A cover is provided to protect steps leading to a cab of a vehicle from accumulation of mud, snow, ice and other debris when the vehicle is driven. The cover is pivotally mounted for movement between an open position allowing a vehicle operator to climb the steps and a closed position covering the steps from top to bottom to maintain cleanliness of the steps as the vehicle is driven. The cover can be opened and closed from the top of the steps, either manually or with an actuator. The cover is normally closed when the vehicle is moving and open when the vehicle is stationary.

In one embodiment, an electronically controlled hatch system for safe ingress, egress, hazard detection, and methods thereof are provided to reduce or eliminate hazards to personnel, including protection of people above and below a scuttle hatch, access port, skylight or elevated deck. Said hatch system reduces the risk of falls while ascending or descending a ladder through an access port. In certain embodiments, severe weather, hazard, security, and other safety information are detected and transmitted to a central control unit for processing and regulating the opening and closing of a hatch covering the access port and/or raising and lowering a safety railing system based on said information and/or user input. Said hatch system may include an actuator and guides for automatically locking/unlocking and opening/closing a hatch, an actuator and guides for automatically raising/lowering a railing system, safety monitoring detectors/apparatuses, and a centralized controller.

A method of preventing or minimizing trespassing of a hunting tree stand and an apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

A method of preventing or minimizing trespassing of a hunting tree stand and an apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The present disclosure provides a pool ladder with an active protection mechanism. The ladder provides a switch positioned at a significant height from the ground such that children cannot easily reach the switch. When actuated, the switch unlocks a protective door for the ladder and the ladder can be moved to access the steps. As such, the ladder can effectively prevent children from unlocking the protective door and accessing the pool.

An apparatus that provides a platform for selectively deployable worker access with fall protection to at least a portion of the top of a container disposed above the ground. The apparatus includes a gate and a ladder extension that selectively operates in an extended mode and a retracted mode with respect to the gate and with respect to an emergency egress ladder extending beneath the platform.

A ladder selectively allows or prevents user access to the ladder steps, such that the ladder can only be climbed when such access is allowed. For example, the ladder may only selectively allow ingress into a bathing enclosure, e.g., when operated by an adult, but always allows egress from the bathing enclosure by any user. The ladder includes one or more safety blocks moveable between a safety configuration, in which ingress is prevented or inhibited, and a ladder configuration, in which ingress and egress is permitted.

A ladder stabilization device includes a generally L-shaped frame member having a horizontal section and a vertical section. A ladder connection hinge is disposed along one end of the frame, a foot is disposed along another end of the frame, and a panel member is connected therebetween. A ladder stabilization system includes two stabilization devices. The system transitions between an open configuration where each foot is engaged with the ground, and a closed configuration where each panel blocks the ladder steps.

A safety rail protection system disclosed herein is adaptable to be positioned adjacent to a portal. The system may include a hinged gate having an opening and first and second opposing members, with the hinged gate being operable to open from a closed position to an open position. A first side rail may be present, and may include a first side gate projection extending at least partially into the hinged gate opening, with the first side rail interfacing with at least one of the first and second opposing members when the hinged gate is in the closed position. A second side rail may be present, and may include a second side gate projection extending at least partially into the hinged gate opening when the hinged gate is in the closed position.

A user-adjustable, blow-molded ladder or a blow-molded staircase system for ingress and egress of an above-ground swimming pool is provided. In one embodiment, the ladder includes a first side rail structure and a second side rail structure oriented opposite and substantially parallel to the first side rail structure, a platform and a plurality of steps coupling the first side rail to the second side rail, and a flexible tambour barrier configured, in a first position, to inhibit access to the steps from the anterior direction and configured, in a second position, to allow access to the steps from an anterior direction and inhibit pass through entry between the steps.