Abstract: A personnel transfer apparatus is provided herein. It includes a rigid but open personnel transfer chamber provided with a buoyant support for persons in water and is suitable for personnel transfer or for personnel evacuation and rescue. The apparatus includes a deck, a buoyant, shock-absorbing base supporting the deck, and a plurality of padded peripheral posts upstanding from the deck. These posts are used for lifting purposes. One of the posts is a central floatation, padded post. Such post is not to be used for lifting purposes. The posts provide a cage for surrounding personnel on the deck. The deck and the shock-absorbing base have sufficient buoyancy to support the whole chamber and deck in the water with the deck disposed slightly below the water level.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving personnel or materials through an opening in a sidewall of a vessel and down into the vessel wherein a lower support and an upper support are mounted on the portion of the sidewall defining the opening and have a tripod supported thereon and located within the vessel. A hoist and a fall arresting device are mounted on the upper support and the cables thereof are passed over pulleys mounted on the tripod so that personnel or materials may be attached to the snaphook on the end of the cable and moved through the opening and lowered into the vessel.

Abstract: Standard platforms are integrated into a mason's scaffold to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs. The standard platforms having hooks on both ends. The hooks are supported on lower horizontal members of respective rectangular frames. Platform fasteners are secured to each lower horizontal member with the standard platform hooks therebetween, thereby retaining the standard platforms to the frames to form a working deck. Each platform fastener comprises a metal sheet to which is welded an L-shaped bar that engages a hole in the frame lower horizontal member. A pin slides within the metal sheet and cooperates with the bar to positively secure the platform fastener to the frame lower horizontal member. Similar standard platforms and platform fasteners are assembled to upper horizontal members of the frames to form a protective canopy. Hatches with selectively openable doors may be used for some sections of the canopy.

Abstract: A safety cage utilized in connection with a cargo container hoisting bridle crane including a safety mechanism for securing the safety cage to the cargo container bridle. A plurality of locking pins are rotatably mounted within the roof assembly of the safety cage. Connector beams adapted for receiving the locking pins are mounted on the bridle in such a manner that when the bridle is lowered onto the top of the safety cage the locking pins are positioned within the connector beams. An activation assembly is provided by means of which the locking pins can be rotated to a locked position within the connector beams thereby securely joining together the safety cage and bridle.

Abstract: A portable support system for use on the roof of a building to support an object and/or person therefrom. The system is arranged to be readily rolled to a desired position adjacent the edge of the roof and includes two wheeled frame assemblies and a collapsible/extendable boom assembly. The boom assembly comprising pivotable sections arranged to be extended from a compact orientation to an extended orientation and vice versa. The frame assemblies are arranged for connection to respective portions of the boom assembly. When the boom assembly is in the compact orientation the frame assemblies are closely connected together via plural connecting members to form a compact cart. The frame assemblies each include a pair of spaced wheels which can pivot in any direction to enable the cart to be readily wheeled to a position at the edge of the roof.

Abstract: A fire/rescue system which overcomes the deficiencies of internal and external fire escapes noted above by providing a plurality of compartments which are mounted to traverse the vertical side walls of a high-rise building to carry individuals from designated locations, vertically distributed along the side walls of the building, to safety of the base of the building. The compartments are stored prior to use and between uses on the roof of the high-rise building, preferably within a specially-designed garage therefor, thus overcoming the aesthetic deficiencies of external fire escapes. In the event a fire and/or smoke sensing device is activated within the building, one or more of the compartments is ejected from the rooftop storage facility and tranverses down the exterior wall(s) of the building.

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: A formwork arrangement for erecting a structural wall of castable material, for example, of concrete. The arrangement includes at least one work platform and formwork plates which have a large surface area. For erecting the structural wall, the formwork plates and the work platform are progressively vertically raised by the height of the formwork plates. A support frame which extends parallel to the platform is provided above the formwork plates of a formwork section. Horizontally extending rails which are horizontally spaced from each other are mounted on the support frame. The rails can be swiveled about a vertical axis. A carriage is slidably mounted on each of the rails. Each carriage has a suspended anchor member on a side facing the formwork plate. The anchor member can be connected to an upper edge of the formwork plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that can be used for hoisting and rescue purposes at significant elevations such as in high rise buildings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an offshore access system that includes a support frame designed to be supported by grating positioned above horizontal structural members of the offshore structure. A support sleeve is attached to the support frame. Within the support sleeve there is included a vertically slidable and rotatable post. A mobile works platform is attached to a lower end of the vertically slidable and rotatable post. The work platform has a U-shaped configuration in one embodiment to provide maximum access to vertical structural members.

