Abstract: An external elevator system piggy backs a first rail car on a second rail car to permit simple and rapid transfer of the first rail car to an upper setback section of a high-rise building. Each rail car is equipped with pinion drives that engage racks fixed to vertical rails that are attached to the faces of the base section and setback section of the buildings. The cars also have motor driven wheels that allow the car to drive on horizontal surfaces.

Abstract: A movable scaffold has a pair of hanger rails attached to a construction, first hanger units movably mounted on the hanger rails, beams operatively engaged with the first hanger units and laterally disposed with respect to the hanger rails, and a floor deck mounted on the beams. Second hanger units are provided for movably suspending the beams from the first hanger units.

Abstract: A pipe track has a groove in which a ladder is slidably mounted for movement between ends of the track. A pair of spaced, downwardly extending notches at one end of the groove permit the ladder to be pivoted downwardly to occupy a vertical position coplanar with the track; and a pair of spaced, upwardly extending notches at the other end of the groove permit the ladder to be pivoted upwardly to occupy a vertical position coplanar with the track.

Abstract: A mobile suspended scaffold arrangement comprises a support portion which can move along rails or purlins provided on the roof of a steel building, a boom assembly extending outwardly therefrom and a scaffold hanger portion suspended from the boom assembly. The device is particularly for use in cladding prefabricated steel buildings. The wheel assemblies include a vertical support wheel and a horizontal guide wheel and can be coupled by simple elongate beams extending at right angles to the rails. The support portion on the roof can be divided into two separate dollies which can be used for transporting equipment on the roof. The support portion couples to the hanger portion both at a hook at the top of the beam and also at a bracket extending outwardly from one side of the support so as to clamp the hanger rigidly vertical to prevent twisting.

Abstract: A portable access platform for access to the outside of conventional sliding glass windows the access platform having a clamping unit that clamps to the window sill of the open portion of the window unit when one of the windows is slid aside, an elongated slide unit that is slidably connected to the clamping unit and that is arranged outside the window unit below the sill, a platform unit that is slidably connected to the slide unit and positioned at the closed portion of the window unit, the clamping unit and platform unit being moveable to opposite ends of the slide unit for access to the other side of the window unit when the windows are oppositely positioned.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for used by workers at height comprises a fixed safety cable (1) secured in spaced relation to a fixture (2) by supports such as (3), and a coupling device (8) by which a safety line attached to a worker's safety harness can be coupled to such cable. The coupling device comprises a rotatably mounted tube (9) having a longitudinal slot (16) and profiled ends (9'). The tube (9) is slidable along the cable (1). On abutment of a tube end (9') against an arm (5) of a support (3) the tube becomes rotated to bring the slot (16) into register with the arm (5) so that the coupling device can travel past the support (3).

Abstract: A safety device for mounting on a beam section including a body comprising two articulated portions having projections which produce a wedging effect on the beam section when under the pull of a load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension cradle or cradles which can be transported along an upper region such as the rim of an upright edifice such as a cooling tower, the rim having a substantially flat surface extending on a plane transverse to the upright plane of the cooling tower, transportation of the cradle(s) being by a device mounted on the surface by means adapted to move the device along the surface.

Abstract: Assembly equipment for rocket stages or other large structures includes three towers arranged on a circle and being circumscribed by a plurality of platforms; another platform ring is held in different levels on an inside circle, and a spiral structure is coaxially mounted for rotation on a circular track to permit access to every part of the centrally positioned structure to be assembled. An arch shaped bridge may span the top part; multiple equipment may be axially superimposed.

Abstract: The safety device for a person in an underground duct, tunnel or the like, particularly for a person in a sewer pipe, comprises a guide rail attached by a plurality of spaced fasteners to the roof of the duct or tunnel and a traveling body movable on and along the guide rail which is attached with a safety tether to a safety belt worn by the person. The traveling body is a hingedly or pivotally openable and closable end piece device located at or near one end of a safety rod which is provided with a retaining eye for the safety tether and with an end piece handle at its other end.

Abstract: A crane with an anti-skewing device comprising a platform suspended under a bridge deck by two end truck assemblies supported by runways on a bridge. Each end truck assembly includes two sets of trolleys and an upper load bar interconnects the two sets of trolleys. A lower load bar is suspended from the upper load bar by a kingpin for rotation about a vertical axis. Hinge tubes support the platform on the suspension assembly for pivotal movement in a direction lengthwise of the platform. Each end truck assembly is driven by a variable speed motor. As skewing occurs a mechanical sensing mechanism senses relative movement between lower load bar and the upper load bar and provides a signal to an electronic circuit causing one or both of the motors associated with the end truck assembly on which the sensing mechanism is mounted to increase or decrease the speed of the motor and thereby correct the skew.

Abstract: Safety device for working at great heights, comprising a cable (2) stretched parallel to a direction of movement and carried by spaced supports (4), and a hooking element (33) sliding along the cable. Each support consists of a substantially horizontal axle fixed at one end on a fixed part (41) and carrying at its other end a plate (5) holding the cable (2). The plate is mounted for rotation on the axle (40) and has two opposite notches (51) in which the hooking element engages by sliding on the cable (2) in order to pass above the support axle (40) through rotation of the holding plate (5), the latter being automatically returned to a rest position in which the two notches (51) are aligned with the cable (2), each in one direction.

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: Means and methods for erecting a work platform under a structure are provided whereby removable planks are supported by a plurality of cables strung between a plurality of platform travelers erected on either side of the structure. The planks are subsequently supported at various intervals by adjustable hanger mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scaffold for working under the stern of vessels for servicing propellers, propeller shafts, stern tubes, rudders and the like. The scaffold comprises a movable carriage to which is mounted a vertical support including actuating elements for raising or lowering a longitudinal platform at the upper part of the support. A further actuating element is used for longitudinally displacing the platform so as to reach the vessel parts to be serviced.

Abstract: An adjustable service platform apparatus for a gantry crane having an elongated base frame which includes a pair of horizontally sliding beams which are laterally extendible outboard in opposite directions from the base frame. Detachable towers with work platforms at the tops are secured to the ends of the sliding beams. The platforms can be raised and lowered and moved inboard and outboard along the crane by the hoist and trolley motions of the crane and can be laterally extended and retracted independently from the hoist and trolley motions of the crane. Operators standing on the work platforms can readily move them to provide access to and permit inspection of the structural elements of the crane's supporting structure from the top of the boom to part way down the base structure of the crane by means of work platform controls.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing worker's from falling off of a peaked roof includes a boom pivotally connected to a rotatable stanchion. The rotatable stanchion is supported on the roof by a saddle which is adjustable to permit it to be mounted on various peaked roofs having different slopes. A tether is connected at one end for slidable movement along the boom and is connectable at the other end to the back of a worker's safety belt or harness in order to arrest movement or catch the worker in the event of a slip or fall. The rotatable stanchion and slidable tether give the worker a high degree of mobility on the roof and without interference with work or materials on the roof. A brake operable by tension in the tether arrests rapid sliding of the tether along the boom and a pair of shock absorber devices are provided to assist the brake in reducing any jolt if a falling worker is caught by the safety device.

Abstract: A safety restraint device is adapted to be mounted on a rail of a railway track, and includes a substantially U-shaped hood having a pair of hinged hood sections each supporting upper and lower rollers for engagement respectively with upper and lower surfaces of the ball of the rail. The upper rollers are adjustable for accommodating different rail weights, the rollers are located wholly within the hood, and the hinged hood sections permit quick assembly to and removal from the rail.

Abstract: A portable suspended scaffold utilizes a carriage having circumferentially grooved rollers which engage upturned flanges on a set of purlins. A suspension structure depends from the carriage such that workers may affix overhead fixtures such as roof panels to the purlins above the scaffold. The scaffold utilizes a plurality of platform elements which are removably carried by the suspension structure such that the scaffold may be manually propelled along the length of the purlin without having the workers thereon dismount.

Abstract: A scaffolding system useable on either a flat or pitched gable roof a roof and including a mast, rollers which connect the mast to the roof, and a winch for adjusting the position of the scaffolding system relative to the roof.

Abstract: An evacuation system for nonambulatory patients from a multistory hospital or the like. A trackway is secureable to a wall of a stairwell and includes a hanger rail support. A hanger is rotatably associable with the hanger rail support and has elongated elements suspended from same for securement to a wheelchair, stretcher, or the like. A brake system is associated with the hanger to normally brake rollers, wheels, or the like of same against movement. A brake release apparatus is operatively associated with the brake system from the hanger for actuation by a patient or attendant to permit the hanger to carry the patient along the trackway.

Abstract: Support apparatus comprising a platform assembly suspended from above and held by two suspension assemblies which are spaced apart and parallelly oriented, each suspension assembly comprising an elongated horizontal base track means fixedly mounted to overhead ceiling means and a track follower assembly adjustably mounted to the base track means. The track follower assembly includes an elongated horizontal mating track means slidable in aligned relationship with respect to the base track means and supported by the base track means in that aligned relationship. Additionally, the track follower assembly includes means for maintaining the mating track means against tilt elevational movement with respect to the base track means, plus strut means affixed to the mating track means in vertically depending relationship therefrom. The platform assembly is adjustably affixed to the strut means. The platform assembly may support a variety of elements, including a speed bag platform and depending speed bag.

