Abstract: Extending ladders and associated manufacturing methods are disclosed. A ladder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of rung units, each rung unit including a left column, a right column, and a rung extending between the left column and the right column. The ladder may include a first column assembly including a first column and a ring coupled to the first column proximate a distal end thereof, and a second column assembly including a second column and a sleeve coupled to the second column proximate a proximal end thereof. The second column being at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by an internal surface of the first column. The sleeve includes an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column and the ring includes an internal guiding surface for contacting an exterior surface of the second column.

Abstract: Extending ladders and associated manufacturing methods are disclosed. A ladder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of rung units, each rung unit including a left column, a right column, and a rung extending between the left column and the right column. The ladder may include a first column assembly including a first column and a ring coupled to the first column proximate a distal end thereof, and a second column assembly including a second column and a sleeve coupled to the second column proximate a proximal end thereof. The second column being at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by an internal surface of the first column. The sleeve includes an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column and the ring includes an internal guiding surface for contacting an exterior surface of the second column.

Abstract: A telescoping tube for supporting surrounding walls of a shaft during the rescue of a victim trapped at the bottom of the shaft. The tube has nesting interlocking successive sections, each successive section having a diameter smaller than the preceding section. Each section has a top edge and a bottom edge. A bottom rim oriented inward extends around the bottom edge perimeter of each section. A pair of top lips oriented outward extend outward from opposite quadrants of the perimeter of the top edge of each section. When the telescoping tube is extended downward, the top lips of the sections rest upon the bottom rim of the preceding sections. In order to collapse the tube, the sections are pulled upward into the preceding sections, thereby bringing the top lips of the sections into contact with the bottom rim of the preceding sections.

Abstract: The lookout, designed to lean against a substantially cylindrical and vertical support extending above the ground, comprises a ladder having at least one upright provided with a plurality of rungs spaced at a predetermined distance. The ladder is telescopic, so that it has a total useful length capable of being reduced. The lookout further comprises a platform borne at the upper end of the ladder and provided with means for being braced against the support.

Abstract: A combination tree stand, blind and equipment carrier having a platform to support a user thereon within a user enclosure, a top frame member defining an upward opening of the enclosure, and first and second hinge assemblies connecting the top frame to the platform to allow it to be moved between a collapsed position and a fully erect position. The first and second hinge assemblies are positioned to extend between rearward and forward portions of the platform and the top frame. The hinge assemblies fold inward toward each other to collapse the enclosure for carrying or use as an equipment carrier when wheels are added. A seat is pivotally connected to the first hinge assembly which also serves as a back for the seat. A shelf and a splash panel are pivotally connected to the second hinge assembly. The platform has an access opening for the user to enter the user enclosure, and an access door.

Abstract: A Ladder Latch System for securing telescoping ladders in the retracted position is described. The latching system is a component of a telescoping ladder system, which has as its main components a plurality of telescoping ladder legs, a ladder-mounting bracket, and a latch-releasing mechanism. The latching system is mounted to the ladder-mounting bracket and secures the telescoping ladder legs, which are in turn released by the latch-release mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ladder with side supports or stiles of flexible textile material and spaced rung members enclosed in tubular sleeves whose opposed ends are secured to the stiles.

Abstract: A laterally extensible ladder comprises first and second uprights having a plurality of adjacent rung assemblies mounted therebetween. Each rung assembly includes a first hollow rung element that defines a rung axis and a second rung element received in the first rung element. The second rung element is movable along the rung axis for adjusting the length of the rung assembly, hence adjusting the width of the ladder. At least one rung assembly includes a structure for releasably holding the rung assemblies at a selected width configuration.

Abstract: A ramp, for loading the box of a pick-up truck, has a pair of stringers and slidable rungs joined by lengths of chain. The stringers may be telescopically stored in storage tubes located on the box floor. The chains that join the rungs limit their separation when the ramp is extended. The stringers are tethered to the storage tubes when deployed and the storage tubes are optionally tethered to the truck box.

