Patents by Inventor Tom J. Africa

Tom J. Africa 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: 10016002
    Abstract: Garments having an evacuation harness that are intended for connection to each other, with each garment having an outer wear unit including at least a torso portion and an evacuation harness that includes a torso strap system connected to the outer wear unit. The garments may include an outer wear pant having a leg strap system. Garments that are similar to each other conveniently may be used in a rescue garment system. Also disclosed are methods of connecting an individual to be rescued to one or more rescuers wearing similar garments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HYPRUM LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Murphy, Tom J. Africa, Patrick R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10010729
    Abstract: A harness having a deployable rappelling assembly is disclosed. The harness includes a strap construction including an upper torso securing portion having shoulder straps that extend from a rear torso portion to a front torso portion, a leg securing portion extending downward from the rear torso portion and having right and left leg straps, each of the left and right leg straps including a releasable connector, and a rappelling assembly connected to the front torso portion. The rappelling assembly may fold from a stowed position to a deployed position, and include loops and a cross member. The leg straps may be passed through the loops to connect the front torso portion to the leg securing portion for climbing or rappelling. The harness also may be incorporated into a garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: HYPRUM LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Murphy, Tom J. Africa, Patrick R. Walker
  • Patent number: 9775435
    Abstract: A shelf component including a generally flat, planar base and a pair of side panels, each side panel being coupled to the base on opposite sides thereof. Each side panel is pivotally coupled to said base such that each side panel is positionable generally on a first side of the base. Each side panel has an opening configured to receive a mounting hook therethrough. The shelf component further includes a pair of extension hooks coupled to at least one of the side panels or the base. Each extension hook is positionable on a second side of the base that is opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tom J. Africa, Scott M. Cline, Ross C. Worden
  • Patent number: 9498008
    Abstract: Garments having an evacuation harness that are intended for connection to each other, with each garment having an outer wear unit including at least a torso portion and an evacuation harness that includes a torso strap system connected to the outer wear unit, a drag strap coupling connected to the torso strap system and extending rearward relative to the outer wear unit, and a drag strap connected at a first end to the torso strap system at a position above the drag strap coupling and the drag strap being selectively extendible rearward relative to the outer wear unit. Also disclosed are methods of connecting a rescuer wearing a garment having an evacuation harness to an individual wearing a similarly configured garment having an evacuation harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hyprum LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Murphy, Tom J. Africa, Patrick R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20150359272
    Abstract: Garments having an evacuation harness that are intended for connection to each other, with each garment having an outer wear unit including at least a torso portion and an evacuation harness that includes a torso strap system connected to the outer wear unit. The garments may include an outer wear pant having a leg strap system. Garments that are similar to each other conveniently may be used in a rescue garment system. Also disclosed are methods of connecting an individual to be rescued to one or more rescuers wearing similar garments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Robert K. Murphy, Tom J. Africa, Patrick R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20140237698
    Abstract: Garments having an evacuation harness that are intended for connection to each other, with each garment having an outer wear unit including at least a torso portion and an evacuation harness that includes a torso strap system connected to the outer wear unit, a drag strap coupling connected to the torso strap system and extending rearward relative to the outer wear unit, and a drag strap connected at a first end to the torso strap system at a position above the drag strap coupling and the drag strap being selectively extendible rearward relative to the outer wear unit. Also disclosed are methods of connecting a rescuer wearing a garment having an evacuation harness to an individual wearing a similarly configured garment having an evacuation harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: HYPRUM LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Murphy, Tom J. Africa, Patrick R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20140167581
    Abstract: A shelf component including a generally flat, planar base and a pair of side panels, each side panel being coupled to the base on opposite sides thereof. Each side panel is pivotally coupled to said base such that each side panel is positionable generally on a first side of the base. Each side panel has an opening configured to receive a mounting hook therethrough. The shelf component further includes a pair of extension hooks coupled to at least one of the side panels or the base. Each extension hook is positionable on a second side of the base that is opposite the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventors: Tom J. Africa, Scott M. Cline, Ross C. Worden