Patents Examined by Daniel Cahn
  • Anchor trolley and fall arrest system and method implementing the same
    Patent number: 8978821
    Abstract: A fall arrest anchor trolley for arresting the fall of a user. In one embodiment, the invention can be a fall arrest trolley comprising: a body a brake sub-system, and a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein bottoms of the plurality of wheels collectively define a rolling plane; the brake sub-system comprising a brake rod, a brake pad connected to the brake rod, a lanyard connector connected to the brake rod, and a resilient element; the brake rod slidably coupled to the body so that the brake sub-system is alterable between: (1) a free state in which the brake pad is spaced a distance above the rolling plane; and (2) an arrest state in which at least a portion of the brake pad is located within the rolling plane; the resilient element biasing the brake sub-system into the free state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Arnold T. Galpin, David A. Pisotti
  • Swivel D-ring attachment point
    Patent number: 8973705
    Abstract: A swivel D-ring attachment point. A first attachment portion has a first closed aperture defining a circular ring portion that extends over a first circumferential range of at least 180 degrees of arc that is symmetrically disposed relative to an axis. A second attachment portion has a second closed aperture. The first and second attachment portions are joined together so as to permit freely swivelling one of the attachment portions relative to the other around the axis. The second aperture has a shape that is substantially different from the shape of the first aperture, for connecting to substantially different articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Climb Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Guthrie, Joseph Schwartz
  • Toe board for scaffolding and a method for producing a toe board
    Patent number: 8973707
    Abstract: A toe board of a scaffold system and a method of producing the toe board, the toe board configured to be attached to a working or walking surface of the scaffold in order to limit lateral movement upon the surface, the toe board made from a steel board unit having a hollow profile enclosed by covers and mounting units inserted at each end with multiple types of fastenings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Wilhelm Layher Verwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Kreller
  • Safety harness strap adjuster
    Patent number: 8967332
    Abstract: An adjuster adjusts a length of at least one strap of a safety harness. The at least one strap is selected from the group consisting of at least one shoulder strap, at least one chest strap, at least one waist strap, at least one seat strap, and at least one leg strap. The adjuster comprises a base, a shaft rotatably operatively connected to the shaft and defining a slot configured and arranged to receive the at least one strap, and a locking mechanism interconnecting the base and the shaft. The locking mechanism allows rotation of the shaft in a first direction and prevents rotation of the shaft in a second opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventor: J. Thomas Wolner
  • Pool ladder safety system
    Patent number: 8955644
    Abstract: A safety system for a swimming pool ladder is described for use in above-ground swimming pools. The safety system can comprise a frame covered with fabric or other enclosure permanently or temporarily affixed to the ladder and/or the sidewall of an above-ground swimming pool. The fabric can comprise a plurality of vent holes to prevent excessive side loads caused by water currents. The safety system can be detachably coupled to the ladder using a tab and slot configuration. The safety system can prevent objects from entering and becoming trapped between the pool sidewall and the pool ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Polygroup Macau Limited (BVI)
    Inventor: Chi Yin Alan Leung
  • Self-retracting lifeline with disconnectable lifeline
    Patent number: 8925687
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline is provided. In one embodiment, the self-retracting lifeline includes a housing, a drum, an activation assembly, a lifeline and a connector, the drum is received in the housing. The activation assembly is received in the housing. Moreover, the activation assembly is operationally coupled to the drum to selectively rotate the drum. The connector is coupled proximate an end of the lifeline. The connector has a connector passage. The connector passage is configured and arranged to selectively couple the lifeline to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, Scott C. Casebolt
  • Collapsible staircase, notably for a vehicle such as an aircraft
    Patent number: 8925686
    Abstract: A collapsible staircase is provided with a set of flat parts, with each of the parts intended to function as steps. Each flat part can be moved between a first position and a second position. All of the flat parts are substantially coplanar when the parts are in the first position, and the parts are disposed above each other and at a distance from each other when the parts are in the second position. A retractable holding handle is also provided and driven together with the flat parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventors: Bruno Saint-Jalmes, Jason Zaneboni, Bernard Rumeau
  • Utility holding device
    Patent number: 8925683
    Abstract: A utility holding device is suitable for carrying tools and materials at a construction site. The utility holding device is especially useful for carrying tools and materials for an electrician or a plumber. The wheels provide mobility. The ladder attachment permits a utility holding device to be safely used with a ladder. The scaffold attachment permits a utility holding device to be safely used with a scaffold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Scott E. Gunsaullus
  • Convertible step stool
    Patent number: 8925682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a children's convertible dual mode step stool that includes both a single-step mode and a double-step mode. A moveable housing, coupled to a base housing, selectively and lockably maintains either of two different ninety degree orientations to present a desired one of either a single-step mode or a double-step mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Genimex Jersey Ltd.
