# US 8,770,347 B2 · Rigging system safety device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,347 B2 - Document ID: US8770347B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/219,015 - Filed: 2011-08-26 - Published: 2013-02-28 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-26 - Assignees: Lebesgue Holdings LLC - Applicants: Christopher Joseph Bemis - Inventors: Christopher Joseph Bemis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770347B2 ## CPC - A62B 35/0068: {Anchors} - E04G 3/32: Hoisting devices; Safety devices - E04G 2003/283: {mobile horizontally} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) - E04G: SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS ## Abstract Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a system for providing added safety for workers using rigging systems. In an embodiment, the invention includes a safety device for a roof rigging system including a rigger arm having a proximal end and a distal end; an attachment member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the attachment member defining an aperture, the attachment member configured to engage a rigging line with the aperture; and a blocking member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the blocking member configured to interface with the attachment member to prevent engagement of the attachment member with the rigging line by occluding the aperture when a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A safety device for a roof rigging system comprising: a rigger arm having a proximal end and a distal end; an attachment member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the attachment member defining an aperture, the attachment member configured to engage a rigging line with the aperture; and a blocking member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the blocking member configured to interface with the attachment member to prevent engagement of the attachment member with the rigging line by occluding the aperture when a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The safety device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The safety device of claim 2, further comprising a spring configured to bias the blocking member to the closed position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The safety device of claim 1, further comprising a counterweight holder, wherein the counterweight holder is operably connected to the blocking member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The safety device of claim 4, wherein the counterweight holder is operably connected to the blocking member with a cable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The safety device of claim 5, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The safety device of claim 6, the counterweight holder configured to compress when a counterweight is attached to the roof rigging system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The safety device of claim 6, the counterweight holder further comprising a spring member configured to cause movement of the blocking member to the open position when a counterweight is attached to the roof rigging system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The safety device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is configured to move relative to the attachment member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The safety device of claim 1, the counterweight having a weight of greater than 200 pounds. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The safety device of claim 1, the attachment member comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a loop, a hook, and an eyelet. ### Claim 12 A method for increasing the safety of using a roof rigging system comprising: providing a rigger arm having a proximal end and a distal end; providing an attachment member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the attachment member defining an aperture, the attachment member configured to engage a rigging line with the aperture; and preventing engagement of the attachment member with the rigging line if a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein preventing engagement of the attachment member comprises providing a blocking member disposed on the distal end of the rigger arm, the blocking member configured to prevent engagement of the attachment member with the rigging line by occluding the aperture when a counterweight is not attached to the roof rigging system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a spring configured to bias the blocking member to the closed position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising a counterweight, wherein the counterweight is operably connected to the blocking member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the blocking member is movable between a closed position wherein the blocking member occludes the aperture and an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a counterweight configured to move the blocking member to an open position wherein the blocking member does not occlude the aperture.