Abstract: An extension ladder having a base section having a first box shaped base rail having a base side and a groove extending along the side. The extension ladder has a fly section having a first box shaped fly rail, and a follower bracket attached to the first box shaped fly rail and extending outward toward the first box shaped base rail. The groove is sized to engage the follower bracket which constrains the fly section to have limited motion relative to the base section and a left to right and front to rear directions while permitting the fly section to slide freely relative to the base section when the fly section is extended. A method for using an extension ladder. A method for producing an extension ladder.

Abstract: A ladder having a front section and a rear section. The ladder has a step attached to the front section and a cross bar attached to the rear section. The ladder has a latch attached to the cross bar and positioned on the cross bar so when the ladder is in a folded position where the front section is alongside and in parallel with the rear section, the latch latches with the step. The latch has a hook portion having a hook which engages with the step that the latch holds in place. The latch has a base portion that is fixed to the cross bar. The latch has a pinch flex portion connected to the base portion and the hook portion.

Abstract: A ladder set for rescue vehicles, including a base mounted on a vehicle, an end part and connecting parts disposed therebetween. A traction device is mounted for an extension cable and a roller arrangement for guiding the cable. Roller pairs are mounted on connecting parts, of which each include a front roller and a rear roller. A deflecting roller is located on the end of base part pointing in the direction of extension, via which extension cable is guided in the direction of the traction device. Extension cable is secured to end part by its end opposite traction device and is guided from fixation point to deflecting roller then via roller pairs of connecting parts in their connecting order, in such a way that extension cable first passes the first and then the rear rollers of a roller pair.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for selectively securing and unsecuring the linkage of individual ladder sections of a telescopic ladder. The locking mechanism is shifted into a locked position by pivoting a lever toward a first rotational trajectory, urging a track follower in a first direction along a guiding track, and linearly displacing at least one securing rod into an aperture through multiple ladder sections, securing the linkage of the ladder sections. A lever-securing mechanism form-fittingly secures the lever within a bridge element of the locking mechanism when in a locked position. The locking mechanism is shifted into an unlocked position by pivoting the lever toward a second rotational trajectory opposite the first rotational trajectory, urging the track follower in an opposite direction along the guiding track, and linearly displacing the securing rods out from the aperture through the multiple ladder sections, unsecuring the linkage of the ladder sections.

Abstract: A telescopic loft ladder has two stiles with sections that are telescopically collapsible within each other, rungs having lateral ends each connected to respective sections the stiles, retractable pins in the ends of the rungs for engaging holes in the stile sections retain them in an extended position, and levers on the rungs that automatically operate when two rungs contact one another to disengage pins of the upper of the contacting rungs from the holes to permit collapse of the next higher rung. Each uppermost stile section is rotatable relative to the section connected to the uppermost rung of the ladder and has circumferentially and axially offset pin receiving holes. At least one resilient element biases the next to uppermost rung away from the uppermost rung to ensure that the locking pin of the uppermost rung engages a hole in the uppermost stile section as the ladder is lowered.

Abstract: There is provided a collapsible ladder having several collapsible ladder sections, where each or at least part of the ladder sections comprises two hollow ladder bars arranged parallel to each other and inter-connected at an upper end by a rung, and where each collapsible ladder section is telescopically inserted into a lower ladder section. Each ladder bar of a collapsible ladder section has a locking hole adjacent the lower end part of the ladder bar and an extension below the locking hole, and retaining mechanisms are provided in at least part of the rungs for locking the collapsible ladder sections relative to one another when the collapsible ladder sections are extended. Each of or part of the retaining mechanisms comprises a locking pin, which can be brought into an extended and locked position in order to engage a corresponding locking hole provided in the ladder bar of a ladder section positioned there above, and a release part for bringing the locking pin into a retracted and un-locked position.

Abstract: An extendable/retractable ladder assembly includes a first stile and a second stile and a plurality of rungs extending therebetween. Each stile may comprise a plurality of columns disposed in a nested arrangement for relative axial movement in a telescopic fashion. A connector assembly connects the rungs to respective columns in the first and second stiles. The ladder has improved manufacturability since connector assemblies may be assembled before connecting the rungs to respective columns. The standing surface of the rungs may be angled such that it is rotated towards horizontal when the ladder assembly is leaned against a wall. A latch assembly may be used to selectively lock relative axial movement between adjacent columns. The latch assembly includes a locking pin assembly comprised of a central post and an outer metal sleeve. An air damper may also be used to control airflow through the columns.

Abstract: An access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor. The ladder comprises a plurality of sections which telescope open and closed, and from a bottom section each section telescopes open to positively lock to the section below it with plungers that lock and unlock each section in sequence as the sections open and close, respectively. A method for using an access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor.

Abstract: An access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor. The ladder comprises a plurality of sections which telescope open and closed, and from a bottom section each section telescopes open to positively lock to the section below it with plungers that lock and unlock each section in sequence as the sections open and close, respectively.

Abstract: A telescoping ladder assembly which is especially useful for boarding a boat from the water includes a ladder comprising a plurality of telescoping ladder sections and a securing mechanism for securing the ladder in a stowed position. The securing mechanism includes a spring member which biases the ladder and a stop against one another to prevent extension of the ladder. The ladder is preferably pivotally and slidably mounted on a frame which is configured for mounting on a platform such as the transom of a boat.

