Abstract: A stair assembly for a passenger vehicle, especially an omnibus, in which the stair assembly is arranged in a lateral access area of the vehicle. The stair assembly comprises a horizontally extendable first stair member connected by links to a second stair member to form a parallelogram linkage in which the second stair member can be pivotally moved towards the ground and laterally outwards from the first stair member. In order to bridge a lateral gap between the vehicle and the edge of a boarding platform, the first stair member whose upper surface is at the level of the platform, is extended towards the edge of the platform and the second stair member is carried along in a parallel position beneath the first stair member. When the bus is to be boarded and unboarded from the ground, the first stair member is fully extended, together with the second stair member beneath it whereafter the second stair member is pivoted into lowered position.

Abstract: The invention comprises generally apparatus for use with an underground mine-shaft roof-bolting machine having a torque motor, a pinning rod held for rotation by the torque motor, a controllable arrangement for exerting upward thrust on the torque motor to force the pinning rod upwardly into the roof of a mine shaft, and a manual control for the upward thrust arrangement. In a first embodiment, a contoured cam rotates in dependence on the elevation of the torque motor, while a valve controlled by the cam limits the maximum upward thrust applied to the torque motor such that the maximum upward thrust on the torque motor is reduced when the torque motor is at a comparatively low elevation and is increased when the torque motor is at a comparatively higher elevation. Variations of the cam arrangement permit adjustment for use in mine shafts having different roof heights, and permit use with different types of roof-bolting machines.

Abstract: An elevating device consists of a base frame, usually mounted on running wheels, a turntable on the base frame, a vertical first post on the turntable and first and second arm means mounted on the post. The first arm means is a parallelogram linkage connecting the first post and a second post, so that the second post stays vertical as it moves up and down. The second post is skewed along its length so that the two arm means can move alongside each other into the stored position; it is therefore exceptionally compact in that position. The second arm means telescopes and a man-carrying platform is pendulously suspended at its outer end. A linkage including a telescoping shaft connects the second post and the platform to hold the platform against inadvertent movements; the linkage includes a spring connection to prevent damage thereto under accidental impacts.

Abstract: A device for controlling a lifting system, for example a so-called sky-lift, a building construction machine or the like, where the lifting system comprises at least one articulated arm (5,10,11), a working unit (15) such as a loading platform, hydraulic cylinders (6,12,13,16) intended to act on the same (5,10,11,15), necessary valves for said cylinders (6,12,13,16) and means for controlling said valves.The invention is characterized in that it comprises position sensing members (17,18) capable to deliver to a control unit (19) actual values, which geometrically determine the lifting system, annd a control panel (20) capable to deliver nominal values to said control unit (19).The control unit (19) is capable to compare actual values with nominal values and to act on adjusting means (22) for said valves so as to cause said working unit (15) to carry out a predetermined movement.

Abstract: This device is associated with a scaffolding suspended from at least two winches and is adapted to automatically control a safety mechanism when the scaffolding is inclined beyond a predetermined limit angle to the horizontal. The scaffolding is pivoted at each end to a stirrup rigid with the safety device which is suspended to the hoisting cable through a link. A push-member rigid with the scaffolding engages, when the scaffolding is inclined, a connecting rod which actuates a lever for clamping the jaws on a safety cable passing through the safety device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transporting a sectional tower to a selected location and for erecting the tower at the selected location is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mobile trailer bed on which the erection apparatus and the tower sections are transported. A frame is carried on the trailer bed which has racks on which a number of tower sections are stowed. A folding guide member is pivotally attached to the trailer frame and is rotatable to a stowed position during transportation and is rotatable to an upright position for guiding the tower during erection. A hoist is carried on the folding guide member for raising the tower sections through the guide member. A plurality of sheaves are attached to the support frame and upon a number of anchors symmetrically disposed at radially spaced locations relative to the support frame. Guy wires are attached to the uppermost tower section and are reeved with the sheaves associated with each anchor and are coupled to a winch.

