Abstract: A magnetic holder for pulling in and securing a platform and personnel to e hull of a ship to be serviced is disclosed. A lightweight corrosion resistant body member houses a permanent magnet and has an extension for receiving an elongated tool with which the holder is brought in contact with the ship's hull. A flexible resilient line attaches the platform to the holder and allows the platform to be pulled to the hull. Easy removal of the holder is accomplished by applying an external force to the extension creating a turning moment to overcome the magnetic holding force.

Abstract: An emergency escape apparatus includes a gear track mounted vertically on an exterior surface of a building. A carriage is provided with guide rollers which engage a guide track oriented adjacent and parallel to the gear track. A gear wheel is rotatably mounted on the carriage and is maintained in positive engagement with the gear track by the guide rollers. The carriage includes automatic brakes which serve to limit the maximum downward velocity of the carriage, and a boatswain's chair is attached to the carriage to secure one or more persons to the carriage for transport down the outside of the building.

Abstract: A scaffold has features that allow it to be supported vertically by connecting it to a building. The scaffold includes a pair of legs. Each leg will telescope to vary the length of the leg. A rail interconnects the legs. A worker's platform is carried by the rail below the rail. Rollers connected with the platform allow the platform to roll along the length of the rail. An adapter mounted to the top of each leg will insert under a depending member of the building roof to hold the legs vertically. The adapter is urged upward by a spring to maintain engagement.

Abstract: A scaffolding generally of the type for use in placing siding on a vertical wall of a house wherein the scaffolding has two posts disposed vertically and supported at the lower end by a support structure offset from the post in a direction away from the house and having legs offset from one another in a direction parallel to the wall of the house.

Abstract: A scaffold having a number of platform plates connected through independent chains. Independent chains are also provided above the uppermost platform and below the lowermost platform for connection to upper fitting members and lower fitting members, respectively integral with a wall. The latter chains are provided with tensioning means enabling the scaffold to be firmly and rigidly secured to the wall. The platforms are also adjustable horizontally.

Abstract: A scaffolding bracket for supporting a platform against the wall of a ship or the like has a tapered U-shaped support beam having opposed pairs of apertures in the sides near one end thereof, the support beam is adjustable relative to a wall engaging plate. The wall engaging plate has a pair of keyhole apertures which connect to a pair of metallic studs which are secured to the wall of the ship or the like by welding means. The plate has a flange, the opposed sides of which define a segment of a circle about which the support beam is adjustably pivoted. The flange has a series of apertures at spaced apart intervals which cooperate with the pairs of apertures near the end of the support beam thus allowing the support beam to be pivotably adjusted in increments of five or ten degrees around the circle segment.

Abstract: A work staging scaffold system comprising an open movable structural frame with horizontal track members mounting one or more sets of carriages that support one or more associated traverse tracks carrying vertically movable worker cars and also workpiece cable hoists.

Abstract: An auxiliary attachment for portable framework type of scaffolding assembly adapted for erection alongside a vertical face of a structure. The usual framework includes outwardly extended brackets to mount and support a horizontal worker platform formed of planking pieces. The auxiliary attachment of this invention is detachably and adjustably connectable to the front of the scaffold framework. A portion of the auxiliary attachment extends outwardly beyond the scaffold and provides support means for unsupported cantilever plank ends terminating adjacent a projection or abutment extending outwardly beyond the vertical structure face.

Abstract: A scaffold apparatus usable in conjunction with conventional on-site building materials to provide an adjustable scaffold, the scaffold apparatus having a matched pair of plank brackets with a releasable clamping mechanism adapted to clamp the brackets to a pair of spaced timber posts, the plank brackets having cantilevered arm portions extending from the post on which a horizontal cross plank is supported, the brackets having an adjustment mechanism cooperating with a cable for raising and lowering the brackets and cross plank on the timber posts, the plank brackets in combination with additional hardware for supporting and bracing the timber posts forming a compact scaffolding kit.

Abstract: The apparatus is constructed with upright supports and contilevers which project from the supports. The cantilevers carry a suspension device for supporting a rubble chute as well as a foldable U-shaped tray which defines a walkway for access to the chute. The cantilevers are constructed of horizontal tie bars and diagonal struts which can be detachably connected from the upright supports.

Abstract: A rescue system for a multi-floor building includes an upright climb rail assembled of profiled rail sections defining two lateral cooling channels and an upright tooth rack extending around the entire length of the rail; a rescue cabin includes a projecting frame insertable into a front guiding slot in the rail and supporting a driving gear engaging the upright tooth rack; the frame of the cabin overlaps safety windows provided on each floor of the building and has an entrance opening facing the windows.