    Inventors: David Dennys Chitayat, Pieter Schouten
  • Rappelling apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8925680
    Abstract: A rappelling apparatus and method are provided, for controlling the rate of movement of a person along a safety line away from an anchored end of the safety line, through use of a control bar having an attachment at one end thereof for a harness safety belt, or the like connected to the person, an operating handle at an opposite end thereof, and provisions between the opposite ends of the control bar for passage of the safety line through the control bar in serpentine pattern. The operating handle is pivoted away from the safety line to reduce the severity of the serpentine pattern and allow controlled movement of the safety line through the control bar. Some forms of the control bar include a one-way clutching arrangement. Some forms of the control bar also include a hand-actuated braking arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Brian Christopher Herrli
  • Ladder shelf system
    Patent number: 8925684
    Abstract: The present invention features a ladder shelf system for adding a generally planar rectangular shelf close to the top of a step ladder. The system has the generally planar rectangular shelf that is rigid with a step engagement member located on a shelf top surface. The step engagement member is adapted to fit inside an interior cavity of a top step of a step ladder. The system has a generally planar rectangular non-slip pad centrally located on the shelf top surface. The system has a locking lever located close to the shelf posterior end. In a first unlocked position, a first clamping member and a second clamping member lie on a plane perpendicular to the shelf top surface. In a second locked position, the first clamping member and the second clamping member lie on a plane parallel with the shelf top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Frank Medina
  • Climbing aid
    Patent number: 8919498
    Abstract: An arrangement allowing a person to climb up and/or down an object, such as a high-voltage mast, the arrangement including an elongate, rail-type profiled element that is provided with at least one guiding part extending along the profiled element, and a part for absorbing force transmission. A climbing aid is also provided, comprising two climbing consoles with one respective foot supporting area and a guiding section that embraces or grips the guiding part and a holding section which at least partly rests against or on the profiled element opposite the guiding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: M & F Ingenieur Beratungs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Maurer, Pascal Mosetti, Dejan Trajkovic
  • System for restraining a worker at a utility platform of an aerial device
    Patent number: 8899380
    Abstract: A restraint system for restraining a worker to a platform of an aerial device comprises a restraint liner and a platform strap. The restraint liner includes four sidewalls, a floor, a lip, an interior anchor, and an exterior anchor. The floor may be coupled to one end of the four sidewalls, while the lip may be coupled to the opposing end of the four sidewalls and may extend therefrom. The interior anchor may be positioned on an interior surface of a first sidewall and operable to couple to a liner strap coupled to a worker. The exterior anchor may be positioned on an exterior surface of the first sidewall. The platform strap may be coupled to the exterior anchor and operable to couple to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua T. Chard
  • Self-rescue device
    Patent number: 8881866
    Abstract: A self-rescue device that features an escape ladder, having one or more spaced steps, a base to hold the escape ladder in an open or closed position, a locking mechanism to keep the escape ladder in the open position, and a release mechanism to release the escape ladder from the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Diana Costello
  • Tree-mounted hunting stand with modular functionality
    Patent number: 8869938
    Abstract: A tree-mountable hunting stand having a support frame for attachment to a tree and including a horizontal support member, a hanger plate for suspended engagement with the horizontal support member, and a dual axis pivoting seat assembly attached to the hanger plate and including a saddle for supporting a hunter. The saddle includes a seat surface and a pommel extending upwardly from the seat surface. While the support frame is attached to a tree, the hanger plate can be selectively attached to and removed from the support frame to locate the dual axis pivoting seat assembly at a selected height along the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Irwin Jay Bassett
  • Lift safety system
    Patent number: 8863899
    Abstract: A lift safety system that prevents the lifting of a support platform from a support base until all of the support legs for the support base are supporting a minimum amount of weight to ensure stability of the lift. The support base includes a plurality of legs that extend outwardly with each of the legs having an adjustment member with a pad that engages a ground surface. As the adjustment member is adjusted downwardly with respect to the leg, a first engaging member connected to the adjustment member is elevated upwardly to engage a second engaging member thereby releasing a corresponding finger member attached to the support platform from the support base. Once all of the legs are supporting a minimum amount of weight, all of the finger members are released from the support base thereby allowing elevation of the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Reechcraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Solhjem, Shane L. Nickel
  • Ladder carrying apparatus and method of modifying a ladder
    Patent number: 8851234
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a ladder includes a base, a handle connected to the base, and fingers spaced from one another on the base and generally extending away from the handle. Each of the fingers has a hooked end. A compressible biasing member on the base at least partially extends toward the hooked ends to bias a ladder rail against the hooked ends when the fingers are placed around the ladder rail. The compressible biasing member may be a spring, a flexible tab, a foam pad, or other compressible member. A method of modifying a ladder is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Handsaver Handles, LLC
    Inventor: William M. Bachorski
  • Expandable and collapsible platform system
    Patent number: 8844677
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible platform system for providing a portable elevated platform for a user has a generally “A” shaped platform support member. A first vertical leg is attached to a second vertical leg via a top base and a plurality of fixed horizontal rungs. The fixed horizontal rungs incrementally increase in width from top to bottom. The first vertical leg has a first vertical leg extension and the second vertical leg has a second vertical leg extension. A horizontal beam has an engagement component for interfacing with a stationary vertical support surface with a hinge mounted to a top base. A planar flooring member is located on a top base top surface and a horizontal beam top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: George Young, II
  • Optionally extendable, runged tire-mount platform device
    Patent number: 8844676
    Abstract: A ladder-like access device is suited for securing to a tire of a vehicle by way of a strap, rope, chain, cable or similar structure. The device may include extendable legs to adapt its length to a range of wheel and tire sizes. A variety of structures, materials and construction methods are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Kim Carl Filkowski
  • Portable, foldable two-legged stool
    Patent number: 8833518
    Abstract: The technology described herein provides a portable, foldable two-legged stool having a support legs assembly having two parallel support legs secured in a support frame having at least one horizontal brace and a seat assembly hingedly connected to a top of each of the support legs with a pivotal hinge assembly such that the stool is foldable for transport and is extendable for use as a two-legged stool when a rear edge of the seat assembly is placed against a generally vertical planar surface. This technology also provides a third leg assembly for selective use by an operator to add a third leg when no vertical planar surface is available upon which to support the rear edge of the seat assembly stool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: William David Holcombe