Abstract: An adjustable step ladder having four fixed side rails which are wider apart at the bottom than at the top. The step ladder has a conventional series of steps along one side. At the bottom of each of the legs an adjustable leg is located so that the ladder can be positioned in a horizontal manner no matter how irregular the terrain upon which it stands. One or more adjustable steps are affixable to the extending legs and the adjustable steps are telescoping so that they may be made wider nearer the bottom. The result is a completely adjustable ladder which is stable because it is wider at the bottom and which may have steps which are level even though the length of the legs are uneven.

Abstract: A portable ladder module is provided, comprising a primary support member having a first step; a secondary support member having a second step, wherein the secondary support member is slidable relative to the primary support member. A lock is operatively disposed between the primary support member and the secondary support member for selectively locking the position of the secondary support member relative to the primary support member in an extended position and a retracted position. A strap having a quick-release buckle is secured to the primary support member for holding the ladder module to a tree, and a pair of rigid tubing members on each of the primary support member and the secondary support member are present for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree. Preferably, a third step is provided on either the primary or the secondary support member, depending upon the nature of the sliding relationship between the primary and secondary support members.

Abstract: A retractable ladder having a low coefficient of friction plastic bushing is received within a coupling that joins a ladder rung to the associated longitudinal stile. The coupling is press fitted to the bushing, compressing a portion of the bushing against the stile, slightly deforming the adjoining portion of the stile to lock the assembly together. A latch having an inwardly sloping surface locks the ladder stiles in an extended condition and cannot be withdrawn to retract the ladder when the ladder is supporting a normal load. Dampers having orifices also are mounted in some or all of the hollow stiles to regulate the flow of air from the retracting stiles and, in this way to retard the velocity with which the ladder retracts to a predetermined, safe value.

Abstract: An extensible ladder includes a plurality of sections, each having a pair of tubular uprights connected by a rung, with the uprights of each section being slidably engaged with the corresponding uprights of an adjacent section. The inside surface of the tubular uprights are provided with longitudinally extending grooves, which reduce the area of sliding contact between adjacent uprights, thereby making the ladder easier to extend or collapse.

Abstract: A self-supporting collapsible ladder comprising a plurality of ladder sections with pin-locking mechanisms which secure adjacent ladder sections into an extended position. The ladder has a mechanism for self-supporting the ladder assembly by the use of braces attached to the ladder which are rotated and held in place by support rails which can be extended when in use.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder comprises telescopically collapsible sections, and latch mechanisms in each of the rungs for automatically locking the sections relative to one another when the sections are extended. The latch mechanisms are arranged to release the sections when a rung is collaped against the next lower rung.

Abstract: A ladder assembly is mounted slidably and telescopingly within a tailgate portion of a truck bed to include a respective first and second ladder member extensibly mounted relative to the tailgate, and more specifically to a cavity therewithin, to provide ease of access to interiorly of the truck bed, with a handrail in operative association with the truck bed and tailgate for stability in use of the ladder organization.

Abstract: A side rails fastening mechanism for securing the frame fractions of the side rails of a telescopic aluminum step ladders in an extended or collapsed position, comprising an insert block fixedly secured inside each frame fraction at a lower position with a rung secured thereto and a locking bolt fastened inside a transverse hole thereon and pushed by a compression spring to insert through a mounting hole on the frame fraction disposed at an inner side into a lower or upper locating hole on the frame fraction disposed at an outer side so as to firmly secure two connected frame fractions in an extended or collapsed condition.

Abstract: A ladder that includes two hinged sections that can be oriented in an inverted V-configuration for use as a step ladder, or in a straight linear configuration for use as a straight ladder. Each section of the ladder includes a number of U-shaped support units, each of which defines a crossbar and two downwardly extending side rails. The side rails of the different U-shaped units are of graduated cross sectional dimension, such that the units can be contracted together by telescopically sliding the aligned side rails within one another.

