Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Mercier

Douglas A. Mercier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9457208
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a fall-protection safety harness having breathable padding structures located at harness pressure points, including dorsal and shoulder regions, the lumbar region, and leg regions. The padding structures may be constructed to provide air-flow both through and around comfort pads. To provide air-flow through the comfort pads, the padding structures may be made of a sandwich of breathable materials. For example, the padding structures may be made by sandwiching reticulated foam pads between mesh fabric materials. The foam pads may be captured by the two mesh fabrics by a circumferential stitching. Circumferential stitching may permit the reticulated foam to retain its uncompressed form which may facilitate airflow therethrough. Separate and symmetric pads may be located on both sides of a wearer's spine, both at the lumbar region and at the dorsal region of the back, permitting airflow between pads and along the wearer's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Seman, Eric Manson, Douglas Mercier
  • Patent number: 9295305
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a safety interface plate element that securely attaches to a length of webbing, and further provides a plurality of non-intersecting apertures to couple to a corresponding plurality of safety devices. In an illustrative example, the safety interface plate element may include a slotted opening through which the webbing is threaded. In some examples, the webbing may be removably installed in the slotted opening via a gating mechanism. In some embodiments, the safety interface plate element configured with an embodiment of the gating mechanism may be retrofit to a closed webbing on a pre-fabricated safety harness, for example. In various examples, multiple safety devices may be securely coupled to a safety harness via embodiments of the safety interface plate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Parul Patel, Shelly L. Mihalic, Preston L. Anderson, Douglas A. Mercier
  • Publication number: 20140060968
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a fall-protection safety harness having breathable padding structures located at harness pressure points, including dorsal and shoulder regions, the lumbar region, and leg regions. The padding structures may be constructed to provide air-flow both through and around comfort pads. To provide air-flow through the comfort pads, the padding structures may be made of a sandwich of breathable materials. For example, the padding structures may be made by sandwiching reticulated foam pads between mesh fabric materials. The foam pads may be captured by the two mesh fabrics by a circumferential stitching. Circumferential stitching may permit the reticulated foam to retain its uncompressed form which may facilitate airflow therethrough. Separate and symmetric pads may be located on both sides of a wearer's spine, both at the lumbar region and at the dorsal region of the back, permitting airflow between pads and along the wearer's spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Seman, Eric Manson, Douglas Mercier
  • Publication number: 20140060966
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a safety interface plate element that securely attaches to a length of webbing, and further provides a plurality of non-intersecting apertures to couple to a corresponding plurality of safety devices. In an illustrative example, the safety interface plate element may include a slotted opening through which the webbing is threaded. In some examples, the webbing may be removably installed in the slotted opening via a gating mechanism. In some embodiments, the safety interface plate element configured with an embodiment of the gating mechanism may be retrofit to a closed webbing on a pre-fabricated safety harness, for example. In various examples, multiple safety devices may be securely coupled to a safety harness via embodiments of the safety interface plate element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Parul Patel, Shelly L. Mihalic, Preston L. Anderson, Douglas A. Mercier
  • Publication number: 20130025968
    Abstract: A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached, The first self-retracting lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracting lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits, The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article worn by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Hugh Smith, Douglas Mercier, Ross Balquist, Brian Montgomery, Thomas W. Parker, Preston L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8276712
    Abstract: A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached. The first self-retracing lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracing lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits. The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article (for example, a safety harness such as a full body safety harness) worn by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh Smith, Douglas Mercier, Ross Balquist, Brian Montgomery, Thomas W. Parker, Preston L. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090211849
    Abstract: A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached. The first self-retracing lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracing lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits. The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article (for example, a safety harness such as a full body safety harness) worn by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Hugh Smith, Douglas Mercier, Ross Balquist, Brian Montgomery, Thomas W. Parker, Preston L. Anderson
  • Patent number: D725825
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Seman, Douglas Mercier, Edward Bickrest, Lisa Alsdorf, Eric Manson, Hugh Smith