Positioning system for determining an operating position of an aerial device, comprising a mobile distance metering device configured to determine a distance between the distance metering device and a remote environmental surface point and to record the determined distance as distance data, wherein the distance metering device comprises a transmission interface configured to transmit recorded distance data; a mobile terminal comprising a receiver interface configured to receive distance data transmitted from the distance metering device, a memory configured to store dimension data related to physical dimensions of an aerial device, processing means configured for calculating a position and/or a position range of the aerial device within a virtual space from the distance data and the dimension data, and a display configured to display the virtual space comprising a representation of the position and/or the position range of the aerial device within the virtual space.

The invention discloses an illuminated safety rail apparatus contained within a watertight, translucent or transparent tubular-shaped housing. The housing may be manufactured from a plastic or polymer material. The shape of the safety rail may vary and be customized to accommodate various sizes and configurations of railings and ladders, such as a commonly used return-to-deck style handrails for pools and spas; safety rails for indoor and outdoor stairwells and walls of any structure; docks and dock ramps; and for travel trailers and motor homes. The housing also contains watertight maintenance access points. The apparatus contains LED or other energy efficient lights that illuminate the safety rail and the surrounding area and has the additional benefit of creating a pleasant aesthetic effect.

The invention discloses an illuminated safety rail apparatus contained within a watertight, translucent or transparent tubular-shaped housing. The housing may be manufactured from a plastic or polymer material. The shape of the safety rail may vary and be customized to accommodate various sizes and configurations of railings and ladders, such as a commonly used return-to-deck style handrails for pools and spas; safety rails for indoor and outdoor stairwells and walls of any structure; docks and dock ramps; and for travel trailers and motor homes. The housing also contains watertight maintenance access points. The apparatus contains LED or other energy efficient lights that illuminate the safety rail and the surrounding area and has the additional benefit of creating a pleasant aesthetic effect.

An electronically-enhanced climbing structure has a first lower and a second higher horizontal surface provided at different heights above ground level to support weight of a user, enabling the user to attain a working position above ground level, electronic circuitry comprising a microprocessor mounted to the climbing structure, a first pressure sensor on the first, lower horizontal surface, coupled to the electronic circuitry, a second pressure sensor on the second, higher horizontal surface, also coupled to the electronic circuitry, and an alert output mechanism. The electronic circuitry receives signals from the first and the second pressure sensors at different times, processes the signals to determine safe use of the climbing structure, and, in an event of unsafe use, triggers the alert output mechanism to issue an alert of unsafe use.

An electronically-enhanced climbing structure has a first lower and a second higher horizontal surface provided at different heights above ground level to support weight of a user, enabling the user to attain a working position above ground level, electronic circuitry comprising a microprocessor mounted to the climbing structure, a first pressure sensor on the first, lower horizontal surface, coupled to the electronic circuitry, a second pressure sensor on the second, higher horizontal surface, also coupled to the electronic circuitry, and an alert output mechanism. The electronic circuitry receives signals from the first and the second pressure sensors at different times, processes the signals to determine safe use of the climbing structure, and, in an event of unsafe use, triggers the alert output mechanism to issue an alert of unsafe use.

A portable step device is disclosed herein. The portable step device includes a step support surface with a top-side, the step support surface further having a surface-covering affixed to the top-side. The device also features a support rod having a length, a step-end, a base-end, a front-side and a back-side, where the support rod is fixed to the bottom-side of the step support surface and configured to elevate the step support surface away from a terrain. In addition, the device includes a base support surface having a support-rod side and a ground-side to provide stability for bracing the support rod and the step support surface on the terrain.

A safety device for an aerial lift (10) having operator controls (23) for maneuvering its basket (20) to a desired location and including at least one passive normally closed safety switch (30)(130), e.g. an emergency switch, operable to cut electrical supply and prevent further movement of the basket (20), the safety device comprising a switch activation device (27,160,170) extending across the basket proximate to the controls (23) and an auxiliary safety switch (26) connected in series with the safety switch (30,130) with its contacts C1 normally closed (switch on) unless caused to open (switch off) by operation of the switch activation, thereby cutting off the electrical supply.

A firefighting or rescue apparatus includes an aerial ladder and at least one of a rung alignment status indicator and a load status indicator. The rung alignment status indicator can include a lighting strip having multiple lighting elements on the ladder that are selectively illuminated depending on whether first rungs of one section of the ladder and second rungs of another section of the ladder are aligned or misaligned. The load status indicator can include a lighting strip including multiple lighting elements on the ladder and/or at a control console that are selectively illuminated depending on whether the ladder is overloaded beyond an aerial ladder capacity rating or other value. A user on the aerial ladder and/or at a control console can view the indicators to evaluate rung alignment and load status.

A firefighting or rescue apparatus includes an aerial ladder and at least one of a rung alignment status indicator and a load status indicator. The rung alignment status indicator can include a lighting strip having multiple lighting elements on the ladder that are selectively illuminated depending on whether first rungs of one section of the ladder and second rungs of another section of the ladder are aligned or misaligned. The load status indicator can include a lighting strip including multiple lighting elements on the ladder and/or at a control console that are selectively illuminated depending on whether the ladder is overloaded beyond an aerial ladder capacity rating or other value. A user on the aerial ladder and/or at a control console can view the indicators to evaluate rung alignment and load status.

The present invention relates to a utility vehicle, in particular to a firefighting vehicle, including an aerial apparatus (i.e. a turnable ladder and/or an aerial rescue platform) and lateral ground supports movable between retracted positions and extracted operating positions in which the ends of the supports rest on the ground. The vehicle includes a monitoring system for monitoring the position of the vehicle. The system includes surveillance cameras at the sides of the vehicle, each camera being allocated to one support to monitor the ground area on which the end of this support rests in its operating position and to take a real-time image of the respective ground area. The system also includes a visual display presenting the images of all cameras at the same time in different screen areas, superposed by visual markings representing expected operating positions of the supports.