Abstract: An emergency descent device includes a casing, a rotation retarding device, a suspension gear pulley, a cable extending around the suspension gear pulley and a cable guiding unit. The cable guiding unit includes a pair of spaced upper rollers and a lower roller provided under a point between the two spaced rollers. A cable has a descending portion and an ascending portion, which is frictionally passed around the suspension gear pulley. Each of the two end portions of a cable pass between one of the pair of spaced rollers and the lower roller. When one end of the cable is pulled, an additional frictional force occurs which arrests the fall of the pulled end of the cable.

Abstract: A stackable sacffold module (11) having four vertically extending support columns or members (13,14) to which there is pivotally attached at least two work platforms (12), there is further provided clamps (44) which retain the work platforms (12) fixed to the support columns (13,14), when the module (11) is in an erect configuration. The clamps (44) are releasable to allow folding of the module (11) to a transport configurations, with the support members (13, 14) being located adjacent each other.

Abstract: A knee support apparatus for use as a flotation raft for utilizing a flotation raft with each foot for permitting ease of support of an individual upon a surface, such as concrete to be finished. Each raft includes a knee engaging loop, and a rearwardly oriented foot receiving socket. A modification of the invention includes padding for enhancing comfort of the individual upon an uncured concrete surface.

Abstract: A ladder apparatus comprising a longitudinally elongated step support for mounting between an upper level and a lower level at a forward angle of inclination. The elongated support has an upper end and a lower end. A series of steps are mounted relative to the elongated support. A hinge assembly is mounted relative to the elongated support adjacent its upper end. The hinge assembly includes a pivot positioned adjacent one of the outer longitudinal edges enabling the ladder apparatus to be swung at least about 90.degree. between an operable position and a stowed position. The hinge assembly preferably comprises retaining means for inhibiting the ladder apparatus from swinging away from the operable position.

Abstract: A roller device (7) for equipment such as a ladder (5) has a rigid core (14) with an axle (17), and a surrounding more compressible rubber portion (8,9) circumferentially spaced portions of which are more readily compressible than adjacent portions so that the device will roll easily when not under load, but less easily when under load.

Abstract: A stand-off brace for attachment to the top end of a ladder maintains the top end of the ladder away from the work surface against which it would ordinarily rest. The brace has a general U-shape wherein the legs are reversible to vary the distance between the ladder and the work surface. The distance between the legs is also adjustable so that the brace spans the work surface. The legs are fitted with resilient ads for contacting the work surface without damage. Corner adapters are connected to the legs and the pads are pivotally attached to the adapters to maintain flush contact with the walls of a corner or a curved surface. The corner adapters have an angular offset to maintain flush contact with the ladder positioned at the recommended working angle.

Abstract: A stabilizing leg for attachment to a ladder for use on uneven surfaces comprises a rigid leg member (3) having a central longitudinal slot (6) through which extend U-bolts (17) for clamping the leg member (3) to the rungs (15) of the ladder. The U-bolts can be slackened to permit the leg member (3) to slide vertically relative to the rungs between stored and extended positions, and also to slide along the rungs between the opposed stiles. The leg can be used on a ladder without specific adaptation of the ladder. There is also disclosed a hooking support (30) for attachment to the stiles at the upper end of the ladder for supporting the ladder from a ledge or spouting. The support comprises a number of adjacent hooking portions (34a) to (34d) spaced by a fraction of the ladder rung spacing.

Abstract: Means and method are provided for walking on residential and commercial tile roofs with minimal breakage of the tile, there being a support provided having a planar backboard of plywood or the like with a pair of spaced, soft resilient parallel cushions on the front surface which are laid down into the troughs of the tile roof to distribute weight, and to distribute the weight particularly into the troughs of the roof, which are supported underneath by the sub-roof. The supports are distributed in a pathway over the roof to get the workman to the point on the roof that he needs to access, without stepping directly on the tiles.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending a user (such as a hunter) above the ground, the apparatus protecting the hunter from bad weather and designed to allow the hunter to raise the apparatus easily. The apparatus includes a base to support the hunter, and a protective canopy positioned to at least partially cover the base. A first pulley is secured at a fixed distance from a support member (such as a tree branch), and a second pulley is secured at a fixed distance from the base. A rope passes through each of the pulleys with a first end of the rope secured such that a hunter positioned on the base can raise the base toward the support member by pulling a second end of the rope. In the preferred embodiments a third pulley is positioned at a fixed distance from the support member, with the rope also passing through the third pulley. The first pulley can be suspended from the support member by a second rope.

Abstract: One end of a leg of a boat ladder is swivably and pivotably affixed to the side of a boat and the corresponding end of the other leg of the ladder is releasably latched or hooked to one of a pair of brackets located on the same side of the boat forward and aft of the affixed attachment. The ladder is stored in a vertically upright position with the second leg latched onto one of the pair of brackets. To be put to use the second leg first is unhooked from the bracket and swung outward in a generally horizontal arc of about 180 degrees until it reaches the other of the pair of brackets and is then latched or hooked onto the other of the pair of brackets and then the ladder is swung vertically outward and downward toward or into the water. Standoffs may be provided on each leg of the ladder to support the ladder against and away from the side of the boat or the "logs" or floats of a pontoon boat.

