The disclosure relates to portable staircases having a staircase assembly including an outer staircase and an inner staircase that can move in a telescoping relationship with respect to the outer staircase. Portable staircases of the disclosure are particularly useful for accessing an oil drilling rig as they are independently supported with respect to the drilling rig, thus providing numerous safety improvements and advantages. Methods of using the portable staircases of the disclosure are also disclosed.

The disclosure relates to portable staircases having a staircase assembly including an outer staircase and an inner staircase that can move in a telescoping relationship with respect to the outer staircase. Portable staircases of the disclosure are particularly useful for accessing an oil drilling rig as they are independently supported with respect to the drilling rig, thus providing numerous safety improvements and advantages. Methods of using the portable staircases of the disclosure are also disclosed.

A modular ladder system includes a first ladder module comprising a first plurality of ladder steps; a second ladder module comprising a second plurality of ladder steps; and a ladder base, the modular ladder system is configurable in an unassembled configuration and an assembled configuration; wherein: in the unassembled configuration, the first ladder module is detached from the second ladder module and the first and second ladder modules are stacked on the ladder base; and in the assembled configuration, the first ladder module is coupled to the ladder base and the second ladder module is attached to the first ladder module opposite the ladder base to define a ladder extending upward from the ladder base.

Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly coupled to the chassis, and a stability system. The stability system includes at least one of (i) a front downrigger coupled to the chassis, (ii) a rear downrigger coupled the chassis, or an outrigger coupled to the chassis. The stability system is controllable to facilitate leaning the fire apparatus at least two degrees relative to a ground surface while maintaining full operational capability of the ladder assembly.

A convertible ramp system facilitates transfer of personnel between spaced elevations. The ramp system includes a deck assembly, a convertible main ramp, and a convertible extension ramp. The convertible main ramp has a proximal end hinged to the deck assembly and a distal end adapted for being mechanically lifted and lowered relative to the deck assembly. Both the main ramp and the extension ramp incorporates an adjustable frame assembly and a series of simultaneously articulating foot treads carried by the frame assembly. The ramps are selectively convertible between a stairway configuration and a substantially flat and continuous runway configuration.

A convertible ramp system facilitates transfer of personnel between spaced elevations. The ramp system includes a deck assembly, a convertible main ramp, and a convertible extension ramp. The convertible main ramp has a proximal end hinged to the deck assembly and a distal end adapted for being mechanically lifted and lowered relative to the deck assembly. Both the main ramp and the extension ramp incorporates an adjustable frame assembly and a series of simultaneously articulating foot treads carried by the frame assembly. The ramps are selectively convertible between a stairway configuration and a substantially flat and continuous runway configuration.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an articulated turntable ladder (12) of a rescue vehicle (10) wherein the ladder (12) comprises a plurality of telescopically extendable ladder parts (14) by including a tip ladder part (18) pivotable around a horizontal first pivot axis (28) by means of a first pivoting drive. The ladder further comprises a cage (22) connected to the free end of the tip ladder part (18) to be pivoted around a second pivot axis (30) by means of a second pivoting drive. The ladder (12) is pivotably mounted to a base part (16) on top of the vehicle (10) by means of a third pivoting drive to be lifted or lowered around a third pivot axis (32). The method provides for the step of controlling the first pivoting drive such that the absolute inclination angle (α) of the tip ladder part (18) is maintained constant during a lifting or lowering movement of the ladder (12) around the third pivot axis (32).

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an articulated turntable ladder (12) of a rescue vehicle (10) wherein the ladder (12) comprises a plurality of telescopically extendable ladder parts (14) by including a tip ladder part (18) pivotable around a horizontal first pivot axis (28) by means of a first pivoting drive. The ladder further comprises a cage (22) connected to the free end of the tip ladder part (18) to be pivoted around a second pivot axis (30) by means of a second pivoting drive. The ladder (12) is pivotably mounted to a base part (16) on top of the vehicle (10) by means of a third pivoting drive to be lifted or lowered around a third pivot axis (32). The method provides for the step of controlling the first pivoting drive such that the absolute inclination angle (α) of the tip ladder part (18) is maintained constant during a lifting or lowering movement of the ladder (12) around the third pivot axis (32).

The disclosure relates to portable staircases having a staircase assembly including an outer staircase and an inner staircase that can move in a telescoping relationship with respect to the outer staircase. Portable staircases of the disclosure are particularly useful for accessing an oil drilling rig as they are independently supported with respect to the drilling rig, thus providing numerous safety improvements and advantages. Methods of using the portable staircases of the disclosure are also disclosed.