable scaffold shelf is produced from a platform support of an existing scaffold by specific cuts. A middle support and a pair of mount supports are created from the existing platform support. The pair of mount supports is fastened to the middle support to create the frame for the adjustable scaffold shelf. A shelf platform is a board fitted onto the middle support and the pair of mount supports to complete the adjustable scaffold shelf.

Abstract: A fall arresting system is provided that includes a fall arresting cable that has a safety line with opposed first and second ends, an accessory line that extends substantially along the safety line between the opposed first and second ends of the safety line, and a sheath that envelops the safety line and the accessory line. The fall arresting system further includes a reel upon which the fall arrest cable is wound.

Abstract: A victim retrieval apparatus for use with a vehicle. In some embodiments, the rescue basket comprises one or more wheels. The articulating head of the boom comprises a rotatable pulley for receiving the rescue line and is able to allow the vehicle to be parked in any position necessary while rescuing the victim. A knot-passing pulley enables a safety line (with emergency brake device) to be coupled to the basket thereby ensuring the safety of the victim in the basket at all times. The rescue basket comprises a remote control for controlling the winch speed that is able to be located at the winch itself, or be of a hand-held nature and attached at the rescue basket instead of at the vehicle if visual contact is problematic.

Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A supporting element for an object includes a first leg member and a second leg member. The first leg member is axially movable relative to the second leg member for axially extending the supporting element. The first leg member includes a house that is arranged for slidably receiving the second leg member. The house includes a locking element having a locking position for locking the relative axial movement of the first leg member with respect to the second leg member, and having an open position for enabling relative axial movement of the two members. A catch may be provided in the locking element. The catch may be tiltably movable within the house for alternately acquiring the locking position and the open position of the locking element. The catch may include a cavity receiving the second leg, wherein the cavity has a stopping surface engaging at least opposed perimeter parts of the second leg member in a locking position of the locking element.

Abstract: A telescopic loft ladder has two stiles with sections that are telescopically collapsible within each other, rungs having lateral ends each connected to respective sections the stiles, retractable pins in the ends of the rungs for engaging holes in the stile sections to retain them in an extended position, and levers on the rungs that automatically operate when two rungs contact one another to disengage pins of the upper of the contacting rungs from the holes to permit collapse of the next higher rung. Each uppermost stile section is rotatable relative to the section connected to the uppermost rung of the ladder and has circumferentially and axially offset pin receiving holes. At least one resilient element biases the next to uppermost rung away from the uppermost rung to ensure that the locking pin of the uppermost rung engages a hole in the uppermost stile section as the ladder is lowered.

Abstract: A portable fall prevention apparatus. The apparatus provides points of attachment for a tether line to which a safety harness worn by a workman on a sloped roof can be attached. A pair of grapples attach to opposite, overhang portions of a sloped roof. A tie down strap threaded through a ratchet tie down connects each of the grapples to oppositely-disposed, oppositely-directed hinge plates of an anchor assembly. With the anchor assembly placed transversely across the ridge of a sloped roof and the tie down straps tightened to eliminate slack therein, the anchor assembly provides a secure point of attachment for a tether line.

Abstract: An adjustable work platform comprises a fixed platform carrying a multiplicity of adjustable members designed to slide out of the fixed platform to variable lengths as needed. A large irregularly shaped object, such as an aircraft, may be driven into the interior of the platform with the adjustable members retracted. Once in place, the adjustable members are extended to form a heavy duty work platform conforming to the irregular shape of the exterior of the object.

Abstract: A rigid structure such as a ladder is disclosed having rotating hinges that allow the ladder to fold up and/or be disassembled and assembled. The hinge or hinges can be provided between ladder sections with one ladder section having a male hinge element, and another having a female hinge element. A cam element provided with the female hinge element can be moved between an unlocked position in which the ladder sections can rotate with respect to each other, and a locked position in which the structure is rigid.

Abstract: A portable modular lift system that may be easily transported to a lifting location and compactly stored when not in use. The portable modular lift system generally includes a support base having a plurality of base wheels, a plurality of mast sections connectable to one another to form a vertical mast, a support platform movably positioned upon the vertical mast, and a drive unit connected to the support platform to elevate and lower the support platform upon the mast sections. The mast sections include a plurality of receiver apertures within a first end and a plurality of locking pins extending from a second end that are catchably received within the corresponding receiver apertures.

Abstract: A self-propel accessory provides an easily attachable optional drive function for a platform device. The platform device is supported by a device frame including a wheel at a rear end and a post at a front end. The self-propel accessory includes an accessory frame attachable to the device frame via a bracket, a driving wheel connected to the accessory frame, a motor operatively coupled with the driving wheel, and a handle connected to the accessory frame. The accessory frame is pivotable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and a weight of the platform device biases the accessory frame toward the disengaged position.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a fall-protection safety harness having padding structures located at harness pressure points, including dorsal and shoulder regions, the lumbar region, and leg regions. The padding structures may be constructed to provide air-flow parallel to a wearer's skin. Air may flow through wearer-webbing channels created by displacing a webbing via comfort pads. For example, the padding structures may be made by sandwiching foam pads between mesh fabric materials. The foam pads may be captured by the two mesh fabrics using circumferential stitching, for example. Circumferential stitching may permit the foam to retain its uncompressed form which may facilitate webbing displacement. Separate and symmetric pads may be located on both sides of a wearer's spine, both at the lumbar region and at the dorsal region of the back, permitting airflow between pads and along the wearer's spine.

