Patents by Inventor Gerald Oren Pollard

Gerald Oren Pollard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Line connector having a link detection system and method of making same
    Patent number: 9480866
    Abstract: A line connector for a personal fall protection system includes a carabiner having a loop portion that at least partially defines an opening. The opening is configured to receive a mating component of the personal fall protection system. The line connector also includes at least one sensor. Each at least one sensor includes a coil disposed around the loop portion of the carabiner. The line connector further includes a control unit coupled to the at least one sensor. The control unit is operable to send an excitation signal to the at least one sensor and determine whether the line connector is coupled to the mating component based on a response signal received from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gerald Oren Pollard
  • LINE CONNECTOR HAVING A LINK DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20160107007
    Abstract: A line connector for a personal fall protection system includes a carabiner having a loop portion that at least partially defines an opening. The opening is configured to receive a mating component of the personal fall protection system. The line connector also includes at least one sensor. Each at least one sensor includes a coil disposed around the loop portion of the carabiner. The line connector further includes a control unit coupled to the at least one sensor. The control unit is operable to send an excitation signal to the at least one sensor and determine whether the line connector is coupled to the mating component based on a response signal received from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Gerald Oren Pollard