Abstract: A loft ladder which can be pivotally and slidably mounted to loft opening has counterbalancing means including a resiliently biased pivotal arm, connected to the loft ladder by a link member pivotally connected between the pivotal arm and the loft ladder to allow the ladder to turn about is pivotal connection to the loft opening over at least a limited extend. The arm has a two-stage resilient biasing spring offering a greater resilient force over part of the range of movement of the arm. A hand rail of the ladder is supported on a section of the ladder by spacers allowing the hand rail to be carried at a lateral distance from the ladder stile greater than the lateral space occupied by the counterbalance mechanism. A releasable catch for retaining two ladder parts in a selected position comprises two moveable catch members mounted on respective stiles, and interconnected together.

Abstract: An electrically driven log splitter comprises a frame with a double wedge assembly on one end and a ram carriage slidable along the frame towards and away from the wedge assembly so that a log on the frame will be engaged against the wedge assembly and be split thereby when the ram carriage engages the other end of the log. An electric motor drives an endless chain at a constant speed with the chain extending around sprockets mounted on the frame and being driven by the electric motor through reduction components. The ram carriage mounts a pair of sprockets with the chain passing over one sprocket and under the other. This permits the carriage to be moved manually along the frame with the chain idling over these two sprockets. A log is mounted on the frame against the wedge assembly and the carriage is moved manually along the frame to engage the rear end of the log with the chain idling around the two sprockets within the carriage.