Patents by Inventor Greg Small

Greg Small 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: 9458640
    Abstract: Methods of force management for a force management anchor (FMA) include apparatus between a post and a base plate that resist post rotation under fall loads, the apparatus resisting said rotation at a constant torque. A peak constant torque is less than a torsional “tear-out” capacity of a surface for maximizing energy absorption. While the fall force vector remains generally parallel to the base plate during a fall, the post is movable between an upstanding and a lowered orientation resulting in a variable moment arm and a resisting force that also varies for maintaining the torque substantially constant. Apparatus can include devices between the post and the base plate such as a torsion rod, a friction clutch or a cam arrangement. Other approached include designed deformation of the post itself, such as a through tapered post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: High Engineering Corp.
    Inventor: Greg Small
  • Publication number: 20140346312
    Abstract: Methods of force management for a force management anchor (FMA) include apparatus between a post and a base plate that resist post rotation under fall loads, the apparatus resisting said rotation at a constant torque. A peak constant torque is less than a torsional “tear-out” capacity of a surface for maximizing energy absorption. While the fall force vector remains generally parallel to the base plate during a fall, the post is movable between an upstanding and a lowered orientation resulting in a variable moment arm and a resisting force that also varies for maintaining the torque substantially constant. Apparatus can include devices between the post and the base plate such as a torsion rod, a friction clutch or a cam arrangement. Other approached include designed deformation of the post itself, such as a through tapered post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Greg Small
  • Patent number: 7992680
    Abstract: A fall protection apparatus includes a single longitudinally extending rigid rail onto which two laterally spaced apart moveable lanyard anchorages are mounted. The rail has a generally H-shaped cross-section with opposing vertically oriented first and second tracks laterally spaced apart by a connecting member extending between the tracks and substantially continuously along the length of the tracks The apparatus is attached to a structure by a support member, such as an overhead or lower support member, with the support member being attached to an upper or lower surface of the connecting member respectively. Each anchorage is adapted to be independently moveable along the length of one of the tracks, with the tracks being sufficiently spaced apart to permit the anchorages to freely pass by each other and the attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Greg Small
  • Publication number: 20080023267
    Abstract: A fall protection apparatus includes a single longitudinally extending rigid rail onto which two laterally spaced apart moveable lanyard anchorages are mounted. The rail has a generally H-shaped cross-section with opposing vertically oriented first and second tracks laterally spaced apart by a connecting member extending between the tracks and substantially continuously along the length of the tracks The apparatus is attached to a structure by a support member, such as an overhead or lower support member, with the support member being attached to an upper or lower surface of the connecting member respectively. Each anchorage is adapted to be independently moveable along the length of one of the tracks, with the tracks being sufficiently spaced apart to permit the anchorages to freely pass by each other and the attachment point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Greg SMALL