Patents Examined by Daniel Cahn
  • Patent number: 9611691
    Abstract: An in-cabinet step stool for use with a cabinet defining an interior area, the in-cabinet step stool including a framework having a pair of upstanding side walls, each side wall having a rear section and a front section extending forwardly and downwardly from the rear section. An upper step spans between upper edges of respective rear sections. A lower step spans between upper edges of respective lower sections. Each includes a rear foot having a rounded configuration such that the framework is pivotally movable thereon between a (1) deployed configuration in which the rear foot rests upon the bottom wall of the cabinet and the front section extends forwardly through the opening of the cabinet and a stored configuration in which the rear foot rests upon the bottom wall of the cabinet and the front section is inside the cabinet interior area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: John Scott Hunter, Stefanie R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9611692
    Abstract: A rope ladder assembly having a colored ladder rung comprised of fiber reinforced thermoplastic is disclosed. The rung has an integrally molded non-skid top surface supported on longitudinally oriented support rib members and a plurality of transversely oriented crossing members. The rung is integrally molded of fiber reinforced plastic that is injected into a mold in a manner such that the flow path of fiber reinforced plastic is directed primarily longitudinally along the length of the rung during the molding process. A color additive comprising a base carrier and a non-organic class of pigment is added to the fiber reinforced thermoplastic prior to injection in the mold. The color additive is added at more than 2% of the thermoplastic mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Apollomarine Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Scott Rogers
  • Patent number: 9586799
    Abstract: A work platform for a personnel lift includes a floor structure, a safety rail coupled with the floor structure and defining a personnel work area, and a control panel area. A protection envelope surrounds the control panel area and enhances protection for an operator from an obstruction or structure that may constitute a crushing hazard. In one arrangement, the protection envelope includes protection bars on either side of the control panel area extending above the safety rail relative to the floor structure. In another arrangement, the protection envelope includes a platform switch that is configured to trip upon an application of a predetermined force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ji Hong Hao, Ignacy Puszkiewicz, Jacob W. Snyder, Alan Gillman
  • Patent number: 9580919
    Abstract: A scaffold comprising at least two horizontally adjacent scaffold sections, the scaffold sections being defined substantially by lengthwise ledgers, transverse ledgers and uprights, characterized in that the scaffold comprises a guide adapted to be able to displace in substantially horizontal direction therealong a displaceable platform corresponding thereto and guided thereby; a method for erecting the scaffold, and a mobile platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Marc Keersmaekers
  • Patent number: 9573002
    Abstract: The self-blocking descender-belay device (1) according to the invention comprises: a first lateral guide flange (6) for the rope, comprising a braking nose (4e), a second lateral guide flange (7) for the rope, which is separated from the first flange (6) by a transverse gap (8) for passage of the rope, and can be displaced between a spaced position for putting into place and removal of a rope, and a closed position in which the rope is trapped in the transverse gap (8) for passage of the rope, a cam (4d) which is engaged between the first and second flanges (6, 7) and is mobile towards and away from the braking nose (4e), and is thrust towards the braking nose (4e) by a cam return spring, the transverse gap (8) for passage of the rope extending between a rope input in the vicinity of the braking nose (4e), and a rope output opposite, the rope output having a large opening such as to permit free orientation of the rope output end between a blocking orientation in which the rope surrounds the cam (4d), and a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ETABLISSEMENTS SIMOND
    Inventors: Patrick Lefebvre, Mathieu Mansuy, Romain Molliex
  • Patent number: 9567759
    Abstract: A locking device and apparatus is disclosed. The locking device is particularly suitable for use in combination with a device such as a track mounted gangway and safety cage to reduce the ability to reposition the gangway and safety cage along a track surface while in the lowered access position. The locking device preferably includes a lever assembly and a pivot assembly having a friction pad connected to the lever assembly. When the lever assembly and/or gangway device is adjusted in a first direction, the friction pad applies pressure on the track surface and moveability between the gangway and the track surface is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sam Carbis Asset Management, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Cramer Mizell, Anthony Jay Cook
  • Patent number: 9556625
