Abstract: An apparatus and kit for conversion of a folding ladder to a mobile platform. The apparatus includes a folding ladder structure with mounting placements for affixing a pair of wheel attachments. The wheel attachments provide selective movement of a set of wheels between a ground-engaging position and an elevated non-ground-engaging position. The kit including the mounting placements and the wheel attachments capable of use with a folding ladder to provide stability and mobility of the ladder configured with the kit.

Abstract: An optical light-transmission element for a solar energy assembly having a solar cell includes at least one harvesting portion for directing solar light onto the solar cell. For optimum operation of the solar energy assembly, the optical light-transmission element and the solar cell have to be carefully aligned. In order to facilitate the alignment, the optical light-transmission element further comprises at least one alignment control portion for concentrating the solar light onto a second focusing region, which is spaced apart from the primary focusing region. A method for aligning such a solar energy assembly involves focusing light on a focusing region that is spaced apart from the solar cell, and adjusting at least one of the position of the solar cell and the harvesting region until the focusing region is located at a predetermined target zone, which is spaced apart from the solar cell.

Abstract: A scaffolding system is defined by a first primary platform connected to a first cantilevered ladder, a second primary platform connected to a second cantilevered ladder, and a work platform extending between and connected to the first and second primary platforms.

Abstract: A stabilization and anti-rotation system provides for secure interconnection between a scaffolding work platform and two primary platforms, each of which is attached to a ladder, and prevents relative movement between the primary platforms and the scaffolding platform. A locating block is attached to a plate of each primary platform 402. A pair of spaced apart and vertically oriented guide blocks are attached to a facing plate on each end of the work platform and positioned so that a guide slot is defined between the blocks. When assembled, the locating block is closely captured between the guide blocks and the structure provides stability and prevents rotation of the work platform relative to the primary platforms.

Abstract: A brace locking mechanism locks the foldable braces of a folding ladder in the open position. The brace locking mechanism is used with a ladder that has a stepped unit and a support unit foldably attached to the stepped unit with a foldable brace extending between the stepped unit and the support unit. The brace locking mechanism comprises a lock block that is movable between a locked position in which the lock block prevents the foldable braces from moving out of their open position when the ladder is open, and an unlocked position in which the ladder may be folded into the storage position.

Abstract: A scaffolding system is defined by a first primary platform connected to a first cantilevered ladder, a second primary platform connected to a second cantilevered ladder, and a work platform extending between and connected to the first and second primary platforms.

Abstract: An extension module is provided for attachment to a folding or rigid ladder to extend the effective working height of the ladder. A ladder that is designed for use with an extension module according to the invention defines the base module to which the extension module is attached. Cooperatively constructed interconnecting structures on the ladder and the extension module operate to secure the extension module to the ladder and to stabilize the combination of the ladder with the extension.

Abstract: A brace locking mechanism locks the foldable braces of a folding ladder in the open position. The brace locking mechanism is used with a ladder that has a stepped unit and a support unit foldably attached to the stepped unit with a foldable brace extending between the stepped unit and the support unit. The brace locking mechanism comprises a lock block that is movable between a locked position in which the lock block prevents the foldable braces from moving out of their open position when the ladder is open, and an unlocked position in which the ladder may be folded into the storage position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Fresnel lens and a respective mold, the lens comprising a plurality of draft facets, wherein the draft angle of the draft facets has at least two different angular values for two different draft facets, in particular, wherein the draft angle is bigger for a draft facet closer to the edge of the lens or, respectively, of the mold, than for a draft facet closer to the center of the lens or, respectively, of the mold.

Abstract: A brace locking mechanism locks the foldable braces of a folding ladder in the open position. The brace locking mechanism is used with a ladder that has a stepped unit and a support unit foldably attached to the stepped unit with a foldable brace extending between the stepped unit and the support unit. The brace locking mechanism comprises a lock block that is movable between a locked position in which the lock block prevents the foldable braces from moving out of their open position when the ladder is open, and an unlocked position in which the ladder may be folded into the storage position.

Abstract: An optical concentration system for a solar energy assembly, in particular, for a concentrator solar energy assembly, for concentrating incoming light onto a target area such as a solar cell in the solar energy assembly, includes a first optical element for collecting the incoming light and forming a light cone toward the target area, and a second optical element adjacent to the target area. In order to provide an optical concentration system for a solar energy assembly, which allows a high efficiency for light transmission and concentration and which is easy to manufacture, the first optical element is a multi-focal element and that the second optical element is adapted to reflect the light to at least one region of the target area that is outside the center of the target area.

Abstract: An optical light-transmission element for a solar energy assembly having a solar cell includes at least one harvesting portion for directing solar light onto the solar cell. For optimum operation of the solar energy assembly, the optical light-transmission element and the solar cell have to be carefully aligned. In order to facilitate the alignment, the optical light-transmission element further comprises at least one alignment control portion for concentrating the solar light onto a second focusing region, which is spaced apart from the primary focusing region. A method for aligning such a solar energy assembly involves focusing light on a focusing region that is spaced apart from the solar cell, and adjusting at least one of the position of the solar cell and the harvesting region until the focusing region is located at a predetermined target zone, which is spaced apart from the solar cell.

Abstract: The disclosed lightweight portable ladder provides a stable platform that can nest in close proximity to helicopters, aircraft and other machines to facilitate enhanced access for inspection and maintenance. The ladder consists of a stepped unit connected by hinged means located near the top a support unit and means to hold the units in a fixed orientation. The distance from the hinge point to the bottom of the support unit is longer than from the hinge point to the bottom of the stepped unit. The hinge point may be located some distance below the top of the stepped unit, in which case the upper portion of that unit will be cantilevered with respect to the hinge point. The location of the hinge point can be tailored for specific aircraft and applications so as to provide an optimized fit when the ladder is positioned for use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Fresnel lens and a respective mold, the lens comprising a plurality of draft facets, wherein the draft angle of the draft facets has at least two different angular values for two different draft facets, in particular, wherein the draft angle is bigger for a draft facet closer to the edge of the lens or, respectively, of the mold, than for a draft facet closer to the center of the lens or, respectively, of the mold.

Abstract: A data transfer system is disclosed in which digital signal conditions existing in different positions of series-connected units can serially be transferred, the transfer of the signal conditions being effected in synchronism with clock pulses emitted by a clock pulse generator 300 via a common data transfer line 71, the clock pulses being transferred via a common clock pulse line 70, and release signals between the units being transferred via release lines 72. The data transfer of signal conditions of units featuring transmitter/receiver means 1, 1' is controlled by suppressing predetermined clock pulses originating in the clock generator 301 of a signal processing means 2, the clock generator 301 being arranged in a bus control means 3 of the signal processing means 2 together with a process control means 30, said clock generator and said process control means being controllable by means of a microprocessor unit 4 of the signal processing means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Fresnel lens and a respective mold, the lens comprising a plurality of draft facets, wherein the draft angle of the draft facets has at least two different angular values for two different draft facets, in particular, wherein the draft angle is bigger for a draft facet closer to the edge of the lens or, respectively, of the mold, than for a draft facet closer to the center of the lens or, respectively, of the mold.