Abstract: An extension ladder assembly is provided. The extension ladder assembly comprises a base section having a pair of base section rails and a plurality of base section rungs mounted between the base section rails and at least one fly section having a pair of fly section rails and a plurality of fly section rungs mounted between the fly section rails. At least one rung lock is secured to at least one of the fly section rails and selectively, releasably positionable about at least one base section rung to inhibit movement of the fly section in a generally downward direction. A latching member is rotationally mounted to each rung lock with the latching member selectively movable from a released position to a tensioned position. A biasing mechanism biases the latching member into the released position wherein in the released position, the latching member contacts the same base section rung as each corresponding rung lock.

Abstract: An extension ladder consisting of a lower ladder section and an upper ladder section secured to one another so that the upper ladder section can be extended relative to the lower ladder section using a ladder extension rope. Each ladder section has the same width and each has a pair of spaced stiles with rungs. A clutch member extends between the ladder sections and is movable between a locked position, for mounting the upper ladder section at a desired extension relative to the lower ladder section, and a released position. A clutch locking mechanism biases the clutch member into the locked position. The stiles of each ladder section has formations for securing the sections relative to one another, and enable the upper section to be extended and retracted in relation to the lower ladder section.

Abstract: A lift apparatus includes a superstructure frame support, a riser, and an articulated parallelogram boom assembly operatively connected between the superstructure frame support and the riser. The articulated parallelogram boom assembly includes a floating frame, a lower parallelogram boom assembly operationally connected between the superstructure frame support and the floating frame, an upper parallelogram boom assembly operationally connected between the floating frame and the riser, and a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the articulated parallelogram boom assembly. The lower parallelogram boom assembly, the upper parallelogram boom assembly, and the lift mechanism are formed such that the maximum extension height of the articulated parallelogram boom assembly is increased without an increase in the height of the articulated parallelogram boom assembly when lowered.

Abstract: An adjustable ladder includes a base ladder and at least one extendable ladder movably fastened on the base ladder, the extension of which ladder can be locked by a locking bracket pivotally fastened on the extendable ladder. Locking is operated by a cable line running over guide rollers that are fixed on the base ladder. The guide rollers are arranged on the base ladder below a rung thereof and can be fastened by a first plug element serving as a mounting. The mounting can be formed of a wire or rod-shaped blank and loops around a substantial portion of the hollow section of the rung. The mounting has a bent portion extending in the direction of a rung axis and extending through a hollow tube supporting the guide roller. The bent portion is fastened to a spar of the base ladder and extends through the spar. The bent portion projects with a first end piece from an outer cheek of the spar so far that the end piece can be fixed in the direction of the rung axis.

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 aerial lift comprising a self-propelled vehicle such as a truck or the like having a rotatable pedestal mounted thereon. An elongated telescopic boom has one end pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the pedestal. A first support is pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the upper end of the telescopic boom and has a second support pivotally secured thereto, about a vertical axis, to the outer end thereof. The second support has a first connector at its outer end which is adapted to be removably connected to a second connector element provided on a work station. The connector elements cooperate to mount the work station on the upper end of the telescopic boom and which may be disconnected to remove the work station from the telescopic boom.

Abstract: A motorized utility extension ladder having a main and upper riser section extendable by a motor. The ladder further comprising a telescopic prop so that the ladder may be free standing, side wing legs for stabilizing the ladder, wheels for transporting the ladder, and a removable shelf.

Abstract: A ladder extension lock that serves as a back-up unit for an existing ladder lock system. The inventive lock releasably locks in place a section of a multiple section extension ladder. The lock is comprised of a control bar (20) planar with a rung on the fly section, having pivot pins (24) on each end. A pair of hooks (26) are attached to the pivot pins (24) and mounting blocks (28) are fastened to the side rails of the ladder and also the hooks (26). A pair of springs (37) are disposed between the bar (20) and the rung, urging the bar away from the rung. A pully (38), attached to a yoke (36), allows a halyard (46) to be engaged within a groove in the pulley (38). When an operator applies force upon the halyard (46), the bar (20) is forced upward rotating the hooks (26) to clear the rungs of the ladder while hoisting, and when pressure is quickly released, the hooks (26) rotate to their locking position and mate with the rung, creating a fail-safe mechanical lock between the rung and the side rails.

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 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: Extension ladders having a bed section and a fly section comprises automatic hook locks of a rotary type that rotate on shafts carried on brackets parallel to the side rails of the ladder fly section to move between normal hooking positions and intermittent passing positions. Pivoted toggles rotate with the hook locks and serve to move them into their passing position as the fly section is lowered. The hook portions of the locks are contoured to move them into their passing position by contact with step members of the bed section as the fly section is raised.

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: The fly sections of extension ladders are provided at the bottom end with opposed housing bars upon which a rung is mounted thereby avoiding the usual hazard of a skipped rung. The housing bars are constructed and mounted on the fly section to provide multi-directional strength while permitting full movement, in the space between the mounting bar and the ladder side rail, of automatic hook locks equipped with conventional toggles. The improved constructions are especially suited to the manufacture of all-metal ladders.

Abstract: There is provided a device for preventing the jutting-out of the ladder of a ladder truck, wherein when the extending and contracting operation of an extensible ladder is completed and a ladder extending and contracting changeover valve is returned to its neutral position, locking levers are automatically turned to their locking position with respect to several stage ladders required to be prevented from jutting out, thereby providing for prevention of jutting-out, whereas at the time of extension and contraction of the extensible ladder said locking levers are turned to their retracted position to enable the extension and contraction to be effected without hindrance.