An extension ladder having a base section and a fly section. The fly section has a right local reinforcement disposed inside a right fly rail of the fly section at locations of highest bending moment of the right fly rail when a force is applied to the right fly rail. The right local reinforcement is shorter than a length of the right fly rail. Loads applied to the right fly rail are transmitted to the right local reinforcement so the right fly rail may be thinner than if there was no right local reinforcement present. A method for producing a ladder rail with a local reinforcement between a top rail flange and a bottom rail flange. A method for using an extension ladder.

An extension ladder having a base section and a fly section. The fly section has a right local reinforcement disposed inside a right fly rail of the fly section at locations of highest bending moment of the right fly rail when a force is applied to the right fly rail. The right local reinforcement is shorter than a length of the right fly rail. Loads applied to the right fly rail are transmitted to the right local reinforcement so the right fly rail may be thinner than if there was no right local reinforcement present. A method for producing a ladder rail with a local reinforcement between a top rail flange and a bottom rail flange. A method for using an extension ladder.

A ladder with bracing is provided. In one embodiment, the ladder may include a first rail assembly comprising a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails, the pair of inner rails being slidably disposed in a upper portion of pair of outer rails, wherein a rear surface of each of the pair of outer rails lies in a common plane. A first plurality of rungs may be coupled between the pair of inner rails, and a second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails. A brace may extend between and be coupled to the pair of outer rails, wherein the brace includes a first ramped surface, the first ramped surface having a first portion spaced away from the common plane, a second portion immediately adjacent the common plane, and a transition portion extending between the first portion and the second portion.

A ladder with bracing is provided. In one embodiment, the ladder may include a first rail assembly comprising a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails, the pair of inner rails being slidably disposed in a upper portion of pair of outer rails, wherein a rear surface of each of the pair of outer rails lies in a common plane. A first plurality of rungs may be coupled between the pair of inner rails, and a second plurality of rungs coupled between the pair of outer rails. A brace may extend between and be coupled to the pair of outer rails, wherein the brace includes a first ramped surface, the first ramped surface having a first portion spaced away from the common plane, a second portion immediately adjacent the common plane, and a transition portion extending between the first portion and the second portion.

A guard for protecting an object that include front and rear panel assemblies that each include a panel, a top panel that covers a gap between the front and rear panel assemblies, a hinge pin that rotatably couples the front and rear panel assemblies about an axis of rotation such that the front and rear panel assemblies are rotatable between an angle of rotation between approximately 0 degrees to at least 45 degrees, where the guard is adapted to protect the object from a falling mass that is at least 240 pounds failing from 20 feet directly above the object.