Patents by Inventor Michael T. Weiss

Michael T. Weiss 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: 12232578
    Abstract: A quick release buckle includes a housing defining a first opening therethrough and includes an engaging surface disposed adjacent to the first opening. A webbing is received through the first opening of the housing. A first pawl and a second pawl are pivotally mounted to the housing. A catch is at least partially received between the first pawl and the second pawl. A first pawl biasing member and a second pawl biasing member are engaged with the first pawl and the second pawl, respectively, and are configured to bias the first pawl and the second pawl into engagement with the catch. A bar is slidably received within the housing and extends across the first opening. A first bar biasing member and a second bar biasing member are configured to bias the bar toward the engaging surface, such that the webbing is gripped between the bar and the engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher S. McLeod, Michael T. Weiss
  • Patent number: 12102851
    Abstract: A fall protection system includes a base plate defining a first side and a second side defined opposite to the first side. The fall protection system also includes a mast assembly connected to the base plate proximate to the first side of the base plate. The fall protection system further includes a jib inclined with respect to the mast assembly and pivotably connected to the mast assembly. The fall protection system includes a counterweight connectable to the base plate proximate to the second side of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew C. Strauss, Nicholas G. Bauer, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20240278049
    Abstract: A fall-protection safety harness is configured so that when the harness is worn by a user, a first ventral strap of the harness extends from the right shoulder of the user to the right hip of the user and a second ventral strap of the harness extends from the left shoulder of the user to the left hip of the user, wherein a first buckle portion is mounted on the first ventral strap and a second buckle portion is mounted on the second ventral strap. The first and second buckle portions are being detachably attached to each other to form a ventral buckle, wherein the first and second ventral straps and the first and second buckle portions are configured so that the ventral buckle is at least generally aligned with a sagittal plane of the user and harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan W. Safe, Michael T. Weiss
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11951339
    Abstract: A fall protection system includes a base assembly, a mast assembly, and a locking assembly adapted to lock the mast assembly with the base assembly. The locking assembly includes a first plate and a second plate. The locking assembly also includes a fixed member fixedly coupled to the second plate. The locking assembly further includes a locking pin including an elongate portion at least partially received within the fixed member and a first tab, the locking pin being movable relative to the fixed member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the first tab is at least partially received within a first groove such that the locking pin is engaged with the first plate. Further, in the disengaged position, the first tab is at least partially received within a second groove such that the locking pin is spaced apart from the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew C. Strauss, Nicholas G. Bauer, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20230364453
    Abstract: A strap adjuster including an adjustment knob and a biased pin, the adjustment knob having a first interior annular collar that is configured to accept the head of the biased pin thereinto, the first interior annular collar comprising a first circumferentially-oriented notch defined on one circumferential end by a circumferential wall and defined on a second, opposing circumferential end by a circumferential ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Michael T. Weiss, Nathan C. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20230320463
    Abstract: A fall-protection safety harness with first and second ventral straps and with a ventral buckle that is at least generally aligned with a sagittal plane of the user. At the sagittal buckle, a section of the first ventral strap is in overlapping relation with a section of the second ventral strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Michael T. Weiss, Stephen D. Shaver, Nathan W. Safe
  • Publication number: 20230302309
    Abstract: A fall-protection safety harness with first and second ventral straps and with a ventral buckle that is at least generally aligned with a sagittal plane of the user, wherein the ventral buckle comprises first and second buckle portions mounted on the first and second ventral straps, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael T. Weiss, Nathan W. Safe, Stephen D. Shaver
  • Publication number: 20230172320
    Abstract: A quick release buckle includes a housing defining a first opening therethrough and includes an engaging surface disposed adjacent to the first opening. A webbing is received through the first opening of the housing. A first pawl and a second pawl are pivotally mounted to the housing. A catch is at least partially received between the first pawl and the second pawl. A first pawl biasing member and a second pawl biasing member are engaged with the first pawl and the second pawl, respectively, and are configured to bias the first pawl and the second pawl into engagement with the catch. A bar is slidably received within the housing and extends across the first opening. A first bar biasing member and a second bar biasing member are configured to bias the bar toward the engaging surface, such that the webbing is gripped between the bar and the engaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher S. McLeod, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20220379147
    Abstract: A fall protection system includes a base plate defining a first side and a second side defined opposite to the first side. The fall protection system also includes a mast assembly connected to the base plate proximate to the first side of the base plate. The fall protection system further includes a jib inclined with respect to the mast assembly and pivotably connected to the mast assembly. The fall protection system includes a counterweight connectable to the base plate proximate to the second side of the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew C. Strauss, Nicholas G. Bauer, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20220379148
    Abstract: A fall protection system includes a base assembly, a mast assembly, and a locking assembly adapted to lock the mast assembly with the base assembly. The locking assembly includes a first plate and a second plate. The locking assembly also includes a fixed member fixedly coupled to the second plate. The locking assembly further includes a locking pin including an elongate portion at least partially received within the fixed member and a first tab, the locking pin being movable relative to the fixed member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the first tab is at least partially received within a first groove such that the locking pin is engaged with the first plate. Further, in the disengaged position, the first tab is at least partially received within a second groove such that the locking pin is spaced apart from the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew C. Strauss, Nicholas G. Bauer, Michael T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20220362593
    Abstract: A fall protection system includes a mast assembly including a fixed mast section, a movable mast section, and a winch assembly. The fall protection system further includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock the movable mast section relative to the fixed mast section. The locking mechanism includes a locking pawl connected to the winch assembly. The locking pawl is adapted to rotate between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The locking pawl engages with the fixed mast section in the engaged position to prevent relative movement between the fixed mast section and the movable mast section. The locking mechanism also includes at least one spring adapted to bias the locking pawl towards the engaged position. Further, the winch assembly is adapted to retain the locking pawl in the disengaged position against the biasing of the at least one spring based on a tension selectively applied by the winch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew C. Strauss, Nicholas G. Bauer, Michael T. Weiss, Nathan C. Meyer