Patents Examined by Candace L. Bradford
  • Patent number: 10611616
    Abstract: A quick coupling implement for an aerial device has a base, a boom assembly, the implement, and an adapter. The adapter is emplaced on a portion of the boom assembly to allow for quickly coupling the implement. The adapter comprises a boom-raise-interfacing segment with at least one opening for securing to the boom raise of the boom assembly via a retaining pin. The adapter also comprises an implement-interfacing segment that presents a complementary shape to an adapter-receptor segment of the implement. The implement may be a utility platform for supporting a utility worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnson X. Miles, Gregory M. Stakor
  • Patent number: 10590703
    Abstract: A ladder having a first rail. The ladder having a second rail. The ladder having a plastic top directly attached to the first rail and second rail with fasteners. The top having a first side and a second side. The first side having a gap with a surface with a first rectangular slot and a second rectangular slot extending from the first rectangular slot so an external corner can fit into the first rectangular slot when the top leans against the corner. The surface of the first side having a first notch in the gap so a first rectangular plank can fit into the first notch when the top leans against the plank. The first notch having a width slightly larger than a width of the first plank. A ladder top. A method for using a ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Parker, Daniel C. Mora, Robert D. Beggs, Tek Lentine, Joseph C. Dangrow, Adam C Field, Brent Sedlacek
  • Patent number: 10589971
    Abstract: A working platform that can be removably attached to a front portion of a utility tractor is provided in which the platform is at least horizontally adjustable, is sized to allow a user to move about on the platform, and the tractor can be controlled by a user with controls located on the platform. In addition, an automatic steering system may be included that allows the tractor to remain generally along a preselected course, such as between rows of trees or other objects. As the tractor moves down the row of an orchard, the platform can be adjusted so as to be in an appropriate position for performing work on the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Arnold
  • Patent number: 10584500
    Abstract: An assembly for installation, repair, or maintenance of balcony-mounted displays. The assembly may include a straddling component or frame, an anchoring assembly for selectively fixing one end of the straddling component in a desired location along the balcony, and a person-holding structure suspended from the balcony by another end of the straddling component. The straddling component may include forward vertical supports extending from the person-holding structure, horizontal supports attached to the forward vertical supports, and aftward vertical supports attached to the horizontal supports. Transport wheels may be rotatably attached to the aftward vertical supports, for rollable relocation of the platform relative to the balcony. The anchoring assembly may include both forward and aftward extension pieces attached to the aftward vertical supports and selectively adjusted to cooperatively fix the aftward vertical supports between a balcony wall and a heel-kick surface below the balcony seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: John A Tann
  • Patent number: 10584532
    Abstract: A ladder is provided having a first assembly and a second assembly slidably coupled with the first assembly. The first assembly includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a first plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. the second assembly includes a second pair of spaced apart rails and a second plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails. A support apparatus is coupled with the first assembly and includes one or more arms that are pivotally displaced from a refracted position to a deployed position responsive to displacement of the first assembly a specified distance relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: N. Ryan Moss, Sean R. Peterson, Brian B. Russell, Gary M. Jonas
  • Patent number: 10569138
    Abstract: An ascender device is disclosed that includes a base plate having a base top, a base bottom, a base rear surface, and a base front surface, wherein the base front surface further includes a first side and a second side; a plurality of pawls that are rotationally biased and secured to the base plate, a plurality of teeth on the plurality of pawls, wherein at least in part, the teeth are opposed to each other to form a gap that extends between the teeth and wherein the gap is configured to receive a rope therein and can be increased and decreased in size via pivoting of the pawls to releasably engage the rope, a plurality of strap supports extending from the base, an upper gate adjacent the base top and having an opening for receiving the rope therein, and a securing mechanism for securement to an article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Harken, Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles J. Lob
  • Patent number: 10570630