    Abstract: A suspended scaffolding system (100) including a connector system (32,33) adapted to engage a track (31) which in use is in contact with the surface of a structure (30), an arm (34, 39) connects the suspended scaffolding system to the connector system, so in use the suspended scaffolding system is suspended below the structure. In a first embodiment, the connector system has connectors that permit relative movement with respect to the track in two orthogonal planes. In a second embodiment a moveable counterweight (37) is provided on the suspended scaffolding system, adapted to be displaced from a first position to a second position to change the center of gravity of the suspended scaffolding system. In a third embodiment, a track connector system is provided comprising at least three fasteners each of which is in contact with the track and adapted to be temporarily removed from the track to permit the suspended scaffolding system to negotiate obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Jerzy Meldner, Krzysztof Meldner
  • Patent number: 9551160
    Abstract: A scaffold includes a first end frame assembly. The scaffold includes a second end frame assembly. The scaffold includes a first side brace assembly supported by the first end frame assembly and the second end frame assembly. The scaffold includes a second side brace assembly supported by the first end frame assembly and the second end frame assembly. Each end frame assembly has a first rail with holes and a caster assembly and a second rail with holes and a caster assembly, and a horizontal that is attached to each rail. Each side brace assembly has a locking pin in proximity to each end which engages with a hole in a respective rail, and an associated guard disposed about each pin. Each locking pin has a handle which has a length that extends below the associated guard on an interior side of the guard. A method for a scaffold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventor: Preston L. Gealy
  • Patent number: 9550593
    Abstract: A scaffolding assembly configured for use with an assembly table is provided. In one embodiment, the scaffolding assembly can include an inner scaffolding and an outer scaffolding, wherein the inner scaffolding and the outer scaffolding each include: a plurality of main posts having a lower end and an upper end; an extendible arm connected to each of the main posts, wherein the extendible arm is configured to extend substantially perpendicular from the main post; and a tertiary scaffolding support connected to the extendible arm and the main post, the tertiary support configured to transfer at least some of the force from the extendible arm to the main post, wherein the scaffolding assembly is configured to attach to the assembly table, such that the scaffolding assembly receives support from the assembly table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Claude Granger, Jean Roy
  • Patent number: 9551182
    Abstract: A system of increased safety when performing work using a ladder is described. The system includes a ladder bracket for temporarily attachment of a ladder to a structure to stabilize or secure the ladder. The bracket is easy to install and acts to limit or prevent slippage of the ladder laterally or away from the structure and generally promotes a greater margin of safety. In addition, the system includes a bracket for temporarily, yet securely, attaching a safety railing to a ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: John R. Svehlek
  • Patent number: 9540829
    Abstract: The maintenance assembly, for workers to perform maintenance activities within a gas turbine engine, is capable of being arranged within a cavity, generally around a combustor, accessible from a manhole of the gas turbine engine. The maintenance assembly includes a platform, and an inflatable member cooperatively configured to the platform. The inflatable member is at a normal condition, when placed outside of the cavity, being at a deflated position and is at a working condition, when arranged within the cavity, being at inflated position so as to accommodate a shape coordinating the cavity in such a manner that the platform is advance within the cavity up to a predetermined level to enable the workers on the platform to reach at a predetermined position within the cavity to perform the maintenance activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Gaurav Pathak, Christopher Michael Robson
  • Patent number: 9540875
    Abstract: Walk-through safety devices for ladders meeting ANSI and OSHA standards are positioned at the top end of the ladder and are comprised of two, juxtapose-position, mirror image members. One each is mounted on a respective ladder side rail, Each member includes a sleeve (or rectangular tube) which slides down over a respective ladder side rail, a pressure bar which is tightened against the side rail with a knob operated screw, a pivoting engaging lock plate, and a lock plate tab cover plate. A horizontal hand grip framework is held outboard of the ladder side rails vertically upward, being at an angle of about 14.5 degrees upward from the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and side rail when resting against a structure. The framework is held in that position by a flared tube which is bent in two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 9534443
    Abstract: A ladder. A step is coupled to a primary leg, an adjustable base is coupled to the primary leg, the adjustable base includes a first base section rotatably coupled to a second base section and the second base section is coupled to the primary leg. An adjuster retains the first base section at one of a plurality of rotations with respect to the second base section. In implementations a secondary leg is coupled to the primary leg proximate a top of the ladder and a movable section is coupled to the primary leg with an arm and further coupled to the secondary leg with an arm, the movable section having a substantially planar upper surface configured to generally face the top of the ladder when the ladder is in an open configuration and configured to generally face the top of the ladder when the ladder is in a closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: Robert C. Bogart, Kelli S. Bogart, Miles Frank Swain, Debra Ann Swain, James Joseph McKeon, Kimberly Louise McKeon
