Abstract: A housing module which is formed as a box-beam structure, and has sufficient rigidity and strength so that it can be used to span distances of relatively great length. The housing unit is able to be prefabricated and can be readily transported without the need for additional support or stiffening members to prevent damage from excess flexure. Further, the unit can be simply put in place on site without any additional stiffening or strengthing members. In addition, the units can be stacked one over the other, thus greatly increasing their flexibility to the architect.

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic positioner for a trailer for the support and transport of a wing engine, to be used for the removal/or installation of the wing engines of aircrafts or the like, comprising a basic structure fixed to four air-cushion devices, and supporting, by means of four hydraulic lifting cylinders or jacks and hoisting chains, a frame for the support of the trailer and of the engine. The front cylinders of said hydraulic cylinders are fixed to the basic structure, while the rear cylinders can be selectively simultaneously brought and held in vertical position, or turned over to contact the ground by means of a third pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders or jacks. The basic structure also houses or supports: the hydraulic and pneumatic devices for the actuation of the positioner mechanisms; the adjustment devices for control means and protection means; and at least one air supply pipe to be connected to an external compressed air source.

Abstract: An improved locking assembly for a folding seat is disclosed. The assembly includes a support plate adapted to be fixedly mounted to a step at its lower surface. The seat is supported by a support member when the seat is in its support position. The assembly also includes a broad hook pivotally connected at one end thereof to the support plate at a position substantially midway between the sides of the seat to hold the support member in locking relationship with the step to prevent the step from unintentionally moving out of its support position.

Abstract: A ladder attachment includes a telescopic cross-bar 1A, 2A the ends of which carry wheels 3A for engaging a wall on either side of the ladder. This provides stability and also sets the ladder back from the wall.The center portion 1A of the cross-bar has a pair of hooks 4A which hook over a rung 5A of the ladder and a pair of turnbuckles 9 which hook under a lower rung 12 (after which the turnbuckles 9 are tightened to secure the fixing). The turnbuckles are attached to a sleeve 10 carried by the bar 1A and have hooks 11.A platform assembly 30 can also be mounted on the ladder and connected to the ladder attachment by support struts. The platform assembly includes a support framework 32 in which slots 33 are provided to overlie two rungs 34 and a turnbuckle 35 tightens the framework against the ladder.The ladder attachment can carry a pulley by which goods can be hoisted to the person working on the ladder.

Abstract: A control system for a personnel carrier attached to a boom which is displaceable by pressure fluid. The control system comprises at least one hand operable controlled handle axially rotatable in a limited clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to cause the boom to be elevated or lowered, respectively. A control valve is associated with the control handle and has at least one adjustable pressure fluid control component therein to control the displacement of the boom. A movable linkage is secured at one end to the control handle and at an opposed end to the fluid control component whereby rotation of the control handle causes displacement of the control component to regulate the pressure fluid which in turn controls the displacement of the boom.

Abstract: A fire escape device includes a housing with a reel journalled for rotational movement within the housing. A cable is fixed at one end thereof to the reel and is wound upon the reel with the other end thereof extending through an opening in the housing. The housing can be connected to a fixed position on an elevated structure and a harness which is carried at the free end of the cable is used for supporting a human body. A fluid pump is carried by the housing for pumping fluid from a sump reservoir through an orifice. The rotor of the pump is coupled with the reel for retarding and impeding free rotational movement of the reel so that the cable unwinds at a controlled rate of speed which is in direct proportion to the amount of fluid being pumped through the orifice.

Abstract: A method and a device for pivoting an accommodation ladder from a stowing position on a ship's deck to an active position outside the ship's side by means of at least one davit (17) and a pulley (21) for the operating wire (22) of the ladder, said pulley being pivotably mounted at the davit. The pulley is pivoted between two positions admitting the center of gravity of one ladder to pass the vertical line through the pivot axle (14) of the ladder when the ladder by means of the operating wire (22) is pivoted from stowing and active position resp. The pivoting of the pulley (21) is achieved by means of a member (27), e.g. a wire transmitting a pull to the pulley caused by the weight of the ladder during the downward movement thereof.

Abstract: An escape system (10) for lowering a user mounted thereon in a vertical direction (12) at a predetermined rate of descent responsive to a user applied force in predetermined areas on a seat member (22). The escape system (10) includes a mounting bar member (16) which extends in a longitudinal direction (18). The mounting bar member (16) is secured to a base surface (14) which may be a wall of an edifice, or some other vertically directed surface. A seat member (22) extends in the longitudinal direction (18) which provides containment or a seat for the user. A pair of first and second pulley members (32 and 34) are displaceably coupled to the seat member (22) through a rope element (36) passing between first and second pulley members (32 and 34) and cooperating with seat member (22).

Abstract: The present invention entails an emergency escape ladder that can be used to descend from one level of a building downwardly to another level, after which the ladder may be repeatedly repositioned for descending on downwardly in a like manner. Functionally the emergency escape ladder includes a plurality of treads interconnected by a pair of flexible tie lines in the form of chains. Because of the flexible chains, the emergency escape ladder may assume an inoperative position where the same can be folded and stored in a compact area. Further, the emergency escape ladder is provided with a plurality of stabilizing bars that are secured together in end-to-end relationship, with said treads sandwiched therebetween. When the stabilizing bars are interconnected between treads, the ladder assumes an operative mode or position where the same is elongated and generally rigid.

