Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090032334 | Stepladder folding twin-step - A ladder includes a first section having at least one step. The ladder includes a second section having a least one step. The ladder includes a platform attached to the first and second sections. The ladder includes a hinge mechanism connected to the first section and second section, about which the first section and second section move between an open state, where the first and second sections are in an angular relationship for use, and a folded state where the first and second sections and the platform are essentially in parallel, as shown in FIGS. | 02-05-2009 |
20090194366 | ENERGY ABSORBERS, CONNECTORS AND HORIZONTAL LIFELINE SYSTEMS - An energy absorber including a strap including at least a first path of relatively reduced strength extending over at least a portion of the length of the strap. The energy absorber also includes at least a first transition region including a first initial point where tearing begins along the first transition region when a force above a threshold force is applied (to the energy absorber/strap) and a first end point. The first end point is in operative connection with a first point on the first path so that tearing continues along the first path after tearing along the first transition region. A gradual increase in load occurring as tearing occurs along the transition region. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196679 | STANCHION SYSTEMS, STANCHION ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS, AND HORIZONTAL LIFELINE SYSTEMS INCLUDING STANCHION SYSTEMS - A stanchion system, includes a stanchion post and an attachment system for attachment to a flange which includes a first edge and a second edge. The attachment system includes a crossbar including an extending section and an abutment member on a first end thereof to abut the first edge of the flange; a base including a passage through which the extending section of the crossbar is movable and a seating for the stanchion post; and a connector including a first section and a second section. The second section of the connector is attachable to the extending section of the crossbar at one of a plurality of incremental positions. The first section of the connector is movable relative to the second section to adjust the position of the first section relative to the abutment member of the crossbar. In several embodiments, the first section is movable relative to the second section to abut the base on a side of the base opposite the side upon which the flange is positioned to adjust the position of the first section relative to the abutment member. | 08-06-2009 |
20090211847 | ENERGY ABSORBING LIFELINE SYSTEMS - A lifeline system includes a lifeline and a hub around which the lifeline is coiled. The hub deforms to absorb energy at a predetermined level of force exerted thereon by the lifeline. For example, the hub can be deformable to absorb energy so that a peak fall arrest force in a drop test of the lifeline system with a 220 pound mass attached to the lifeline over a distance of up to 6.56 feet is not more than 1900 pounds. In several embodiments, the peak fall arrest force is no more than 1500 pounds or no more than 1349 pounds. | 08-27-2009 |
20090211848 | SELF-RETRACTING LIFELINE SYSTEMS AND BRAKING SYSTEMS THEREFOR - A lifeline system includes a lifeline and a drum assembly around which the lifeline is coiled. The drum assembly is rotatable about a first axis in a first direction during extension of the lifeline and in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, during retraction of the lifeline. The lifeline system further includes a tensioning mechanism in operative connection with the drum assembly to impart a biasing force on the drum assembly to bias the drum assembly to rotate about the first axis in the second direction. The lifeline system further comprises a braking mechanism in operative connection with the drum assembly. The braking mechanism includes a catch that is rotatable relative to the drum assembly about a second axis that is not concentric with the first axis. The second axis is operatively connected to the first axis so that the second axis rotates about the first axis in the same direction as the drum assembly when the drum assembly is rotating about the first axis. A center of mass of the catch is located in the vicinity of the second axis. The catch rotates about the second axis in the second direction when the drum assembly is rotated in the first direction at at least a determined angular acceleration to cause an abutment section of the catch to abut an abutment member of the lifeline system (for example, by moving radially outward a sufficient amount) and stop the rotation of the drum assembly. | 08-27-2009 |
20090211849 | SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH MULTIPLE SAFETY DEVICES AND CONNECTORS FOR USE THEREWITH - A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached. The first self-retracing lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracing lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits. The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article (for example, a safety harness such as a full body safety harness) worn by a user. | 08-27-2009 |
20100252363 | Access ladder with plungers - An access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor. The ladder comprises a plurality of sections which telescope open and closed, and from a bottom section each section telescopes open to positively lock to the section below it with plungers that lock and unlock each section in sequence as the sections open and close, respectively. A method for using an access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor. | 10-07-2010 |
