Abstract: A tower segment for at least a section of a tower includes a tower segment defining an interior, a longitudinal axis, and a wall, and a supply structural segment preassembled in the interior of the tower segment extending along a the longitudinal axis of the tower segment. The supply structural segment is movable relative to the tower segment and connected to the wall of the tower segment so that the supply structural segment can be moved at least from an assembly position to a connecting position. Other tower, tower segment, support structure, support structural segment, and methods of erection of same use at least a tower segment of a tower.

Abstract: A ladder includes: a front connecting member and a rear connecting member at a top step, respective upper ends of which are connected to a lateral side of a vehicle body in a pivotally movable manner and are juxtaposed with a predetermined space therebetween in a vehicle front-back direction; a front connecting member and a rear connecting member which are provided at a step under the top step, and respective upper ends of which are connected in a pivotally movable manner to both ends in the vehicle front-back direction of a step board. The front connecting member and the rear connecting member at least at the top step among steps positioned above a lowest step are rigid members. The front connecting member and the rear connecting member at the lowest step among steps positioned under the top step are elastically deformable.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a ladder attachment system for securing a ladder within a tower of a wind turbine. The ladder has parallel legs and a plurality of rungs arranged perpendicularly between the parallel legs. The ladder attachment system includes at least one external stiffener configured at a top end of each of the parallel legs. Each of the external stiffeners includes a longitudinal body having an open cross-section configured to receive one of the parallel legs along a length thereof. Further, the ladder attachment system also includes a load-bearing bracket assembly configured with each of the external stiffeners. In addition, the ladder attachment system includes at least one support arm arranged in a horizontal plane and configured with each of the parallel legs, with the support arms being spaced apart from the load-bearing bracket assembly along a height of the ladder.

Abstract: A rigid structure such as a ladder is disclosed having rotating hinges that allow the ladder to fold up and/or be disassembled and assembled. The hinge or hinges can be provided between ladder sections with one ladder section having a male hinge element, and another having a female hinge element. A cam element provided with the female hinge element can be moved between an unlocked position in which the ladder sections can rotate with respect to each other, and a locked position in which the structure is rigid.

Abstract: An agility ladder has a plurality of rungs including first and second rungs. A left link assembly has ends pivotally attached to left ends of the first and second rungs, and a right link assembly has ends pivotally attached to right ends of the first and second rungs. The left and right link assemblies each include first and second links having equal lengths, with the first and second links joined at a link pivot joint which allows the first and second links to form an angle between them of less than 180 degrees.

Abstract: A rigid structure such as a ladder is disclosed having rotating hinges that allow the ladder to fold up and/or be disassembled and assembled. The hinge or hinges can be provided between ladder sections with one ladder section having a male hinge element, and another having a female hinge element. A cam element provided with the female hinge element can be moved between an unlocked position in which the ladder sections can rotate with respect to each other, and a locked position in which the structure is rigid.

Abstract: A rigid structure such as a ladder is disclosed having rotating hinges that allow the ladder to fold up and/or be disassembled and assembled. The hinge or hinges can be provided between ladder sections with one ladder section having a male hinge element, and another having a female hinge element. A cam element provided with the female hinge element can be moved between an unlocked position in which the ladder sections can rotate with respect to each other, and a locked position in which the structure is rigid.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder provides a plurality of segments, each segment associated with one rung of the ladder. The segments may be folded into a flat or planar configuration, after which each segment may be folded against adjacent segments, thereby forming a stacked storage configuration. Each segment provides a generally horizontally oriented rung carried at either end by a generally vertically oriented inside element. A middle element is hinged to each inside element, and an outside element is hinged to each middle element. Side rails may be formed by folding the middle element at 90 degrees to the inside element, and the outside element at 90 degrees to the middle element. A side rail formed in this manner is generally U-shaped when viewed from the end. Springs bias the inside, middle and outside elements into a 90 degree relationship with each adjacent element.