Abstract: A window structure of a vehicle body comprises a wall portion forming part of the vehicle body and defining an opening therein; a window panel closing the opening and having at least one edge portion extending along and spaced apart inwardly from the wall portion for forming a gap between the wall portion and the edge portion; a resilient molding having a decorative trim portion bridging the window panel and the vehicle body for covering the gap, a stem portion integral with the decorative trim portion and extending in the gap, and a plurality of retrorse fins extending outwardly from both sides of the stem portion and angled toward the decorative trim portion for engagement with the edge portion of the window panel and the wall portion of the vehicle body; and retaining means for retaining the retrorse fins in engagement with the edge portion of the window panel and the wall portion of the vehicle body.

Abstract: An inflatable slide device for emergency evacuation from structures such as aircraft, offshore drilling platforms, etc. The slide device comprises two assemblies of tubular members defining two mutually independent inflatable chambers. One chamber includes tubular members supportive of the slide panel of the device and certain side rail tubular members as well as another tubular member functioning as the central slide support. The other chamber also includes tubular members supportive of the slide panel of the device and certain other side rail tubular members as well as another tubular member also functioning as an additional central slide support.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting personnel or materials from an upper elevation to a lower elevation. Twin guideline means are suspended between the upper and lower elevations from each of which is suspended a carrier means. The two carrier means are simultaneously moveable in opposite directions along their respective guideline means.

Abstract: A wooden sawhorse device that can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled without tools or fasteners. Tapered legs are each provided with slotted upper and lower edges and a contoured opening near the center of the leg. A pair of slotted sawhorse rails interfit with the slotted upper edges of the legs to rigidly connect the legs and provide a space for a 2'.times.6' board on top of the sawhorse. A slotted tool tray fits through the openings in the legs and interfits with the contoured edges of the openings to provide a rigid brace and a tool receiving surface. The sawhorses can be set up in pairs with scaffold rails extending between them to provide support for a flat work table. By stacking the sawhorses upon one another and installing the scaffold rails between the uppermost sawhorse rails, multiple level scaffolding can be formed. The sawhorse rails can be replaced by miter box rails which are specially constructed to receive and support a power miter box.

Abstract: A fire-proof rescue system for high-rise buildings comprises an upright rail fixed to a face of the building and a rescue cabin movable upwardly and downwardly of the building and having a gear engageable with the rail. The system further includes a gear transmission unit, a cable drum with a cable thereon, and a deflecting roller mounted above the rail and operative for taking up the cable from the cable drum.

Abstract: An improved stabilizer assembly for use with stepladders comprises a board member capable of being secured to the top platform of the stepladder; first and second hinges associated with the board member at or near opposing lateral ends of the board member; and first and second support legs associated with first and second hinges, respectively, and being capable of extending from the secured board member to improve the stability of the ladder.

Abstract: A single post ladder for ascending from the water over the transom of small boats and a bracket that is permanently attached near the bottom of the transom. The bracket holds the shaft below and perpendicular to the bottom of the transom when in down position and also locks the shaft in vertical position above the bottom and along the plane of the transom for storage. Hinged steps extend approximately perpendicular to the shaft parallel to the transom when the shaft is in down position and lay along side the shaft when it is rotated to the up or storage position.

Abstract: A suspension system for a person under a ceiling is disclosed, consisting of a false ceiling composed of a plurality of spaced-apart tiles each of a regular geometric shape. Slots are thus defined between the tiles. The latter is also downwardly spaced from the regular roof or ceiling and is rigidly secured thereto, thereby defining a space between the tiles and the roof. At least one pair of stilts is used in combination with the ceiling. Each stilt is adapted to move in the slots and is provided with a suspension flange at its upper end and a foot support at its lower end, thereby enabling a user to "walk" under the ceiling.

Abstract: A ladder for a vehicle having a top surface vertically elevated to a height not easily accessible to a person, which ladder is capable of being integrated into elements of an adjustable and removable article carrier or a slat of a slat-type article carrier, comprising a pair of side members spanned by steps or braces having upper securement elements or retainers at one end of the side members insertable into engagement with the article carrier and lower securement elements, such as suction cups, engageable with the side of the vehicle to secure the ladder in place.

Abstract: A portable auctioneer's podium assembly movably supported on casters that may occupy either a first or second position, which assembly when in the first is defined by a vertically disposable elongate structure that supports a shelf on which the auctioneer may rest papers and the like, and an elevated platform rearwardly of the structure on which the auctioneer may stand to look down on a crowd to spot bidders. The platform is hingedly connected to the structure and may be pivoted into the latter when the assembly is disposed in a second position to occupy less space than in the first position to facilitate the transportation of the assembly from one auction site to another. Fastening means are provided to removably secure the platform in the second position.

Abstract: A sliding section ladder, comprising sections of varying widths made up of u-shaped modules, comprising a base and upright sections, each module being smaller in width than the one immediately before it, the outer sides of the smaller module backing into the inside of the immediately larger module, whereby the base and upright sections of the u-configuration of the smaller module are adjacent to the u-shaped base and upright sections of the larger module when said ladder is in a closed position.