Ralph S Michael

8167090, May 1, 2012

Sep 14, 2010

12/882004

Ralph L. Michael - Lake Forest CA, US

B65H 75/30

182231, 182 5, 182 6, 182 7, 182233, 182234, 2423965, 2423966, 242381, 188 721, 188 724, 188 78, 188184, 188185

An apparatus is disclosed for safely lowering a user from a structure. The apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the cable and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and securely attached to the frame; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support, spool and frame to descend at a safe rate for the user. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the frame and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and attached to the cable; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support to descend at a safe rate for the user.

8534420, Sep 17, 2013

Oct 19, 2012

13/655742

Ralph L. Michael - Lake Forest CA, US

A62B 1/02
B66B 9/02

182 82, 182141, 187239

An apparatus is disclosed for safely lowering a user from a structure. The apparatus includes a ring structure configured to coaxially surround a pole structure including a spiraling inclined surface, wherein the ring structure includes a circular track; a brake mechanism having a first portion configured to travel along the spiraling inclined surface and a second portion configured to travel along the circular track when the apparatus is descending; and a user support assembly for supporting a user when the apparatus is descending, wherein the user support assembly is securely attached to the ring structure. The user support assembly includes a seat or net securely coupled to a vertically-adjustable member which is, in turn, coupled to a fixed member by way of a ratchet interface. The apparatus also includes a torque limiting mechanism configured to prevent or reduce axial rotation of the ring structure when the apparatus is descending.