Patents by Inventor Jonathan J. Lepp

Jonathan J. Lepp 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).

  • Publication number: 20260061230
    Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Anthony J. Nowicki, Ronald D. Jesme, Judd D. Perner, Scott E. Brigham, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Mohsen Salehi, Jonathan J. Lepp
  • Publication number: 20250376364
    Abstract: An aerial lift that is interlocked with a fall-protection apparatus and is further interlocked with at least one additional safety apparatus. The serial lift is equipped with a monitoring system that is configured to detect whether a connector of a safety line of the fall-protection apparatus appears to be connected to a safety harness of a user of the aerial lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2025
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lepp, Christopher J. Reineke, Kristin M. Mikes, Donaldo J. Medeiros, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Aline H. Hinkle, Christopher M. Higgins, Heidi A. Lopez-Hidalgo, Tyler B. Henn, Lauren K. Carlson, Michael T. Weiss
  • Patent number: 12491389
    Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Nowicki, Ronald D. Jesme, Judd D. Perner, Scott E. Brigham, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Mohsen Salehi, Jonathan J. Lepp
  • Publication number: 20250313444
    Abstract: An aerial lift that is interlocked with a fall-protection safety apparatus and may be further interlocked with at least one additional safety apparatus. The aerial lift is equipped with a monitoring system that is configured to detect whether a connector of a safety line of the fall-protection apparatus appears to be connected to a safety harness of a user of the aerial lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lepp, Christopher J. Reineke, Kristin M. Mikes, Donaldo J. Medeiros, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Aline H. Hinkle, Christopher M. Higgins, Heidi A. Lopez-Hidalgo, Tyler B. Henn, Lauren K. Carlson, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20250312628
    Abstract: A fall-protection system including a harness and a fall-protection apparatus with a lifeline bearing a connector configured to be connected to the harness; and, a fall-protection monitoring system with a base unit and with at least one sensor module configured to sense a condition of the connector and to communicate a signal indicative of the condition of the connector to the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Lauren K. Carlson, Scott E. Brigham, Christopher W. Coyle, Heidi Lopez-Hidalgo, Jonathan J. Lepp, Stephen D. Shaver, Jeffrey T. Keacher
  • Publication number: 20250303205
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for detecting and alerting of a fall event of a user using an article of personal protective equipment (PPE). The system includes a switching unit configured to be mechanically actuated from an inactive configuration to an active configuration. The switching unit is normally disposed in the inactive configuration until the switching unit is mechanically actuated to the active configuration. The system further includes a mechanical unit mechanically coupling the switching unit to the article of PPE. The mechanical unit mechanically actuates the switching unit from the inactive configuration to the active configuration upon a predetermined movement of the article of PPE corresponding to the fall event of the user. The system further includes an electronic circuit disposed in an off state when the electronic circuit is not electrically powered and disposed in an on state when the electronic circuit is electrically powered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Inventors: Ronald D. Jesme, Jonathan J. Lepp, Daniel B. Taylor, Travis W. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 12428278
    Abstract: An aerial lift that is interlocked with a fall-protection safety apparatus and may be further interlocked with at least one additional safety apparatus. The aerial lift is equipped with a monitoring system that is configured to detect whether a connector of a safety line of the fall-protection apparatus appears to be connected to a safety harness of a user of the aerial lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lepp, Christopher J. Reineke, Kristin M. Mikes, Donaldo J. Medeiros, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Aline H. Hinkle, Christopher M. Higgins, Heidi A. Lopez-Hidalgo, Tyler B. Henn, Lauren K. Carlson, Michael T. Weiss
  • Patent number: 12371311
    Abstract: An aerial lift that is interlocked with a fall-protection safety apparatus and may be further interlocked with at least one additional safety apparatus. The aerial lift is equipped with a monitoring system that is configured to detect whether a connector of a safety line of the fall-protection apparatus appears to be connected to a safety harness of a user of the aerial lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lepp, Christopher J. Reineke, Kristin M. Mikes, Donaldo J. Medeiros, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Aline H. Hinkle, Christopher M. Higgins, Heidi A. Lopez-Hidalgo, Tyler B. Henn, Lauren K. Carlson, Michael T. Weiss
  • Patent number: 12350528
    Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus comprising at least one connector that comprises a resonant-frequency-shifting inductive sensing unit that is configured to detect whether the connector appears to be connected to a first item and is further configured to detect whether the connector appears to be connected to a second, different item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lepp, Scott E. Brigham, Nathan W. Safe, Stephen D. Shaver
  • Publication number: 20250058154
