Patents Examined by Daniel Cahn
  • Patent number: 8360204
    Abstract: A self-adjusting ladder leveling device includes a first locking member attached to the ladder, and a second locking member movably associated with the first locking member. First and second legs extend outwardly from the second locking member toward a supporting surface. The second locking member slidably moves in relation to the first locking member as either the first or second leg is engaged with the surface. When both the first and second legs are engaged with the surface, the second locking member is moved into locked engagement with the first locking member, so as to maintain the ladder in a level state. When the first and/or second leg is removed from engagement with the supporting surface, the second locking member is released and is free to move with respect to the first locking member again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Landon Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Landon Worthington
  • Patent number: 8348015
    Abstract: An access ladder includes a plurality of sections connected together to telescope between an extended position and a retracted position that has an increasing reactive force to counterbalance the weight of the sections as they extend. A method for accessing a room with a ladder connected to a ceiling including the steps of moving the ladder to a fully extended position subject to an increasingly active force to counterbalance the weight of the ladder as it extends. There is the step of retracting the ladder into a retracted position in the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Parker
  • Patent number: 8316992
    Abstract: An anchoring system for securing a scaffold to a building includes a connection member configured to attach to a scaffold component and an anchor member. The anchor member includes a base configured to attach to at least one structural component of a building and a coupling fixedly connected to the base. The coupling is configured to receive a connection member to rigidly join the connection member to the anchor member, and thus, the scaffold to a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Logan Wade Archer
  • Patent number: 8316990
    Abstract: A trolley and fall arrest safety system is disclosed for movement along an elevated track to support a person who has fallen off of a structure adjacent the track. The trolley is arranged to roll on along a surface of the track in a longitudinal direction to suspend a person therefrom in the event that the person falls from an elevated position adjacent the track. The trolley includes an immobilizing assembly including a flexible strap. The strap is arranged to be pulled by the suspended worker to releasably fix the trolley at a longitudinal position on the track, so that the person can swing himself/herself to move the trolley to a desired safety position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Uhlig, Arnold Timothy Galpin, David A. Pisotti
  • Patent number: 8317160
    Abstract: A restraint device is disclosed that limits the movement of the cable or rope relative to the traction, thus reducing or eliminating the popping noise associated with the cable or rope snapping back against the traction sheave. In one embodiment, the restraint device comprises a molded component that is fitted to encompass the region of the sheave where separation of the wire rope from the sheave is most likely to occur. The restraint device may be mounted so that it is removable and replaceable with minimal dismantling of the hoist containing the sheave. The restraint device may be reversible so that one restraint device may by used for at least two cycles before being replaced. Indication of the need for replacement may be provided by including a second color material at the depth where wear reaches the allowable limit, thereby providing a visual signal to initiate replacement as seen during service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Safeworks, LLC
    Inventors: David Arevalo Romo, Christopher Gavin Brickell, John Jerome Haigh
  • Patent number: 8286752
    Abstract: A folding ladder assembly having a door, a frame, and a strut connecting the door and frame. The strut comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the strut is attached to the door via a strut stop bracket. The other end of the strut is attached to a stationary mounting plate, which is attached to the ladder opening frame. The strut is attached to the strut bracket via a strut standoff using an E-clip retaining ring. Optionally, the strut standoffs are riveted to the strut stop bracket and the stationary mounting plate. The strut stop bracket is optionally formed having a double bend to form two substantially parallel portions connected by a third non-parallel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventors: Kevin McIntire, Thomas Ward Parker
  • Patent number: 8281894
    Abstract: A safety harness and a method of integrating the safety harness into apparel such as a firefighter's turnout suit. The safety harness may include a waist strap, a leg strap for encircling a wearer's leg, and a support strap slideably attached to the waist strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Globe Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark Mordecai, Julie Snedeker, John R. Yates
  • Patent number: 8251179
    Abstract: A portable safety ladder assembly having safety extensions to permit safe and easy access to landing areas, working platforms, scaffolds, etc. The safety extension members have a plurality of horizontal handgrips ergonomically designed to prevent falls from the ladder assembly when a user is ascending upward or descending downward thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: James T. Anderson, J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 8251178
    Abstract: A movable step apparatus that includes a mounting frame, at least one step, and a rotary drive mechanism is provided. The movable step apparatus also includes a drive link and a follower link. The drive link is operatively connected to the drive mechanism to move the at least one step between retracted and extended positions. The follower link is pivotally connected to the drive link and pivotally connected to the at least one step. The follower link drives the at least one step to extend and retract the at least one step. The movable step apparatus further includes at least one link pivotally connecting the at least one step to the mounting frame to move between the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventor: Borivoj Krobot
  • Patent number: 8215453
    Abstract: A ladder constructed for reaching an elevated surface or object and having a bow-shaped configuration so that the reach may extend further from the base on which the footing of the ladder rests, the ladder being configured to reach areas such as the roof of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Larry Mickens
  • Patent number: 8215452
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extendable ladder configured to extend a second ladder segment relative to a first ladder segment. The ladder includes a first ladder segment, a second ladder segment, and at least two slider cups. When the ladder is mounted to a surface, the ladder can be moved from a generally vertical orientation to an angled orientation of between greater than 60 degrees and approximately 90 degrees away from the horizontal reference. The ladder may be mounted to one or more of a vehicle, a building, and a piece of equipment. The vehicle may be one or more of a trailer, recreational vehicle, truck, and bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Gail Stewart, James Edward Stewart