Abstract: A multiple functional, foldable, and portable ladder comprises a plurality of ladder units 5, wherein the ladder unit has a supporting rod on the two sides thereof. Each supporting rod is foldable so that the ladder is expandable for upstanding or foldable so as to be carried and stored and be used in emergency. Thus the ladder is convenient in application and storage. Two supporting rods between two adjacent ladder units 5 are pivotally connected by pivotal shafts, and two ends of each pedal are installed with respective control seats. A pivotal shaft and a movable buckling rod are installed within the control seat. Thereby, when the ladder is expanded, the supporting rod of the ladder unit is assembled by the control seat, during folding, the supporting rods are folded after the buckling rods has been displaced.

Abstract: An automatic foldable emergency ladder system for use in a building having a smoke detecting device includes an inverted L-shaped housing having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion and being securely mounted to a perimeter wall of a roof of the building; a control unit mounted in the horizontal portion of the housing and having at least one input port for receiving a signal from the smoke detecting device; an electrically powered driving device mounted in the horizontal portion of the housing and electrically connected to the control unit for receiving a signal therefrom and being activated/deactivated therefor; a spool unit rotatably mounted in the housing and driven by the driving device; a foldable ladder securely coupled to the vertical portion of the housing at one end thereof and having at least one wire which is secured to the spool means at one end thereof and an opposite end thereof is coupled to a free end of the foldable ladder such that the ladder can be folded/extended by the spool unit;

Abstract: A collapsible ladder that is relatively rigid and includes friction means for controlling the rate of deployment. The ladder comprises a plurality of tubular rungs and side support members pivotally connected between each end of adjacent rungs, each side support member comprising a pair of pivotally interconnected tubular links each having a length less than half of that of the rungs. The links have ends with flat surfaces defining a contacting region for contacting the flat surface of an adjacent pivotally interconnected link.

Abstract: An extendible ladder includes a sealed housing for housing the ladder in a collapsed condition. The ladder mounts to a support wall such as the side of a home or an apartment building. The ladder is extendible during an emergency by opening the sealed housing which allows gravity to extend the ladder. Rollers are included with the ladder to prevent the support wall from interfering with the ladder as the ladder is extended. The housing may take the shape of an awning for mounting over a window in the support wall.

Abstract: A normally retracted escape ladder assembly that includes a framework mountable on a building wall, a plurality of ladder sections movably interconnected and having at least one such section attached to the framework, a platform, and a latch maintaining the ladder sections in a collapsed condition and actuated to release the ladder sections upon application of weight to the platform. The framework includes a wall abutment section and a ladder support section projecting therefrom. The platform is carried by the framework and is pivotally attached to either the wall abutment section or the ladder support section of the framework. Connected to the platform and carried by the framework is a latch which engages at least one of the ladder sections to maintain the ladder sections in a collapsed condition. The application of weight to the platform allows the ladder sections to assume an extended condition.

Abstract: A folding ladder comprises a series of modules, each module including a pair of spaced, parallel stile sections connected together by a transverse tread section. The modules are of decreasing size and each module, except for the largest one, is pivotally mounted between the stile sections of the next adjacent larger module, so that it can be folded from an extended position to a folded position in which the smaller module is nested within the larger module, releasable bolts being provided to lock the modules in the extended position. The tread and stile sections are hollow, and are connected together by separately formed joint members, one end of each joint member being secured within the hollow stile section, and the other end being secured within the hollow tread section.

Abstract: A relatively simple, lighweight, portable, collapsible ladder includes a plurality of H-shaped sections pivotally interconnected end-to-end to define a flat bundle in the stored or non-use condition. The sections can be unfolded to a flat, extended conditions. In the extended condition, torsion springs cause the sides of the sections to fold inwardly to define side bars having U-shaped cross sections. By reversing the process, the ladder can readily be restored to the folded, storage condition.

Abstract: A foldable ladder having a plurality of rigid steps and inwardly folding arms pivotably secured to the steps so as to be rigid in use by capable of being folded for storage.

Abstract: A hull for a boat includes a lower hull having a bottom below a static waterline and freeboard sides above the waterline. An aft passenger cockpit has a floor above the waterline and a lower stern extends across the rear of the lower hull at least partially below the waterline and is adjoined with the bottom and freeboard sides. An upper stern extends aft of the lower stern at least partially above the waterline and defines a passageway therethrough from the passenger cockpit to aft of the hull. A gate is provided aft of the passenger cockpit in the passageway and hinges connect the gate to the boat to pivot about a horizontal axis. The gate is pivotable from an open position in which it is folded down horizontally where it provides access to the cockpit from aft of the hull to a closed position in which the gate is folded up to close off the passageway and form an inside wall of the passenger cockpit. Thereby, the boat can be backed up to a dock for easy boarding or unboarding.

