Patents Examined by Candace L. Bradford
  • Patent number: 10799731
    Abstract: A fall protection harness for being removably worn by a user having at least two leg straps, a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap. At least one of the shoulder straps has an energy absorbing element integrated therewith. The energy absorbing element may be a tubular webbing material surrounding a tearable webbing material with at least two bound webbing components configured to tear from one another when the shoulder strap is subjected to a force that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Frederick Jacob, Benjamin T. Sepe, Matthew Quigley
  • Patent number: 10791729
    Abstract: A tree stand platform assembly includes a platform for supporting a hunter and which has a perimeter edge. The perimeter edge includes a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The platform has a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer surface positioned between the top and bottom surfaces. The first and second lateral edges each include a front section abutting the front edge and a rear section abutting the rear edge. The rear section includes toe receiver. The toe receiver is formed by an obtuse angle formed in the outer surface of the rear section, wherein the obtuse angle is less than 160°. The toe receiver provides an engagement point for a hunter's foot as the hunter rotates laterally away from the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Walter Ernest Power, II, Gregory Alan Godfrey, Garrett Robert Prahl
  • Patent number: 10792520
    Abstract: A personal descent system is provided. The personal descent system includes a support structure coupling assembly and a control descent device. The support structure coupling assembly is configured and arranged to be coupled to a descent lifeline. The support structure coupling assembly includes an adaptor connection member. The adaptor connection member is configured and arranged to couple different types of lifelines and lanyards to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is selectively coupled to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is configured and arranged to be coupled to a safety harness donned by a user. The control descent device is further configured to detach from the support structure coupling assembly during a descent operation while controlling a payout of the descent lifeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: D B INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Andrew K. Thomforde, Treyben P. Kehren
  • Patent number: 10787269
    Abstract: An evacuation system includes an inflatable device, and a charged cylinder configured to store a compressed gas. The evacuation system further includes an aspirator configured to receive the compressed gas and to inflate the inflatable device in response to receiving the compressed gas. The evacuation system further includes a firing cable having a maximum length and an elastic component configured to cause the firing cable to have an at-rest length that is less than the maximum length in response to a lack of force applied to the firing cable, the firing cable being coupled to the charged cylinder and configured to cause the charged cylinder to release the compressed gas in response to sufficient force being applied to the charged cylinder via the firing cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy C. Haynes, Michael A. Luzader
  • Patent number: 10780985
    Abstract: An evacuation slide including a sliding face having a top end portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to an exit of a region to be evacuated, and a bottom end portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to an escape route leading away from the region to be evacuated and being arranged at a lower height than the region to be evacuated. A light signal generating device is adapted to generate a light signal which illuminates the bottom end portion of the sliding face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Kohlmeier-Beckmann, Fred Raszpir
  • Patent number: 10780571
    Abstract: A saw horse may include a center beam, a first leg connected to the center beam, and a second leg connected to the center beam. The first leg may rotate and may traversely extend and retract to move between an open and a stowed position. The second leg may rotate and traversely extend and retract to move between the open and the stowed position. The saw horse may include a flexible axis biasing device to connect to the first leg. The saw horse may include a flexible axis biasing device to connect to the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: L. Michael Taron
  • Patent number: 10767417
    Abstract: An accessory device for attachment to a folding step ladder includes a square or rectangular receiver frame that hingedly attaches to the top end of the ladder and a tray that is removably supported within the receiver frame. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver frame is attached with two or more hinges to the ladder and includes collapsible pivoting support arms on opposite sides extending between and connecting to the sides of the receiver frame and the ladder. In use, the receiver frame is supported horizontally, extending out from the top of the ladder, and is held by the support arms that lock into an extended position. When not in use, the receiver frame is folded down and collapsed against the side of the ladder for transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Enrique Andrade
  • Patent number: 10767361
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an emergency escape tunnel in a multi-storey building, especially in a building with a centrally situated staircase and useable rooms surrounding it, used to evacuate people in case of a fire hazard. The emergency escape tunnel according to the invention is equipped with a load-bearing skeleton (6) with an outline similar in shape to an upturned letter U, its surface wall (7) and side walls (8) being covered with layers of a fire-resistant material. The tunnel has a self-activating drive system (13, 32, 36) and is horizontally shiftable in the space (14) between the staircase (1) and the external wall (2) of the building. In the resting position, the tunnel is situated within the staircase and in the operating position the outlet section (15) of the tunnel is situated within the exit door (16) of the building whereas its exit opening (17)| is situated beyond the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: FIMARC BEZPIECZENSTWO I OCHRONA PRZECIWPOZAROWA BIURO EKSPERTYZ, DORADZTWA I NADZORU
    Inventor: Zenon Malkowski
  • Patent number: 10766744
    Abstract: An elevator arrangement, in particular a construction time elevator arrangement, includes a hoistway; an elevator car mounted in the hoistway; and a vertically movable support structure in the hoistway for supporting the elevator car, the movable support structure being mounted above the elevator car in the hoistway. The vertically movable support structure includes a first working platform, having a planar working area, and a protective cover above the first working platform for protecting elevator components and/or people below it from falling objects. The protective cover covers most of the cross section of the hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jori Hägg, Gabriel Ciuculescu
  • Patent number: 10760336
    Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a fall arrester (10) attached to a user's harness via a coupling arrangement (6). The fall arrester (10) is designed to be attached to a backup rope or safety line (12). The fall arrester 10 ( )comprises a body (14), and a lever (16) pivotally coupled to the body (14). The lever (16) includes a primary cam (18) which is arranged to co-operate with the coupling arrangement (6). In operation, descent of the user urges the coupling arrangement (6) into contact with the lever 16 which pivots to effect braking of the safety line (12) between the body (14) and the primary cam (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Han Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 10723606