Abstract: A ladder apparatus adapted to be borne by a fixture, such as cabinet, including a bracket adapted to be mounted on the fixture, a pair of first support members individually, substantially pivotally mounted on the bracket, a pair of second support members individually slidably mounted on the first support members, and a pair of third support members individually, slidably mounted on the second pair of support members and at least one step mounted on and interconnecting the third support members whereby the apparatus can be disposed in a collapsed, stored attitude inside a cabinet or alternatively extended therefrom and disposed in an operational attitude extending outside the cabinet.

Abstract: A portable tailgate ramp for attachment to pickup trucks, moving vans or the like is disclosed. The device is so constructed that it collapses to a shallow depth for storage on a tailgate and can be extended therefrom to form a ramp for running vehicles into the truck.

Abstract: A portable telescoping observation stand attachable to a pole, a tree or like object by way of straps includes a plurality of telescopically engaged sections maintained in an extended position by locking members removably received in slots in overlapping ends of adjacent sections. Foot hold members removably attached to the sections provide steps for the stand with the locking members also serving as steps for the stand. When the stand is collapsed, the sections are nested together, the removed locking members and foot hold members are stored in a compartment defined by the nested sections.

Abstract: A pair of frames are slidably interfitted on a common slide axis. Safety bars placed normal to the slide axis and alternately opposite sides of the slide axis, are fixed in the frames in sliding noninterference and for halving space between bars when frames are slidably coincident. Frames are pivotally fixed in the lintel or upper half of a building window casing for pivoting outwardly. A locking device, mounted in a window casing and controllable by anyone in the building and remote from the casing, locks the frames slidably and pivotally coincident in the casing as closely spaced window safety bars, and similarly unlocks the frames to pivot them outwardly clear of the window sill for slidable extension downwardly as an exterior fire escape ladder with double spaced rungs and angled handrails for standing entry on the ladder from the window sill. Bar stops fixed to opposite ends of the respective frames prevent separation of the slidably interfitting frames.

Abstract: A sliding section ladder, comprising sections of varying widths made up of u-shaped modules, comprising a base and upright sections, each module being smaller in width than the one immediately before it, the outer sides of the smaller module backing into the inside of the immediately larger module, whereby the base and upright sections of the u-configuration of the smaller module are adjacent to the u-shaped base and upright sections of the larger module when said ladder is in a closed position.

Abstract: A telescopic boom arrangement comprises an innermost member, a plurality of intermediate tubular sections 12, and an outermost tubular member, each nested together, the arrangement being adapted so that sequential erection of the members from a stowed position is ensured, commencing with the innermost member, progressing with the next outer member and so on. Each intermediate member includes latching means 24 which serve both to lock the next inner member in a stowed position and to lock that member in an extended position. Unlatching of the latch means 24 of an intermediate member to allow extension of the next inner member is effected by fingers 23 on the next-but-one inner member when that member approaches its extended position. When the next inner member reaches its extended position, it is locked by means of latching means 24 engaging slot 25.

Abstract: A drawer type emergency escape is constituted by a stowage box attached to a support, a slidable frame normally received in the stowage box and extended out of the stowage box as the escape is employed, and a shift mechanism for pulling the slidable frame out of the stowage box as the escape is employed. An extensible escape device is connected to the slidable frame, is normally received in the frame for extending out of the frame as the escape is employed and comprises a plurality of telescopically connected pipe sections of different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A drawer type emergency escape is constituted by a stowage box adapted to be attached to a support, a slidable frame adapted to be slidably extended out of and retracted into the stowage box, a telescopically extensible escape means attached to the slidable frame to be received into and extended out of the frame, and a shift mechanism for pulling the slidable frame out of the stowage box as the escape is employed. The shift mechanism includes a drive arm connected to a shift handle, a slide shift link, a connection link connecting the drive arm to the slide shift link and an extensible tong means disposed between the slide shift link and slidable frame for extending and retracting the slidable frame out of and into the stowage box.

