Elevated work platform apparatuses, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second assembly hingedly coupled with the first assembly, a platform pivotally coupled with the first assembly and configured to extend to, and engage a portion of, the second assembly. The apparatus further includes a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. Platform includes a toe-kick structure that is collapsible relative to the deck of the platform.

Elevated work platform apparatuses, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second assembly hingedly coupled with the first assembly, a platform pivotally coupled with the first assembly and configured to extend to, and engage a portion of, the second assembly. The apparatus further includes a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. Platform includes a toe-kick structure that is collapsible relative to the deck of the platform.

Ladder components, such as braces, as well as ladders and methods of manufacturing ladders are provided. In one embodiment, a ladder brace is provided which extends between a rail and a cross member (e.g., a rung or a cross-brace). The ladder brace may include a first connecting portion associated with the rail, a second connecting portion associated with the cross member, and a strut portion extending between the first and second connecting portions. At least one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is configured to completely encircle its associated component (e.g., either the rail or the cross member, respectively).

A ladder may include a first pair of spaced apart members, a second pair of spaced apart members and a first pair of hinges coupling the first pair of spaced apart members with the second pair of spaced apart members. In some embodiments, each hinge may include a first hinge component including at least a first hinge plate, the first hinge plate having a notch formed therein, the notch including a first abutment wall and a second abutment wall, a second hinge component including at least a second hinge plate, and a lock mechanism having a pivot pin and a lock pin. The lock mechanism is configured for selective engagement with the notch such that the pivot pin engages the first abutment wall and the lock pin engages the second abutment wall to lock the first hinge component relative to the second hinge component in a first hinge position.

A ladder may include a first pair of spaced apart members, a second pair of spaced apart members and a first pair of hinges coupling the first pair of spaced apart members with the second pair of spaced apart members. In some embodiments, each hinge may include a first hinge component including at least a first hinge plate, the first hinge plate having a notch formed therein, the notch including a first abutment wall and a second abutment wall, a second hinge component including at least a second hinge plate, and a lock mechanism having a pivot pin and a lock pin. The lock mechanism is configured for selective engagement with the notch such that the pivot pin engages the first abutment wall and the lock pin engages the second abutment wall to lock the first hinge component relative to the second hinge component in a first hinge position.

An overturn structure of a footstep of a folding ladder, includes a footstep is disposed between two legs, wherein further comprising two pivot elements and a reinforcing bar connecting between the two legs, the pivot elements are respectively connected to both ends of the reinforcing bar, the pivot elements are pivoted joint to the footstep to make the footstep overturn about the reinforcing bar to fold and unfold, when the footstep is unfolded, the reinforcing bar is supported on the bottom portion of the footstep. The pivot elements are connected to the reinforcing bar, the pivot elements are pivoted joint to the footstep, the footstep can rotate about the reinforcing bar to fold and unfold, so that the structure is stable, when the footstep is unfolded, the reinforcing bar is supported on the bottom portion of the footstep, it thus significantly improves the bearing performance of the footstep.

An overturn structure of a footstep of a folding ladder, includes a footstep is disposed between two legs, wherein further comprising two pivot elements and a reinforcing bar connecting between the two legs, the pivot elements are respectively connected to both ends of the reinforcing bar, the pivot elements are pivoted joint to the footstep to make the footstep overturn about the reinforcing bar to fold and unfold, when the footstep is unfolded, the reinforcing bar is supported on the bottom portion of the footstep. The pivot elements are connected to the reinforcing bar, the pivot elements are pivoted joint to the footstep, the footstep can rotate about the reinforcing bar to fold and unfold, so that the structure is stable, when the footstep is unfolded, the reinforcing bar is supported on the bottom portion of the footstep, it thus significantly improves the bearing performance of the footstep.

An automated system for raising and lowering a person to various desired levels and enables the person to more comfortably and safely perform activities and tasks that require them to be at an elevated position relative to floor or ground surface. This system can comprise a lift platform attached to a series of vertical rails. The present invention has the capability to enable a user to remotely control vertical movements of the standing platform and the horizontal movement of this invention. This invention can enable a user to remotely control vertical movements of the standing platform and the horizontal movement of this invention. A remote control device facilitates these control movements. This invention can also move laterally across a horizontal surface and can detect obstruction during these movements. As an obstruction is detected, this device has the capability to stop movement to ensure safety of a user.

An automated system for raising and lowering a person to various desired levels and enables the person to more comfortably and safely perform activities and tasks that require them to be at an elevated position relative to floor or ground surface. This system can comprise a lift platform attached to a series of vertical rails. The present invention has the capability to enable a user to remotely control vertical movements of the standing platform and the horizontal movement of this invention. This invention can enable a user to remotely control vertical movements of the standing platform and the horizontal movement of this invention. A remote control device facilitates these control movements. This invention can also move laterally across a horizontal surface and can detect obstruction during these movements. As an obstruction is detected, this device has the capability to stop movement to ensure safety of a user.

A semi-cylindrical tubular component with grip component used to carry a ladder distributes the load supported by the user's hand. The ladder carrier device and process increase the contact area of the open longitudinal end or the flat u-channel, of the grip, with the ladder rung or side rails, resulting in a more evenly distributed load. The grip device can be used on both ladder rung and ladder leg supported with tension only, and accommodates hands of a plurality of human operators, and more than one user at a time. Additionally, the ladder may be carried either vertically or horizontally.