    Abstract: An elevator system (400) to assist the installation of a heavy load (122), such as an auxiliary power unit (APU) in into a compartment of an aircraft (110) compartment (126). The elevator system includes bar assemblies which rotate to lift the load into the compartment. The bar assemblies rotate in synchrony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
    Inventor: Angel Palomares Mora
  • Patent number: 10718161
    Abstract: A rung for use in a ladder section of a collapsible ladder (1) is provided. The collapsible ladder comprises several ladder sections (5, 5a-5j), where each ladder section comprises two ladder tubes (10, 12) arranged parallel to each other and interconnected by the rung (20) to form the respective ladder section, and where each ladder tube (10, 12) is telescopically inserted into a ladder tube (10, 12) of a lower ladder section to form the collapsible ladder (1), the rung (20) comprising a main section (22), a first bracket section (24a) and a second bracket section (24b), wherein the first and second bracket sections (24a, 24b) are arranged at each end of the rung (20) to receive the respective ladder tube (10, 12). The rung (20) is characterized in that the main section (22) and the first and second bracket sections (24a, 24b) are provided as an integrated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Telesteps AB
    Inventors: Jens Bernhardsson, Stina Karlsson, Henrik Edvardsson, Niklas Ekstrand, Carl-Johan Nelson, Ulrik Gejervall
  • Patent number: 10704326
    Abstract: A ladder supporting device for supporting a ladder in upright orientation at an upright surface comprises a channel extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end arranged horizontally spaced across the upright surface with a backside facing the upright surface, a holding device located outside the channel distal to the upright surface, and at least one wheel rotatably supported on an axle connected to the holding device and passing into the channel which receives the at least one wheel such that the holding device is positionable longitudinally of the channel by rolling movement of the at least one wheel along the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventor: Douglas Eric St. Godard
  • Patent number: 10693360
    Abstract: Described herein is a transmission mechanism and an associated method of use for braking relative movement between members, movement and braking of the members being directed through one or more transmission elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
  • Patent number: 10688323
    Abstract: A safety device with fall arrest and descending modes includes a housing, a drum, a lifeline, first and second brake assemblies, and a control. The drum is rotatably operatively connected to the housing. The lifeline has an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to the drum. The first and second assemblies are operatively connected to the drum. The control is operatively connected to the first and second brake assemblies and has a first position and a second position. The first position selectively engages the first brake assembly in a descending mode and the second position selectively engages the second brake assembly in a fall arrest mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: D B INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Gabriel Grant Gamache, Matthew J. Blackford, Vincent G. Meillet, Joseph Robert Kaiser
  • Patent number: 10682535
    Abstract: A rope self-locking descender has a first flange, a cam movable with respect to the first flange successively between a first position, a clamping position of the rope and a running position of the rope in the first flange, a handle movable with respect to the first flange successively between a stowing position, a first position of use clamping the rope and a running position of the rope. A first spring is connected to the first flange and to the handle to return the handle to the stowing position. The cam is mechanically connected to the handle in intermittent manner so that movement of the cam from the first position to its clamping position of the rope results in movement of the handle from its stowing position to the first position of use. The handle is not mechanically connected to the cam between the first position and a running position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventors: Pierre-Olivier Chabod, Christophe Quillard
  • Patent number: 10682538
    Abstract: The roping harness comprises: a belt provided with a first strap and with at least first and second comfort parts arranged between the first strap and the user, a pair of thigh straps, a connecting element connected to the pair of thigh straps, a first adjustment device configured to adjust the length of the first strap and to define the circumference of the belt. The first comfort pad and second comfort pad are fitted movable in translation with respect to one another. The first comfort pad is fitted movable in translation with respect to the first strap along the first strap. The belt comprises at least a first blocking stop configured to prevent movement of the first comfort pad with respect to the second comfort pad beyond a threshold value, the first adjustment device forming a second blocking stop of the first comfort pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventors: Loic Blondeau, Pierre Plaze
  • Patent number: 10641042
    Abstract: An external ladder assembly for a nacelle of a wind turbine includes at least one ladder having parallel side legs and a plurality of rungs arranged between the parallel side legs. The ladder assembly also includes a ladder platform arranged with the ladder and configured for placement atop the nacelle. Further, the ladder assembly includes a mounting assembly for affixing the ladder platform atop the nacelle. More specifically, the mounting assembly is adjustable between multiple positions so as to level the ladder platform atop the nacelle. Thus, the ladder assembly provides access to one or more uptower, external features of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian William Manikas, Gregory Clarence Thomas, Paul Howard Davidson
  • Patent number: 10632332
    Abstract: A fall restriction device is provided that includes a rope and a connector that has a rope connector base. A latch is retained by the rope connector base. The connector has a rope connector with an aperture and the rope is disposed through the aperture. The rope connector has an engaged position in which the rope connector is retained to the rope connector base. The rope connector is moved from the engaged position by being moved along the rope connector base and by being rotated relative to the rope connector base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bashlin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston L Anderson, Bradley S McGill
  • Patent number: 10618786
    Abstract: The aerial lift platform includes a control station, a floor including a positioning zone for an operator maneuvering the control station, and a railing. The platform includes a protection device located on a surface of the railing. The zone and the protection device each extend on either side of a plane perpendicular to the first surface of the railing. A width of the protection device, measured perpendicular to the plane, is larger than 30 cm. The protection device is movable between: •—a retracted position, in which a protrusion height of the protection device relative to the railing, measured perpendicular to the floor, has a value below 10 cm, and •—a protection position, in which the protrusion height has a value above 30 cm. The railing includes an opening for accessing the platform, which can be at least partially obstructed by closing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HAULOTTE GROUP
    Inventors: Sebastien Parot, Philippe Luminet