Abstract: A turning type emergency escape is constituted by a rotary stowage box defining an evacuation passage therein, upper and lower covers pivoted to upper and lower portions of the inner side of the evacuation passage, a cover interlocking mechanism interlocking the upper and lower covers for simultaneously opening and closing movements, and a turning mechanism for rotating the stowage box between retracted and protruded positions. An extensible escape means is connected to the stowage box at the evacuation passage and is normally received in the evacuation way for extending out of the stowage box for escape. The extensible escape means has a plurality of telescopically connected pipe sections of different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A portable, extensible ladder is disclosed of the type having a plurality of sections sliding into each other. The normally uppermost section is provided with hook for suspending the ladder from a window sill or the like. The same, normally upper section is provided with winch and brake means for controlling the extension of the ladder by gravity by operating same from the top end thereof. The lowermost section is provided with support wheels facilitating the manipulation of the ladder over obstructions such as a lower window sill or the like as the ladder is being extended. The ladder also has means for locking same in an extended state, whereby the ladder becomes generally rigid to facilitate handling from the bottom end. The ladder is particularly suitable as a portable fire escape ladder but has many other applications as well.

Abstract: A flexible stile ladder is disclosed wherein the midpoints of the ladder steps or rungs are slidably connected to the pole. Preferably, the slidable connectors are slides which operate in a track carried by the pole. The invention is particularly useful for climbing masts of sailboats.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder consisting of a plurality of telescoping upright sections in which the uppermost rung of each section is fixedly mounted in the uprights, and in which the uprights of one or more upper sections are provided with longitudinal guideways in which end portions of at least the lowermost one of the rungs of the section are displaceable.

Abstract: An extensible step assembly having steps secured to sections of extensible or telescoping arms whereby the assembly can be moved from a retracted compact position to an extended position for use.

Abstract: A ladder or ladder-like structure comprising at least one elongated, hollow extruded rail member of uniform cross-section throughout its length with at least one continuous longitudinally extending groove formed inwardly from the outer surface. The groove extends into the rail member and has an outer width which is narrower than its inner width. The rung members of the ladder are connected to the rail member by connector members which include a first portion having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the groove and slidable longitudinally in the groove. To maintain a desired spacing between adjacent rung members, slidable spacer members are received in the groove and have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the groove shape. Also, means are provided for preventing the spacer members and the connector members from sliding out of the groove.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder assembly suitable for installation on high-rise buildings and capable of modification to be architecturally unobstrusive and compatible with a variety of architectural designs is described. The ladder assembly comprises a frame member, two or more telescoping stile pair sections and a plurality of rung members. In the normal storage position the ladder is disposed entirely within the frame member with the telescoping stile members in the retracted position. The entire unit is adapted to fit within a window opening. In a emergency the ladder can be released to the extended position for use from inside a window whereby it falls on hinged arms down and away from the building at a distance sufficient to permit passage of a person between the building and the ladder. Release of one ladder actuates a release mechanism on the similarly mounted ladder on the floor below and so on, allowing an escape passage to a safe level or, if necessary, to the ground.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder suitable for installation on high-rise buildings and capable of modification to be architecturally unobstrusive and compatible with a variety of architectural designs is described. The ladder comprises two or more telescoping stile pair sections in which the upper stile section has an attached upper rung and the lower stile section has an attached lower rung. The intermediate rungs are slidably mounted in the telescoping stile members which are made of channel stock. In the normal position covering a window the telescoping stile pairs are retracted and the rungs are stacked one over the other adjacent to the attached upper rung. In an emergency the ladder can be released to the extended position for use from inside a window whereby it falls on pivot arms down and away from the building at a distance sufficient to permit passage of a person between the building and the ladder, the lower stile section extends, and the rungs fall into spaced position held by spacer arms between them.