Fall restraint equipment comprising a mobile access unit having a mobile platform portion, a ladder portion, and a cage portion. The components of the fall restraint equipment are formed from butterflying, lasering, cutting, bending, and/or stamping continuous pieces of tubular and sheet metal. The components of the mobile access unit are modular and include adapters of varying height that cause the mobile access unit to exhibit varying height. Also, the mobile access unit is adaptable so that it can roll in a first direction of orientation of the ladder or a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

According to the present invention, a ladder having an adjustable length comprises: a first support including a first outer support and a first inner support inserted into the first outer support; a horizontal foothold for connecting the first supports to each other; a first gear formed at the inner side of the horizontal foothold and having a groove part formed therein; a second gear engaging with the first gear and changing the rotational direction of the first gear; a rotary bar coupled to the second gear; a third gear formed at the end of one side of the rotary bar; a screw bolt having a fourth gear, which engages with the third gear and is formed at the end thereof, formed inside the first inner support, formed in a stick type, and having threads formed on the outer side thereof; and a screw nut in which the screw bolt is formed, and to which the first inner support is coupled at the outer side thereof.

According to the present invention, a ladder having an adjustable length comprises: a first support including a first outer support and a first inner support inserted into the first outer support; a horizontal foothold for connecting the first supports to each other; a first gear formed at the inner side of the horizontal foothold and having a groove part formed therein; a second gear engaging with the first gear and changing the rotational direction of the first gear; a rotary bar coupled to the second gear; a third gear formed at the end of one side of the rotary bar; a screw bolt having a fourth gear, which engages with the third gear and is formed at the end thereof, formed inside the first inner support, formed in a stick type, and having threads formed on the outer side thereof; and a screw nut in which the screw bolt is formed, and to which the first inner support is coupled at the outer side thereof.

Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. In other embodiments, spreader mechanisms are provided with cross bracing located and configured to provide additional stability to the ladder while also incorporating a handle that enables efficient collapsing of the ladder while reducing the potential of pinching ones hands or fingers. In another embodiment, a device is provided for selective coupling with the ladder that includes a support or safety rail and an adjustable tray. The device may be coupled with the ladder in a number of different positions including a stowed position. In another embodiment, a hinge assembly is provided having a magnetic component configured to be magnetically coupled with and temporarily store an object on the ladder.

Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. In other embodiments, spreader mechanisms are provided with cross bracing located and configured to provide additional stability to the ladder while also incorporating a handle that enables efficient collapsing of the ladder while reducing the potential of pinching ones hands or fingers. In another embodiment, a device is provided for selective coupling with the ladder that includes a support or safety rail and an adjustable tray. The device may be coupled with the ladder in a number of different positions including a stowed position. In another embodiment, a hinge assembly is provided having a magnetic component configured to be magnetically coupled with and temporarily store an object on the ladder.

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

A stowable step for accessing a vehicle is provided. The stowable step includes a frame assembly and a step assembly carried by the frame assembly and movable between a fully extended position and a stowed position. The frame assembly defines a path of travel with a substantially S shape. This redesigned path of travel allows the step assembly to clear other structures (e.g., light tube structure) when moving between the fully extended position and stowed position.

Fall restraint equipment comprising a mobile access unit having a mobile platform portion, a ladder portion, and a cage portion. The components of the fall restraint equipment are formed from butterflying, lasering, cutting, bending, and/or stamping continuous pieces of tubular and sheet metal. The components of the mobile access unit are modular and include adapters of varying height that cause the mobile access unit to exhibit varying height. Also, the mobile access unit is adaptable so that it can roll in a first direction of orientation of the ladder or a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.