A materials handling system (10) comprising a first (60) and second ladder (70) section connectable together to form a longer ladder, a tensioning system (100) attached to each section for tensioning the connected ladder sections, and a trolley (110) arranged to travel along the connected ladder sections, wherein the system includes a cable (158) and pulley for moving the trolley along the connected ladder sections.

An object transfer system (OTS) for a flight of steps for transporting an object on the flight of steps is disclosed. The OTS may include a rail positioned in place of a handrail on the flight of steps, a trolley assembly movably attached to the rail, and an object carrier attached to the trolley assembly. The rail has a rail length and the object carrier is configured to hold the object. Additionally, the trolley assembly is configured to transport the object held by the object carrier along the rail length.

An object transfer system (OTS) for a flight of steps for transporting an object on the flight of steps is disclosed. The OTS may include a rail positioned in place of a handrail on the flight of steps, a trolley assembly movably attached to the rail, and an object carrier attached to the trolley assembly. The rail has a rail length and the object carrier is configured to hold the object. Additionally, the trolley assembly is configured to transport the object held by the object carrier along the rail length.

An electromechanical ladder to raise and lower a step is provided that includes: (i) a front frame, (ii) a collapsible rear frame, (iii) one or more expandable brace members, (iv) a set of two or more wheels, (v) a first hand rail, (vi) a second hand rail, (vii) a first function button, (viii) a second function button, (ix) a first lead screw, (x) a second lead screw, (xi) a compartment, (xii) a reversible motor, (xiii) a sprocket, (xiv) a first drive chain, and (xv) a second drive chain. The step couples in between the front frame and the collapsible rear frame. The one or more expandable brace members prevent the collapsible rear frame from getting collapsed. The set of two or more wheels allow a user to carry the electromechanical ladder from one place to another. The first hand rail and the second hand rail provide a support to the user. The first function button raises the step up when the user presses the first function button. The second function button lowers the step down when the user presses the second function button. The compartment includes (i) a power button, (ii) a fuse, (iii) a rechargeable battery, and (iv) a printed circuit board. The power button turns the electromechanical ladder ON and OFF. The fuse prevents damage to the electromechanical ladder. The rechargeable battery drives the electromechanical ladder. The printed circuit board includes: (i) one or more resistors, (ii) one or more capacitors, and (iii) one or more relays. The reversible motor rotates in clockwise direction and anticlockwise direction. The sprocket couples to the reversible motor. The first drive chain and the second drive chain rotate in same direction with same speed simultaneously. The first drive chain and the second drive chain rotate the first drive gear and the second drive gear simultaneously in the same direction. The first drive gear and the second drive gear transfer the rotary motion to the first lead screw and the second lead screw simultaneously in the same direction with the same speed.

An electromechanical ladder to raise and lower a step is provided that includes: (i) a front frame, (ii) a collapsible rear frame, (iii) one or more expandable brace members, (iv) a set of two or more wheels, (v) a first hand rail, (vi) a second hand rail, (vii) a first function button, (viii) a second function button, (ix) a first lead screw, (x) a second lead screw, (xi) a compartment, (xii) a reversible motor, (xiii) a sprocket, (xiv) a first drive chain, and (xv) a second drive chain. The step couples in between the front frame and the collapsible rear frame. The one or more expandable brace members prevent the collapsible rear frame from getting collapsed. The set of two or more wheels allow a user to carry the electromechanical ladder from one place to another. The first hand rail and the second hand rail provide a support to the user. The first function button raises the step up when the user presses the first function button. The second function button lowers the step down when the user presses the second function button. The compartment includes (i) a power button, (ii) a fuse, (iii) a rechargeable battery, and (iv) a printed circuit board. The power button turns the electromechanical ladder ON and OFF. The fuse prevents damage to the electromechanical ladder. The rechargeable battery drives the electromechanical ladder. The printed circuit board includes: (i) one or more resistors, (ii) one or more capacitors, and (iii) one or more relays. The reversible motor rotates in clockwise direction and anticlockwise direction. The sprocket couples to the reversible motor. The first drive chain and the second drive chain rotate in same direction with same speed simultaneously. The first drive chain and the second drive chain rotate the first drive gear and the second drive gear simultaneously in the same direction. The first drive gear and the second drive gear transfer the rotary motion to the first lead screw and the second lead screw simultaneously in the same direction with the same speed.

The present disclosure is directed to a ladder guide device. A guide device may include at least one hook configured to couple to a ladder. The guide device may also include at least one surface configured to guide an object over a discontinuity in the ladder as the object moves in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ladder.

The present disclosure is directed to a ladder guide device. A guide device may include at least one hook configured to couple to a ladder. The guide device may also include at least one surface configured to guide an object over a discontinuity in the ladder as the object moves in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ladder.

A step stool or ladder includes a latch that engages a cross member to prevent a step from disengaging from the cross member. The curved end of the latch has a tail that provides additional weight to the end of the latch that engages the cross member and allows for decreased tolerances in manufacturing the latch. The other end of the latch has a knob that extends through an opening in the step so that the latch is accessible and to give visual cues to the user. The knob also maintains the latch in its position in the opening in the step. A bent out portion of the latch midsection serves to limit the amount of travel between the knob and the bent portion. The latch rotates on the portion of the latch between the bent portion and travel limiter and the knob attached to the latch.

An L-shaped track has a vertical part configured to stand on the ground, a horizontal part configured to span over a roof, and a curved part in between. A motor-driven winch moves a carriage up and down the track. The carriage engages a skylight, which can be quickly and easily hoisted from the ground to the roof up the track to the roof to install the skylight.

A winch utility for hoisting a payload up a track section includes a main body comprising: a shell, the shell defining an enclosure; a powertrain assembly comprising an electric motor contained within at least a portion of the shell; a controller attached to an inner part of the shell and in electronic communication with the electric motor; and a bobbin coupled to the electric motor; a shelf portion comprising a shelf and a rim, the shelf configured to support the payload, the rim configured to protect the payload on the shelf from falling; and an arm assembly coupling the shelf to the main body, the arm assembly comprising an arm oriented at an acute angle relative to the shelf.