Patents by Inventor Jeffrey F. Harding

Jeffrey F. Harding 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).

  • Patent number: 11745035
    Abstract: A connector for a fall protection compliance system includes a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving a connection structure therein and a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame. The connection sensor assembly includes at least one permanent magnet configured for generating a magnetic field within at least a portion of the connection area, at least one magnetometer configured for detecting a presence or an absence of a disturbance in the magnetic field, and a control device having at least one processor programmed or configured to receive connection data from the at least one magnetometer, determine a connection status of the connector based on detecting the presence or the absence of the disturbance in the magnetic field, and perform at least one action based on the connection status. A method for detecting connection of a connector to a connection structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Sepe, Jeffrey F. Harding, Mitcham C. Tuell, Robert Craig Campbell, Christopher M. Stygar, Peter I. Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 11633634
    Abstract: A fall arrest system includes a line retraction device having a safety line, an energy absorber configured for connecting to a terminal end of the safety line, and a harness configured for connecting to the energy absorber such that the energy absorber is disposed between the terminal end of the safety line and the harness. The safety line is selected to have a predetermined mean breaking force with a first standard deviation, and the energy absorber is selected to have a predetermined mean deployment force with a second standard deviation. The mean breaking force of the safety line and the mean deployment force of the energy absorber overlap over an overlapping region of the first and second standard deviation. A ratio of an overlap mean force of the overlapping region to an overlap standard deviation of the overlapping region is less than or equal to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Harding, Mitchell H. Hetrich, Gregory M. Grupp
  • Publication number: 20220404388
    Abstract: A fall protection compliance system includes a connection structure configured for interfacing an anchor structure and a connection sensor associated with the connection structure. The connection sensor includes an accelerometer or a pressure switch, where the connection sensor is configured to monitor continued connection of the connection structure to the anchor structure over a period of time and to output a signal indicating said continued connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Sepe, Jeffrey F. Harding, Mitcham C. Tuell, Robert Craig Campbell, Christopher M. Stygar, Peter I. Rutkowski, Michael Goodspeed
  • Publication number: 20200222732
    Abstract: A connector for a fall protection compliance system includes a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving a connection structure therein and a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame. The connection sensor assembly includes at least one permanent magnet configured for generating a magnetic field within at least a portion of the connection area, at least one magnetometer configured for detecting a presence or an absence of a disturbance in the magnetic field, and a control device having at least one processor programmed or configured to receive connection data from the at least one magnetometer, determine a connection status of the connector based on detecting the presence or the absence of the disturbance in the magnetic field, and perform at least one action based on the connection status. A method for detecting connection of a connector to a connection structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Peter I. Rutkowski, Jeffrey F. Harding, Benjamin T. Sepe, Robert Craig Campbell, Christopher M. Stygar, Mitcham Tuell
  • Publication number: 20190308041
    Abstract: A fall arrest system includes a line retraction device having a safety line, an energy absorber configured for connecting to a terminal end of the safety line, and a harness configured for connecting to the energy absorber such that the energy absorber is disposed between the terminal end of the safety line and the harness. The safety line is selected to have a predetermined mean breaking force with a first standard deviation, and the energy absorber is selected to have a predetermined mean deployment force with a second standard deviation. The mean breaking force of the safety line and the mean deployment force of the energy absorber overlap over an overlapping region of the first and second standard deviation. A ratio of an overlap mean force of the overlapping region to an overlap standard deviation of the overlapping region is less than or equal to 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Harding, Mitchell H. Hetrich, Gregory M. Grupp