Patents by Inventor Vincent G. Meillet

Vincent G. Meillet 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: 10688323
    Abstract: A safety device with fall arrest and descending modes includes a housing, a drum, a lifeline, first and second brake assemblies, and a control. The drum is rotatably operatively connected to the housing. The lifeline has an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to the drum. The first and second assemblies are operatively connected to the drum. The control is operatively connected to the first and second brake assemblies and has a first position and a second position. The first position selectively engages the first brake assembly in a descending mode and the second position selectively engages the second brake assembly in a fall arrest mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: D B INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Gabriel Grant Gamache, Matthew J. Blackford, Vincent G. Meillet, Joseph Robert Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9080383
    Abstract: A motorized climb assist assembly is provided. The motorized climb assist assembly includes a looped belt, an attaching member, a motor assembly and a fall arrest system. The attaching member is coupled to the looped belt. A safety harness is in turn coupled to attaching member. The motor assembly includes a motor and a drive sheave. The motor has a drive shaft. The drive sheave is coupled to the drive shaft. In addition, the drive sheave is in contact with the looped belt. The fall arrest system is integrated with the drive sheave and is configured to limit the looped belt movement as the result of a fall event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet
  • Patent number: 8925687
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline is provided. In one embodiment, the self-retracting lifeline includes a housing, a drum, an activation assembly, a lifeline and a connector, the drum is received in the housing. The activation assembly is received in the housing. Moreover, the activation assembly is operationally coupled to the drum to selectively rotate the drum. The connector is coupled proximate an end of the lifeline. The connector has a connector passage. The connector passage is configured and arranged to selectively couple the lifeline to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, Scott C. Casebolt
  • Patent number: 8739929
    Abstract: A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly includes a lifeline windable about and paid out from a rotatable drum and a housing. The housing includes a first connector and is configured and arranged to house the drum and the lifeline wound about a base of the drum. The first connector is operatively connected to a first anchorage structure, the lifeline is pulled outward from proximate the housing thereby paying out at least a portion of the lifeline from the drum, a second connector operatively connected to the lifeline is operatively connected to a second anchorage structure, and the lifeline is tensioned using a crank that rotates the drum to increase the tension in the lifeline and provides indication when the tension in the lifeline reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Damien de Lapeyriere, Charles C. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8567562
    Abstract: A braking system for a self-retracting lifeline assembly is provided. The braking system includes a housing, a ratchet cam and a clutch assembly. The housing includes sidewalls that form, at least in part, a cavity. The sidewalls of the housing terminate in a connecting surface that extends around the cavity. The sidewalls have a plurality of notches spaced along interior surfaces of the sidewalls. Each notch extends from the connecting surface a select distance in the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the housing. The ratchet cam includes an inner edge that defines a central cam opening. The inner edge of the ratchet cam has a plurality of inward extending teeth. The ratchet cam further has an outer edge. The outer edge has a plurality of outward extending fingers. Each finger terminates in a finger tip. Each finger tip is received in an associated notch in the interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: B D Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, Joseph R. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20130256441
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline is provided. In one embodiment, the self-retracting lifeline includes a housing, a drum, an activation assembly, a lifeline and a connector, the drum is received in the housing. The activation assembly is received in the housing. Moreover, the activation assembly is operationally coupled to the drum to selectively rotate the drum. The connector is coupled proximate an end of the lifeline. The connector has a connector passage. The connector passage is configured and arranged to selectively couple the lifeline to the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: D B INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, Scott C. Casebolt
  • Patent number: 8528694
    Abstract: A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly includes a lifeline, a drum, and a crank. The lifeline has an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The drum has a base and is rotatable. The first end of the lifeline is operatively connected to the drum and the intermediate portion of the lifeline is windable about and paid out from the base. The drum is operatively connected to a first anchorage structure. The second end is operatively connected to a second anchorage structure. The crank is configured and arranged to be releasably connectable to the drum and is rotatable to rotate the drum and tension the lifeline. The crank includes a tension indicator to provide indication when the tension in the lifeline has reached a predetermined level. The crank is capable of tensioning the lifeline to a level greater than the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Damien de Lapeyriere, Charles C. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8469149
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline is provided. In one embodiment, the self-retracting lifeline includes a housing, a drum, an activation assembly, a lifeline and a connector, the drum is received in the housing. The activation assembly is received in the housing. Moreover, the activation assembly is operationally coupled to the drum to selectively rotate the drum. The connector is coupled proximate an end of the lifeline. The connector has a connector passage. The connector passage is configured and arranged to selectively couple the lifeline to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, Scott C. Casebolt
  • Publication number: 20120298445
    Abstract: A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly includes a lifeline, a drum, and a crank. The lifeline has an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The drum has a base and is rotatable. The first end of the lifeline is operatively connected to the drum and the intermediate portion of the lifeline is windable about and paid out from the base. The drum is operatively connected to a first anchorage structure. The second end is operatively connected to a second anchorage structure. The crank is configured and arranged to be releasably connectable to the drum and is rotatable to rotate the drum and tension the lifeline. The crank includes a tension indicator to provide indication when the tension in the lifeline has reached a predetermined level. The crank is capable of tensioning the lifeline to a level greater than the predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Damien de Lapeyriere, Charles C. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20120298446
