Patents by Inventor J. Nigel Ellis

J. Nigel Ellis 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20160215563
    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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 8316611
    Abstract: A portable skylight replacement safety assembly that includes a first and second support frames releasably connected to each other and having a plurality of support handles and support members which extend substantially perpendicularly from the first support frame for supporting the first support frame on and/or over the skylight on a working surface at a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: J. Nigel Ellis, John Witty
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120137604
    Abstract: A portable skylight replacement safety assembly that includes a first and second support frames releasably connected to each other and having a plurality of support handles and support members which extend substantially perpendicularly from the first support frame for supporting the first support frame on and/or over the skylight on a working surface at a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: J. Nigel ELLIS, John WHITTY
  • Patent number: 8122673
    Abstract: A portable skylight replacement safety assembly that includes a first and second support frames releasably connected to each other and having a plurality of support handles and support members which extend substantially perpendicularly from the first support frame for supporting the first support frame on and/or over the skylight on a working surface at a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: J. Nigel Ellis, John Whitty
  • Publication number: 20110253478
    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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: James T. Anderson, J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 7992681
    Abstract: A safety ladder assembly and a safety extension used in combination with a ladder suitable to permit safe and easy access to the landing areas, working platforms, scaffolds, etc. The assembly includes safety extension members having a plurality of horizontal handgrips ergonomically designed to prevent falls from the ladder when a user is ascending upward or descending downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: James T. Anderson, J Nigel Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090206314
    Abstract: A safety rail assembly for mounting on a deck of a transport carrier which transports and supports thereon at least one automobile having at least one of passenger and driver-side doors. The portable safety rail assembly includes a handrail extending horizontally relative to the upper surface of the deck and support posts for supporting the handrail. Each support post may be removeably mounted to the deck to permit selective vertical displacement of the handrail relative to the upper surface of the deck for positioning the handrail at a desired height above the upper edge of a door of the transported vehicle. The desired height permits unobstructed opening and closing of the doors and safe entrance into and egress from the interior of the automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 7527461
    Abstract: A safety rail assembly for mounting on a deck of a transport carrier which transports and supports thereon at least one automobile having at least one of passenger and driver-side doors. The portable safety rail assembly includes a handrail extending horizontally relative to the upper surface of the deck and support posts for supporting the handrail. Each support post may be removeably mounted to the deck to permit selective vertical displacement of the handrail relative to the upper surface of the deck for positioning the handrail at a desired height above the upper edge of a door of the transported vehicle. The desired height permits unobstructed opening and closing of the doors and safe entrance into and egress from the interior of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090107060
    Abstract: A portable skylight replacement safety assembly that includes a first and second support frames releasably connected to each other and having a plurality of support handles and support members which extend substantially perpendicularly from the first support frame for supporting the first support frame on and/or over the skylight on a working surface at a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: J. Nigel Ellis, John Whitty
  • Publication number: 20080202850
    Abstract: A safety ladder assembly and a safety extension used in combination with a ladder suitable to permit safe and easy access to the landing areas, working platforms, scaffolds, etc. The assembly includes safety extension members having a plurality of horizontal handgrips ergonomically designed to prevent falls from the ladder when a user is ascending upward or descending downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: James T. Anderson, J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 6619428
    Abstract: Structures and apparatuses such as tank cars that have ladders associated therewith are disclosed which have, at the ladder top, two arrays of a plurality of horizontal rungs suitable for a climber using a ladder to horizontally grip by hand. The arrays form an opening through which a climber can leave or access the ladder while gripping the horizontal handgrip rungs of the arrays. The cross-section of the horizontal handgrip rungs is substantially round and should not exceed 2 inches in diameter. The preferred cross-section of the rungs is within the range of from about ¾″-1″ in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Publication number: 20030098201
    Abstract: Structures and apparatuses such as tank cars that have ladders associated therewith are disclosed which have, at the ladder top, two arrays of a plurality of horizontal rungs suitable for a climber using a ladder to horizontally grip by hand. The arrays form an opening through which a climber can leave or access the ladder while gripping the horizontal handgrip rungs of the arrays. The cross-section of the horizontal handgrip rungs is substantially round and should not exceed 2 inches in diameter. The preferred cross-section of the rungs is within the range of from about ¾″-1 ″ in diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 6347685
    Abstract: Structures and apparatuses such as tank cars that have ladders associated therewith are disclosed which have, at the ladder top, two arrays of a plurality of horizontal rungs suitable for a climber using a ladder to horizontally grip by hand. The arrays form an opening through which a climber can leave or access the ladder while gripping the horizontal handgrip rungs of the arrays. The cross-section of the horizontal handgrip rungs is substantially round and should not exceed 2 inches in diameter. The preferred cross-section of the rungs is within the range of from about ¾″-1″ in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 6095283
    Abstract: A fixed ladder has a first plurality of parallel rungs arranged along a lower section thereof and also has a walk-through section with vertical side rails arranged at the top thereof. A second plurality of parallel rungs is arranged along the walk-through section. This second plurality of rungs is attached at one end to the vertical side rails of the walk-through section and is easier to hold then the vertical side rails if a foot or a climber slips near the top of the ladder while mounting or dismounting at the walk-through section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: 4538703
    Abstract: A safety system which permits the free movement of the user, assists the ascent of the user and provides a reduced, controlled rate of descent in the event of an emergency descent or a fall, includes a cable attachable at one end to the user and secured at the other end to a moveable counterweight assembly. Intermediate its ends the cable passes over a pulley in a controlled descent device which also includes a centrifugally-actuated clutch coupling the pulley to a speed-multiplying gearing system and a centrifugally-operated braking assembly. Under normal-use conditions, the pulley is rotated at sufficiently low speeds to preclude engagement of the clutch, and the user has free movement, with a component of the counterweight assisting the ascent of the user. In the event of a rapid rate of descent, the increased rotational speed of the pulley is coupled to and actuates the braking assembly to reduce the rotation of the pulley and slow the descent to a lower, controlled rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Research & Trading Corporation
    Inventors: J. Nigel Ellis, Meyer Ostrobrod
  • Patent number: 4458781
    Abstract: A novel controlled descent device is disclosed which not only aids in the ascent of a human being from a lower elevation to an upper elevation but also provides for the safe descent of a human being from the upper level to the lower level. The apparatus comprises a round cable, a counterweight, a controlled descent pulley having a ratchet and pawl brake system and a conventional pulley; all operating conjunctly dependently on the position and situation of the human being. The controlled descent pulley and conventional pulley are held in a plate structure which is secured to the upper elevation. The counterweight is raised and lowered from the upper elevation to the lower elevation and vice-versa by means of a guy wire which is anchored and held in relatively taught position between said upper elevation and said lower elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Inventors: J. Nigel Ellis, Meyer Ostrobrod
  • Patent number: 4392555
    Abstract: A fall protection safety device is disclosed which is suitable for use in environments wherein suspended particulate matter is present. The device comprises an elongated tubular housing having an upper end guide block with a centrally located opening therein and a lower end guide block with a centrally located opening therein. The lower guide block has a plurality of openings spaced apart from and around its centrally located opening. A safety line is threaded within the tubular housing and movement thereof is prevented by camming a line-gripping ball and cage arrangement associated with a piston upwardly within a conical bore of a wedging ring. The piston has a centrally located opening through which the safety line is threaded and a serrated outer surface adjacent to and circumscribed by the inner surface of the elongate tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis
  • Patent number: D760917
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: J. Nigel Ellis