Patents Examined by Candace L. Bradford
  • Patent number: 9144711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a via ferrata safety system that improves user safety by increasing the reliable activation of the energy absorption system. The via ferrata system includes a harness coupling member, two fixed cable coupling members, and an energy absorption system. The energy absorption system is coupled to both the harness coupling member and the two fixed cable coupling members. The two fixed cable coupling members are independently coupled to the energy absorption system and to one another. The coupling between the two fixed cable coupling members is proportionally weaker than the independent coupling between the two fixed cable coupling members and the energy absorption system. This proportional weakness of the coupling between the fixed cable coupling members allows each of the fixed cable coupling members to act independently in the event that one of the cable coupling members is coupled to a point between the user and the energy absorption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Brendan Perkins, Bill Belcourt
  • Patent number: 9144710
    Abstract: A climbing device for a removable attachment to a column member, such as a tree, includes a body having a pair of spaced contact surfaces. The body also includes a pair of spaced and elongated retention apertures that are configured to receive a flexible retention member, such as a strap, therethrough. The retention member initially retains the climbing device to the column member, such that the contact surfaces are urged against the column member. In addition, the retention members are spaced apart such that their top portions are spaced further apart than their bottom portions. Thus, as the climbing body is forced downward along the column member, the distance between the spaced retention apertures increases, causing the circumferential distance traversed by the retention member to increase, thus drawing the retention member taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: David James McNaughton
  • Patent number: 9145091
    Abstract: An access system (10) for earthmoving equipment to allow a person to move from ground level to an elevated position, said access system having an access means (20) mounted to the earthmoving equipment via a pivot, and a retraction mechanism (50) therefor, said pivot allowing the access means to be retracted through a compound angle from a downwardly and outwardly deployed position to a retracted position generally adjacent and aligned beside the vehicle, the access means may be collapsible, such as with steps (30) pivotably mounted to the sides of the access means via secondary pivots (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Barjoh Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Nathan John Ellement
  • Patent number: 9133629
    Abstract: A safety apparatus adapted for retrofitting vertical enclosures is shown. The safety apparatus may include a support frame, a grate platform, and telescoping support legs adapted to fasten to an enclosure wall. The apparatus may also include a hinged hatch defining an opening configured to allow a person to be pulled through the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Tim Copeland, Tony Wiley
  • Patent number: 9114967
    Abstract: An adjustable platform assembly for supporting workers and supplies about an elevated work site, the platform assembly being movably supported on an articulable support, the platform comprising a stationary rear bridging panel arrangement having an elongated side platform member comprising a floor and railing assembly at each end thereof, wherein each elongated side platform member floor and railing assembly is independently movable on support members forwardly, rearwardly, transversely and angularly with respect to the bridging panel arrangement, to change the platform assembly back and forth between a generally “H” shape to a generally “U” shape, or any skewed combination thereof, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Donald F. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 9108831
    Abstract: An order picker for preparing orders that includes a motor-driven mobile chassis, a platform, an elevator for elevating the platform relative to the chassis, a load support tray for supporting loads, and a safety guardrail around the periphery of the platform. The tray is secured to a movable portion of the guardrail that moves in translation along a longitudinal axis of the order picker between a first position, in which the movable portion extends to a first greater distance from a front edge of a deck of the platform, and a second position, at a second lesser distance from the front edge and wherein the tray is movable between a first position extending horizontally above the deck when the moving portion is in the first position thereof and a second position, in which the tray is folded into a substantially vertical position when the moving portion is in the second position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HAULOTTE GROUP
    Inventor: Slaheddine Beji
  • Patent number: 9101789
    Abstract: An escape/ladder belt and harness assembly having an improved attachment arrangement and adjustment capabilities. The assembly features a waist belt having a coupling and fastener each featuring at least two slots separated by at least one bar. The fastener being connectable to the coupling to enable the waist belt to fasten around a user. The waist belt being removeably attached to an article worn by the user through a plurality of tabs. At least some of the tabs fastening the coupling and fastener to the article. The waist belt extending around the user and though a tension adjustment buckle so as to allow for waist tension to be set by pulling the free end of the waist belt in an intuitive forward motion that provides for improved tightening around the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Schierenbeck, Linda B. Shingleton
  • Patent number: 9090437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trolley (1) of an overhead crane, supported to be movable between two main girders (2), whereby there is a service platform (5) on the side of the trolley, the service platform being turnable or slidable in the upward direction and/or towards the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Konecranes Plc
    Inventors: Johannes Tarkiainen, Kimmo Rantala, Ismo Kuivamäki, Mats Åkesson, Juhani Salovaara
  • Patent number: 9080383
    Abstract: A motorized climb assist assembly is provided. The motorized climb assist assembly includes a looped belt, an attaching member, a motor assembly and a fall arrest system. The attaching member is coupled to the looped belt. A safety harness is in turn coupled to attaching member. The motor assembly includes a motor and a drive sheave. The motor has a drive shaft. The drive sheave is coupled to the drive shaft. In addition, the drive sheave is in contact with the looped belt. The fall arrest system is integrated with the drive sheave and is configured to limit the looped belt movement as the result of a fall event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet
  • Patent number: 9051779
    Abstract: A ladder assembly for use with movable shelving is disclosed. The ladder assembly may comprise an overhead track assembly, a carriage, and a ladder. The overhead track assembly includes a first guide track and a second guide track. The carriage is operatively configured to move longitudinally along the first and second guide tracks. The ladder is pivotally and slidably mounted to the carriage. The ladder has an operating position and a stored position. The operating position is located in an open available aisle of the movable shelving. The stored position may be located substantially vertical and outside of the aisle of the movable shelving allowing the movable shelving to close the aisle without interference from the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Material Control, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Kerr
