Rail systems, shuttle assemblies, and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12516571-B2
Application number	US-202318348640-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 7, 2023
Priority date	Jul 7, 2023
Publication date	Jan 6, 2026
Grant date	Jan 6, 2026

Abstract

Methods, systems, assemblies, and/or the like are provided. According to various embodiments, there is provided a rail system including a vertical rail aligned vertically and including a vertical track; a changeover rail comprising a first portion, second portion, and a changeover track, wherein the first portion is configured to operably connect to the vertical rail, wherein the second portion is configured to be fixedly connected to a post, wherein the changeover track is disposed along the first and second portions, wherein the vertical track and the changeover track are configured to be aligned to form a track configured to receive a shuttle assembly configured to travel along the track; and a changeover mechanism configured to operably attach the vertical rail and the changeover rail.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A rail system comprising:
a vertical rail aligned vertically and comprising a vertical track; a post comprising a rotatable joint; a changeover rail comprising:
a first portion configured to operably connect to the vertical rail;
a second portion configured to be fixedly connected to the post; and
a changeover track disposed along the first and second portions,
wherein the rotatable joint is fixed to the post, and herein the rotatable joint is configured to connect the second portion of the changeover rail to the post such that the changeover rail is rotatable relative to the post, wherein the vertical track and the changeover track are configured to be aligned to form a track configured to receive a shuttle assembly configured to travel along the track; and a changeover mechanism configured to operably attach the vertical rail and the changeover rail.

2 . The rail system of claim 1 , wherein the second portion and the first portion are perpendicular to each other.

3 . The rail system of claim 1 , wherein a first component of the changeover mechanism is attached to the changeover rail and a second component of the changeover mechanism is attached to the vertical rail.

4 . The rail system of claim 3 , wherein the first component comprises a latch strike and the second component comprises a latch bolt configured to engage the latch strike and thereby secure the changeover rail to the vertical rail.

5 . The rail system of claim 3 , wherein the first component comprises a pin hole and the second component comprises a pin configured to engage the pin hole and thereby secure the changeover rail to the vertical rail.

6 . The rail system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable joint is configured to transition from a locked position wherein the changeover rail is in a fixed position and an unlocked position wherein the changeover rail is rotatable relative to the post.

7 . The rail system of claim 1 , further comprising a shuttle system, wherein the shuttle system comprises a shuttle body, an absorber body, one or more wheels fixedly attached to the shuttle body and configured to enable the shuttle system to travel along the track, and an attachment mechanism configured to secure the shuttle system to a user.

8 . The rail system of claim 7 wherein the attachment mechanism is a carabiner.

9 . The rail system of claim 1 , further comprising a ladder, wherein the vertical rail is integrated into at least a portion of the ladder.

10 . The rail system of claim 1 , wherein the post is fixedly attached to a surface that is perpendicular to the vertical rail, such that the post is parallel to the vertical rail.

11 . A method of using a rail system, the method comprising:
removing a changeover rail from a fixed position, the changeover rail comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a changeover track disposed along the first and second portions; rotating the changeover rail relative to a post by a rotatable joint to align the changeover rail with a vertical rail, the vertical rail aligned vertically and comprising a vertical track, wherein the rotatable joint is fixed to the post and configured to fixedly connect the second portion of the changeover rail to the post; operably engaging the first portion of the changeover rail with the vertical rail, such that the vertical track and the changeover track are aligned to form a track that runs from the vertical rail to the changeover rail for a shuttle assembly, the shuttle assembly configured to travel along the track; and locking, by a changeover mechanism, the changeover rail to the vertical rail.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising unlocking, by the changeover mechanism, the changeover rail from the vertical rail, and placing the changeover rail in the fixed position.

Assignees

• Honeywell Safety Products Usa Inc

Inventors

• Damek Tomáš
• Prevot Tanguy
• Lopusnik Petr

Classifications

• A62B35/0087

  Arrangements for bypassing lifeline supports without lanyard disconnection · CPC title

• A62B35/0062 Primary

  Rail-form lifelines for permanent installation · CPC title

• E06C7/187 Primary

  Guiding rail · CPC title

• E06C9/02

  rigidly mounted · CPC title

• E06C7/12

  Lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders · CPC title