    Abstract: A suspended scaffolding connector includes a central spine comprising an anchor connector at a top end thereof, a bottom lug at a bottom end thereof, and a top lug situated between the anchor connector and bottom lug. The connector further includes at least one top truss connector attached to the top lug and at least one bottom truss connector attached to the bottom lug, where the top and bottom truss connectors are configured and spaced for structural connection to top and bottom connectors of a scaffolding truss. The connector also includes top and bottom truss ledger connectors attached to the spine and situated between the top and bottom lugs and adapted for connection to a scaffolding ledger, and the anchor connector is adapted for connection to a suspension anchor and to support the scaffolding truss through the top and bottom truss connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Nicholas Mark Shaw
  • Patent number: 10538205
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for ascending to the driver's cab of a telescopic handler or the like, including: a ladder (10) which in turn includes at least two parts (11, 12) of which at least one is movable; and an automatic device (3) for moving the movable part (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Manitou Italia S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marco Iotti
  • Patent number: 10533374
    Abstract: A loading apparatus is provided that includes a set of stairs, a platform, and a handle. The stairs are attached to the platform and the platform has a locking mechanism. The handle has a first end that is pivotally attached to the set of stairs and the locking mechanism is capable of engaging the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Randall Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Fred Jevaney, Adam Giemza
  • Patent number: 10532919
    Abstract: A collapsible personnel basket apparatus quickly and easily deploys on the tip of a crane boom and stores in a space-efficient manner when not in use. The basket apparatus has a collapsible spine made up of a plurality of spine segments, a support platform pivotally coupled to a bottom spine segment, a connection member pivotally coupled to a top spine segment and including a coupling portion at a proximal end thereof, an adapter configured for attachment to a crane tip at a distal end of a crane boom, and a foldable rail assembly removably mountable on the spine and/or the support platform. The adapter mates with the coupling portion of the connection member to removably mount the connection member on the crane tip. A related deployment method, spine segment locking mechanism, coupling apparatus, and storage apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Omaha Standard, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Hufnagl, Robert Engdahl
  • Patent number: 10512799
    Abstract: A quick release restraint system comprising a restraint body that mates a harness fitting with a moveable lockpin. The lockpin is held in a closed position by a return member and can be moved to an open position when a sleeve and/or a ripcord is moved away from the lockpin. The sleeve surrounds the restraint body and mates with an internal lockpin body that may also be attached to the ripcord. The ripcord and/or sleeve engage the lockpin body in a single direction to generate a pulling force that counteracts a biasing force of the return member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLC
    Inventors: Adam J. Fitzgerald, Stephen T. Parkinson
  • Patent number: 10513317
    Abstract: A watercraft including a frame and a folding ladder coupled to the frame. The folding ladder is configured for moving in between a folded position and an unfolded position. The ladder includes a stabilizing portion connected to the frame and defining a stabilizing plane and a first stair portion pivotably connected to the stabilizing portion. The first stair portion pivots relative to the stabilizing portion in a first direction of rotation. The ladder further includes a second stair portion pivotably connected to the first stair portion. The second stair portion pivots relative to the first stair portion in a second direction of rotation which is opposite to the first direction of rotation of the first stair portion such that the ladder selectively folds between the folded position and the unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Corey L. Schaub
  • Patent number: 10512822
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self belay arrangement (1) for fall arrest systems, in particular for climbing applications, comprising a locking device (10), to which a rope (11) is attachable, and a connector element (12), which is performed to be attached to a safety harness of a user and to which the locking device (10) is coupled when the user intends to climb up a climbing wall (13), a ladder or other extending structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Safety Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Dimitar Mihaylov Petrov, Martin Nikolaev Tapankov
  • Patent number: 10487576
    Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: WING ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jay Ballard, Benjamin L. Cook, N. Ryan Moss, Sean R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10487577
