# US 9,038,777 B2 · Fall protection system

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- Number: US 9,038,777 B2
- Document ID: US9038777B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/772,136
- Filed: 2013-02-20
- Published: 2014-04-17
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-10-15
- Assignees: James F. Stearns Company LLP
- Applicants: Jim Stearns; Michael McDermott; Christopher Conley; Steve Conley, Jr.; Cori Amadon; Francis Greenwood; Bernard Greaney
- Inventors: Jim Stearns; Michael McDermott; Christopher Conley; Steve Conley, Jr.; Cori Amadon; Francis Greenwood; Bernard Greaney
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038777B2

## CPC

- E04G 21/3266: {Safety nets}
- A62B 1/22: by making use of jumping devices, e.g. jumping-sheets, jumping-mattresses
- E04G 21/3204: {against falling down}
- Y10T 29/49817: with other than ancillary treating or assembling
- 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
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A fall protection system is provided providing all protection for all workers in building erection. The system involves an interior net, and a perimeter net if needed. The net system may be both horizontally and vertically mobile, allowing it to be easily moved as building erection continues.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fall protection system comprising:
an interior net, the interior net positioned substantially horizontally across an interior span of a structure, the structure comprised of a plurality of columns;
a hoisting block directly attached to a first column of the plurality of columns, the hoisting block positioned above the interior net;
a cable having a first end attached to the interior net and a free second end, the cable disposed through the hoisting block such that the interior net is slideable upward and downward with relation to the first column based on tension applied to the free second end of the cable; and
a clamp attached directly to the first column of the plurality of columns about two flanges extending perpendicularly in opposite directions from a central lengthwise bar of the first column, the clamp wrapping around an end of each flange and extending inwardly along the flange towards the bar, the clamp being slideable along the two flanges of the first column in an open position, and being locked to the two flanges in a closed position, the interior net connected to the clamp.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fall protection system of claim 1 wherein the clamp further comprises:
a C-channel;
a first 90 degree angled metal attached to a first end of the C-channel;
a second 90 degree angled metal attached to a threaded connector, and slideable along the C-channel, the threaded connector attached to the first end of the C-channel opposite to the second 90 degree angled metal;
wherein a first rotation direction of the threaded connector adjusts a position of the second 90 degree angled metal, allowing the clamp to tighten about the two flanges of the first column, each 90 degree angled metal securing about one of the two flanges.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fall protection system of claim 1 wherein the interior net is configured to be horizontally movable from the interior span to a second interior span.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The fall protection system of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of connectors connecting an edge of the interior net to a support cable, the support cable being connected to the first column and a second column of the plurality of columns, the support cable spanning both the interior span and the second interior span, the plurality of connectors being slideable along the support cable from the interior span to the second interior span, allowing the interior net to be horizontally movable along the support cable.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The fall protection system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of connectors is a plurality of carabineers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fall protection system of claim 1 wherein the clamp is removably connected to the net, and removable from the column.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fall protection system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of clamps, each of the plurality of clamps attached to one of the plurality of columns defining the interior span of the structure, and connected to the interior net.