    Abstract: A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly includes a lifeline windable about and paid out from a rotatable drum and a housing. The housing includes a first connector and is configured and arranged to house the drum and the lifeline wound about a base of the drum. The first connector is operatively connected to a first anchorage structure, the lifeline is pulled outward from proximate the housing thereby paying out at least a portion of the lifeline from the drum, a second connector operatively connected to the lifeline is operatively connected to a second anchorage structure, and the lifeline is tensioned using a crank that rotates the drum to increase the tension in the lifeline and provides indication when the tension in the lifeline reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Damien de Lapeyriere, Charles C. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8251176
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline includes a replaceable lifeline and comprises a housing, a drum rotatably operatively connected to the housing, a lifeline, and a locking member operatively connected to the drum and moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position for locking the drum relative to the housing to assist in replacing the lifeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: D B Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, J. Thomas Wolner
  • Patent number: 8226024
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline includes a reserve lifeline portion and comprises a housing, a drum rotatably operatively connected to the housing, and a lifeline. A stop member is operatively connected to an intermediate portion a distance from a first end of the lifeline. A bumper portion is operatively connected to the housing and includes a bore through which the lifeline extends, the bore being smaller than the stop member to prevent passage of the stop member through the bore and out of the housing. At least a portion of the bumper portion disconnects from the housing when a predetermined force is exerted on the bumper portion to allow the stop member to exit the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: D B Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet
  • Publication number: 20110297778
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline is provided. In one embodiment, the self-retracting lifeline includes a housing, a drum, an activation assembly, a lifeline and a connector, the drum is received in the housing. The activation assembly is received in the housing. Moreover, the activation assembly is operationally coupled to the drum to selectively rotate the drum. The connector is coupled proximate an end of the lifeline. The connector has a connector passage. The connector passage is configured and arranged to selectively couple the lifeline to the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, Scott C. Casebolt
  • Publication number: 20110240403
    Abstract: A lifeline connector assembly for releasably interconnecting a first portion and a second portion of a lifeline, the first portion including a first distal end to which a first stop is operatively connected, the second portion including a second distal end to which a second stop is operatively connected, comprises a first stop operatively connected to the first distal end, a second stop operatively connected to the second distal end, and a receiving member operatively connected to the second stop and configured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the first stop thereby interconnecting the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet
  • Publication number: 20110100755
    Abstract: A braking system for a self-retracting lifeline assembly is provided. The braking system includes a housing, a ratchet cam and a clutch assembly. The housing includes sidewalls that form, at least in part, a cavity. The sidewalls of the housing terminate in a connecting surface that extends around the cavity. The sidewalls have a plurality of notches spaced along interior surfaces of the sidewalls. Each notch extends from the connecting surface a select distance in the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the housing. The ratchet cam includes an inner edge that defines a central cam opening. The inner edge of the ratchet cam has a plurality of inward extending teeth. The ratchet cam further has an outer edge. The outer edge has a plurality of outward extending fingers. Each finger terminates in a finger tip. Each finger tip is received in an associated notch in the interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, Joseph R. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20110084158
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline includes a replaceable lifeline and comprises a housing, a drum rotatably operatively connected to the housing, a lifeline, and a locking member operatively connected to the drum and moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position for locking the drum relative to the housing to assist in replacing the lifeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Vincent G. Meillet, J. Thomas Wolner
  • Publication number: 20110084157
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline includes a reserve lifeline portion and comprises a housing, a drum rotatably operatively connected to the housing, and a lifeline. A stop member is operatively connected to an intermediate portion a distance from a first end of the lifeline. A bumper portion is operatively connected to the housing and includes a bore through which the lifeline extends, the bore being smaller than the stop member to prevent passage of the stop member through the bore and out of the housing. At least a portion of the bumper portion disconnects from the housing when a predetermined force is exerted on the bumper portion to allow the stop member to exit the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet
  • Publication number: 20100224448
    Abstract: A safety device with fall arrest and descending modes includes a housing, a drum, a lifeline, first and second brake assemblies, and a control. The drum is rotatably operatively connected to the housing. The lifeline has an intermediate portion interconnecting a first end and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to the drum. The first and second assemblies are operatively connected to the drum. The control is operatively connected to the first and second brake assemblies and has a first position and a second position. The first position selectively engages the first brake assembly in a descending mode and the second position selectively engages the second brake assembly in a fall arrest mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: J. Thomas Wolner, Scott C. Casebolt, Gabriel Grant Gamache, Matthew J. Blackford, Vincent G. Meillet, Joseph Robert Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20100219016
    Abstract: A fall arrest assembly that includes a rotational drum, at least one pawl and a catch is provided. The rotational drum is configured to rotate in response to a movement of a lifeline. The least one pawl is in rotational communication with the rotational drum. The at least one pawl is further configured to pivot about a pivot connection in response to select rotational velocities of the rotational drum. The at least one pawl is also configured to engage the catch when the at least one pawl pivots in response to the select rotational velocities of the rotational drum to stop the rotation of the rotational drum and movement of the lifeline. An elastic bushing for each pivot connection is also used. Each elastic bushing is positioned about an associated pivot connection of an associated pawl. The elastic bushings deform in shape as an associated pawl engages the at least one portion of the catch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet
  • Publication number: 20100219015
    Abstract: A motorized climb assist assembly is provided. The motorized climb assist assembly includes a looped belt, an attaching member, a motor assembly and a fall arrest system. The attaching member is coupled to the looped belt. A safety harness is in turn coupled to attaching member. The motor assembly includes a motor and a drive sheave. The motor has a drive shaft. The drive sheave is coupled to the drive shaft. In addition, the drive sheave is in contact with the looped belt. The fall arrest system is integrated with the drive sheave and is configured to limit the looped belt movement as the result of a fall event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet