or Conveyor system lifter assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lifter assembly includes first and second lifter segments movably attached to one another and defining a lifting channel having an expandable bladder contained therein. Each lifter segment has an arm extending away from a base of the lifter segment and a travel stop at a distal end of the arm. Each lifter segment further has a keyway opening. The keyway opening of the first lifter segment receives the arm of the second lifter segment and the keyway opening of the second lifter segment receives the arm the first lifter segment. Full Article
or Coin counting and/or sorting machines and associated systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Coin processing apparatuses, such as consumer or commercial coin processing apparatuses for counting and/or sorting coins, are described herein. The apparatuses can include coin conveyors having a plurality of individual coin carriers linked together to form a chain. In some embodiments, each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding pocket that is configured to receive a coin from a coin hopper as the carrier chain passes through the coin hopper during its cycle. The coin carriers can carry the coins past one or more sensors for identification or “discrimination” of the coin denomination. After discrimination, the coins can be knocked from the carrier pockets and into, e.g., a selected coin chute for transfer to a collection bin. Full Article
or Unit for transferring and up-ending sealed packages of pourable food products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A unit for transferring and up-ending at least one sealed package containing a pourable food product and having a first axis, comprising: at least one push member which cooperates with package to feed it along a first path from an in-feed station to an out-feed station; the path extending about a second axis; the unit further comprising a guide cooperating with a first side of package along first path to up-end it from an in-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a first direction, to an out-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a second direction crosswise to first direction; and an anti-rotating mechanism cooperating with package along path to prevent package from rotating about first axis; an anti-rotating mechanism comprising a pressure element rotatable about second axis and adapted to cooperate, in use, with package. Full Article
or Buffer section for a conveying system and conveying system of this type By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A buffer section for a conveying system in a high rack warehouse comprises a slide rod inclined relative to the horizontal for sliding conveyance along a conveying path in a conveying direction, which is parallel to a slide rod longitudinal axis, of a plurality of suspended conveyed goods, which are in each case suspended by means of a hook on the slide rod, and a stopper element in the conveying path at the end of at least one portion of the slide rod to stop the conveyed goods with the formation of a group of conveyed goods, wherein the stopper element has a contact face, which can be displaced between a stopper arrangement to stop the conveyed goods and a passing arrangement for allowing the conveyed goods through, for the conveyed goods, and wherein exclusively the stopper element is used to stop the conveyed goods. Full Article
or Transport device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transport device includes a traveling holding member which can travel while holding a storage container, and a move out prevention mechanism which prevents substrates from moving out of an opening of the storage container. The move out prevention mechanism is configured to include a contacting member which can be moved between a contact position at which the contacting member is in contact with side faces of the substrates, and a spaced apart position at which the contacting member is spaced apart from the side faces of the substrates. The contact position is set such that the contacting member is located between an opening side end portion and a central portion of the substrates in a direction along which the substrates are inserted and removed. Full Article
or Rotary apparatus for transferring bottles or containers in general By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotary conveyor apparatus, for collecting, transferring and releasing containers, includes: a platform (9) rotating according to a rotation axis (AA);trolleys (3), supported by the platform, and slidable in a corresponding slit extending from the periphery (9B) to the center of rotation through an internal conduit (6), within the trolleys a certain degree of suction is created for a determined rotation angle of the platform through a suction box (4), arranged at the lower part and in contact with the platform, including a suction opening (7) extending along an angular section thereof. The trolleys are movable relative to the rotation of the platform, and are moved from the periphery to the center of rotation and vice versa during a complete rotation of the platform. The movement action is directed by a first guide closed loop-like on the box and a second radial guide integral with the platform. Full Article
or Wafer transport system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A substrate transport system includes a substrate cart inside a chamber and a linearly driven shuttle outside the chamber configured to levitate the substrate cart into a non contact, spaced relationship with respect to outwardly opposing sides of an interior wall of the chamber and to linearly drive the substrate cart within the chamber. Full Article
or Transport apparatus with moving trucks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transport apparatus for transporting goods, wherein a moving truck arrangement having at least two moving truck elements can be displaced along a guide track, wherein great spatial freedom of design of the guide track is made possible. The moving truck arrangement can be moved both in a pulling and in a pushing manner by a drive mechanism and the goods can be transported by the individual moving truck elements. Full Article