    Abstract: A fall-protection system including a harness and a fall-protection apparatus with a lifeline bearing a connector configured to be connected to the harness; and, a fall-protection monitoring system with a base unit and with at least one sensor module configured to sense a condition of the connector and to communicate a signal indicative of the condition of the connector to the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Lauren K. Carlson, Scott E. Brigham, Christopher W. Coyle, Heidi Lopez-Hidalgo, Jonathan J. Lepp, Stephen D. Shaver, Jeffrey T. Keacher
  • Patent number: 12179046
    Abstract: A fall-protection system including a harness and a fall-protection apparatus with a lifeline bearing a connector configured to be connected to the harness; and, a fall-protection monitoring system with a base unit and with at least one sensor module configured to sense a condition of the connector and to communicate a signal indicative of the condition of the connector to the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. Carlson, Scott E. Brigham, Christopher W. Coyle, Heidi Lopez-Hidalgo, Jonathan J. Lepp, Stephen D. Shaver, Jeffrey T. Keacher
  • Publication number: 20240342523
    Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Anthony J. Nowicki, Ronald D. Jesme, Judd D. Perner, Scott E. Brigham, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Mohsen Salehi, Jonathan J. Lepp
  • Publication number: 20240318464
    Abstract: A fall-protection interlocking system for an access-controlled fall-risk area. The system includes a latch module installed at an entry gate of the area and a fall-protection apparatus installed at the area. The interlocking system further includes a monitoring system configured to send a positive signal to the latch module when the fall-protection monitoring system determines that a connector of a safety line of the fall-protection apparatus appears to be connected to a safety harness of a user. Upon receipt of the positive signal, the low-power-consumption latch module can unlatch the entry gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy N. Thompson, Jonathan J. Lepp, Scott E. Brigham
  • Patent number: 12090351
    Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Nowicki, Ronald D. Jesme, Judd D. Perner, Scott E. Brigham, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Mohsen Salehi, Jonathan J. Lepp
  • Publication number: 20240270554
    Abstract: An aerial lift that is interlocked with a fall-protection safety apparatus and may be further interlocked with at least one additional safety apparatus. The aerial lift is equipped with a monitoring system that is configured to detect whether a connector of a safety line of the fall-protection apparatus appears to be connected to a safety harness of a user of the aerial lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lepp, Christopher J. Reineke, Kristin M. Mikes, Donaldo J. Medeiros, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Aline H. Hinkle, Christopher M. Higgins, Heidi A. Lopez-Hidalgo, Tyler B. Henn, Lauren K. Carlson, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20240161593
    Abstract: An aerial lift that is interlocked with a fall-protection safety apparatus and may be further interlocked with at least one additional safety apparatus. The aerial lift is equipped with a monitoring system that is configured to detect whether a connector of a safety line of the fall-protection apparatus appears to be connected to a safety harness of a user of the aerial lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lepp, Christopher J. Reineke, Kristin M. Mikes, Donaldo J. Medeiros, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Aline H. Hinkle, Christopher M. Higgins, Heidi A. Lopez-Hidalgo, Tyler B. Henn, Lauren K. Carlson, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20240033546
    Abstract: A fall-protection system including a harness and a fall-protection apparatus with a lifeline bearing a connector configured to be connected to the harness; and, a fall-protection monitoring system with a base unit and with at least one sensor module configured to sense a condition of the connector and to communicate a signal indicative of the condition of the connector to the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Lauren K. Carlson, Scott E. Brigham, Christopher W. Coyle, Heidi Lopez-Hidalgo, Jonathan J. Lepp, Stephen D. Shaver, Jeffrey T. Keacher
  • Patent number: 11819714
    Abstract: A fall-protection system including a harness and a fall-protection apparatus with a lifeline bearing a connector configured to be connected to the harness; and, a fall-protection monitoring system with a base unit and with at least one sensor module configured to sense a condition of the connector and to communicate a signal indicative of the condition of the connector to the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. Carlson, Scott E. Brigham, Christopher W. Coyle, Heidi Lopez-Hidalgo, Jonathan J. Lepp, Stephen D. Shaver, Jeffrey T. Keacher
  • Publication number: 20230218935
    Abstract: Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony J. Nowicki, Ronald D. Jesme, Judd D. Perner, Scott E. Brigham, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Mohsen Salehi, Jonathan J. Lepp
  • Publication number: 20230218934
    Abstract: A fall-protection system including a harness and a fall-protection apparatus with a lifeline bearing a connector configured to be connected to the harness; and, a fall-protection monitoring system with a base unit and with at least one sensor module configured to sense a condition of the connector and to communicate a signal indicative of the condition of the connector to the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Lauren K. Carlson, Scott E. Brigham, Christopher W. Coyle, Heidi Lopez-Hidalgo, Jonathan J. Lepp, Stephen D. Shaver, Jeffrey T. Keacher