Abstract: A hunting stand pivotally mounted on the rack of an all-terrain vehicle. The stand comprises a pair of mounting brackets, a three-sectional ladder having pivot pins and locking pins for allowing the ladder to be positioned between an extended and a collapsed position; a platform having a V-shaped rear edge for resting against a tree trunk, a front edge for pivotal attachment to the top of the ladder, a pair of straight parallel sides, a top and a bottom; and a support for supporting the platform in an extended position for allowing a hunter to stand or sit on the top thereon.

Abstract: A suspension ladder comprises a string of identical rigid rectangular sections (1) which are hinged together about a series of parallel axes adjacent their longer rear edges (2), and each of which has one or more apertures (11) forming a rung of the ladder. Each section (1) has a trapezoidal cross sectional profile providing the section with sloping top and bottom edge faces (4) and (5) which converge towards the front face (6) from the longitudinal rear edges (2) and form stops which limit the extent to which adjoining sections can pivot towards each other in a forward direction. The ladder therefore cannot be flexed in this direction beyond a predetermined minimum radius of curvature and will therefore form a substantially rigid cradle (21) when its lower end is lifted while its upper end is suspended. In contrast adjacent sections can pivot flat against each other in the rearward direction so that the ladder can be rolled up tightly for easy storage.

Abstract: A portable folding ladder comprising a plurality of U-shaped modules having a rung and two vertical portions, the modules movable connected to each other, and when opened becoming progressible narrower as they approach the top of the ladder, when folded the narrower modules fitting inside of the next wider modules and locking means to lock the modules in a rigid manner which when the ladder is extended and open.

Abstract: A universal folding ladder for inflatable boats and pleasure craft comprising a tubular structure intended for straddling the gunwale of a boat and including at least two L-like elements extending parallel to each other and being interconnected at the ends thereof by at least two adjustable U-like elements, said structure being connected at one side to the boat through a latch means for a catch element, and on the other side to swingingly connected rungs, between the L-like elements there being mounted a flat rest base member including one or more boards.

Abstract: This invention relates to a detachable top to be used with foldup ladders of the type described in co-pending applications Ser. Nos. 06/341,830; 06/492,487; and 06/537,276. Also, this top can be used with the slidable ladder described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,766. This ladder can be converted into many structures such as a workbench, table or step ladder. The top comprises a rectangular main portion and a narrower extending section. The main portion fits over and around the rails of the ladder (after conversion to a workbench) and the narrower extending section fits inside the rails but on substantially the same plane as the main portion.

Abstract: A portable folding ladder comprising a plurality of U-shaped modules having a rung and two vertical portions, the modules movable connected to each other, and when opened becoming progressively narrower as they approach the top of the ladder, when folded the narrower modules fitting inside of the next wider modules and locking means to lock the modules in a rigid manner when the ladder is extended and open.

Abstract: A portable folding ladder comprising a plurality of U-shaped modules having a rung and two vertical portions, the modules movable connected to each other, and when opened becoming progressible narrower as they approach the top of the ladder, when folded the narrower modules fitting inside of the next wider modules and locking means to lock the modules in a rigid manner when the ladder is extended and open.

Abstract: A portable and convertible ladder comprising a series of u-shaped modules each movably connected to the other by hinge means, said modules having progressively decreasing widths as they approach the top of the ladder when in an open mode, said modules having a base or rung portion and upright sections, each module having locking means movably positioned in their lower portion, and adapted to form a substantially rigid ladder when in an open mode, each module except for the uppermost module having hinge means at substantially the upper portion of said upright sections, said locking means having a locking member positioned in said lower portion adapted to fit and mate with complimentary male or female member positioned in an adjacent portion of said upright sections, at least a section of the wider of said modules overlapping at their upper vertical portions with the bottom portions of the next adjacent narrower modules, and said locking means and said module hinge means provided in said overlapping portions.