20110100754 | Access ladder and method - An access ladder for an access hole in a building includes a plurality of sections which telescope relative to each other between an extended position, where the sections define a plane and a user can climb the sections, and a retracted position where the sections are folded on each other. Several of the sections have a least one step which preferably moves between an unfolded position where the user can stand on the step when the sections are in the extended position, and a folded position when the sections are in the retracted position. Each section slides relative to another section of the plurality of sections which it is in contact in order for the sections to telescope. A method for using an access ladder attached to an end of an access hole of a building. | 05-05-2011 |
20110132132 | Pump jack crank and method - An apparatus for cranking a shackle of a pump jack. The apparatus includes a shaft which fits through the shackle. The apparatus includes an arm rotatably attached to the shaft in proximity to a first end of an arm. The apparatus includes a handle for cranking the shaft. The handle having a locked state in which the handle is unable to rotate the shaft, and an unlocked state in which the handle is able to rotate the shaft. The handle attached to the arm in proximity to a second end of the arm. The handle extending essentially perpendicularly from the arm. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism engaging the arm at a pivot point and the shaft, the locking mechanism placing the handle in the locked state or the unlocked state by moving the arm about the pivot point to a first position where the handle extends inward toward the shackle or a second position where the handle extends outward away from the shackle, respectively. A method for cranking a shackle of a pump jack. | 06-09-2011 |
20110232998 | Step stool and method - A folding step stool includes a front rail assembly. The step stool includes a rear rail assembly, pivotally connected to the front rail assembly, having a crossbar. The step stool includes a step pivotally attached to the front rail assembly having notches which fit over the crossbar when the stool is in an open position. The step stool includes a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar. The linkage assembly compresses to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar and the linkage assembly exerting a force to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. A method for securing a step stool includes the steps of moving the notches of a step against a crossbar of a rear rail assembly pivotally connected to a front rail assembly of the step stool. There is the step of compressing a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar. There is the step of exerting a force with the linkage assembly to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. | 09-29-2011 |
20110240405 | Tubular access ladder and method - An access ladder includes a plurality of sections connected together to telescope between an extended position and a retracted position that has an increasing reactive force to counterbalance the weight of the sections as they extend. A method for accessing a room with a ladder connected to a ceiling including the steps of moving the ladder to a fully extended position subject to an increasingly active force to counterbalance the weight of the ladder as it extends. There is the step of retracting the ladder into a retracted position in the ceiling. | 10-06-2011 |
20120000051 | Flip ladder with tray and method - A climbing apparatus that rests on a surface includes a flip ladder that can move between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. The apparatus includes a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder that moves with the flip ladder between the straight configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder in a stowed position and a stepladder configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface in an open position. A method for climbing includes the steps of moving a flip ladder between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. There is the step of moving a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder from a stowed position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder to an opened position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface. There is the step of moving the flip ladder from the stepladder configuration to the straight configuration which causes the tray to move automatically into the stowed position. | 01-05-2012 |
20130025968 | Systems for Use with Multiple Safety Devices and Connectors for Use Therewith - A system includes a support including an extending rigid member and a first attachment at a first position on the rigid member to which a first self-retracting lifeline is attached, The first self-retracting lifeline includes a first housing from which a first lifeline exits. The first housing is movable relative to the rigid member. The system also includes at least a second attachment at a second position on the rigid member to which a second self-retracting lifeline. The second self-retracting lifeline includes a second housing from which a second lifeline exits, The second housing is movable relative to the rigid member independent of the movement of the first housing. The first position is spaced from the second position. The system further includes a connector attached to the frame to connect the frame to an article worn by a user. | 01-31-2013 |