Abstract: A portable stabbing board adapted to be attached to a rig for supporting a worker while stabbing joints of tubular members together during running operations including a frame member mountable with the rig, attachment members with the frame member for removably securing the frame member with the rig, a platform adapted for vertical movement along the frame member for supporting a worker during running operations, power means mounted with the platform for providing motive force for moving the platform vertically with respect to the frame member, and safety members with the platform and frame member for preventing unwanted vertical movement of the platform during such running operations.

Abstract: A novel safety platform for use in a vertical shaft such as a manhole. The platform comprises a pair of support beams with the ends of each support beam mounted in the wall of the shaft. At least one panel extends across the shaft and bridges the support beams with a novel wedge clip at one end of the panel to allow the panel to be opened or secured in the closed position. A novel pivotting means is provided at the other end of the panel which pivotally secures the panel to the opposite support beam. The platform may be installed easily with fewer problems than the prior art yet provides increased safety factors for the user.

Abstract: A frame has upwardly convergent legs which support a plate on which a seat is swiveled. The frame provides a socket which fits over the upper end of an upwardly disposed tree stump or limb stub. A foot rest extends around three sides of the frame so as to leave an open side through which the hunter may climb up to the seat. Clamps in the lower portion of the frame secure it to the tree member.

Abstract: A collapsible fire escape for erection within a building adjacent a window therein, comprising sets of upper and lower joists arranged spatially apart from one another and mounted pivotally, respectively to upper and lower end portions of elongated upright angle irons to form a rectangular framework, a floor mounted over the lower joists, a first set of wall covers mounted to and between the outer surfaces of the upright angle irons, a second set of wall covers removably insertable between the remaining open spaces of the upright angle irons, foldable brace sections mounted crosswise and pivotally to the connecting points of joists and upright angle irons, a continuous hinge mounted along one of the upright angle irons extending into a plate which terminates in hooks, a plate provided with tubular projections mounted to the outside wall of the building adjacent the window for receiving the hooks and the housing capable of being swung outside through the window.

Abstract: Improvement in a bulk loading facility having a fixed deck having a vertical column as a part thereof and a drop way hinged to the deck so that it can be raised or lowered for loading, the improvement comprising the drop way having a handrail assembly including a handrail and a post for the handrail, the handrail and the post hinged to each other, the post hinged to the drop way, the handrail hinged to the column, and a four-bar mechanism consisting of the drop way, the handrail, the post and a portion of the column between the handrail and the drop way, the four-bar mechanism constructed so that the sum of the lengths of the column portion and the top rail is greater than the sum of the lengths of the drop way and the post, whereby the drop way has an overcenter action during raising thereof which assists in maintaining the drop way in its raised position.

Abstract: A scaffolding frame member to be used for supporting scaffolding planks along the side of a building structure and adjacent the roof thereof. Each member is basically comprised of four folding parts, a roof member, an upright channel, a turnbuckle connected between the roof member and channel, and a bottom brace member. All four members fold together to form a compact unit for easy storage and transport. The frame member is mounted to a structure by first securing the roof member to the roof structure or frame with the channel and bottom brace hanging over the structure side. The turnbuckle mechanism can then be tightened between the roof member and suspended channel member to pull the channel member inwardly and press the bottom brace firmly against the structure wall. The bottom brace may then be secured to the wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns a scaffolding system for use at the erection of high buildings and solves the problem of providing a suspended scaffold which is stepwise lifted to higher levels but yet in constant communication with ground level. The patented system comprises two scaffold categories the one (1) being permanently directly accessible from ground and the other (2, 3) being successively lifted to higher levels and, between the lifting operations, held suspended from the building itself rather than from lifting cranes.

Abstract: A hand truck comprises a frame having handles at its rear end, wheels attached at least to the front end of the frame on opposite sides of its bottom, and a load support provided on the upper side of the frame and mounted on the frame shiftably longitudinally of the frame. Loads can be transferred from the truck, for example, to the bed of a light van positioned at some distance above the ground or from the bed to the truck by raising or turning down the truck on the principle of the lever, with the load support attached to the frame at a position corresponding to the level of the bed. The truck can be connected in a slanting position to the bed by a connector attached to the rear end of the frame to take loads from the vehicle along the truck as by a chute. The frame is foldable into two. The truck is usable also as a stepladder when the frame is held in an inverted V-shaped half-unfolded position by a holder.