Abstract: A collapsible, foldable ladder of use as an emergency escape means such as a fire escape ladder, has a plurality of channel section rungs extending from side to side across the width of the ladder, and side support means extending between adjacent rungs at ends thereof. The side support means each comprise two pivotally connected, rigid sections, pivotally connected to the ends of upper and lower rungs. The ladder can be collapsed, whereupon the side support members fold inwardly and fit within the channel sections of the rungs, so that the rungs rest upon top of one another, and extended e.g. under its own weight when suspended by one end, whereupon the side support members are extended perpendicularly to the transverse extent of the rungs.

Abstract: A foldable ladder having a plurality of rigid steps and of rigid links which steps and links are pivotally secured together with pivot pins to result in a rigid ladder in use, but capable of being folded for storage.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, lightweight, portable ladder comprising a plurality of link elements pivotally secured together in end-to-end relation, each link being of a substantially A-shaped configuration wherein one end of a first link is disposed between the legs of the next succeeding link and the two links are pinned together for relative rotation movement about the axis of the pin whereby the ladder may be folded or rolled into a relatively small configuration during periods of non-use. A hook member is secured to the outer end of the leading link in the chain of the ladder for facilitating securing of the ladder in a substantially vertical position, and the last link in the chain may be securely anchored to the ground for holding the ladder in the vertical position during periods of use.

Abstract: An extension roof ladder is disclosed having conventional extension ladder sections for use at the side of a building and connected thereto a flexible roof ladder section having a plurality of shorter subsections for use on the near side of a roof and one relatively longer rigid subsection hinged to the top shorter subsection for use on the far side of the roof.

Abstract: A telescopic set of steps comprises at least two frames, each of which consists of two parallel members forming stringboards, one end of one of the frames being pivoted to a fixed support for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and the other frame being slidable along the pivoted frame, means for varying the slope of the set of steps, a plurality of steps pivoted about respective axes parallel to the said horizontal axis and comprising a first group of steps mounted directly on the sliding frame, and a second group of steps, each of which has an axle mounted on a respective pair of supports which are slidable along a pair of slideways formed on respective stringboards of the pivoted frame, slideway extensions extending onto the fixed support to a distance at least equal to the length of the sliding frame, means for maintaining a constant spacing between the pivot axes of the steps, means for maintaining the steps parallel to one another, and means for setting the inclination of at least one step.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder for use as an emergency escapeway is described which has two side members between which rungs extend. The side members are each composed of a plurality of sections, which are pivoted to each other at overlapping ends. In one embodiment, the rungs extend between alternate pairs of the sections, while the intermediate sections are provided with fender spars which fold parallel with the section, and swing into position to space the ladder away from a wall, when the ladder is unfolded. The sections are held in place relative each other on unfolding of the ladder by a pin on one section received in an arcuate slot partially surrounding the pivot of the next section. In a modified embodiment each section has at each end adjacent the pivot a stud and a recess, which engage complimentary recesses and studs on the adjacent sections.

Abstract: A portable tree stand which can be used for hunting or other purposes and which can be pushed to any desired height with the use of a pole which fits into a receptacle and includes a pair of rollers mounted at an angle on one side of the tree and a roller locking claw on the other side of the tree which locks the stand at the desired height. A ladder extends downwardly from the stand and allows the hunter to climb up to the stand after which the ladder can be pulled upwardly to the stand to make into a chair. Heating means as well as gun and bow and arrow holding means are provided on the stand. Also, the stand can be used as a back pack, as a chair, a cot, a table or a litter for carrying injured persons, or when desired, for toting heavy loads.

Abstract: A self storing fire escape ladder of foldable type, including a plurality of pivotally interconnected rung sections and enlarged hook means for engaging a window sill or similar structure during use. The hook means is of effective width less than that of the rung sections, and so contoured that when the rung sections are folded against each other to form a compact unit, the hook means may at least partially encircle the rung sections to hold them in mutually folded relation and form carrying handle means. Optional latching means is provided to prevent movement of the hook means relative to the compact unit when the former is employed as a carrying handle.