Fall protection system

{
  "publication_number": "US12102851B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Fall protection system",
  "abstract": "A fall protection system includes a base plate defining a first side and a second side defined opposite to the first side. The fall protection system also includes a mast assembly connected to the base plate proximate to the first side of the base plate. The fall protection system further includes a jib inclined with respect to the mast assembly and pivotably connected to the mast assembly. The fall protection system includes a counterweight connectable to the base plate proximate to the second side of the base plate.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A fall protection system comprising: a base plate defining a first side and a second side defined opposite to the first side, the base plate comprising one or more ports configured so that the base plate is receivable by a conveying apparatus; a mast assembly rotatably connected to the base plate proximate to the first side of the base plate so that the mast assembly is rotatable relative to the base plate and to a counterweight connected thereto, about an axis of rotation that is aligned with a long axis of the mast assembly; a jib inclined with respect to the mast assembly and pivotably connected to the mast assembly; and a counterweight connectable to the base plate proximate to the second side of the base plate, wherein a center of gravity of the counterweight is offset from a center of the base plate.",
    "2. The fall protection system of claim 1, wherein the base plate further defines a slot at the second side, wherein the slot at least partially receives the counterweight therein.",
    "3. The fall protection system of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is generally rectangular in shape.",
    "4. The fall protection system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fastening elements for removably connecting the counterweight to the base plate.",
    "5. The fall protection system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of fastening elements includes at least one of a plurality of cables and a plurality of turnbuckles.",
    "6. The fall protection system of claim 1, wherein a material of the counterweight includes at least one of metal and concrete.",
    "7. The fall protection system of claim 1 wherein the mast assembly is rotatably connected to the base plate by way of a lower end of the mast assembly being connected to a base assembly that is pivotably connected to the base plate so that the base assembly and the mast assembly can be pivoted about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the long axis of the mast assembly.",
    "8. The fall protection system of claim 7 wherein the base assembly is pivotably connected to the base plate by way of a plate of the base assembly being removably coupled to the base plate by one more mechanical fasteners.",
    "9. The fall protection system of claim 8 wherein the base assembly is configured so that the one or more mechanical fasteners that removably couple the plate of the base assembly to the base plate, are removable to facilitate pivoting of the base assembly, and the mast assembly, about the pivot axis.",
    "10. The fall protection system of claim 1 wherein the counterweight is connected to the base plate.",
    "11. The fall protection system of claim 10 wherein the counterweight is removably connected to the base plate.",
    "12. The fall protection system of claim 1 wherein the center of gravity of the counterweight is at a distance (X 1) from a second surface of the second side of the base plate, said distance lying in a range of 30.48 and 60.96 cm (1 foot and 2 feet).",
    "13. The fall protection system of claim 1 wherein the mast assembly comprises a fixed mast section and a movable mast section adapted to move relative to the fixed mast section to adjust a height of the mast assembly.",
    "14. The fall protection system of claim 13 wherein the fall protection system comprises a winch assembly that is operably connected to the movable mast section and that is adapted to move the movable mast section relative to the fixed mast section.",
    "15. The fall protection system of claim 14 wherein the winch assembly is operably connected to the movable mast section by a bracket and wherein the winch assembly comprises a cable whose proximal end is connected to a winch drum of the winch assembly and whose distal end is connected to an upper end of the fixed mast section.",
    "16. A method of assembling the fall protection system of claim 1, the method comprising: connecting the mast assembly to the base plate proximate to the first side of the base plate; aligning the counterweight with the second side of the base plate; receiving the counterweight proximate to the second side of the base plate; and connecting, removably, the counterweight to the base plate proximate to the second side of the base plate.",