    Abstract: A convertible folding ladder incorporates first and second rigid ladder sections, each comprising opposing spaced apart longitudinal rails, a plurality of spaced apart rungs between the rails, and a connector plate formed with one end of at least one of the longitudinal rails. Each connector plate of the first ladder section defines at least three spaced apart pin holes adapted for being selectively aligned with pin holes defined by the connector plate of the second ladder section. First and second fastener pins are adapted for being removably inserted through the aligned pin holes, such that the ladder is convertible between multiple different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: PATRIOT3, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Louis Fuqua, Steven Scott Kahre
  • Patent number: 10465398
    Abstract: A climbing device is proposed having at least one climbing rail (14) for adjusting and/or climbing a scaffolding and/or a formwork and/or a platform, at least one climbing shoe (15, 16) being arranged on the climbing rail (14), at least one hydraulic cylinder (2) comprising at least one drive piston (10), arranged in a cylinder housing (12), and having a hydraulic fluid being provided for raising the climbing shoe (15, 16) and/or the climbing rail (14) and/or the scaffolding and/or the formwork and/or the platform, which at least partially avoids or at least reduces the disadvantages of the prior art. According to the invention this is achieved in that the hydraulic cylinder (2) is embodied as a hydraulic unit (1), the hydraulic unit (1) comprising at least one hydraulic tank (5) for storing hydraulic fluid, an electric motor (3) and a hydraulic pump (4) driven by the electric motor (3) for pressurizing the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: PERI GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Herzog, Matthias Tries
  • Patent number: 10456608
    Abstract: A safety apparatus (10) includes a weight pan (18) removably receiving a plurality of weights (W) pivotably mounted about a pan axis (A) between frame sides (12). Wheels are rotatably mounted to the first ends of the frame sides (12). An I-shaped main frame (40) is pivotably mounted to the frame about a first frame axis (J) generally perpendicular to the pan axis (A) and also a second frame axis (E) generally parallel to the pan axis (A). By pivoting the main frame (40) about the first frame axis (J), a steering function is provided to the frame. By pivoting the main frame (40) about the second frame axis (E), the frame is pivoted between an actuated position with the weight pan (18) resting upon a surface and a transport position with the weight pan (18) spaced from the surface and with the frame moveable on the surface (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Garlock Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Johanneck, Richard B. Stoffels, Robert James Olson
  • Patent number: 10449399
    Abstract: A horizontal lifeline system includes a first termination arrangement structured to attach to a first anchor point, a second termination arrangement structured to attach to a second anchor point, a horizontal lifeline cable coupled to the first termination arrangement, a rope length adjuster attached to the horizontal lifeline cable and having a housing through which the horizontal lifeline cable can be pulled to adjust the length of the horizontal lifeline system and apply tension to the horizontal lifeline cable, and a tension limiting ratchet coupled between the second termination arrangement and the rope length adjuster and being structured to be ratcheted to increase tension applied to the horizontal lifeline cable and to provide an indication and deter further ratcheting when the tension applied to the horizontal lifeline cable reaches a predetermined tension limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: WERNER CO.
    Inventor: Justin S. Patton
  • Patent number: 10449396
    Abstract: There is provided height rescue apparatus comprising a casing which incorporates a bracket for attachment to a harness. The bracket can be releasably attached to a load element which is attached to a safety line which in turn can be attached to a secure anchorage. There is also a release means in the form of a pull cord for releasing the load element from the bracket after a fall and speed control means for controlling the rate of deployment of an elongate element stored within the casing and thus controlling the descent of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: FALLSAFE LIMITED
    Inventors: Julian Elwyn Renton, Peter Thomas Mence Nott
  • Patent number: 10449400
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to fall-protection safety connector having alignment indicators located on both a static end and a dynamic end of a deformable energy-absorbing device that when deformed visually presents the alignment indicators as misaligned. In an illustrative embodiment, the fall-protection safety connector may be configured to securely connect to a securement member. In some embodiments, a user may connect to the fall-protection safety connector by attaching a lanyard to an aperture coupled to the dynamic end of the deformable energy-absorbing device. Before using the fall-protection safety connector, the user may visually inspect the alignment of the alignment indicators to ascertain the readiness of the connector. Misaligned alignment indicators may advantageously indicate to the user that the remaining energy-absorbing deformation capability of the connector may be below a predetermined specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Roth, Katrin Wunderlich, Konrad Soergel, Klaus Baumgartner