Abstract: An emergency escaping device of this invention consists of a continuous W shape metallic tracks vertically mounted alongside the outer wall of a building or between buildings. Said tracks having their interval branches of inlet tracks adjoining to the exit of each floor of the building or buildings and, a number of loader cars for carrying persons or properties from all floors to glide down along the same tracks. Said tracks equipped with automatic sequence controls thereon to keep said loader cars one by one safely gliding onto the ground in case of emergency. The tracks can be made in rolls of flexible material and the cars can be made of jacket style for individual personnel to escape from windows if there is no metallic tracks installation.

Abstract: A device for limiting the rotation of a member rotatable about an axis extending from a base, while permitting rotation clockwise and counterclockwise through a preselected number of turns. An actuating lug is rigidly secured to the member, a disc is rotatably secured to the base, the disc having a plurality of bosses rigidly secured adjacent the periphery thereof, the bosses being spaced apart from each other in equal angular relationship, the bosses being engaged by the actuating lug to cause angular displacement of the disc upon each rotation of the member. A stop lug is rigidly secured to the base in the path of the disc bosses to engage therewith and arrest angular displacement of the disc and thereby the rotation of the member.

Abstract: A telescoping boom lift apparatus having a first boom mounted about a first substantially fixed horizontal pivot axis in a mobile base for vertically pivotable movement with respect thereto and further having a second boom member carried by, and received in, the first boom member is provided with a link secured between a second substantially fixed horizontal pivot axis on the mobile base and a third horizontal pivot axis on the second boom member whereby, when the first boom is rotated through an increasing included vertical angle, the third pivot axis on the second boom member is moved therewith longitudinally of the first boom member and away from the first horizontal axis thereby reciprocating the second boom member along a portion of the length of the first boom member to cause the distal end of the second boom member to increasingly extend beyond the first boom member.

Abstract: An emergency escape wall structure actuated either by pressure against the wall or automatically actuated by the presence of heat, smoke, gas, or oxygen deficiency detectors or push buttons, any one of which actuates the automatic means or by a hand lever which manually opens the structure. Upon actuation, an escape panel falls outwardly and downwardly creating a massive opening to permit the escape of a large number of persons in a brief time period.

Abstract: There is disclosed a retractable suspended scaffolding mounted on a self-propelled truck which is particularly adapted for maintanence work on structures that are situated along roadways and at areas of difficult access. The scaffolding includes an operating gangway that is arranged in posiiton below the planking of a bridge, a viaduct or the like, by means of a set of mechanisms that are operated by oleodynamic jacks, hydraulic motors and manually controlled reduction units.

Abstract: A riding emergency or fire escape apparatus mountable interior of a building for delivering an inhabitant exterior of the building for free fall descent to the ground. The apparatus of this invention exterior of the building essentially comprises plate members mounted in a recess provided in the wall of the building or spaced from the wall of the building a few inches so as not to detract from the architecture of the building. A base plate is provided with a vertically extending zig-zag track. A cover plate overlaying and planularly spaced from the base plate is formed with a vertically extending lineal track. The passenger transport mechanism is provided with a chair and is mountable interior of the building. Similarly arranged base and cover plates containing zig-zag tracks and lineal tracks respectively, are provided at each floor level interior of the building.

Abstract: Mobile lifting equipment having a wheeled vehicle with a frame. The boom structure is mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis, raising and lowering the same about a horizontal axis and for extension and retraction with respect to the vehicle. The boom structure includes an outer boom and an inner boom which is mounted for telescoping movement in the outer boom. First and second extension cylinders are carried by the outer boom for extending and retracting inner boom with respect to the outer boom. An elevation cylinder is connected to the outer boom and is provided for raising and lowering of the boom structure. An elevation control is provided for supplying hydraulic fluid to the elevation cylinder. Piping is provided for connecting the elevation cylinder to one of the first and second extension cylinders so that extension of said one of said first and second extension cylinders is limited by the amount of hydraulic fluid which has been supplied from the elevation cylinder.