Abstract: An escape system for enabling occupants to escape from the upper levels of buildings includes a vessel suspended from at least two fire-resistant cables spaced apart upon the surface of the vessel, the vessel itself being of fire-resistant material and being substantially air-tight, a bridge affording access for personnel from an adjacent building to the vessel, and lift means for retracting the cables and thus lifting the vessel.

Abstract: A movable support structure from which a window washer is suspended that utilizes the parapet wall of a building as a support or runway by directing the force applied by the weight of the washer downwardly into the parapet wall. An upright frame above the parapet wall extends upwardly in substantially the same vertical plane of the parapet wall. The upright frame is supported on the parapet wall by a first set of wheels that rest on the wall. The upright frame may be further maintained on the roof by a second set of wheels that rest on the roof. The wheels roll along the roof and wall to facilitate horizontal movement of the apparatus. The horizontal movement is guided by internal and external guide rollers that engage the respective surfaces of the parapet wall. In addition, a ladder depends over the edge of the wall such that a window washer may safely step over the parapet wall and into a position to begin cleaning.

Abstract: A rescue balloon for rescuing individuals from high places such as towers and building includes an enclosed envelope for holding heated air under substantially greater than atmospheric pressure with a burner contained within the enclosed envelope for burning a combustible gas to generate sufficient heated air under pressure in the envelope to provide lift to the balloon. A rescue compartment is carried by the envelope for accommodating rescued individuals and a tether is provided for guiding the balloon as necessary to effect rescues. The balloon includes a porous blast shield positioned within the envelope to prevent direct contact between the envelope and the flame of the burner. The blast shield comprises an upright cylinder supported and secured in fixed relation within the envelope by a plurality of catenaries attached to the blast shield and to the inner walls of the envelope around its perimeter. The burn super-pressurizes the heated air within the envelope.

Abstract: Surfaces of a structure are treated from a walkway within an enclosure suspended from the structure. The enclosure has a downwardly-converging cross section terminating in a vacuum conveyor for collecting and removing particles accumulating from the blasting process. The enclosure is preferably provided in modules. The vacuum conveyor removes the particulate material for transfer to conventional separating and re-cycling equipment. the enclosure and walkway are moveably suspended from transverse guideways secured to the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus is set fourth for providing a chair lift for vertical repositioning relative to an overlying support such as a tree or adjacent building. The apparatus includes a seat platform, including a lateral and longitudinal bar orthogonally and integrally mounted to the bottom surface of the seat platform. The lateral bar includes a plurility of arm rest posts integrally mounted thereto, with an arm rest mounted at an upper end of each post pivotally mounted to each arm rest post. The longitudinal bar includes a forward and rear "L" shaped yoke, wherein the forward yoke includes a light post mounted thereto. The rear "L" shaped yoke includes a lower spine link adjustably mounted thereto, with a back suport plate mounted to the lower spine link. An upper spine link is pivotally mounted relative to the lower spine link and in turn is pivotally mounted to an overhead link which integrally mounts a winch member to effect a lifting of the organization.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporary installation within a relatively large pressure veseel, especially a boiler-furnace for generating electricity, for facilitating the manual inspection and (if necessary) the repair of things within said pressure vessel. The apparatus includes a generally horizontal platform upon which workers stand, and cables for raising and lowering the platform. The platform is fabricated from relatively small construction elements, each of which has a size that permits it to be inserted through a small access opening in the pressure vessel. The elements are manually assembled within the vessel by pinning them together, using high-strength pins which engage a plurality of prepared aperture. A relatively large platform is constructed in a vertical mode, and subsequenctly rotated to its horizontal and working orientation.

Abstract: This relates to a swing scaffold assembly comprising a plurality of frames disposed in alignment with each other in spaced apart generally parallel planes. Each such frame includes a lower cross beam and a secondary frame structure supported on an intermediate section of each said cross beam. Opposing end portions of each cross beam extend outwardly from the intermediate beam section. A pair of uprights are each connected to and extend upwardly from the opposing ends of each cross beam. An upper cross member spans the distance between and is interconnected to the upper ends of each pair of these uprights. The secondary frame structure for each frame is arranged such that when the frames are in their spaced apart parallel positions they serve to provide a plurality of raised centrally located supports upon which longitudinally extending planks or the like may be laid thereby to provide a raised central bench for supporting building materials at a height convenient for masons and the like.