  • Patent number: 9045282
    Abstract: A vertically movable work platform is suspended and supported by a plurality of suspension wires fed out from one or more of winding rotating bodies which is rotated such that the vertically movable work platform is vertically moved by the rotation of the one or more of winding rotating bodies. A support for receiving and supporting the lowering vertically movable work platform at a work height, and a stopper for preventing the rotation of the winding rotating body in a direction which tends to lower the vertically movable work platform when the vertically movable work platform reaches the work height are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9027711
    Abstract: Self-locking bi-foldable load bearing segments are disclosed that can be used in applications such as ladders or ramp. First and second sections of the segment are foldably coupled to transition between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The first and second sections can include rungs pivotally attached to rails that can be further transitioned from the folded configuration to a collapsed configuration, but not transitioned from the open configuration to the collapsed configuration. Openings in the side walls of the rails allow the rungs to pivot in one direction, but not an opposite direction. In the open configuration, the openings of the first and second sections may be oriented opposite, and the direction of allowed rotation of the rungs of the first section and second section are opposite, restricting compression of the rails together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ardisam, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Lonergan, Michael R. Furseth, Randy L. Schamberger
  • Patent number: 9027708
    Abstract: This maintenance trolley (17) for the air intake (9) of the nacelle of an aircraft turbojet engine is notable in that it comprises a base (19) and a platform (23) cantilever-mounted on this base (19) and designed to enter said air intake (9) without contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Guy Vauchel, Jean-Philippe Dauguet, Stephane Beilliard
  • Patent number: 9016431
    Abstract: A load balancing descending device for controlling the descent of a user descending on a rope carrying a load is provided. The rope has a decreasing rope free end as the user descends. The load balancing descending device comprises a first plate and a second plate. A first pin is positioned between the first plate and the second plate with the first pin spacing the first plate from and pivotally connecting the first plate to the second plate and the combined first plate and second plate having a first side and a second side. A second pin is positioned between the first plate and the second plate with the second pin spaced from the first pin. An attachment mechanism is formed in the first side of the combined first plate and second plate for attaching a user and/or load. The rope is wrapped in a serpentine manner about the first pin and the second pin between the first plate and the second plate with the rope free end exiting the combined first plate and second plate from the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Great Trango Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy Barnett
  • Patent number: 9016433
    Abstract: A safety device comprising a foothold in association with a mounting assembly, wherein the position of the foothold relative to the mounting assembly is adjustable, thereby allowing the safety device to be used on a variety of sloped roofs. The safety device may further comprises a firefighter securing assembly which provides a means whereby an operator may secure himself to the safety device thereby preventing the operator from falling from the roof in the event the operator loses his balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Robert S. Duffy
  • Patent number: 9010487
    Abstract: A safety line anchor system is provided and includes an elongate member including a threaded stud at one end for threading the member on to a threaded opening in a trench plate, a flange fixed to the stud end of the member above the stud base, the flange having two or more openings provided there through for accepting two or more stabilization bolts, a freely rotable platform attached to the end of the elongate member opposite the stud end, the platform including two or more slots cut there through for accepting safety line attachments, and a crane handle fixed to the rotable platform, the crane handle for accepting a crane hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Arthur V. Cruz
  • Patent number: 8997929
    Abstract: A ladder locking designed intended to prevent access to a tree stand and an attached ladder includes a two-piece interlocking frame, top and bottom hooks to engage rungs of the ladder, and a locking bar. The frames include a mesh covers having a width greater than the tree stand ladder. The frame is secured to the ladder by the top and bottom hooks, which provide opposing hangers hooked over and clamping ladder rungs. A bottom of the frame includes a locking bar which insertingly engages between the two frame sections and secured with a padlock. The frame is placed over a ladder and locked to prevent unwanted persons from ascending the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Todd, John Todd
  • Patent number: 8978822
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical frame made of metal, particularly a scaffolding frame, having at least one first vertical shaft (21) and a bar-shaped, horizontal transversal arm (23) extending away from the same, the shaft and arm being permanently connected to each other, having the following characteristics: a first perforated disk having a plurality of openings is permanently mounted to the shaft (21), wherein the perforated disk is disposed concentrically to the shaft (21) and surrounds the shaft (21) in a flange manner; at least one first mounting device is provided on the shaft (21) at a distance to the perforated disk for mounting a fall-protection means; the transversal arm (23) on one end thereof has a first connecting head, and on the second end thereof facing away from the first end has a second connecting head by which the transversal arm (23) can be secured, or is secured, on a second vertical shaft (21) via a second perforated disk equipped with a plurality of openings by forming a vertical
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Wilhelm Layher Verwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Kreller
  • Patent number: 8973711
    Abstract: An improved intermediate scaffold joint comprising a frame, a first mounting member, a second mounting member, and a vertical stub. The frame has an interior side, an exterior side, and a top side. Both the first mounting member and the second mounting member are attached to the frame's exterior side for securing the frame to an existing scaffold structure. A vertical stub is attached to the frame's top side for attaching an intermediate vertical scaffold member to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Deltak Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Yates Westley Hayman
  • Patent number: 8950550
    Abstract: An ascender/descender appliance for ascending and descending on a rope, comprising a body having attachment means to be connected to the user's harness and a clamping device able to be released on load. The clamping device is arranged outside the body and comprises a chain of metal links constituted by a succession of friction elements articulated on one another by connecting rods to form a series of gaps for the rope to pass in zigzag manner. Means are associated with the top link to trigger clamping of the ascender device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventors: Alain Maurice, Benoît Vuillermoz