Abstract: An aerial lift comprising a wheeled frame having a telescoping boom pivotally and rotatably mounted thereon. A personnel bucket is pivotally secured to one end of the boom for supporting a person therein. An electrical screw-motor apparatus is pivotally secured to and extended between the bucket and the boom. A plurality of mercury switches are mounted on the bucket and are electrically connected to the screw-motor and the source of electrical power so that the screw-motor is automatically actuated responsive to vertical movement of the boom so as to maintain the personnel bucket in a vertical position at all times. The screw-motor also acts as a snubber to prevent undesirable movement of the bucket at work levels.

Abstract: A doorway type opening is formed through the outside wall of a building. A door device is hingedly affixed to the building at the lower edge of the opening and has a plurality of telescoping sections juxtaposed when the door device is closed and forming an extended planar incline when the door device is opened. Thus, the door device when open supports people leaving the building via the opening and functions as a slide to conduct them to the ground. A door control device affixed to the door device and the building lowers one end of the door device to the ground supporting the door device in its extended open condition from the lower edge of the opening to the ground and supports the door device in its closed condition as a door openable only from inside the building.

Abstract: A man-carrying aerial bucket universally positionable in three planes is mounted on a tripod arrangement comprising three hydraulic cylinders. The upper ends of the cylinder pistons converge toward, and are connected to, a universal vertex connector pin assembly. A lateral arm has one end pivotally connected to the vertex pin assembly and its other end pivotally connected to the lower end of a vertical boom. The basket is pivotally connected to the upper end of the boom and is latched in upright position against swinging on the boom. Solenoid valves, under the manual control of the operator from either the aerial bucket or truck vehicle, control the extension and retraction of the cylinder pistons and hence the position of the vertex pin assembly and the bucket supported thereon. A pair of hydraulic leveling cylinders, controlled automatically by mercury switches, maintain the lateral arm in horizontal position and the latched boom in vertical position irrespective of the angular disposition of the tripod.

Abstract: In connection with a pair of articulated booms there is a leveling system consisting of a sprocket wheel at the base of the lower boom and a co-acting sprocket wheel at the free end of the upper boom with chains and rods interconnecting the two sprockets and constituting part of the leveling system maintaining the basket connected to the free end of the upper boom in a level condition.The angular position of the sprocket wheel on the upper boom is calibrated so as to be in a direct relationship to the perpendicularity of the upper boom relative to the horizon, which in turn is related to chain movement at the upper boom.A control valve associated with the upper boom is actuated by a cam on the chain so the valve is operated at whatever preselected critical angle of perpendicularity of the upper boom is desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling deformation of an elongate member, such as a lattice girder, comprises a torque transmitting member, such as a hollow cylindrical tube, extending for the length of the girder coaxially with its longitudinal axis and fixed at one end to one end of the girder. The cylinder is free to rotate relative to the girder at its other end and is connected by hydraulic actuators to be rotated relative to the girder in response to the measurement of rotation between the ends of the girder. The relative rotation of the tube transmits torque to the fixed end and resists deformation of the girder.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application includes a vehicle having an engine and carrying a lift apparatus including a boom assembly and hydraulic motors operatively associated with a hydraulic control system for selectively operating the motors to raise and lower the boom. Included in the hydraulic control system is an electric motor and a pump, the former driving the latter and being energized by an electric power system including battery means in series with the motor. Between the battery and the motor there is provided switch means operatively associated with valve actuating members used for the selective operation of the hydraulic control system so that when any valve actuating member is moved to a position operating the hydraulic control system, it simultaneously actuates the switch means closing the circuit between the battery and the motor.

Abstract: A system for emergency evacuation of individuals from a multi-story building. A hollow, vertically disposed tube of sufficient cross section to accommodate a person in a sitting position is affixed to the outside of the building, parallel to a side wall, and inclined tubes provide access from a doorway through the building wall at each floor to the interior of the vertical tube. Pivotally mounted platforms are disposed within the tube at vertical intervals of a few feet and attached to weighted lever arms which normally maintain the platforms in a blocking position across the interior of the tube. The weight of an individual will overcome the bias of the counterweight and rotate the platform to an unblocking position, allowing the individual to drop to the next platform. A controlled rate of descent is provided by the time required for the individual's weight to overcome the inertia and biasing force of the counterweights attached to the lever arms at each successively lower level.

