Patents Examined by Shiref Mekhaeil
  • Patent number: 9366083
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for a ladder support for use with a ladder, with the ladder support for use between an upper roof and a lower roof with a gutter, wherein the ladder supported is between the lower and upper roofs. The ladder support includes an extension strut that has a channel shaped structure on one end, wherein the channel is operative to receive a ladder rung, with the other end of the extension strut having an angle beam with a primary leg portion and a secondary leg portion, the primary leg portion is attached to the extension strut. Wherein the secondary leg portion is operative to be disposed within the gutter, wherein operationally the ladder support helps to secure the ladder upon the lower roof as the ladder is leaning against the upper roof making the ladder more secure between the lower and upper roofs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Donald Alan Graham, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9366042
    Abstract: A collapsible structure is described that can be erected to provide an elevated working platform having two ends and two sides. Two telescopically collapsible ladder frames (10, 12) are disposed above the level of the platform, one on each end of the platform. Each ladder frame (10, 12) is formed of two stiles (20, 22) having telescopically collapsible sections, rungs each extending between respective sections of the two stiles and latch mechanisms for locking the stile sections in the extended position of the ladder frame. Each of the ladder frames (10, 12) further incorporates a guardrail (30, 32) that lies parallel to the rungs (24) when the ladder frame is collapsed. The guardrail (30, 32) is mounted for rotation about a first stile and releasably secured to the second stile. After release from the second stile of the same ladder frame and rotation about the first stile each guardrail is connectable to the second stile of the other ladder frame to lie parallel to a side of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TELETOWER.COM LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Weston
  • Patent number: 9347201
    Abstract: An emergency egress system with an access panel assembly, a latch assembly, a handle assembly, a fixed ladder portion, and a slidable ladder portion, is disclosed. The access panel assembly includes a door panel. The latch assembly and the handle assembly are attached to the door panel. The handle assembly has a holding portion that works in conjunction with the latch assembly that has a wing portion. The holding portion is manipulable to rotate the latch assembly in the locked position to hold the fixed ladder portion and the slidable ladder portion together via the wing portion, which is to maintain the door panel in the closed position. The holding portion is manipulable to rotate the latch assembly to the unlocked position to allow the wing portion to rotate and release the slidable ladder portion for exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Sebastian Capraro
  • Patent number: 9302567
    Abstract: A versatile barrier within a vehicle improves safety while transporting pets. The versatility of the barrier applies to both its positioning and orientation within a single vehicle and its utilization in different types of vehicles. The barrier can be utilized vertically or horizontally, or some combination thereof, to confine a pet to an area in the vehicle away from the driver. Multiple attachment points allow the barrier to be adjusted to the shape necessary to create such separation. The multiple attachment points—on the barrier's perimeter and/or interior—create versatility and adjustability with respect to utilizing the barrier in various types of vehicles and creating multiple possible configurations within a single vehicle. Similarly, the combination of possible materials used for modes of attachment creates a barrier that can be utilized not only in various types of vehicles but also in multiple configurations within a single vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Susan Diane Littell
  • Patent number: 9284777
    Abstract: A fall restraint system having a retractor assembly including a housing assembly that is mounted onto an aerial apparatus. A base pulley assembly is also mounted onto the aerial apparatus. A cable having first and second ends is partially stored within the housing assembly, whereby the first end is fixed within the housing assembly. The second end is threaded around the base pulley assembly and is also fixed onto the aerial apparatus. Tensioning means keep a predetermined tension on the cable while the aerial apparatus extends from a retracted position to an extended position and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventors: William Licea, John Rojas
  • Patent number: 9260916
    Abstract: A ladder for a fire truck includes a plurality of telescoping ladder-frame sections, each formed of a pair of spaced side rails having a C-shaped cross section for slidably receiving a corresponding side rail on an adjacent section. Positioned between each of the side rails are a plurality of motorized platforms that are deployable to provide a series of horizontal stairs for ascending the ladder. The platforms may also be inverted until they are parallel with the side rails to form a slide on which a fire victim may easily descend to safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Tabatha T Brotherton
  • Patent number: 9259639