Abstract: A scaffold structure comprising a tubular column positioned vertically in use by a base support for supporting a base end portion of the column. Top supporting structure supports a top end portion of the tubular column and is effective to maintain the column vertical in use. The base support and top support impart torsional rigidity to the tubular column. A positionable platform assembly having a platform for standing thereon is positionably mounted on the column for positioning the platform at a selected height above the base end of the column, and to permit adjustment of the height of the platform above the base end of the tubular column.

Abstract: Rails are mounted on the wall of a domelike reactor tank along pilasters extending downwardly from the top of the dome. A carriage is drivably mounted on the rails along each pilaster. The carriages each comprise drive means, and a working and inspecting platform. The platform is pivotally mounted and means are provided to control the setting of the platform so that it is always kept horizontal, irrespective of the slope of the rails.The carriage comprises a main frame in which two sub-frames are pivotally mounted one after the other, on pivot means extending transversally of the direction of motion of the carriage. Two wheel units, or boggie frames, are pivotally mounted in each sub-frame, one on each side of said pivot means. Each boggie frame is carried by wheels engaging the rail means.

Abstract: An escape system for delivering personnel on a drilling rig to a safe location in the event of a blow out or other dangerous situation. More specifically, a personnel capsule is releasably maintained in an unbalanced disposition by an A-frame structure adjacent the racking board level of the derrick of an oil drilling rig. In the event of a blow out the personnel can enter the capsule and activate the release mechanism which will allow the A-frame to pivot outwardly away from the derrick. A control system is integrated with the A-frame and capsule to control their movement and to lower the capsule to a predetermined safe location.

Abstract: A scaffolding bracket comprising a horizontal member arranged to act as a support for scaffold boards and a vertical member arranged to lie adjacent a vertical surface, the bracket having a plate for securing the bracket to the vertical surface and coupling means pivotally mounted within the angle formed between the horizontal and vertical members and arranged to receive a scaffold support member. The extremity of the support member may be provided with a swivel shoe plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a modular system comprising central platforms having additional platforms extending from the ends thereof, and walkways pivotally connected to opposite sides of the central platform for swinging between horizontal positions for use in loading containers along the sides of the platforms, and tilted, out-of-the-way positions.

Abstract: A safety bracket for securing a ladder in place against a building structure, the bracket having two extending arm members interconnected in crossing relation intermediate the respective ends thereof with each arm member being slidable with respect to the other. Each arm member includes an intermediate portion and two end portions pivotally joined to the intermediate portion, the two end portions of each arm member including, respectively, a hook shaped portion which may be hooked around an upright member of a ladder and an eyelet for receiving therethrough a projecting member secured to the building structure.

Abstract: A stabbing board assembly comprising a support platform mounted for powered vertical adjustment on a pair of laterally spaced vertical rails which are in turn fixed, preferably releasably, to structural members of a derrick by upper and lower sets of longitudinally adjustable mounting arms. The platform in turn includes a section slidably engaged therewith and power controlled for selective extension and retraction.

Abstract: An adjustable scaffolding system adaptable to the progressive growth of a building during construction has a series of spaced uprights, each having a plurality of vertically disposed slots for the sliding engagement of the edges of a plurality of frames. The frames and a third slot on the uprights engage fastening means protruding beyond the edge of a floor slab of the building.

Abstract: A staircase having a small base area is formed with one or more stringers and a plurality of horizontal treads placed along the stringer, the leading edges of alternate treads being set back from the usual tread edge and the setbacks alternating from side to side along the treads. The arrangement permits the treads in their unset back regions to overhang one another while the setback regions permits the foot to clear each tread in passing through the tread thereabove or therebelow. The arrangement permits a steep staircase to be negotiated with ease.

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: A scaffold structure for attachment to wall surfaces. Telescoping horizontal members are supported at an inner end by a secured wall bracket. The horizontal members are usable to carry a work platform resting on their upper surfaces. They are supported intermediate their ends by a depending bracket mounted to either a vertical post resting on a ground surface or an angular support extending upward from a lower wall bracket. Their outer ends include vertically open brackets for mounting vertical boards to serve as ground supports and/or handrail supports. A protective handrail can be mounted to the vertical boards at the outer ends of the horizontal members. An upright fixed adjacent to the outer end of each horizontal member is intersected by a roof member to provide an alternate form of outer support.

Abstract: An escape mechanism for enabling a person to escape at any floor of a building, the escape mechanism including a vertically disposed hollow rail and at least one rack disposed within the rail. At least one running and suspension apparatus is adapted to be introduced within the rail, where the apparatus is equipped with support members and includes an engagement portion having at least one pinion. The pinion engages the rack to allow the apparatus to move along the rail only upon rotation of the pinion. The engagement portion includes impeding assemblies having inertial escapement members for hindering the rotation and for slowing the descent of the apparatus by gravity while the engagement portion is engaged within the rail.