Abstract: A fire escape unit for installation in buildings such as hospitals includes a hinged platform upon which a movable load such as a bed to be evacuated in an emergency is mounted. The hinged end of the platform is adjacent a hinged portion of an external wall of the building and in the event of a fire the hinged platform is released to adopt an outwardly sloping position and the external wall portion hinged outwards to form an inclined ramp, on to which the bed rolls from the platform, the platform lifting to fill the aperture in the external wall after the bed has passed through to minimize the ingress of air.

Abstract: A retractable step for mounting on a transit coach utilizes a parallelogram linkage and an hydraulic-pneumatic actuating system which is connected to the movable step member by an off center clevis and lever system to prevent step sagging. Apparatus is provided at the leading edge of the step to immediately stop its outward movement when encountering an immovable object.

Abstract: An emergency escape comprises a stowage framework to be anchored in an opening formed in the slab of the floor of a room or the veranda, upper and lower covers interlocked linkage means, an escape means including a plurality of telescopically connected pipe sections, each of the pipe sections having a rung at the lower end on the uppermost pipe section being rotatably supported in the framework, and descent control means.The descent and extension speed of the escape means is controlled by the descent control means when the descent control means released a ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a device for automatically stopping the movement of a high-altitude working vehicle in response to overload thereon. The device detects a bending moment load on the ladder or tower of the working vehicle by means of an oil pressure gauge which through a switching mechanism stops the further movement of the ladder or the tower when the latter is overloaded.

Abstract: A working platform lifting apparatus for an aerial ladder truck, wherein the working platform movable up and down along the ladder is arranged so that it does not interfere with the extension and contraction of the ladder, that when it is stopped at any desired position it is automatically braked, that when it reaches its uppermost position it is automatically stopped and that in an emergency it can be lowered manually. Other merits and details of the construction will be made clear.

Abstract: A hydraulic valving mechanism for controlling an object in a normally level position such that upon a shifting of the same from level an actuating mechanism is driven to return the object to the desired level, such valving mechanism including a valve housing with control ports therein with a gravity responsive member therein to open and close selected ones of the ports depending upon the direction the same is shifted from level with the ports being interconnected to a main control valve for shifting of the same to direct fluid to the proper side of the actuating mechanism to return the object to its normal, level position.

Abstract: There is provided a ladder working limit based ladder stopping device for a vehicle equipped with a vertically and horizontally swingable and extensible ladder (or a fire engine truck), wherein a working limit of the ladder is preset on the basis of an extended length of the ladder corresponding to a particular vertical angle assumed by the ladder, so that when the combined situation of the vertical angle and extended length of the ladder reaches said preset condition, the operating mechanism for the ladder is automatically returned to its neutral position while actuating a warning device and turning on a marker lamp, the operating mechanism being then operated toward the safety side, whereupon the marker lamp is turned off to indicate that the ladder is now safe.

Abstract: A device for use with a high-altitude working vehicle provided with a vertically and horizontally revolvable and extensible ladder and an operator-carrying lifter movable up and down along the ladder, the device being characterized in that it allows the exension and contraction of the ladder only when the lifter is at a predetermined position, thereby securing safety of the operator riding in the lifter. Other advantages and details of the construction will be made clear.

Abstract: The upper floor of a multi-deck pressurized aircraft having frangible floor panels sealing the floor during normal flight conditions yet rupturable under a predetermined environmental condition such as when a relatively high pressure differential exists between the upper cabin and lower cargo compartments. This may occur, for example, when the cargo compartment is depressurized by inflight explosion or collision. Differential pressure activates the panel destruction apparatus which strikes the frangible floor panels in such manner as to cause them to disintegrate or crumble into small pieces. Typical panels may be chemically strengthened glass, ceramics, etc.