  • Patent number: 8186480
    Abstract: A multifunctional ladder for assisting a user to travel along a substantially vertical plane as well as a substantially horizontal plane respectively may include a telescopically adjustable walkway with a planar surface. Additionally, the ladder may include telescopically adjustable and independently detachable support legs connected to the walkway and extending downwardly therefrom. U-shaped brackets may also be affixed to ends of the walkway and a plurality of ladders may be pivotally coupled thereto. The ladders and support legs may maintain the walkway at a substantially stable position and the ladders may freely articulate about fulcrum pivot axes while the support legs and walkway remain at fixed and stationary positions. The walkway preferably has a male and a female member slidably engaged therewith for permitting adjustment of a longitudinal length of the walkway, and U-shaped rails directly coupled thereto for shielding a user from falling off of the walkway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Ruben Yoakum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8167089
    Abstract: A system for lifting a platform includes a frame attached to the platform. The invention has at least one upright member having equally spaced holes longitudinally aligned, with each of the holes having an upper surface and a lower surface. A motor is attached to the frame, and a pinion is driven by the motor. The frame carries the motor and pinion. The pinion has a plurality of equally spaced teeth that radially extend from the pinion. Each tooth has a roller that is freely rotatable about its axis. The rollers roll over the lower surface of the holes when the motor rotates the pinion in a direction to raise or lower the frame and platform. A safety dog is attached to the frame to prevent the platform from falling if a motor were to fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Bennu Parts and Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Castle
  • Patent number: 8162105
    Abstract: A fire escape device featuring a housing mountable outside windows, the bottom panel of the housing is pivotally attached to the back panel, the bottom panel can move between an open position and a closed position; a collapsible chain ladder attached to the back panel of the housing, the collapsible chain ladder can move between a rolled position an unrolled position wherein the collapsible chain ladder hangs downwardly from inside the housing; and a securing mechanism that can move between an engaged and disengaged position, when the securing mechanism is in the engaged position the bottom panel is in the closed position and the chain ladder is in the rolled position, when the securing mechanism is moved to the disengaged position the bottom panel is moved to the open position and the chain ladder can move from the rolled position to the unrolled position and fall downwardly from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Robert A. Ohland
  • Patent number: 8157056
    Abstract: A coupler for a standoff arrangement for ladders and the like. The standoff arrangement comprises a ladder attachment portion and a ladder support portion, with the attachment portion formed to be releasably securable to a ladder and the support portion extending from the ladder attachment portion. The ladder support portion has a pair of individually adjustable bearing arms, and a coupler is installed in each bearing arm to make the bearing arm universally adjustable in relation to the structure against which the ladder standoff arrangement bears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel E. Feldhaus
  • Patent number: 8136632
    Abstract: A collapsible platform assembly for an extension ladder is disclosed that can be used to support the top of an extension ladder with respect to a roof. The collapsible platform assembly includes a platform that is rotatably connected to a rung of an extension ladder near the top. In a storage or retracted position, the platform is generally co-planar with the ladder; i.e fits between the side rails of the extension ladder. In a use position, the platform can be extended and directly supported by the roof, either flat against a roof or alternatively at an acute angle relative to the roof. Since the platform is configured to be directly supported by the roof, the platform acts as a rigid support for the top of the ladder which does not deflect under load as there is an even weight transfer from the ladder to the platform in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Edward J. Gabriel
  • Patent number: 8127891
    Abstract: A ladder mounted foot rinsing system includes a ladder that has a pair of legs and a plurality of rungs attached to the legs. A conduit apparatus comprises a pair of lateral tubes each has a top end and a bottom end. A plurality of horizontal tubes is attached to and extends between the lateral tubes. The horizontal tubes and the lateral tubes are fluidly coupled together. Each of the horizontal and lateral tubes has apertures extending therein. A water inlet is fluidly coupled to the conduit apparatus. The water inlet is fluidly couplable to a water supply to supply water to the conduit apparatus. Water supplied to conduit apparatus is ejected outwardly of the apertures. A plurality of couplers couples the conduit apparatus to the conduit apparatus to the ladder. Feet of a person placed on the rungs are cleaned by water is ejected by the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jerry S. Gudinas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8127892
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a flexible ladder for traversing a structure that addresses problems common with conventional rope ladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Dan Heiduk
  • Patent number: 8113316
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a scaffolding and worktable apparatus with pivotally connected end legs, and in particular, to an apparatus that can be modified from a scaffold to a worktable by rotating collapsible end legs from a first position to a second position and an apparatus that can also be stored or used in a flattened configuration by rotating the end legs to a third stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Kurt Sward, Rick Ellison, Brian Clemens, Peter Tennessen, Austen He
  • Patent number: 8100227
    Abstract: A portable worker safety frame provides many of the benefits of a loading dock while enhancing worker safety. In one implementation, the safety frame provides a walking surface of adjustable height that may be placed adjacent to an arbitrary work surface of a transportation vehicle. The safety frame can provide a walking platform that has a similar length as the cargo bed itself, yet is portable by such conventional means as the forks of a lift truck. The portable worker safety frame also provides an overhead safety rail to which each worker may attach a safety harness cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Jim-N-I, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Southworth