Abstract: A Y-shaped support structure is movably attached at its two arms to a track vertically attached adjacent the face of a building. Two of the arms of the Y-shaped support structure are movably engaged in a slot in the track and a net is suspended between the support structure and a similar support structure on a parallel track. The support structures with attached net can be raised by removing the supports from the upper arms of the Ys and sliding the ends of the upper arm upward while folding the net toward the building, then supporting the upper arms while the lower arms are raised while simultaneously unfolding the support structure outward, and finally supporting the bottom arms of the Ys. The support structure is lowered by reversing the procedure for raising it.

Abstract: A work platform for use in the servicing of jet engines including a frame, curved to conform with the exterior of the engine, carrying at its lower end a personnel supporting platform, a plurality of latch members rigidly attached to the upper end of the frame and adapted to engage cowling mountings on the engine thereby to support the work platform upon the engine, said latch members being adapted for insertion within the cowling mountings when said work platform is pivoted away from said engine about the end of the frame adjacent the latch members and for work platform supporting locking engagement with the cowling mountings upon pivotal movement of the work platform into an operational position on the engine following insertion of the latch members into the cowling mountings.

Abstract: A balcony for fire escape purposes for use below a window in an exterior wall of a multistory building which comprises support means to secure it in place on the wall; a platform secured to said means, preferably by spring hinges biasing it to horizontal position so that it can be removably held in vertical position against the wall or at right angles thereto; means secured to the support means for holding the platform in horizontal position against downward forces; an outside guard means secured to the platform parallel to and spaced from the connection thereof to the support means, preferably by spring hinges so that it is biased from a folded position against the platform to a position at right angles thereto; means operatively connected to the outside guard means and the support means to prevent the guard means from swinging beyond a right angular position with respect to the platform; an end guard means secured to each end of the outside guard means, preferably by spring hinges biasing them away from a f

Abstract: A device to facilitate use of scaffolding during construction of wood frame buildings by using a light-weight metal channel attached to and encasing occasional studs. Brackets hook into the channels at various desired heights, supporting planks which provide the working surface. At outside corners, one bracket hooks into the side of another at right angles to provide a scaffold in both directions from the corner using but one vertical channel. Channels are left in place and covered up as the siding is applied.

Abstract: A scaffolding assembly for use particularly in the construction of large holding tanks and which incorporates a novel construction and method of being raised from one level to another, the device including a series of scaffold sections made of aluminum and steel, the sections being pivotally attached together to conform to the tank contour, each section having brackets secured therebeneath that fit into bracket straps welded to the tank wall; the entire assembly being raised together on sky climbers in which all hoists are controlled by a single switch so to lift the assembly all together from an old set of straps to a new set thereabove.

Abstract: A staging includes sections that are easily transported or stored and in use are detachably joined to form vertical assemblies detachably interconnected by a railing with the assemblies connected to the building by braces. Each vertical assembly includes a support for platform-forming planks and a mechanism by which the platform may be raised or lowered by workmen supported thereby. The staging also includes sections connectable to the vertical assemblies to form roof-supported assemblies having brackets for platform-forming planks.

Abstract: A scaffolding assembly is made up of independent units each of which is fitted with inside and outside shuttering panels. The assembly is particularly suitable for in situ casting of walls in reinforced concrete, in successive layers which may vary in their inclination to the vertical. Each unit includes a support frame which is attached to one surface of the wall in progress and is fitted with one shuttering panel and a first assembly of catwalks. At its upper end it has a cantilever which overhangs the top of the wall, from which is suspended a movable frame substantially parallel to the support frame. The position of the movable frame on the cantilever is adjustable, to vary its distance from the support frame. The movable frame is fitted with the other shuttering panel and with a second catwalk assembly. A lifting system on the support frame co-operates with attachments on the wall to raise the unit.

Abstract: A maintenance device for use underneath a deck has an elongated arm connectable to the deck and extending beneath the deck and movable about a vertical axis. A platform mounted on the arm is movable along the arm and may be further movable relative to the arm such as by being rotatable about a second vertical axis or movable vertically relative to the arm. A deck including such a maintenance device may have a plurality of connecting points spaced about the deck such that the arm, by being connected to different ones of said connecting points can reach the entire area beneath the deck.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination scaffold and utility platform that is adapted to be used with two, at least, spaced apart support members. There is provided a first platform that is positioned on the support members in a spanning relationship therewith. The first platform includes therein a plurality of transverse openings that are spaced apart along the length dimension thereof and in a common plane. A second elongated platform is positioned in a plane above and alongside the first platform. The two platforms are coupled to each other by means of rods, each of which has a first portion that is adapted to be removably inserted in one of the openings in the first platform and a second portion that is spaced above and alongside the openings in the first platform in order to support the second platform. The rods that support the second platform with respect to the first platform are also provided with means for preventing the tilting of the second platform with respect to the first platform.