Abstract: A hanging cradle arrangement (1) of the kind which comprises a working platform (2), a post or arm (3) which extends upwardly from the platform and which is intended to work with a line (4, 4a, 4b), a first attachment (5) or pulley located above the working platform (2); a guide (6) or pulley located on the free part (3a) of the post (3); normally a second attachment (7) located beneath said guide (6); and device (8) for raising and lowering the working platform by changing the distance between the guide (6) and the first attachment (5) with the aid of a line activating machine (8). According to the invention the arrangement is such that the distance (H) between the platform (2) and the upper free part (3a) of the post can be decreased when the upper free part (6) is in co-action with the first attachment (5), and in that the possibility is provided of further raising the working platform.

Abstract: A protective device is disclosed for use with a scaffolding platform of the type which is suspended from an upright structure by means of and movable along at least one cable. The protective device protects an exposed zone of the cable adjacent to the platform against damage. The device comprises a weighted sleeve and means for selectively opening and re-closing the weighted sleeve so that it may be placed around the cable at the exposed zone and thereby protect the same. The weighted sleeve follows said platform under the influence of gravity as the platform is moved along the cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertically and horizontally movable work platform 4 for carrying out renovations to the concrete on reinforced concrete buildings or for replacing the structural protection on steel constructions. To increase the operational safety these work platforms 4 are held against the surfaces 1 of the buildings by attached magnetic plates 6. Since the tensions cables previously required are dispensed with, the weight of the upper carriage 2 from which the work platforms are suspended by cables is considerably reduced.

Abstract: An arrangement for the demolition of smokestacks includes a demolition tool for successively demolishing the smokestack shaft. A work platform is suspended from the smokestack wall by suspension devices distributed over the circumference of the work platform. Each suspension device includes at least one vertically guided lowering piston which can be locked in different vertical positions. A suspension arm is mounted at the upper end of each piston and can be swung inwardly and outwardly. In the outwardly swung position, the suspension arm engages over the smokestack wall. A mechanical shovel with the demolition tool works on the work platform. The demolition is carried out in the area of a suspension arm which is swung inwardly. After the demolition work has been carried out, the suspension arm is again moved to the outwardly swung position. This is repeated with all suspension arms until the work platform can be lowered by the stroke of the lowering piston and a new demolition cycle can begin.

Abstract: A multiuser high-rise building fire escape device includes a basic bearing frame assembly alternatively mountd on the roof or either floor of a high-rise building, and several cabins mounted on the tracks of the basic bearing frame assembly and suspended therefrom through a steel rope combination. The cabins each comprises a speed reducing gear to smoothen the down stroke speed of the cabin, a motor assembly to drive the steel rope to wind up so as to lift the cabin, a mid-way stop mechanism to stop the cabin during down stroke, and a ladder door to control the access of the cabin and to serve as a bridge for striding over the cabin and an intermediate floor of a building.

Abstract: A device which is easily attached to the side of a scaffold for lifting objects up the side of the scaffold. The device consists of a carriage which has a rectangular frame having guide members with wheels attached at each corner for engaging the pipes of the scaffold frame. The wheels are attached such that the carriage can ride up and down on the scaffold without interference with the scaffold frame supports and cross members. The carriage has a motor attached to it which is connected to a chain drive. There is a chain which runs through the chain drive and attaches to the top of the scaffold frame. The motor and chain drive act on the chain to drive the carriage up and down the scaffold. The chain drive preferably has a brake for use when the carriage is stopped. The carriage frame has a means of attaching a pair of forks. The width of the forks are adjustable on the carriage frame.

Abstract: A rescue balloon for rescuing individuals from high places such as towers and buildings includes an enclosed envelope for holding heated air under substantially greater than atmospheric pressure with a burner contained within the enclosed envelope for burning a combustible gas to generate sufficient heated air under pressure in the envelope to provide lift to the balloon. A rescue compartment is carried by the envelope for accommodating rescued individuals and a tether is provided for guiding the balloon as necessary to effect rescues. The balloon includes a porous blast shield positioned within the envelope to prevent direct contact between the envelope and the flame of the burner. The blast shield comprises an upright cylinder supported and secured in fixed relation within the envelope by a plurality of catenaries attached to the blast shield and to the inner walls of the envelope around its perimeter. The burn super-pressurizes the heated air within the envelope.