Abstract: A personnel escape mechanism for emergency evacuation of a high-rise building. An escape support for personnel in the form of harnesses or a protective cage is suspended from a trolley, riding on a rail extending externally from the building. The escape support is suspended by cable from a constant speed rotationally braked cable payout mechanism mounted in the trolley. The support and trolley are impelled to the outside of the building through a frangible wall opening, and then lowered to a safe ground location by the braked cable pay-out mechanism. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a steel cage is provided on wheels near window of safety glass. This cage is suspended from a cable wound on a cable drum, which is rotationally coupled to a hydraulic pump controlled by a restricted, closed loop flow path. The cable drum and pump are mounted in a trolley which rides on an I-beam projecting out of the building through the safety glass.

Abstract: The specification describes a device that admits of performing a variety of servicing, inspection and maintenance functions on the viewing surface of a simulator dome. The structural arrangement of such device includes a circular track supported by the base floor of the simulator and at least one arcuate carrier track extending from one end at the circular track, upwardly in a plane perpendicular to the circular track and at a constant distance from the viewing surface, to the opposite end at the circular track 180 degrees from the end. A servo unit, carrying a desired implement to perform some function on the viewing surface, is indexed along the arcuate carrier track after the arcuate carrier track is turned 360 degrees. Suitable wheels support each end of the arcuate carrier track on the circular track.

Abstract: Movable scaffold having a car which is suspended from two carriages (15, 16) joined by a cross bar (18), said carriages rolling inside a rail (10) suspended from support members mounted on the roof. The cross bar carries a safety bracket (21a) of a T-shaped configuration. Lateral movements are effected by operating, from the scaffold car, an endless rope (33) cooperating with a grooved pulley (32), integral with a friction roll, which is applied against the bottom surface of rail (10).

Abstract: A removable construction device for use in a building under construction is disclosed. The device is partially positioned inside the building and locked to the building and is partially cantilevered outside of the building. The device has a movable platform section that may be positioned inside or outside of the building on the device. Construction materials may thereby be moved into the building or may be removed from the building by use of the device associated with an outside lifting crane.

Abstract: A suspension system for a person under a ceiling is disclosed, consisting of a false ceiling composed of a plurality of spaced-apart tiles each of a regular geometric shape. Slots are thus defined between the tiles. The latter is also downwardly spaced from the regular roof or ceiling and is rigidly secured thereto, thereby defining a space between the tiles and the roof. At least one pair of stilts is used in combination with the ceiling. Each stilt is adapted to move in the slots and is provided with a suspension flange at its upper end and a foot support at its lower end, thereby enabling a user to "walk" under the ceiling.

Abstract: A ladder for a vehicle having a top surface vertically elevated to a height not easily accessible to a person, which ladder is capable of being integrated into elements of an adjustable and removable article carrier or a slat of a slat-type article carrier, comprising a pair of side members spanned by steps or braces having upper securement elements or retainers at one end of the side members insertable into engagement with the article carrier and lower securement elements, such as suction cups, engageable with the side of the vehicle to secure the ladder in place.

Abstract: In the event of fire, a telescoping pole is transported, by means of a hoist, from a stored location within a building to a sleeve permanently mounted on a balcony or near a window. The pole is inserted into the sleeve and telescoped to its full extended position. A trolley is mounted on this pole. The user straps himself in a seat, attaches the seat to the trolley, and suspends himself from the pole. Using a hand-over-hand motion, the user propels himself away from the building to the end of the pole where he may be rescued by firemen.In a second embodiment, the pole is telescopingly mounted and permanently stored in the sleeve, thereby eliminating the need to transport the pole. The sleeve is pivotally mounted on a stand for rotation about a vertical axis and the pole, when stored therein, is interior to the side of the building. In the event of fire, the user manipulates the pole by rotating it to a position which permits it to be telescopingly extended away from the side of the building.

Abstract: An improved access tower for use in the manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections for building underwater tunnel tubes is provided. The tower is positioned at one end of the tunnel module shells when they are placed on pedestals for rotation and further processing. Assembly of the support framework around the shell is conducted from the top position on the shells. A moveable bridge extends from the tower for access to the top of the shell.

Abstract: A guided lift cage which is pivotally mounted to a pair of fixed side rails by a suspension trolley so that the cage is always suspended on a vertical axis, regardless of the axis of the side rails. The path of the side rails may curve from a vertical axis within a shaftway to a horizontal axis above and outside of the shaftway to permit the storage and unloading of the cage, above the shaftway, at a position horizontally offset from the shaftway, to thus provide uninterrupted vertical access to the shaftway in the stored position of the cage.