or Transport system for sheet material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention is related to a transport system for sheet material including a conveyor belt charged with a vacuum. The transport system includes a vacuum chamber providing the vacuum to charge the conveyor belt while moving along the vacuum chamber in a transport direction, wherein the conveyor belt is permeable to air by recesses having specified distances from each other, and air nozzles arranged at a deflection position inside the vacuum chamber. The specified distances from each other correlate with the distances of the recesses in the conveyor belt to allow pressurized air charged to the air nozzles to pass through the recesses in the conveyor belt. Full Article
or Conveyor system with different applications and isolation of the conveyed product in relation to the drive system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT “CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND ISOLATION OF THE CONVEYED PRODUCT IN RELATION TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM”, is a conveyor for grains, seeds, fruit, granulated and ground products and similar products. The conveyor has different applications and isolates the product conveyed from the drive system. There are two or more tubes, and in each set of tubes there is a swivel with a drive system using roller chain, chain, cable, belt, et cetera. In this manner, the drive system is isolated from the product, avoiding mechanical damages, contamination, and also increasing the performance of the system. Full Article
or Center loading assembly for a conveyor belt By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A center loading assembly for a conveyor belt having a carriage support attached to a belt conveyor main frame and having a carriage within the carriage support. The carriage has a center member with side members extending at an angle therefrom, each having an upward extension. The upward extensions have side rollers and conveyor belt covering skirts and keep the conveyor belt centered between the conveyor belt covering skirts. The carriage support has vertical bearings to support the carriage and side bearings to hold the carriage on the vertical bearings. The carriage and conveyor belt covering skirts follow a trough angle of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt shifts. Material deposited onto the conveyor belt is deflected to the center portion of the conveyor belt by the conveyor belt covering skirts. Full Article
or Sorting system and sorting method for absorbent products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This distributing device for absorbent articles is provided with a main conveyor path, a branch conveyor path that branches from the main conveyor path, a main conveyor path that conveys absorbent articles along the main conveyor path, a diverting mechanism that diverts absorbent articles in the main conveyor path from the main conveyor path to the branch conveyor path, and a branch conveyor mechanism that conveys the absorbent articles diverted by the diverting mechanism along the branch conveyor path. The diverting mechanism is provided with a diverting part for diverting the absorbent articles. The diverting part moves without stopping, entering the main conveyor path from a standby position outside the main conveyor path and then, after leaving the main conveyor path, returning to the standby position. Full Article
or Specimen transport apparatus, specimen processing apparatus, and specimen transport method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A specimen transport apparatus according to an aspect is provided with a holder which holds a cup-like specimen container accommodating a specimen in an upright position, a chain member disposed along a predetermined transport path, and a supporting portion provided in a predetermined position on the chain member and configured to support the holder. Full Article
or Method and apparatus for conveying a cellulosic feedstock By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for preparing a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. Embodiments of the method comprise passing the cellulosic feedstock out of at least one outlet of a vessel (such as a holding tank) and obtaining at least two streams of cellulosic feedstock wherein each stream may be fed different hydrolysis reactors. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise passing the cellulosic feedstock downwardly through the vessel and withdrawing the feedstock from the vessel in two different lateral directions. Full Article
or Belt tracking system, roller assembly, and image forming apparatus including same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A belt tracking system for adjusting displacement of a movable belt in an axial direction of a plurality of rollers about which the movable belt is entrained includes a slope member and a roller shaft support. The slope member is disposed at least at one end of at least one of the plurality of rollers in the axial direction, to tilt the roller due to movement of the belt. The roller shaft support rotates about a predetermined shaft and includes a shaft recovery member to recover a tilt of the slope member. The shaft recovery member is disposed within a shortest circumference of a closed curve among closed curves within which the slope member and the roller shaft support are disposed in a state in which the roller shaft support is rotated. Full Article
or Tensioning assembly for cable drag conveyor with tensioning assembly and method of controlling tension in a cable drag conveyor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tensioning assembly for a cable drag conveyor. The conveyor includes a head pulley mounted on a head pulley shaft positioned in a head pulley housing and a tail pulley mounted on a tail pulley shaft positioned in a tail pulley housing, infeed and discharge conveyor tubes interconnecting the head pulley housing and the tail pulley housing, and an endless rope having conveying disks attached to the rope positioned in the infeed and discharge conveyor tubes and around the head pulley and tail pulley. The tail pulley housing is positioned in a stationary position in relation to the head pulley and the head pulley housing. The tail pulley shaft and tail pulley is positioned on the tail pulley housing for movement in relation to the tail pulley housing, the head pulley and the head pulley housing. A tensioner moves the tail pulley to maintain the tail pulley at a distance in relation to the head pulley that results in correct tension on the rope during its travel through the cable drag conveyor. Full Article
or Conveyor belt having opposing ends to be connected for endlessing the conveyor belt By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveyor belt having opposing ends to be connected for endlessing the conveyor belt. The belt includes a belt member, and two planar connector parts provided one at each said end of the belt. Each connector part has, at an edge of the connector part, an edge coil extending over the width of the belt. The belt is configured to be endlessed by bringing the edge coils of the first and second end into a sideways engagement to obtain an overlapping coil area and by inserting a closing wire through the overlapping coil area. Each connector part has a set of splice fingers engaging in correspondingly shaped finger recesses formed in the belt member. Full Article
or Rod belt for a rod belt conveyor for agricultural machinery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery includes rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. At least one of the rods has flattened and perforated end areas with which it rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts which revolve in parallel to one another, and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through the end areas and the belts. The rod belt may be produced with a rod division that differs from, and in particular is smaller than, the division of the fastening points on the belts. This is achieved by providing that at least one additional rod is fixedly connected to the at least one rod which is connected to the belts, and the at least one additional rod is free of contact with the belts. Full Article
or Rod belt for a rod belt conveyor for agricultural machinery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery, having rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. Rods at their ends are each connected to a fastening piece which has a flattened and perforated support area with which fastening piece rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts extending in parallel and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through support area and belts, and support area is formed in one piece with a fastening area for rod ends. The rod belt includes fastening pieces which have a simple design and are cost-effectively manufactured. Fastening pieces are designed as bends having a fastening area which, in relation to the installed position, is bent from the plane of support area toward the bottom side of belt and situated parallel to the inner side of belt. Full Article
or Conveying chain for a conveying device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A chain link of a conveying chain, containing a base body with a first end region which comprises a first coupling section for the articulated connection to a coupling section of a first adjacent chain link, and with a second end region which comprises a second coupling section for the articulated connection to a coupling section of a second adjacent chain link. The base body comprises an intermediate region lying between the two end regions and includes a body section with bending-elastic characteristics, which is designed such that the first end region is elastically bendable relative to the second end region out of the longitudinal direction of the base body. Full Article
or Plasma sterilization and cleaning treatment device for escalator, and escalator using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Sterilization and cleaning of an escalator hand rail are performed. A sterilization and cleaning device including a hand rail; a plasma source for irradiating the hand rails with ions or radicals or UV light; an enclosure for housing the plasma source; a power source for generating plasma; a fan for generating relatively negative pressure in the enclosure; filter units for removing removed bacteria, viruses, and organic matters such as hand marks; and filter plates located backward and forward of a moving direction of the hand rail in the enclosure along the hand rail is provided. Full Article
or Machine for packaging articles inside containers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Machine (1) for packaging articles (2) inside containers (3), a conveyor (6) is provided with a longitudinally movable transporting section (7) for feeding the articles (2) in a given direction (D) and along a given conveying path (P); a robot (23), which is arranged along the conveying path (P) and controlled by an operating and control device depending on detection at least of the position of each article (2) on the transporting section (7), picks up single articles (2) from the transporting section (7) and transfers each picked-up article (2) inside a container (3); the transporting section (7) is delimited transversely by two side walls (18) stabilizing the position and direction of each article (2) with respect to the transporting section (7); on the latter the articles (2) are stably seated between the side walls (18), one behind another in a row, in the conveying direction (D). Full Article
or Truss device and an escalator or moving walk By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a truss device for an escalator or moving walk comprising an outer panel and an inner panel facing the outer panel, characterized in that, the inner panel is formed from a single integral panel and comprises a body part and a plurality of connection parts extending from the body part toward the outer panel thus forming corresponding through openings in the inner panel, each connection part is connected to the outer panel so that the outer panel and the inner panel are fixed together, wherein the inner panel further comprises a support part formed on the body part of the inner panel and projecting in a direction away from the outer panel. The present invention also provides an escalator or moving walk having the above truss device. Full Article
or Motor vehicle assembly line By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly line, wherein at least one operating branch of fixed length accommodates a number of platforms aligned with one another and with a given travelling direction; each platform being designed to receive a respective vehicle body, feed it in the travelling direction, and subject it to a succession of n assembly operations along the operating branch; each platform being designed for connection to at least one longitudinal extension to assume a total length, which depends on the length of the body carried, and ranges between a minimum length equal to the length of the platform with no extension, and a maximum length; and the length of the operating branch being equal to n times the maximum length. Full Article
