Patents Examined by Candace L. Bradford
  • Patent number: 10060185
    Abstract: A stool that can be concealed underneath a cabinet. The present invention includes a housing plate with tracks that facilitate the movement of a footplate. The footplate is attached to the housing plate such that the footplate can either be perpendicular or parallel to the face of the cabinet. When the footplate moves from the perpendicular position to the parallel position, it locks into place, providing a secure step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Darla Kinkade
  • Patent number: 10047725
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a ladder attachment system for securing a ladder within a tower of a wind turbine. The ladder has parallel legs and a plurality of rungs arranged perpendicularly between the parallel legs. The ladder attachment system includes at least one external stiffener configured at a top end of each of the parallel legs. Each of the external stiffeners includes a longitudinal body having an open cross-section configured to receive one of the parallel legs along a length thereof. Further, the ladder attachment system also includes a load-bearing bracket assembly configured with each of the external stiffeners. In addition, the ladder attachment system includes at least one support arm arranged in a horizontal plane and configured with each of the parallel legs, with the support arms being spaced apart from the load-bearing bracket assembly along a height of the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Lawrence Yenser, James Eric Reed
  • Patent number: 10034472
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that operates as both a tree seat and a hauler and the method of use. The tree seat and hauler device of the present invention includes a main body, a support body and a seat assembly, which may be rotated about an axle to achieve a tree seat position, a hauling position and a packed position. Wheels or skis and a handle are provided for efficient transportation of an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen J Prescott, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10035029
    Abstract: A fall arrest harness comprises a pair of shoulder straps, a pair of leg straps and a rear section extending therebetween, a lanyard connection member being connected to a sternal or chest region of the shoulder straps, the rear section defining a seat portion, adapted to lie across the sub-pelvic region or seat of the wearer, and a back portion, adapted to overlie at least a portion of the back of the wearer, the shoulder straps extending between side regions of the seat portion, preferably adjacent a lower edge thereof, and an upper region of the back portion, whereby the wearer, when suspended in the harness by the lanyard connection member, lies in a supine position with the weight of the wearer supported by the seat portion and back portion of the rear section and the shoulder straps with no load being borne by the leg straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: CHECKMATE LIMITED
    Inventor: Brian Dawson
  • Patent number: 9994141
    Abstract: A frame mounted on the underside of the RV comprising two parallel tracks. A platform is mounted to the frame for movement about the frame between a retracted position underneath the RV and an extended position extending from the RV. The platform comprises of two parallel rails each of which is mounted to one of the two parallel tracks. A deck extends between the two parallel rails. A prime mover is mounted on one end to the platform and the other end is mounted to the frame to move the platform with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: MWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Hanser, Vincent Buls
  • Patent number: 9993670
    Abstract: In a reel 24 of a lanyard, a cam 46 is rotatable to change an orientation among a free orientation, a locking orientation, and a waiting orientation. The free orientation represents an orientation in which the cam 46 can be rotated in any of directions. The locking orientation represents an orientation in which a locking engagement portion 82 engages with a latching portion 96 of a cam receiver 52. The waiting orientation represents an orientation in which a waiting engagement portion 84 engages with a plate spring 48. When the bobbin rotates in one direction, the cam 46 changes from the free orientation to the waiting orientation. When the bobbin rotates in the other direction, a tip 82a of the cam 46 in the waiting orientation is guided by a guiding surface 100, to change the cam 46 from the waiting orientation to the locking orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FUJII DENKO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akitomo Kozuki
  • Patent number: 9987507
    Abstract: A personal escape and rescue device comprising a descent mechanism having a pair of plates having opposing undulating faces each comprising at least one peak and at least one trough defined along the length of the undulating face, and a control mechanism for displacing the plates relative to one another in a direction along the length of the undulating faces thereby adjusting the disposition of the opposing undulating faces relative to one another thereby setting the distance between the trough and the opposing peak; a body harness to support a descender, the descent mechanism being attached at an upper location of the harness whereby the descender is in a stable position; and a strap/cable, of a length to provide descent to safety, reeved between the faces of the descent mechanism, and comprising an anchoring arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Shlomo Add
  • Patent number: 9986732
    Abstract: A collapsible hunting tree stand includes a dual seat arrangement, so that the seat may be positioned in a normal seating position, or where the seat may be in an elevated seating/leaning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Pope
  • Patent number: 9951558
    Abstract: A restraining system and method for detachably securing a ladder to a shoring or excavation support structure. The restraining assembly, primarily configured from an elongated flexible restraining material, includes a proximal member, possessing a fastener configured to removably attach onto either side rail of a ladder. The assembly further includes a distal member, possessing a fastener configured to removably attach to a shoring anchor located on the top portion of a shoring wall. The mediate portion of the restraining assembly is configured to concurrently retain both the proximal and distal members, including a tensioning means for the adjustment of the overall functional length of the restraining assembly. In particular embodiments, the restraining system includes a shoring or excavation support structure having at least one shoring wall that includes a multiplicity of shoring anchors attached at predetermined locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: John J. Maragliano
  • Patent number: 9943714
    Abstract: A harness system includes a waist belt assembly, a first releasable retainer attached to the waist belt assembly, shoulder straps, a back plate connected to the shoulder straps, and a release system including at least a first release strap connected to and extending from the back plate. The first release strap includes at least a first releasable connector in operative connection with the first releasable retainer so that actuation of the first release strap causes disconnection of the first releasable connector from operative connection with the first releasable retainer so that the first releasable retainer becomes disconnected from connection with the back plate and the back plate can be removed by a user while the waist belt assembly remains worn by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MSA TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Steck, Marco Tekelenburg, Stewart Shannon