Abstract: A work cradle comprising a work platform suspended by ropes from a building. Two guide ropes extend downwardly on either side of the platform and are secured to the building. The work platform is attached to the guide ropes by two further ropes which are slidable along the guide ropes by means of releasable hooks. The ropes pass over respective pulleys attached to an extension projecting from the platform in a direction away from the building. A winch is provided for each rope to apply tension to the ropes by means of which the platform may be prevented from swinging away from the building, and/or may be moved to a different lateral position, at a given suspension height.Also disclosed is a beam clamp which may be used with the above-described work cradle.

Abstract: System for rescuing occupants of a tall building having at least one generally planar windowed face is disclosed, which system includes a first and a second boom mounted respectively at opposite sides of the building face at a building level above that face. Each boom has a retracted position and is shiftable to a cantilevered position in which its outer end overhangs the side of the building. A first and a second hoist cable extends respectively from the outer ends of the booms. A rescue cage has a top, a bottom and a flexible, collapsible, heat-shielding wall extending between the peripheries of the top and bottom to provide a shielded compartment. A pair of hoists are mounted to the cage top and engage individually the first and second hoist cables in order to drivingly support the cage adjacent the building face. The hoists are controllable so as to be driven differentially to move the cage transversely of the building face, and driven in the same direction for vertical motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for escaping from a building on fire. The apparatus comprises a body frame with a gondola, a pin-wheel, a rolling drum, an anchor, a weight, an inside and out side blocks, a projection and a pair of stoppers so that the anchor may be swung and stopped to control the speed of a descending gondola.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging substantially upright columnar members, including trees, for supporting a person above the ground. This apparatus includes a support secured to a columnar member and a seat assembly suspended from the support. This seat assembly is fully pivotable around a generally vertical axis and it is spaced from the columnar member to enable a user to rotate 360.degree. with respect to the support and columnar member.

Abstract: An offshore drilling/production platform equipped with a retractable work deck. A light weight work deck constructed of tubular steel with plate steel attachment plates welded thereto. A plurality of variously configured removable panels can be bolted in a configuration that can provide the work surface needed to accomplish the tasks of installing wellhead equipment, inspecting the below deck regions of the platform or performing maintenance on such portions. A plurality of removable and foldable handrail sections are installed about the periphery of the configured work surface. The work deck can be retracted to a position immediately adjacent the lowermost fixed deck to protect it from wind and waves when not in use.

Abstract: A safety net arrangement for and a method of protecting workmen and passersby from injury during the construction of a multi-floor building includes the raising and lowering of a fully deployed safety net along a plurality of upright guide rails attached to the building.

Abstract: A support structure for suspending a window washer from the top of a building is disclosed. The support structure includes a counterweight carriage, a center support, a beam affixed to the counterweight carriage and the center support, and means for suspending the window washer from the outward end of the beam. The counterweight carriage has a frame member, a ballast container, and at least three wheels that allow the counterweight carriage to roll along the roof. The counterweight carriage further includes a steering mechanism to facilitate moving the carriage and support structure around on the roof.

Abstract: A wheeled, self-propelled deer stand for elevating hunters above the ground. The deer stand comprises a pivoted chassis the rear portion of which rotates to a vertical position when the structure is raised off the ground. The deer stand is motor-powered and has two pairs of bar and roller mechanisms for bracing the deer stand against a tree and providing stability when the deer stand is elevated. A winch and cable assembly is used to elevate the deer stand.

Abstract: A device for horizontally moving an apparatus such as a gondola working at a high location such as a wall surface of a building comprises a mounting frame fixedly provided on the upper end portion of a structure and having a vertically extending rotary shaft receiving portion, a rail supporting member having a rotary shaft received in the rotary shaft receiving portion and also having an arm extending substantially normally from the rotary shaft and including a rail supporting portion at the foremost end thereof, a horizontally extending rail disposed detachably on the rail supporting portion, a rail pivoting device associated with the rail supporting portion and the rail for pivoting the rail when the rotation shaft is rotated, and a trolley mounted on the rail for suspending the apparatus working at a high location. The rail can be provided only provisionally when required and not permanently fixed to the structure.