or Method for storing and transporting products and a low pressure storage device therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for storing and transporting products in a low-pressure storage device and a low-pressure storage device therefore, to allow product storage in a simple manner, and to control the storage in a simple manner. The products transfer on a first storage path and on a second storage path that is arranged directly next to the first storage path, during the storage operation of the storage device. Full Article
or Sortation conveyor with piezoelectric actuation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sortation conveyor for transporting and diverting a plurality of articles includes a first conveying path and a second conveying path angularly positioned relative to the first conveying path. A plurality of pusher elements may be selectively diverted laterally across the first conveying path to divert articles to the second conveying path. A piezoelectric actuated switch assembly positioned adjacent to the second conveying path selectively engages the pusher elements to divert the selected article to the second conveying path. Full Article
or Singulator conveyor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveyor machine is provided. In another aspect, a singulator conveyor employs three-dimensionally obliquely skewed driven rollers angularly offset from a primary feeding and downstream direction, outboard of an adjacent driven conveyor having a top surface moving in the primary feeding and downstream direction. A further aspect provides a downstream moving conveyor belt or rollers which are vertically higher than the adjacent outboard skewed and converging driven rollers. Full Article
or Arrangement of tight-fitting screw conveyors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An arrangement including two conveyor screws which are arranged rotatably moveably relative to each other for processing a pasty material like a foodstuff product or the like, having a first conveyor screw and a second conveyor screw which have interengaging helical flights and which in particular are drivable in opposite relationship. The conveyor screws are of different size diameters and/or the conveyor screws have a different number of flights. In addition, the surfaces of the interengaging flights are so shaped and matched to each other that they are in contact with each other along a substantially continuous contact line extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of both conveyor screws to hinder, preferably prevent a return flow of the pasty material. Full Article
or Device for transporting vehicle bodies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for transporting vehicle bodies, on which standardized holding components are provided. A guide device is provided for at least one continuous drive train which having a driving side and a slack side, and having a first return element and at least one second return element around which the at least one continuous drive train circulates. The at least one continuous drive train supports a plurality of coupling elements which are arranged and aligned in such a manner that they can work together with the standardized holding components provided on the vehicle body. Full Article
or Grain saver catch for an agricultural combine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An agricultural combine unloader assembly includes an unloader tube having an internal passage in fluid communication with a discharge outlet at an end of the unloader tube. A door is mounted adjacent the discharge outlet for covering the discharge outlet. The door is moveable between an open position uncovering the discharge outlet and a closed position at least partially covering the discharge outlet. In the open position, the door is positioned below a flow path of grain to be discharged through the discharge outlet. A catch is mounted adjacent the door. The catch includes a housing having an open end adjacent a first end of the door and a closed end adjacent a second end of the door opposite the first end. The catch is operatively connected to the door and movable between a first position and a second position. Full Article
or Article sorting and conveying device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article sorting and conveying device that conveys articles by the vibrations of a movable body provided through an elastic support unit, includes a first vibration unit that imparts a periodic vibration force to the movable body in a direction inclined from a vertical direction; a second vibration unit that imparts a periodic vibration force in a direction crossing the periodic vibration force by the first vibration unit; and a vibration control unit that causes a periodic vibration force imparted by each vibration unit to have a phase difference and occur simultaneously at the same frequency, and that creates an elliptical vibration trajectory in the movable body. The articles are sorted and conveyed on the movable body by setting the vibration trajectory of the movable body by the vibration control unit such that articles having a different coefficient of friction are conveyed in different directions. Full Article
or Apparatus and methods for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a dispenser By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In some embodiments, apparatus useful for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a material dispenser includes a carrier, first and second side restrictors extending downwardly from the carrier and at least one wiper extending downwardly from the carrier and transverse to the side restrictors. The side restrictors are configured to assist in preventing at least some material from overflowing off the sides of the conveyor, while the wiper is configured to level the top of at least some of the material dispensed on the conveyor. Full Article
or Door transportation method in vehicle body assembly line and door transportation device in vehicle body assembly line By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A door transportation method in a vehicle body assembly line, in which the vehicle body is placed and transported on a vehicle body transportation carriage of a floor conveyer, and thereby components are assembled to the vehicle body, includes: placing and transporting the door, which is detached from the vehicle body, on a door placing section arranged on a base stand of the vehicle body transportation carriage. Full Article
