Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Ecker

Timothy W. Ecker 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: 7870934
    Abstract: A self-retracting lanyard having a housing; a rotatable drum in that housing; a line for winding about that drum; and an improved braking mechanism for preventing the drum in that housing from ratcheting due to line rebounding after a fall arrest event. The braking mechanism has a plurality of pawl lockout elements for flexibly engaging with a stationary component of the lanyard to keep at least one pawl in a locked position during reverse rotation of the drum thereby preventing ratcheting from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventor: Timothy W. Ecker
  • Patent number: 6810997
    Abstract: A controlled descent device for use in industrial or recreational settings for controlled descent of a user from an upper level to a lower level. The device comprises principally a steel housing, an internal spring-loaded drum on which a webbing line is wound, and an attachment to a harness worn by a user. A centrifugal brake mechanism which acts upon the drum to limit the rate of descent includes a manufactured one-way bearing. The line constituent provides increased shock absorbing capabilities and is field replaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mine Safety Applicances Company
    Inventors: Philip H. Schreiber, Timothy W. Ecker
  • Patent number: 6779629
    Abstract: A rebar anchorage system for a horizontal lifeline is described as well as the method of installing the same. Preferably, two triangular frames are secured to vertically extending rebar by eight sets of J-bolts and speed nuts. The frames are preferably made of tubular steel, and may be attached to the vertically extending rebar by one workman. Two or more rebar lifeline anchors may be used in combination to secure the ends of a horizontal lifeline. Three or more anchors can be used to secure two or more lifelines that are perpendicular to each other, such as along the outer, leading edges of a construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Timothy W. Ecker, Richard G. Reynolds, Scott Robbins
  • Publication number: 20030029122
    Abstract: A rebar anchorage system for a horizontal lifeline is described as well as the method of installing the same. Preferably, two triangular frames are secured to vertically extending rebar by eight sets of J-bolts and speed nuts. The frames are preferably made of tubular steel, and may be attached to the vertically extending rebar by one workman. Two or more rebar lifeline anchors may be used in combination to secure the ends of a horizontal lifeline. Three or more anchors can be used to secure two or more lifelines that are perpendicular to each other, such as along the outer, leading edges of a construction site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy W. Ecker, Richard G. Reynolds, Scott Robbins
  • Patent number: 6502663
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for temporarily anchoring a horizontal lifeline to existing rebar extending from concrete. Preferably, two triangular frames are temporarily secured to vertically extending rebar by eight sets of J-bolts and speed nuts. The frames are preferably made of tubular steel, and may be attached to the vertically extending rebar by one workman. Two or more rebar lifeline anchors may be used in combination to secure the ends of a horizontal lifeline. Three or more anchors can be used to secure two or more lifeline that are perpendicular to each other, such as along the outer, leading edges of a construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Rose Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Timothy W. Ecker, Richard G. Reynolds, Scott Robbins
  • Publication number: 20020179372
    Abstract: A controlled descent device for use in industrial or recreational settings for controlled descent of a user from an upper level to a lower level. The device comprises principally a steel housing, an internal spring-loaded drum on which a webbing line is wound, and an attachment to a harness worn by a user. A centrifugal brake mechanism which acts upon the drum to limit the rate of descent includes a manufactured one-way bearing. The line constituent provides increased shock absorbing capabilities and is field replaceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Phillip H. Schreiber, Timothy W. Ecker
  • Publication number: 20020053485
    Abstract: A rebar anchorage system for a horizontal lifeline is described as well as the method of installing the same. Preferably, two triangular frames are secured to vertically extending rebar by eight sets of J-bolts and speed nuts. The frames are preferably made of tubular steel, and may be attached to the vertically extending rebar by one workman. Two or more rebar lifeline anchors may be used in combination to secure the ends of a horizontal lifeline. Three or more anchors can be used to secure two or more lifelines that are perpendicular to each other, such as along the outer, leading edges of a construction site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Richard G. Reynolds, Timothy W. Ecker, Scott Robbins
  • Patent number: 5957091
    Abstract: The present invention provides a full body harness which utilizes a reduced number of components thereby simplifying construction and reducing manufacturing costs. The harness has only four pieces of webbing, two identical shoulder straps and two identical leg straps. These shoulder straps and leg straps are connected to two uniquely designed, multi-functional hip plates. The harness also has a standard back pad and a standard shoulder strap retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Rose Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kurt D. McDonald, Timothy W. Ecker