20130292206 | Step Stool and Method - A folding step stool includes a front rail assembly. The step stool includes a rear rail assembly, pivotally connected to the front rail assembly, having a crossbar. The step stool includes a step pivotally attached to the front rail assembly having notches which fit over the crossbar when the stool is in an open position. The step stool includes a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar. The linkage assembly compresses to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar and the linkage assembly exerting a force to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. A method for securing a step stool includes the steps of moving the notches of a step against a crossbar of a rear rail assembly pivotally connected to a front rail assembly of the step stool. There is the step of compressing a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar. There is the step of exerting a force with the linkage assembly to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. | 11-07-2013 |
20130312567 | Pump Jack Crank and Method - An apparatus for cranking a shackle of a pump jack. The apparatus includes a shaft which fits through the shackle. The apparatus includes an arm rotatably attached to the shaft in proximity to a first end of an arm. The apparatus includes a handle for cranking the shaft. The handle having a locked state in which the handle is unable to rotate the shaft, and an unlocked state in which the handle is able to rotate the shaft. The handle attached to the arm in proximity to a second end of the arm. The handle extending essentially perpendicularly from the arm. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism engaging the arm at a pivot point and the shaft, the locking mechanism placing the handle in the locked state or the unlocked state by moving the arm about the pivot point to a first position where the handle extends inward toward the shackle or a second position where the handle extends outward away from the shackle, respectively. A method for cranking a shackle of a pump jack. | 11-28-2013 |
20140190766 | TUBULAR ACCESS LADDER AND METHOD - An access ladder includes a plurality of sections connected together to telescope between an extended position and a retracted position that has an increasing reactive force to counterbalance the weight of the sections as they extend. A method for accessing a room with a ladder connected to a ceiling including the steps of moving the ladder to a fully extended position subject to an increasingly active force to counterbalance the weight of the ladder as it extends. There is the step of retracting the ladder into a retracted position in the ceiling. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190769 | Stepladder with Latch Stud and Method - A stepladder includes a front section having a first front leg and a second front leg. The stepladder includes a step attached to the first front leg and the second front leg. The stepladder includes a latch engaged with the step. The stepladder includes a rear section having a first rear leg and a second rear leg and a cross bar attached to the first rear leg and the second rear leg. The rear section is pivotably attached to the front section. The rear section has a first stud which extends from the first rear leg toward the second rear leg and separate and apart and not in contact with the second rear leg and not in contact with the cross bar. The latch is engaged with and latched to the first stud to define an engaged position where the first front leg and the first rear leg are in an open position and form an inverted v shape and are prevented from folding together, and the latch when pulled up from the engaged position, disengages from the first stud and allows the front section and rear section to fold together into a closed position where the first rear leg and the first front leg are in parallel. A method of positioning a step ladder. | 07-10-2014 |
20140238778 | Step Stool and Method - A folding step stool includes a front rail assembly. The step stool includes a rear rail assembly, pivotally connected to the front rail assembly, having a crossbar. The step stool includes a step pivotally attached to the front rail assembly having notches which fit over the crossbar when the stool is in an open position. The step stool includes a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar. The linkage assembly compresses to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar and the linkage assembly exerting a force to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. A method for securing a step stool includes the steps of moving the notches of a step against a crossbar of a rear rail assembly pivotally connected to a front rail assembly of the step stool. There is the step of compressing a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar. There is the step of exerting a force with the linkage assembly to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. | 08-28-2014 |
20140251729 | Flip Ladder with Tray and Method - A climbing apparatus that rests on a surface includes a flip ladder that can move between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. The apparatus includes a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder that moves with the flip ladder between the straight configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder in a stowed position and a stepladder configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface in an open position. A method for climbing includes the steps of moving a flip ladder between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. There is the step of moving a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder from a stowed position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder to an opened position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface. There is the step of moving the flip ladder from the stepladder configuration to the straight configuration which causes the tray to move automatically into the stowed position. | 09-11-2014 |