Abstract: A pair of brackets for the top end of a ladder, which can be slipped over the ladder rails and pinned in attached relation thereto, are of light weight, low cost pressed steel construction, and are formed to accept as a spacer member a piece of two-by-four timber, to permit supporting the ladder against the face of a building such as a damage-susceptible siding, or in positioned relation in a window opening, wherein the two-by-four timber spans the window opening and supports the ladder in that opening. An alternative use of the brackets, in one embodiment in combination with a small plywood platform attached to the brackets, serves as a ladder hold-off, for use when working under or adjacent the eaves of a house, and to serve as a supporting platform for a can of paint, or other adjuncts such as tools. The form of the brackets facilitates readily manufacture from sheet steel, with high percentage material utilization, and low scrap generation.

Abstract: A rung lock assembly for selectively and releasably locking a pair of adjacent rungs of relatively slidable fly ladder and base ladder sections of an extensible ladder including a rung lock frame pivotally mounted within the fly ladder section to be normally urged into engagement with adjacent rungs of the ladder sections and a pulley and cable system cooperative with the rung lock frame to release and move the same away from such engagement for relative slidable movement of the ladder sections.

Abstract: A fire escape device incorporated into new buildings or added on to existing buildings by which occupants of the building may quickly and safely exit from the building in the case of fire or other emergency conditions. The fire escape device includes a vertical track or guide that slidably receives a slide in the form of a backpack attached to each person using the fire escape device. The slide or backpack includes an oscillatable control member that swings back and forth about an axis perpendicular to the track or guide and engages a plurality of stationary pins oriented in staggered spaced relation on opposite side of the guide or track and control members that control the speed of descent of the slide or backpack and the individual supported thereon. An interlock device is provided to control access to the track or guide to insure proper sequential use of this fire escape device by a plurality of individuals.

Abstract: An adjustable roofing jack (10) for securing a scaffold (22) of a selected size for roofers to prevent falls and other dangers associated with working on an inclined surface, and especially high-pitched roofs. The adjustable roofing jack (10) includes a frame (12) for engaging the surface of the roof (24). The frame (12) includes an extended portion (34) for engaging one side of a scaffold board (22). An opening (36) is defined by the extended portion (34) for the receipt of a nail, screw or other conventional fastener (38) to prevent the scaffold board (22) from rotating axially. Slotted openings (42) are defined by the frame (12) for receiving at least one selected fastener (40) to secure the adjustable roofing jack (10) to the roof (24). A scaffold support (16) is attached to the frame (12) for supporting a scaffold board (22) of a selected width. An adjuster (18) is provided for altering the effective width of the scaffold support (16).

Abstract: A stand-off brace for attachment to the top end of a ladder maintains the top end of the ladder away from the work surface against which it would ordinarily rest. The brace has a general U-shape wherein the legs are adjustable to vary the distance between the ladder and the work surface. The distance between the legs is also adjustable so that the brace spans the work surface.

Abstract: A displaceable working platform comprising a main frame having stabilizing extension posts secured thereto for immovably securing the main frame to surrounding surfaces. A displaceable platform is slidingly secured to the main frame. The platform is displaceable on the main frame from a storage position to a working position. An extensible boom is secured on a rotating support base which is secured to the displaceable platform. The boom has a working free end at which a working element is secured. The rotating support base is rotatable by a motor and a boom is extensible by an hydraulic system which is also provided to regulate the angular position of the boom by controlling hydraulic pistons connected between the boom telescopic sections, and the rotating support base.

Abstract: A portable step for supporting a person while working in the engine compartment of a vehicle, such as a truck. The portable step comprises a generally planar member and two legs on the generally planar member having a wheel attachment assembly at their upper ends for hooking onto either the front wheel or rear wheel of the vehicle thereby to suspend the planar member in a position wherein it is generally horizontal and at an elevation above the ground where a person standing on the planar member has convenient access to the engine compartment of the vehicle. Also disclosed is such a portable step wherein the wheel attachment assembly and the planar member are collapsible to minimize the size of the portable step for storage.

Abstract: A power seat track apparatus for selectively positioning an automotive vehicle seat is adapted to be powered by an electric motor drive, preferably with separate motors for each drive direction. The seat back is mounted on the upper track of the seat track mechanism for horizontal drive with the track. The vertical drive through front and rear torsion tubes or bars act on only the seat pan and seat cushion but not on the seat back. Since the vehicle shock loading requirements must be met by the structural seat pan or seat frame, the pan for holding only the seat cushion may be reduced in size as compared to the usual power seat frame. The front of the seat cushion is interconnected with the pan through a lost motion pivot and the rear portion of the seat cushion is interconnected with the seat pan through a fixed pivot connection whereby simultaneous elevation and shortening of the seat cushion with respect to the seat back is effected.

Abstract: A motorized IV pole system for controlling the height of an IV container to thereby control the infusion pressure in an IV tube includes a telescoping IV pole system. In one embodiment, comprising three concentric support members, the outer support member is fixed, the middle support member is reciprocable with respect to the outer support member and is driven by a rack gear attached thereto. An inner support member is reciprocatable in the interior of the middle support member and is driven by a cable attached to the outer support member passing over a pulley attached to the middle support member. The rack on the middle support member may be driven by a shaft to which is attached a hand crank and an AC motor. The AC motor may be driven by a programmable control system which includes an optical encoder to permit display of the height of the IV container. Also, preselected heights and various speeds of height adjustment may be utilized.

Abstract: A pipe step for providing a flat supporting surface on the top side of a horizontal pipe. The step includes a pair of channel members each having arcs cut in the flange portions thereof to meet with the pipe. U-bolts are provided for clamping the channel members to the pipe. A flat-supporting surface form from square mesh grating is bolted to and extends between the upper web portions of the channel members and provides a non-slip flat supporting surface.