or Extendable conveyors with lights By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT Extendable conveyors with lights are disclosed herein. An example extendable conveyor disclosed herein includes a base unit and a mechanically extendable section, which is adjustably positionable between a nested position within the base unit and an extended position telescoped forwardly from the base unit. The conveyor includes a conveying surface to convey articles extending at least partially on an upper side of the mechanically extendable section. A light source is positioned at a lower side of the mechanically extendable section to illuminate at least an area below the mechanically extendable section. Full Article
or Element of a modular scaffolding system and method for its manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a method for manufacturing an element (8) of a modular scaffolding system, an at least partly galvanized pipe part (10) having a first end (12) and a second end is provided, together with an at least partly galvanized first connection head (40) which is designed to be connected to the first end (12) of the pipe part (10). A weld (24), which connects the first end (12) of the pipe part (10) to the first connection head (40), has an internal weld surface (24b) and an external weld surface (24a). The internal weld surface is proximal to the pipe part (10) and/or the connection head (40), and the external weld surface is proximal to an outside environment (60) of the pipe part (10) and the connecting head (40). A protective layer covers the external weld surface, such that it is screened off from the outside environment (60). Full Article
or System and method for analyzing suspicious network data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system is provided with a controller and a device configured to receive and output network data from a communication network to the controller. Accordingly, the controller is configured to (i) receive the network data from the device, (ii) conduct heuristic analysis on the network data, (iii) identify at least a portion of the network data as suspicious upon determining by the heuristic analysis of a likelihood that at least the portion of the network data including malware, (iv) simulate transmission of the suspicious network data to at least one virtual machine of a plurality of virtual machines that is selected or configured using at least one software profile, and (v) analyze effects of the suspicious network data on the at least one virtual machine. Full Article
or Portable window washer anchoring and tethering apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable folding support structure for safely tethering an individual comprises a portable cart sized to fit through a residential doorway, having wheels and a motor that actuates at least one of the wheels. A hand-operated throttle and steering device control the cart. The cart comprises an extendable anchoring plate to prevent rolling. A substantially horizontal jib with the cart comprises a harness point for receiving a safety cable to which an individual is attached to allow safe cleaning practices and to minimize fall risk. A foldable outrigger provides stability to the cart and an anchoring pad attaches to a distal region of the outrigger to promote stability. A textile liquid-absorbing surface is positionable about an outer surface of a glass balcony to inhibit cleaning liquids from spilling below the level of the liquid-absorbing surface. Full Article
or Flatbed loading system with self-aligning platforms By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mobile platform has a separate and independent linear actuator pivotally connected near each opposite end of the platform where there is a contact limit switch that when triggered by contact with the side of a flatbed, stops movement of the actuator, and thus stops movement of the platform, toward the side of the flatbed. Because each of the two actuators is pivotally connected to its respective end of the platform and moves independently of the other, each end of the platform can stop moving toward the flatbed before or after, depending on how the flatbed is misaligned, the other end of the platform stops moving toward the flatbed. In this way the platform self-aligns to the alignment of the flatbed and avoids the need to reposition a flatbed that is not precisely aligned parallel to the central axis of the loading bay. Full Article
or Portable pathway apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable pathway apparatus for providing a path over an earthen surface that includes a pliable frame member comprising one or more layers; a row of mating holes disposed on each side of the pliable frame member; a set of independently adjustable steps coupled to the pliable frame member in a first orientation direction; wherein each independently adjustable step comprises an adjustment mechanism, and wherein each independently adjustable step is coupled to the pliable frame member with a mount that aligns with the row of mating holes on each of the corresponding sides of the pliable frame member, whereby each of the independently adjustable steps is also movable along a length of the pliable frame member. Full Article
or Remote equipment storage apparatus with a downwardly extendable retrieval position By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for facilitating the storage of equipment such as ladders in the upper area, but particularly in the upper area on the outside of emergency vehicles such as trucks which includes a capability of moving the ladder to an extended lower deployed position to facilitate immediate access thereto by emergency workers such as firemen. An outer bracket is connected to an inner housing through a parallel linkage with the inner housing attached to the vehicle and the outer bracket attachable to the equipment. The outer bracket includes a downwardly extendable sliding carriage to facilitate positioning of the equipment at a lower level for aiding in retrieval thereof utilizing a flexible control arm. Full Article
or Roof provided with an anchor system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the invention relate to a roof comprising at least an inclined surface and a rim marking a transition to another surface extending horizontally or at a different inclination, the inclined surface and the rim being covered by roof elements. The roof further comprising at least one anchor for attaching an anchor rope to. The anchor is secured to the roof beneath the roof element or elements covering the rim and the roof elements covering the rim are spaced apart from the roof elements covering the inclined surface so as to allow access to the anchor from outside the roof. Full Article
