The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 17, 2017
Filed:
Feb. 17, 2015
Elwha Llc, Bellevue, WA (US);
Roderick A. Hyde, Redmond, WA (US);
Jordin T. Kare, Seattle, WA (US);
Elizabeth E. Nugent, Bellevue, WA (US);
Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Seattle, WA (US);
Charles Whitmer, North Bend, WA (US);
Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Bellevue, WA (US);
ELWHA LLC, Bellevue, WA (US);
Abstract
A safety rail monitoring system, and associated methods of operation, for monitoring use of a safety rail that borders a footpath to help prevent injuries while the user traverses the footpath. The safety system includes a sensor system for detecting the presence of a user on the footpath and the presence of a contact by the user on the safety rail. A sensor observation system in communication with the sensor system receives signals indicating whether the user is present on the footpath and whether the user is holding on to the safety rail. If the user is not holding on to the safety rail, the sensor observation system generates an alert signal to the user to remind the user to hold the safety rail. In some embodiments, the safety system may include a barrier that prevents the user from continuing along the footpath without contacting the safety rail.