    Abstract: A platform system for self-leveling a stage is provided and includes one or more module assemblies and one or more supports. Each module assembly includes one or more receiving members for engaging and removably securing the one or more supports. Each support includes an elongate portion, an extendible portion extendible from and lockingly engageable with the elongate portion, a base member removably attached to the extendible portion, and an actuator assembly secured to the elongate portion and in communication with the extendible portion. The actuator assembly is configured to rapidly extend and lockingly engage the extendible portion and the base member to provide self-leveling of each of the one or more module assemblies of the stage as the base member engages an underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Adam Davis
  • Patent number: 9260175
    Abstract: A separating element for a platform cabin is provided. The separating element comprises: at least one stationary partition, delimiting a passage defining a circulation axis inside the cabin; at least one leaf, mounted transversely movable relative to the circulation axis between a closed position, in which it extends through the passage, and an open position, in which it is positioned at least partially spaced away from the passage; and means for moving the or each leaf between the closed position and the open position thereof, the or each leaf being adapted to move along the plane transverse to the circulation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATION
    Inventors: Frédéric Cabourg, Thierry Capetta
  • Patent number: 9249613
    Abstract: The invention relates a method for making a window, where the sash is connected to the frame by a pair of hinges, each comprising a first hinge part connected to the sash and a second hinge part connected to the frame. The sash is made from a plastic material by molding, and that one or more functional elements are attached to the sash during the molding thereof. The functional elements can include a stay arm having a base member, which is attached to the sash bottom member, and the first hinge parts. Also, the frame may be made by molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Lars Kristensen, Kristian Ørnsvig Nielsen, Peter Sønderkær
  • Patent number: 9245434
    Abstract: An active interface monitoring and warning system for fall arresting/prevention devices delivering specific fault condition messages to individuals who are subject to accidental falls or other safety hazards when performing construction or the like or when operating elevating construction machinery such as aerialift work platforms and the like. The invention further provides a data logging system to record and transmit operational conditions, fault conditions and safety infractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventors: Paul D. Baillargeon, Van Walbridge
  • Patent number: 9212514
    Abstract: In order to pivot the encasement provided with glass panes about the pivotal axis thereof in an opening frame, a mobile blade at the bottom of the frame is pressed down and the pivotal movement is initiated in one direction or the other after unlocking the spring blocks bearing the blades covering the grooves of the vertical profiles of the frame. The seal having a U profile slightly lifts the blade and the covering blade of the upper profile of the frame, whereby the pivoting of the frame is continued until, if the lower blade has been released in the meantime, the ledge of the flange of the upper profile of the encasement abuts the side edge of this same blade while the ribbed blade enters the opening of the U seal of the upper profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Orchidees Constructions S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Joray
  • Patent number: 9205285
    Abstract: A descender device, typically for use in a fall arrest system, for enables a suspended body to be lowered, and includes a descent line and a release element to be actuated by a person. The release element is arranged in a restraint configuration to inhibit the descent line from being deployed and in a release configuration to permit the descent line to be deployed. A restraint arrangement is arranged prior to deployment of the descent line, to clamp or pinch a length of flexible line thereby to inhibit deployment of the descent line, the restraint arrangement being reconfigurable upon release of the release element to permit the descent line to be deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Latchways PLC
    Inventors: Owain Jones, Karl Jones
  • Patent number: 9186527
    Abstract: Rappelling device having a casing (12) that is movable along a rope (18) and in which a pulley (16) and a guide roller (14) are supported rotatably, such that the rope, during rappelling, is held in frictional contact with the periphery of the pulley (16), the device having a braking device (36) for the pulley (16) and a coupling device (28) for suspending a load (74) to be rappelled, the casing (12) forms a rope channel (26) that extends between the guide roller (14) and the pulley (16) and into which the rope (18) can be placed in extended state, and in that the coupling device (28) is arranged at the casing (12) in a position that is offset from the rope passage (26) towards the side of the pulley (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: Uwe Bergmann, Dirk Bergmann
  • Patent number: 9174519