Abstract: An emergency rescue system for use in rescuing persons trapped in the upper floors of a multistory building during emergency conditions such as during a fire or the like. The rescue system comprises a rescue gondola suspended alongside the exterior face of the building by a suspension cable. The suspension cable is secured to a carriage at the top of the building including means for adjusting the length of the suspension cable to adjust the elevational position of the gondola, and the carriage is movable along a track at the top of the building to adjust the lateral position of the gondola. A tension cable is removably secured between the carriage and a fixed point near the base of the building, and is received over the exterior face of the gondola to steady the gondola and to urge the gondola inwardly toward the building.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a scaffold or the like, used for working on the outer walls of buildings, comprising a capstan made up of four pairs of pulleys driven by an electric motor. The pulleys have grooves for receiving suspension cables, each of which is wound over a pair of pulleys in five turns. On the slack-portion side, each cable is guided over a traverse mechanism, then runs onto a reel mounted via friction couplings on a shaft. This shaft is driven by the motor when the scaffold is raised, while during the descent it is locked by a monodirectional coupling, a driving wheel then being free on the shaft. A safety release device intended to intervene in case of lessening of the tractive force yielded by the friction couplings is combined with the traverse mechanism. If the tension of the slack portion of cable drops below a given threshold, a safety release cuts off the current supply to the motor and actuates an electromagnetic brake.

Abstract: A suspended cradle for use in the inspection and maintenance of difficulty accessible structures comprises a frame provided with a series of at least three roller assemblies each having rollers for running on an overhead track on the structure to be inspected or maintained and thereby suspending the frame for movement along the track. Each roller assembly has means for rendering the roller assembly inoperative by relieving the load on the rollers and withdrawing the rollers from the track so that the inoperative roller assembly can move past an obstruction on the track while the frame remains movably supported on the track by the remaining roller assemblies.

Abstract: An emergency escape system designed for use with multistory buildings. The system comprises generally a vertical zigzag track formed by a plurality of special contour structures, each structure having three plies of plate mounted in parallel relationship adjacent to outside wall of the building and having a plurality of parallel branch tracks extending laterally and slightly upwardly from the vertical track to an exit tunnel at each floor of the building. A number of loader cars for carrying escapees or properties from each exit tunnel along the track to escape, each car having four universal wheels underneath the bottom of the car and two parallel axles perpendicularly fixed at the upper and the lower end back side of the car, a set of several ball bearing rollers connected each other by specially curved springs is rotatorily mounted on each axle for supporting and traveling along the tracks.

Abstract: A maintenance platform for a boiler-furnace that permits safe and ready access to its normally inaccessible upper parts and integral superheater. The maintenance platform is installed in the furnace, below the superheater on a horizontally movable support whereby said support may be selectively moved across said furnace or stored laterally adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A boarding platform for transferring personnel between a fixed dock structure and a barge or the like is disclosed. The boarding platform includes a pair of vertical tracks having a carriage mounted for raising and lowering movements relative to the tracks. A boarding ramp is mounted on the carriage which is normally biased to a vertical or raised position. Counterweights are provided on the carriage so that a main raising cable carries only a portion of the weight of the carriage and the ramp. A winding motor for the main cable is suspended from a high-low weight sensing load cell which operates a mechanism to lock the carriage relative to the tracks (a) if a person stands on the ramp, (b) if the main cable breaks, or (c) if one or more of the counterweights releases.

Abstract: An escape device for use in tall buildings wherein an endless ladder-type chain driven around a plurality of chain sprockets is mounted on a movable platform and lowered over the side of a building to enable escape to ground level from a burning building. The endless ladder chain is compactly stored when not in use in a housing which includes a pair of inclined rod-like support members by which the endless chain under the force of gravity is slidingly dispensed from the chain housing to the sprocket assembly.

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 roller fitting adapted to be secured to a length of scaffold tube and to suspend said scaffold tube from a girder, said fitting comprising a main body, a clamp pivotally mounted on the main body, means for releasably holding the clamp to the main body, and a roller rotatably mounted on part of the main body by means of a bearing. The clamp and main body are so shaped that they can receive and hold between them a length of scaffold tube and the arrangement is such that, when the fitting is located in position with the roller bearing on a flange of a girder, the said part of the main body on which the roller is mounted is located over the flange of the girder whereby, in the event of failure or breaking up of the roller or bearing, the said part can engage the flange of the girder.