Abstract: A scaffold for carrying out activities inside a tank having a substantially cylindrical side wall and a roof with centrally provided therein a manhole, comprising a central mast and, movable therearound, a section for carrying operating platforms rotatably connected to said mast, all scaffold members being coupled for mutual pivotal movement and having such a cross-section that they can be lowered into the tank via the manhole.

Abstract: A removable cast, form or "shuttering" is provided to form "in situ" from poured concrete the portion of an outside wall, of a building disposed between the sill of the window opening of one story and the upper part of the window opening of the story directly below it. The shuttering comprises a unitary combination handleable in a single operation of either assembly preparatory to pouring concrete, or disassembly after pouring. It includes all adjustment means necessary for adjusting the assembly in all directions, and does not require any alteration to the parts of the building already constructed. The shuttering, when assembled, is characterized by having its center of gravity disposed within the building, to provide a more stable equilibrium during pouring, and by having its center of gravity, upon disassembly, displaced to the outside of the building, to facilitate its ready removal with the aid of a crane, winch or other comparable lifting means.

Abstract: A collapsible platform adapted to be erected in shallow water for surf fishing. Bearing plates connected to the lower ends of extensible legs stabilize a support panel to which a folding chair is hingedly connected. The platform is anchored in place by a handle operated actuating rod connected to a screw element adapted to penetrate the supporting sand formation below the water surface.

Abstract: Each of a pair of clip members comprises a plate-type member of rectangular configuration having a rectangular corner cutout forming a pair of perpendicular edges. Each clip member has a channel formed therein and extending perpendicularly to one of the edges and linearly with the other of the edges for accommodating the ledge part of a stiffener of a ship's hull and bulkhead with one of the edges abutting the underside of the plank-type part of the stiffener. A pair of bracket members support a scaffold platform between them. Each bracket member comprises a plate-type member having a rectangular part tapering downward to a narrow part and a rectangular corner cutout in the rectangular part forming a pair of perpendicular edges.

Abstract: A scaffolding bracket for attachment to a ship's bulkhead, or other vertical wall structure, having flanged, horizontally extending strengthening bars is provided with a beam and a hook member for engagement with a strengthening bar, at an arbitrarily selected point. One end of the beam, in mounted position, reaches in below the bar and is provided with an upwardly directed stanchion, upon which a two armed lever is pivotably mounted. A longer part of this lever is directed towards the hook member, leaving a clearance between its end and the hook member suitable for the reception of the flange of the strengthening bar.

Abstract: To enable a scaffolding structure to serve vertically curved structures such as ships' hulls, a joint is provided to allow vertically adjacent scaffold uprights to be relatively inclined to one another in a vertical plane. Transom elements and staging brackets are provided with pivotally mounted means for connection to the inclined uprights so as to enable staging to be carried substantially horizontally.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel fire escape system designed for use with multi-story buildings. The system comprises a generally cylindrical (or other suitable geometric shape) vertical column, preferably attached vertically adjacent to the outside of the building, which is longitudinally slotted on one side to form a main descent channel and which has mounted within it a series of helical lead screws which are fitted together to form one continuous worm shaft.A carrier seat (or harness) unit, which comprises, in part, a seat unit in the form of a net, a hook-up unit in the form of a ball or other suitable geometric shape, is adapted to readily engage within, and descend, at a controlled rate in, the above-mentioned apparatus.

Abstract: A ship's loading ramp has two side beams interconnected by travelling tracks with the beams and the tracks being divided in two portions connected by hinges. Wires for operating the ramp are connected to balancing arms and, one such arm is connected to each beam at the hinges. An actuator is fitted to adjust the angular position of the balancing arm with respect to the portions of the pertaining beam during raising and lowering operations.

Abstract: A helicopter supported gondola is provided with means for stabilizing the position of the gondola with respect to the exterior wall of a building so that people trapped within the building may be removed from it and safely lowered to the ground. Means are provided for stabilizing the gondola so that the downdraft from the helicopter can be used to control the position of the gondola, and other means are provided to hold the gondola firmly to the side of the building so that people may move from the building to the gondola.