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a weatherstrip assembly for sealing between a frame and a closure member of a vehicle. The weatherstrip assembly includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a channel. The body has a plurality of retaining lips extending into the channel. A seal extends from the exterior surface. A locking fin has a first end and a second end. The first end of the locking fin is mounted to one of the interior surface and the exterior surface and the second end of the locking fin disposed within the channel. A shim extends from the second end of the locking fin. The shim engages the interior surface and supports the locking fin within the channel. The retaining lips and the locking fin at least partially define a slot for sandwiching the frame between the retaining lips and the locking fin within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Murree
  • Patent number: 9169066
    Abstract: A work platform on which a worker can ride includes a suspended portion supported above a floor surface, the suspended portion being movable by a movement rail provided upwardly of a movement path, and a platform portion provided in the form of a plate on which the worker can ride, the platform portion having a base end connected to a lower end portion of the suspended portion to be pivotable about an axis along the direction of lateral width of the movement path. With pivotal movements about the axis, the platform portion can selectively assume a riding posture wherein the platform portion extends along the movement path so that the worker riding on this platform portion can move along the longitudinal direction of the movement path and a folded posture wherein the platform portion is folded toward the suspended portion to extend along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Morikawa, Hideo Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9168402
    Abstract: A rope grab for a vertical fall protection system is provided. The rope grab includes a housing with an elongated member passage. The elongated member passage is configured to receive an elongated member. A locking cam is pivotally coupled to the housing and selectively engages an elongated member received in the elongated member passage. A cam biasing member positioned to provide a relatively slight biasing force on the locking cam in a direction towards an elongated member received in the elongated member passage. A locking arm, pivotally coupled to the housing, has a first end that is configured to be coupled to a safety harness of a user and a second end that selectively engages the locking cam to lock the locking cam on an elongated member in the elongated member passage during a fall event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Casebolt, John P. Blomberg, Rick G. Miller
  • Patent number: 9149670
    Abstract: A machine operator safety system for selectively providing hydraulic power to a boom assembly of an aerial device upon attaching a lanyard. The machine operator safety system comprises a set of upper boom controls within the utility platform, a lanyard anchor housing with a lanyard anchor therein, an actuator for selectively positioning the lanyard anchor housing in either a first position or a second position, and a hydraulic valve. When the lanyard anchor housing is in the first position, which conceals the lanyard anchor, the hydraulic valve blocks the flow of hydraulic power to the set of upper boom controls. When the lanyard anchor housing is in the second position, which exposes the lanyard anchor for attachment of the lanyard, the hydraulic valve directs the flow of hydraulic power to the set of upper boom controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth K. Walker, Robert J. Crowder, Benjamin J. Southern
  • Patent number: 9151102
    Abstract: A cable deflecting piece, which is fastened on a rail head or rail foot of a guide rail and is intended for a cable operated window lifter, contains a base body which during mounting and following fastening of the cable deflecting piece, abuts against the guide rail on one side of the rail head or rail foot, also contains a rotary and bearing pin, which projects from the base body, can be inserted in a position in which it is tilted in relation to the longitudinal extension of the guide rail, into a rotary and bearing opening of the rail head or rail foot and can be pivoted about a cable deflecting piece, further contains a rotation prevention means which, in a final mounting position, once the cable deflecting piece has been pivoted about the mounting axis of rotation, secures the connection of the cable deflection piece to the rail head or rail foot such that the cable deflecting piece cannot rotate and additionally contains a device which is formed on the basic body and is intended for securing the abutmen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Bruno Debus, Christian Dallos, Craig Kinnell
  • Patent number: 9151112
    Abstract: A climbing support is provided for aiding a climber in scaling a tree, pole, or other generally vertical surface. The climbing support includes an elongate body that supports a plurality of steps, a strap, cable, or other flexible securing member that is wrapped around the tree, and a retractor for stowing the flexible securing member so that it is extendable and retractable from the support. The climbing support is thus substantially self-contained so that it does not require separate components for installation or use. Standoffs may be provided for stabilizing the support in a location spaced from the tree. Optionally, the climbing support's steps, standoffs, and elongate body are collapsible to compact configurations for stowage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Cal G. Niemela
  • Patent number: 9151099
    Abstract: A door opening spring assistance apparatus is set forth that will automatically apply a door opening assistance force using a combination of rods and coil springs. The release of the rods by the coil springs reduces the force required to set the door in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas L Allison