  • Patent number: 9528282
    Abstract: A system useful for dressing out or performing maintenance or other work on a structure in a vertical position includes an elevator system emplaced around the perimeter of the structure, the elevator system including at least three elevators, each having an elevator mast and an elevator cab, the elevator masts interconnected such that the elevator system is freestanding; a control station for controlling and maintaining the elevation of the elevator cabs; a scaffolding/platform system attached to the elevator cabs and providing a work surface that may travel to an elevation proximate an upper portion of the structure, the elevation of work surface controllable using the control station and determined by the elevation of the elevator cabs; the elevator cabs being positionable at various elevations to allow for work to be performed on the structure. The systems may be used for construction, modification, and repair of various vertical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventors: William Owens, Don Baugh
  • Patent number: 9523237
    Abstract: Disclosed is a turntable ladder system mounted on a rescue vehicle. The system includes a turntable ladder mounted on top of a rescue vehicle and comprising an arm that can be bent downwardly to the ground in front of the driver's cabin of the vehicle, and an operator stand located at the ladder for operating the ladder. The operator stand includes a control for controlling movement of the arm. This turntable ladder system also includes a manually operable confirmation button located on the driver's cabin. The confirmation button is operatively connected to the control such that the bending movement of the arm can be controlled by the control only if the confirmation button is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Iveco Magirus AG
    Inventors: Christoph Lauterjung, Rene Peper
  • Patent number: 9516874
    Abstract: A hunting tree stand is disclosed. The hunting tree stand includes a backbone configured to be secured to a tree, an inner radial support beam having a generally arc shape, and a plurality of cantilevered supports extending outwards from the inner radial support beam. In addition, the hunting tree stand includes a pair of adjustment plates disposed on a respective proximate end of the plurality of cantilevered supports and configured to be secured to opposing sides of a lower end of the backbone. A plurality of adjustment apertures are disposed in a curvilinear pattern on the pair of adjustment plates, where the plurality of adjustment apertures are positioned so that an angle of a decking to the backbone can be adjusted relative to the backbone by rotating the decking downwards or upwards and inserting an adjustment pin through a desired adjustment aperture and the lower end of the backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Bryan Richey, Tony Richey
  • Patent number: 9500027
    Abstract: A foldable ladder has multiple ladder segments that fold and unfold relative to each other. Each ladder segment includes one rung element and multiple side rail sections that unfold for deployment to form box-shaped side rails of the ladder. Adjacent ladder segments are connected to each other by hinge joints. The ladder includes locking features at the hinge joints for preventing relative pivoting movement of adjacent ladder segments by more than about 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Walter, Brad Glass
  • Patent number: 9500029
    Abstract: An adjustable ladder attachment able to be secured to a vehicle to enhance user stability and safety when servicing the vehicle. The ladder attachment includes an outer ladder assembly with a pair of rails connected by steps, an inner ladder assembly with a pair of rails connected by steps, the inner ladder assembly rails being slidably mounted to the outer ladder assembly rails to one of a plurality of locking positions, and a platform rotatably mounted to a top portion of the inner ladder assembly. The outer ladder assembly is positioned on a ground surface proximate the vehicle and the platform is rotatably adjusted to rest on top of a tire of the vehicle, thereby enabling a user to stand on the platform or the steps of the ladder assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventors: Darin Alan Mullins, William Emmett Mullins
  • Patent number: 9500028
    Abstract: A ladder that employs an existing custom mold press frame to support itself thereon is provided along with a method of installation. A clamping engagement system employed by such a ladder is also provided along with a kit for installing the ladder with a mold press frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Andrew Stephan Cale
  • Patent number: 9492692
    Abstract: An attachable arrangement, including a plurality of straps removably attachable to a body of a user. The plurality of straps includes: at least one strap removably attachable around a first leg of the user; and at least one strap removably attachable around a second leg of the user. When attached, the at least one strap extends around the leg of the user in a direction of equal to or less than about 30° from a substantially horizontal line perpendicular to a substantially vertical axis extending down the leg of the user. A full body harness is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Grant M. Myers, Jeremy A. Steck, Gregoire Aby-Eva