Abstract: A convertible suspension/seat harness is readily converted from a suspension to a seat harness and can receive a yolk for chest harness conversion. The harness includes a waist belt portion having a pair of elongated leg straps terminating at a fastening mechanism. A pair of minor straps terminates at a mating fastening mechanism adapted to mate with corresponding fastening mechanisms of the elongated leg straps to convert the harness to a suspension harness configuration. A pair of secondary straps has a secondary mating fastening mechanism adapted to mate with corresponding fastening mechanisms of the elongated leg straps to convert the harness to a seat harness configuration. A yolk is provided for attachment to the harness to yield a chest harness configuration creating a Class III style harness.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a flexible lumbar wear-pad having an external low-friction high-wear-resistance surface, the lumbar wear-pad configured to be replaceably coupled to the lower back region of a belted fall-protection safety harness. In various embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may cover a length of the webbing over the hip and lumbar vertebrae regions of a wearer's lower back. In some embodiments a lumbar wear-pad may be field replaceable on a fall-protection safety harness. An exemplary embodiment may have three prominences, a smaller center prominence located near a wearer's lumbar vertebrae and two side prominences located near a wearer's hip bones. In some embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may be flexible so as to anatomically conform to a wearer's body. Exemplary lumbar wear-pads may provide protection for both a wearer and the wearer's harness during sliding or leaning engagements with vertical surfaces.

Abstract: A convertible suspension/seat harness is readily converted from a suspension to a seat harness and can receive a yolk for chest harness conversion. The harness includes a waist belt portion having a pair of elongated leg straps terminating at a fastening mechanism. A pair of minor straps terminates at a mating fastening mechanism adapted to mate with corresponding fastening mechanisms of the elongated leg straps to convert the harness to a suspension harness configuration. A pair of secondary straps has a secondary mating fastening mechanism adapted to mate with corresponding fastening mechanisms of the elongated leg straps to convert the harness to a seat harness configuration. A yolk is provided for attachment to the harness to yield a chest harness configuration creating a Class III style harness.

Abstract: An adjustable climbing stand system with a fully rotating seat to enable a user to hunt for prey from a tree. The system comprises a primary platform (bottom) with a tree interface. The primary base platform receives a primary sliding platform. The primary sliding platform comprises a collapsible seat mount, and a seat with a rotating base. The system comprises a secondary platform (top) with a tree interface. The secondary base platform receives a secondary sliding platform. The primary platform is located on a tree trunk and the secondary platform is located on the tree trunk above the primary platform.

Abstract: A device for establishing admittance and transport of cargo to and from a wind turbine construction above ground level and having a part which can be raised and/or lowered by wires and winches located at ground level and connected with snatch blocks attached to a part so that it can be raised and/or lowered in relation to the construction. The part has a number of travelling crabs according to the numbers of winches and the travelling crabs are guided of the wires between the winches and the snatch blocks, and that the part with the travelling crabs is displaced upwards or downwards by the wires. Advantageously, the wires are used for both hoisting the part and as guide for the travelling crabs.

Abstract: A pole strap assembly (10) is provided for use in climbing a utility pole (22), and includes an outer strap (12) including opposite end portions (32,34) connected by an intermediate portion (20); and an elongate wear member (30) attached to and extending over at least part of the intermediate portion (20) of the outer strap (12), wherein the wear member (30) does not extend over the end portions (32,34), and the outer strap (12) has a total length LO and the elongate wear member (30) has a length LI, with the length LO being no greater than twice the length LI.

Abstract: A safety support structure for use in grain storage bins comprising vertical and horizontal parts, which can be connected to provide a scaffold sufficient to support one or more persons. This safety support structure can be used to prevent a person from becoming trapped in the grain contained within the bin as well as to provide a stable place for a person to work within the bin. The present safety support structure can be freestanding so as not to interfere with any operations above the structure, and also have the ability to be raised off the grain bin floor in order to facilitate removal of grain from the floor with a sweep auger.

Abstract: A support assembly has two position rods attachable to two beam members spaced apart and attached vertically on a platform structure. A platform support frame is slidably engaged at opposed spaced apart sides on the two position rods and the platform support frame may be moved vertically by a hydraulic actuator. A work platform is rotatably attached at a floor edge to the platform support frame for the work platform to be rotated between a horizontal position and a vertical position by a hydraulic actuator. A work floor of the work platform has a central portion having an opening therein. A telescoping arm is slidably inserted in a plate that is attached centrally in the platform support frame for extending and retracted the telescoping arm over the work floor by a hydraulic actuator. A hydraulic control unit is connected to each hydraulic actuator.