or Apparatus for receiving shock loading By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fall restraint system includes a cable for attachment to a fall restraint harness assembly of a worker. The cable can be attached to a boom arm cantilevered on a mast carried from the ground or can be stretched between two points on opposed walls. A shock absorber is provided for absorbing at least part of the shock forces so as to reduce the loading applied to the support system. This comprises an elongate member with a movable member or sleeve mounted on it for longitudinal movement. The movement is resisted by a friction brake or a compressible material contained within a tube so that the sleeve moves along the tube in response to loads exceeding the normal load to reduce the loading on the cable while compressing the material in the tube. Full Article
or Ladders, ladder components, ladder accessories, ladder systems and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments of ladders, ladder components, accessories for ladders, ladder systems and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a ladder and platform system is provided having at least two ladders and a platform or plank. The platform or plank has coupling mechanisms that provide adjustable but secure coupling of the platform to the ladders, either with the top cap or with the rungs. Other embodiments include storage devices and paint trays for use with ladders and ladder systems incorporating such devices. Full Article
or Load-bearing platform By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can comprise a plurality interconnected polygonal shapes defining a top standing surface. The platform can be a grating that has load bearing properties and that can be cast from a mold. The platform includes a perimeter wall, a surface portion, and one or more reinforcement walls. A height or thickness of the surface portion is less than a height or thickness of the perimeter wall and/or the reinforcement walls. Full Article
or Apparatus and method for extinguishing fires in a multi-floored building By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved apparatus for treating a fire in a multi-floored building where the fire is located on an upper floor vertically displaced from a lower floor from which the fire is treated, and where the upper and lower floors each have a selectively openable environmental access along an external wall of the multi-floored building. The improved apparatus includes a tubular structure having an inlet, an intermediate portion, and an outlet and a bracing system. The bracing system has a frame, a first pivot point, and a second pivot point. The frame provides support against a sturdy surface. The tubular structure is supported on the first pivot point and rotates thereon to elevate or hoist the outlet towards the upper floor environmental access. The tubular structure is further supported on a second pivot point and further rotates thereon to elevate the outlet. Full Article
or Ladder access system and method for using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a ladder access system. The ladder access system may include a base having a clamp disposed proximal an excavation end thereof. The clamp may be configured to secure the base to an excavation support structure. A first side rail may be disposed on a first side of the base and a second side rail may be disposed on a second side of the base. The ladder access system may also include a gate disposed at a surface end of the base and extending between the first and second side rails. The ladder access system may further include a ladder support disposed proximal the excavation end of the base and extending from the first or second side rail, the ladder support being configured to uphold an upper end of a ladder disposed in an excavation and leaning thereupon. Full Article
or Safety line anchoring system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A safety line anchor system is provided and includes an elongate member including a threaded stud at one end for threading the member on to a threaded opening in a trench plate, a flange fixed to the stud end of the member above the stud base, the flange having two or more openings provided there through for accepting two or more stabilization bolts, a freely rotable platform attached to the end of the elongate member opposite the stud end, the platform including two or more slots cut there through for accepting safety line attachments, and a crane handle fixed to the rotable platform, the crane handle for accepting a crane hook. Full Article
or Method for tethering a person to the hull of a vessel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tether device includes a magnetic base; a pole having a first end attached to the magnetic base; and a connector or clip attached at a second end of the pole, for removably connecting the tethering device to a user. Also, a method for tethering a user to a hull of a vessel including the steps of providing a tether device having a magnetic base, a pole having a first end attached to the magnetic base, and a connector or clip attached at a second end of the pole; connecting the connector or clip to the user; and engaging the magnetic base with the hull of the vessel. Full Article
or Ladder safety accessory kit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ladder safety accessory kit (5) for straight and extension ladders (1) having an upper stabilizer assembly (2) that makes the ladder adaptable to any shaped structure or surface, a lower stabilizer assembly (3) that makes the ladder adjustable to accommodate for uneven ground, a leveling measurement device (4) that allows a user to quickly and easily determine that the ladder is level and angled correctly and a storage tray (36) that provides a storage area for tools and other items. The ladder safety accessory kit may be integrated with new ladders or used to retrofit existing ladders. Full Article
or Line dispensing device with eddy current braking for use with climbing and evacuation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure describes embodiments of novel line dispensing devices and methods for dispensing and retracting a line of a line dispensing device. Full Article