    "17. The method of claim 16 further comprising receiving the counterweight within a slot defined at the second side of the base plate.",
    "18. The method of claim 16 further comprising removably connecting the counterweight to the base plate by a plurality of fastening elements.",
    "19. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of fastening elements includes at least one of a plurality of cables and a plurality of turnbuckles.",
    "20. The method of claim 16 further comprising receiving the base plate of the fall protection system by the conveying apparatus."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to a fall protection system.\n\nAs per regulations applied on construction, industrial, maintenance, and allied industries, it is essential to employ a system that protects personnel from falling when personnel perform operations at elevated locations. In order to comply with such regulations, industries take various measures to ensure protection of personnel operating at the worksites. Typically, a fall protection system is used at the worksite when personnel perform work operations at the elevated locations. The fall protection system is transportable from one place to another by a conveying apparatus, such as a forklift, as per requirements. Further, the fall protection system typically includes a base assembly, a mast assembly, and a jib portion. A personnel is tethered to the jib portion using one or more cables in order to ensure fall protection. It is desirable that the fall protection system is lightweight, easy to install and transport, and provides improved reliability in operation.\n\nGenerally, the present invention relates to a fall protection system and a method to assemble such the fall protection system.\n\nSome embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a fall protection system. The fall protection system includes a base plate defining a first side and a second side defined opposite to the first side. The fall protection system also includes a mast assembly connected to the base plate proximate to the first side of the base plate. The fall protection system further includes a jib inclined with respect to the mast assembly and pivotably connected to the mast assembly.",
  "cpc": [
    "A62B 35/0068",
    "B66C 23/24",
    "B66C 23/44",
    "B66C 23/705",
    "B66C 23/80",
    "E04G 21/3238"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A62B 35/00",
    "B66C 23/24",
    "B66C 23/44",
    "B66C 23/70",
    "B66C 23/80",
    "E04G 21/32"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "3M Innovative Properties Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew C. Strauss",
    "Nicholas G. BAUER",
    "Michael T. Weiss"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-11-06",
  "publication_date": "2024-10-01",
  "grant_date": "2024-10-01",
  "priority_date": "2019-11-21",
  "application_number": "US-202017754957-A",
  "family_id": "75981097",
  "cited_by_count": 5,
  "citations": [
    "US1520768A",
    "US4015686A",
    "US4008669A",
    "US4096952A",
    "US4171032A",
    "US4487537A",
    "US4511015A",
    "US4619346A",
    "US4607990A",
    "US4607724A",
    "US4660730A",
    "US4725033A",
    "US4705140A",
    "US4724924A",
    "US4852692A",
    "US4942943A",
    "US5143010A",
    "US5021917A",
    "US5107955A",
    "US5113969A",
    "EP0517997B1",
    "US5307898A",
    "US5645180A",
    "US5996722A",
    "US6378652B1",
    "US6138991A",
    "US6082561A",
    "US6095349A",
    "US6250483B1",
    "US20020121577A1",
    "US6467576B2",
    "US6821075B2",
    "WO2003018459A1",
    "US20030173149A1",
    "US7032710B2",
    "US6830423B1",
    "US20040195041A1",
    "US6981834B1",
    "US20050034920A1",
    "US6951345B2",
    "US20050169735A1",
    "US20080002967A1",
    "US7828116B2",
    "US20060208240A1",
    "US7926787B2",
    "US7543671B2",
    "US20090145871A1",
    "CA2644824A1",
    "US20100126801A1",
    "US8505684B1",
    "US20100200822A1",
    "US7845622B1",
    "US20110033293A1",
    "US20130240683A1",
    "US20130284688A1",
    "US20120138386A1",
    "FR2968325B1",
    "US8925679B2",
    "US20130313396A1",
    "US20140076659A1",
    "US9410332B2",
    "US9630816B1",
    "WO2014189512A1",
    "EP2999523B1",
    "US10125503B2",
    "US10174878B2",
    "US20180142834A1",
    "US20150375020A1",
    "US20220203146A1",
    "US9623270B2",
    "US20200016440A1",
    "US20170225018A1",
    "US10463895B2",
    "US20160271430A1",
    "US9744386B2",
    "US20160376806A1",
    "US10456608B2",
    "US20170225017A1",
    "US20170247236A1",
    "US20170370114A1",
    "US10347109B2",
    "US20180126198A1",
    "US10123527B1",
    "CN207313800U",
    "US11638843B2",
    "US11459780B2",
    "US20220379147A1",
    "US20220362593A1",
    "WO2021099875A1",
    "US20220379148A1",
    "WO2021099876A1",
    "NL2024387B1",
    "US11603675B2",
    "US20220119231A1",
    "US20220119230A1",
    "US11465888B2",
    "US11801405B2",
    "US20230127292A1",
    "US11795712B2"
  ]
}