  • Patent number: 9938733
    Abstract: A wire rope tension grid is a walking surface comprised of interwoven wire rope. The wire rope is supported by a framework of steel angle and tubing. The framework is supported by mounts that are hung from the support beams in the ceiling of a structure, often a performing art center, a television studio, a black box theater, museum dioramas, theme park scenes, live animal pens, or other entertainment venues. These grids are not intended for public usage, but rather are intended for operation staff. New improvements to these grids are listed in this document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: InterAmerica Stage, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Thomas Black
  • Patent number: 9938766
    Abstract: A safety ladder for protecting a lineman or firefighter from a flash fire. The ladder has the appearance of a conventional ladder but include fluid conduits that allow for dispensing of a fire suppressants to be sprayed over an individual using the ladder should a fire erupt. The rungs of the ladder have spray nozzles located along the bottom of the rung so that they do not interfere with normal use of the ladder. A pressurized container of fire suppressants is coupled to the ladder, through a battery powered solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can be operated by the individual using the ladder by use of a triggering device, or remotely by an individual positioned apart from the ladder by a remote triggering device. The triggering device can be operated electrically or by radio frequency, can be temperature sensitive, or can be manually bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GeITech Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Cordani
  • Patent number: 9932771
    Abstract: A collapsible ladder safety system for a ladder having first and second vertical ladder rail and a plurality of step rungs extending between the first and second vertical rails, the system comprising first and second upright tubular hand rails and a cross member pivotally attached to each of the first and second parallel upright tubular hand rails. The tubular hand rails or cross member are releasably securable to an upper end of the ladder. The first and second upright tubular hand rails are collapsible against the cross member when not secured to the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SAFETY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bramwell, Kevin Sheard
  • Patent number: 9925400
    Abstract: A brake assembly for use with a retractable lifeline assembly comprises a brake hub, a pressure plate, a first friction disk, a brake plate, a second friction disk, and a lock nut. The brake hub includes a flange extending outward from an at least partially threaded shaft. The pressure plate is positioned on the at least partially threaded shaft proximate the flange. The first friction disk is positioned on the at least partially threaded shaft proximate the pressure plate. The brake plate is positioned on the at least partially threaded shaft proximate the first friction disk. The second friction disk is positioned on the at least partially threaded shaft proximate the brake plate. The lock nut is threaded onto the at least partially threaded shaft, and the lock nut is set to a desired torque at which the brake plate slips prior to final assembly of the retractable lifeline assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: D B INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Casebolt
  • Patent number: 9889325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a set of extendable ladders, in particular firefighting ladders, consisting of at least two ladder parts, each part being formed from side rails and rungs running between the side rails, and the uppermost ladder part is formed from at least two ladder sections interconnected by an articulated link, the articulation axis of which runs substantially parallel with the rungs, and when the uppermost ladder part has been fully retracted into the ladder part lying below, the first ladder section and the second ladder section overlap the ladder part lying below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rosenbauer International AG
    Inventors: Christoph Speck, Stefan Ziegelmeyer, Thomas Mueller
  • Patent number: 9764172
    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: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventors: J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Gabriel Grant Gamache, Matthew J. Blackford
  • Patent number: 9739586
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the safety of a working environment comprising a panel assembly including first D-Ring indicia corresponding to D-Ring height, a first slider supported for movement relative to the panel assembly, the first slider including first anchor height indicia corresponding to anchor height and a Free Fall Distance (FFD) indexing arrow, a second slider supported for movement relative to the panel assembly, the second slider including FFD indicia corresponding to FFD first lanyard length indicia corresponding to lanyard length. The first slider is moved to a first slider FFD calculation position based on a determined anchor height. The second slider is moved to a second slider FFD calculation position based on a determined lanyard length and a determined D-Ring height. The FFD is determined based on a relative position of the FFD indexing arrow on the first slider and the FFD indicia on the second slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Alberta British Columbia Safety Inc.
    Inventor: David George Whalen
  • Patent number: 9702188
    Abstract: A security shade for use in an automotive vehicle. The security shade includes a cassette having a roll tube arranged therein. The roll tube has a shade panel fixed to the roll tube at one end thereof. The security shade also includes a bearing arranged in an end of the roll tube and a spring housing arranged in an end of the cassette. A motor spring is arranged within the spring housing and is axially fixed with relation to the roll tube and the cassette. The security shade also includes an end cap arranged over an end of a cassette. The security shade has the compressible end cap over each end of the roll tube and cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Bryan Busha, Leslie R. Hinds, Gary James Clark
  • Patent number: 9675824
    Abstract: A fall rescue apparatus (10) for mounting on the roof of a building includes a spike (28) mounted to an extendable support arm (27) and shaped to penetrate the roof in response to the pull of a tether (35) connected to a falling worker. An elbow linkage (39) unfolds as the spike is extended into the roof for guiding and supporting the spike against the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Charles J. MacKarvich
  • Patent number: 9657448
    Abstract: A bridge maintenance vehicle with a hinge-connected hanging bracket for avoiding bridge-side obstacles comprises an unwheeling and a suspension arm. The unwheeling comprises a vehicle frame chassis. The suspension arm is a C-shaped hanging bracket. The vehicle frame chassis is connected to a lower end of a strut in a hinged manner through a longitudinal shaft hinge and a longitudinal shaft. A protruding end of a lower cross beam of the C-shaped hanging bracket is provided with at least a fixing point for a lifting rope or a lifting rope winding/unwinding device. A vehicle frame stringer is fixed at an upper end of the strut. A hanging bracket longitudinal beam is fixed at an upper end of a vertical rod of the C-shaped hanging bracket. The hanging bracket longitudinal beam and the vehicle frame stringer are movably connected with each other into a whole through at least two cross beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: WUDA JUCHENGSTRUCTURE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianbo Zhou, Zuoping Gao, Mingxiang Chen, Youkang Chen