Abstract: A portable support boom for window washers is provided on a support frame which has extendable boom sections that can be folded into a collapsed position and includes transporting wheels and handles so that the boom can be manually rolled from one place to another. When at the work site, the boom sections can be unfolded, then can be used either in extended or retracted position. A support frame attaches to the folded booms when in collapsed position and can be erected to form a triangular configuration for supporting extending end of the boom when in the work position. Support wheels are provided on the support frame for moving the boom laterally between different work positions at the same work site. A brake can be provided to releasably lock the support wheels at each work position. Also, the support frame can be selectively pivoted at each work position to bring the transporting wheels into contact with the supporting surface to inhibit lateral movement of the boom during use.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a lift driving device to the top part of a lift cage in a lift of the type wherein the driving device includes at least two horizontally spaced driving wheels, each of which engages a respective elongate flexible member. The driving device is supported by a separate mounting frame from which the lift cage is functionally suspended by a first vibration damping support for slight movement, and the mounting frame is disposed to bear against the lift cage through a second vibration damping support, the latter support being at least slightly resilient to permit inclination of the mounting frame relative to the lift cage. Power supply to the driving device is cut off in response to sensing excessive bias of the mounting frame or a predetermined minimum spacing between the mounting frame and the lift cage.

Abstract: A rolling safety trolley for traversing the upper circumference of an open tank having a top ledge comprises: a frame having an upright member and at least one cross member, and preferably a plurality of cross members, an outer wall roller affixed to the extremity of each of said crossmembers and adapted to engage and roll along the outer wall surface of said tank, a hooked member affixed to the uppermost portion of said upright member, a top ledge roller affixed to said hook member and adapted to engage and roll along said top ledge, and an inner wall roller affixed to said hook member and adapted to engage and roll along the inner wall of said tank.

Abstract: The outer support frame of a platform of collapsible scaffolding consists of a box beam surmounted by a kick plate, the upper edge of which locates in a channel in the base of the support frame of the next higher platform.

Abstract: A device for hydrostatic weighing of humans in existing swimming pools having a cradle for supporting a human body under water, a scale suspending the cradle for measuring the percent body fat of a human, a beam suspending the scale over the pool and a support frame for suspending the beam over the water. The frame includes a hollow base leg, a hollow upright post at the end of the base leg, and an upright post at the poolside end of the base leg so that the beam may be adequately supported. The weight of the human in the cradle is counterbalanced by filling the hollow base leg and hollow upright post with water by means of a hose and valve assembly located at the front of the base leg.

Abstract: A unique lift container for use in erecting scaffolding within power boilers and similar large enclosures having small access manholes, preferably being made from modularized forming equipment so as to be readily disassembled into constituent parts dimensioned to fit through the small access openings of such boilers.

Abstract: Collapsible scaffolding comprises a number of platforms which can be suspended in spaced vertical array for chains secured to the corners of the platform, and arranged at the top for the support of the scaffolding by a crane or a horizontally movable trolley. Additional cables at each end of the platforms are each secured at the lower end to the lowest platform and pass through guides secured to the intermediate and top platforms to a winch enabling the platform to be quickly lifted and stacked but allowing them to be quickly lowered and erected. The guides provide lateral location of the stacked platforms.

Abstract: A swivel housing (22) at the lower end of a davit (10) is introduced into an open side of a socket (20). The socket (20) is mobile and it includes hook members (136, 140) at its lower end which fit through openings (60, 62) in a base member (18) which is incorporated into a rooftop (12). The socket (20) is then slid sideways to place the hook members (136, 140) below hook engaging portions (90, 94 or 92, 96) of a top wall (56) of the base member (18). Then, a filler member (146) is inserted into a portion of the opening (60, 62) which is vacated by the sideways shifting of the socket (20), to block unwanted sideways shifting of the socket (20) in opposite direction. The swivel housing (22) at the lower end of the davit (10) is inserted into the open side of the socket (20) while the davit is in a horizontal position. Then, a pivot pin (188) is inserted and the davit (10) is swung upwardly about the pivot pin (188). Then, a lock pin (196) is inserted to lock the davit (10) in an upright position.

Abstract: A safety cage hoisted atop a stack of interlockable cargo containers provides safe access to the locks. The dimensions of the cage are substantially identical to the dimensions of the containers. Eyes in the upper corners of the cage frame are engaged by the container bridle hooks. Hinged deck plates in the corners of the cage open to provide access to the locks immediately below. A reeled tether hanging from a trolley which rolls along the athwartship extension arms of a roof boom hooks onto a worker's safety harness to enable him to leave the cage and reach remote locks in safety. The boom rotates between stowed and deployed positions and is held in place by quick release catches. A spring actuated pin engages a tapered hole to lock the extension arms in place. Baskets disposed along the perimeter of the cage are used for storing the locking cones.