Abstract: A crane mover is arranged to transfer a crane, such as a dockside crane, around a curve from one straight track to another straight track. The mover runs on rails and carries synchronized jacks engageable with lift pads on the crane. The mover also carries lips on the jack stems to engage and restrict excess rocking movement of the crane wheel equalizers. All of the mover actions and motion are preferably controlled from an operator station on the crane mover.

Abstract: A brake unit for a skip or carriage adapted to ride on one or more cables. The brake unit has brake jaws spanning the cable, said unit being connected to the skip so as to move along the cable therewith. The connection to the skip is such that when the latter is moved in one direction, the jaws slide along the cables, but when the skip moves in the opposite direction, the jaws grip the cable in a braking action. The brake unit has adjusting means which is operable to adjust the gripping action of the jaw anywhere from a complete grip preventing movement of the skip to release of the cable so that the skip can move freely therealong.

Abstract: A carriage has pulleys adjacent opposite ends thereof for riding on a pair of line cables which have obstructions thereon, such as hangers and spacers. The carriage has brakes associated therewith for engaging the line cables. These brakes are such that they permit the carriage to move in one direction but automatically grip the line cables when the carriage moves in the opposite direction. These brakes are releasable to allow the carriage to be moved in either direction. Lifting apparatus is provided for each end of the carriage in the form of hooks that can be placed on the line cables and lifter lines extending between the hooks and the carriage. The lifter cables are connected to a foot pedal in the carriage which can be manipulated to transfer the weight of the adjacent end of the carriage through the hooks to the line cables thereby allowing the pulleys at that end of the carriage to be lifted off the line cables and shifted around an obstruction thereon.

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: This invention relates to an arrangement for projecting cantilever sections of multi-sectional bridge supporting structures of steel or prestressed concrete forming the superstructure of the bridge which is supported on bridge piles. The arrangement includes at least one traveling auxiliary beam movably carried on and arranged above the superstructure for spanning between superstructure sections. Two concreting scaffolds each comprising a supporting part having crossbeams and rollers are arranged above the superstructure and carry a platform which is arranged below the superstructure for carrying casings to extend the projecting superstructure sections. A transport device is movably carried on the auxiliary beam and supports the concreting scaffolds for transport between superstructure sections and from the end of a completed section to a bridge pile for beginning construction of a new section.

Abstract: An outrigger beam projects outwardly beyond the edge of the roof, to serve as an overhead anchor for the suspension line of a suspended staging. A support leg depends from the beam and makes contact with the roof inwardly of the roof edge. At a location further inwardly from the roof edge, the outrigger beam is secured to an elevated support rail, but in a manner permitting both axial and sideways angular movement, as needed, for proper positioning of the outboard end of the outrigger beam relative to the side of the building. The support rail counterbalances the weight of the staging. The outrigger beam is connected to the support rail by a carriage which permits (1) the outrigger beam to be pivoted vertically about the support rail, for raising the support leg up off the roof, and (2) sideways movement of the tilted outrigger beam lengthwise of the rail.

Abstract: The invention involves working on a pipeline which is subject to movements relative to a base such as ground, the deck of a floating barge, and the like. A rollable scaffold is frictionally coupled to the pipeline so that workers carried by the scaffold can move relative to the base and, therefore, become stationary relative to the pipeline. The scaffold carries a lift means for raising and lowering a pipe support positionable under the pipeline. The scaffold therefore allows the workers to work on the pipeline without being disturbed by the relative movements between the pipeline and the base.

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: An apparatus for positioning a person within a container tank for inspection, cleaning, or repair of such tank is described. The apparatus includes a pivoted parallelogram type support having a cage enclosure at one end and a counter balance weight at the other end, such support being pivotally attached to a hoist member for movement of the cage toward and away from the tank wall while maintaining such cage upright. The hoist raises and lowers the support and cage within the tank and through a restricted opening in the tank when the support is pivoted into a retracted position. Bearing means is provided around the hoist stem for guiding vertical movement and enabling manual rotation of the hoist member and cage. A valve actuated cylinder is employed to control the pivoting of the support by manual actuation of the valve from within the cage.

Abstract: An orbital service bridge for positioning a work platform at desired positions within an overlying dome-shaped structure comprises inclined leg members pivotally mounted at one end near the top of the dome. A motor driven trolley positions the other end of the leg member along a track circumferentially disposed on the base of the domed area. A carriage movably supported on the leg members positions the work platform at the desired height, and a telescoping mounting assembly extends the work platform in either direction away from the leg members and into the desired position. The bridge may also be assembled with complimentary leg members to form a self-supporting bridge structure useful in assembling the dome and related systems.