Abstract: Self-propelled scaffold for buildings (1) exhibiting a continuously closed contour, wherein the scaffold comprises a framework and a working platform arranged on a horizontal bracket (2) of the framework; as well as a rope tensioner (15) for the scaffold with two clamping units (101, 102) that can be moved with respect to each other and are opened and closed in phase opposition. The scaffolding is associated with at least two sets of jaws (7), respectively connected, with a mutually independent, detachable connection, to an outside face (4) of the building (1), one jaw set (7) being fixedly attached to the scaffolding and the further jaw sets (7) being connected, respectively by a length-variable element, with the first jaw set (7) or with one another.

Abstract: A portable elevating device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a winch frame for mounting a winch and a harness assembly secured to the winch frame for supporting an operator. In the preferred embodiment, the free end of the cable of the winch is releasably secured at a vertical position by a C-shaped anchor. The anchor may be positioned at the vertical position by a telescoping pole releasably secured thereto. After the free end of the cable is secured to the vertical position, the operator located in the harness assembly can elevate or lower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch. The winch frame in its most preferred form includes a rope gripping member for gripping a rope secured to a vertical position and moveable between a non-engaging position and an engaging position to thus operate as a safety line if the winch, cable, or anchor should fail.

Abstract: A portable elevating device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a winch frame for mounting a winch and a harness assembly secured to the winch frame for supporting an operator. In the preferred embodiment, the free end of the cable of the winch is releasably secured at a vertical position by a C-shaped anchor. The anchor may be positioned at the vertical position by a telescoping pole releasably secured thereto. After the free end of the cable is secured to the vertical position, the operator located in the harness assembly can elevate or lower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch. The winch frame in its most preferred form includes a rope gripping member for gripping a rope secured to a vertical position and moveable between a non-engaging position and an engaging position to thus operate as a safety line if the winch, cable, or anchor should fail.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining and inspecting a dockside container crane which includes at least one aerial work platform unit rigidly attached to one end of an ISO container. A spreader attached to the crane is used to grasp the ISO container for permitting the crane to lift the apparatus to an operating position, where an inspector or repairman manipulates controls on a work platform to operate a turret and telescopic boom, connected between the work platform and the turret, to position the work platform for inspecting or servicing some portion of the crane.

Abstract: A method and system for placing a load, which may consist of a combination of personnel, equipment and material, on or in proximity to components of an energized transmission line system. An ungrounded, overhead, aerial support means, such as a helicopter or crane, provides maneuverable support to a suspension means having dielectric strength or insulating means to minimize injurious fault current flow resulting from contact between energized and grounded components of the placement system and transmission line system. The system of ungrounded and insulated support permits contact between differing but ungrounded potentials to permit live line and barehand procedures in servicing, repairing, maintaining and constructing energized transmission line systems. A limited slip device may be used with the suspension means to provide additional length to the suspension means during movement of the supporting means, such as a helicopter, while it may be momentarily tethered to the transmission line system.

Abstract: An emergency evacuation apparatus including a cage, a drum with a hoisting wire wound around it, the drum being rotatably supported above the cage, a brake cylinder formed into a single unit with the drum in a manner to rotate together with the drum, a brake lever provided with the momentum by spring to work in the direction to apply the braking effect to the brake cylinder, the brake lever being disposed to face the brake cylinder, and a brake release lever linked to the interlocking lever causes the brake lever to turn in the direction to release the brake applied to the brake cylinder.

Abstract: A work scaffold system including a frame structure having spaced, parallel upper and lower horizontal track members upon which a pair of vertical column members may be horizontally moved. The vertical members have tracks for the vertical movement of worker cars. The structure supporting the horizontally and vertically movable worker cars are positioned in a desired location adjacent the face of a building by a truck crane or the like which is attached to the scaffold system by a hydraulically powered knuckle assembly attached between the crane head and the scaffold to provide control of both horizontal and vertical axes of rotation for proper attitude alignment of the scaffold.

Abstract: An emergency evacuation system for a high-rise building includes a cable carried on a spool positioned on the top of the building, such cable having at its end remote from the spool a weighted coupler dimensioned to be received by a powered spool carried within an escape cabin, such escape cabin having an entry-exit side and crawler means supported on that entry-exit side for engaging the building to permit smooth raising and lowering of the cabin.