An inflatable fall protection pad comprises a deformable body defining an inflatable three-dimensional volume. The deformable body has a base wall, an upper wall, and sidewalls spanning the base wall and the upper wall. The inflatable fall protection pad further comprises a set of roller units mounted to the base wall along an exterior-facing surface of the base wall. The set of roller units is arranged in a multi-dimensional array. Tw or more roller units of the set are spaced apart from each other in a first dimension of the multi-dimensional array. Two or more roller units of the set are spaced apart from each other in a second dimension of the multi-dimensional array that is orthogonal to the first dimension.

A portable emergency safety device that is configured to be deployed underneath an individual in a precarious situation having a high probability of falling. The invention includes a body wherein the body includes a plurality of inflation chambers defining the shape thereof. The inflation chambers have secured to the top thereof a catch member wherein the catch member completely covers the top area of the body and is configured to receive and retain a falling individual. The catch member is secured to the body utilizing a plurality of keepers. The body moves from a first state which is deflated and stored to a second state utilizing a compressed gas source. One embodiment of the present invention includes at least one terrain adapting inflation chamber that is disposed along a portion of the circumference of the body and is configured to maintain the body in a horizontal position on sloped terrain.

A portable emergency safety device that is configured to be deployed underneath an individual in a precarious situation having a high probability of falling. The invention includes a body wherein the body includes a plurality of inflation chambers defining the shape thereof. The inflation chambers have secured to the top thereof a catch member wherein the catch member completely covers the top area of the body and is configured to receive and retain a falling individual. The catch member is secured to the body utilizing a plurality of keepers. The body moves from a first state which is deflated and stored to a second state utilizing a compressed gas source. One embodiment of the present invention includes at least one terrain adapting inflation chamber that is disposed along a portion of the circumference of the body and is configured to maintain the body in a horizontal position on sloped terrain.

The multilevel railcar safety catch system of the present disclosure comprises at least two multilevel railcars (or at least one multilevel railcar and a vehicle loading ramp), at least two bridge plates, and a safety catch assembly. In the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, two or more multilevel railcars are coupled together by a coupler. Two bridge plates are laid across the gap between corresponding multilevel railcar decks for the purpose of walking or moving vehicles across from one multilevel railcar to another. A safety catch assembly is removably attached underneath the bridge plates via a securement means on the safety catch assembly and barrel rings or bridge plate hinge pins in such a way as to prevent persons or items from falling through the gap between the multilevel railcar decks when loading or unloading vehicles.

The multilevel railcar safety catch system of the present disclosure comprises at least two multilevel railcars (or at least one multilevel railcar and a vehicle loading ramp), at least two bridge plates, and a safety catch assembly. In the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, two or more multilevel railcars are coupled together by a coupler. Two bridge plates are laid across the gap between corresponding multilevel railcar decks for the purpose of walking or moving vehicles across from one multilevel railcar to another. A safety catch assembly is removably attached underneath the bridge plates via a securement means on the safety catch assembly and barrel rings or bridge plate hinge pins in such a way as to prevent persons or items from falling through the gap between the multilevel railcar decks when loading or unloading vehicles.

A system for rendering safe a site above which an individual is operative at height which comprises at least one self-inflating fall arrest unit in a fully inflated state is arranged at a ground location on the site. At least one of the self-inflating fall arrest units in a fully inflated state is linked to at least one other fully inflated self-inflating fall arrest unit. Each of the self-inflating fall arrest units comprise at least one battery-powered fan. A method of rendering safe a site above which an individual is operative at height is also described.

A system for rendering safe a site above which an individual is operative at height which comprises at least one self-inflating fall arrest unit in a fully inflated state is arranged at a ground location on the site. At least one of the self-inflating fall arrest units in a fully inflated state is linked to at least one other fully inflated self-inflating fall arrest unit. Each of the self-inflating fall arrest units comprise at least one battery-powered fan. A method of rendering safe a site above which an individual is operative at height is also described.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for optimizing an energy exerted on a performer falling from an elevated platform and impacting an airbag. A system is configured to determine a weight of the performer to fall from the elevated platform toward the airbag, measure a distance between the elevated platform and the airbag, and set an air pressure of the airbag based on the weight and the distance prior to the performer falling toward the airbag. The system is further configured to determine, while the performer falls toward the airbag, a velocity the performer will reach upon impact with the airbag, and adjust the air pressure of the airbag based on the velocity while the performer falls toward the airbag to optimize an energy exerted on the performer when the performer impacts the airbag.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for optimizing an energy exerted on a performer falling from an elevated platform and impacting an airbag. A system is configured to determine a weight of the performer to fall from the elevated platform toward the airbag, measure a distance between the elevated platform and the airbag, and set an air pressure of the airbag based on the weight and the distance prior to the performer falling toward the airbag. The system is further configured to determine, while the performer falls toward the airbag, a velocity the performer will reach upon impact with the airbag, and adjust the air pressure of the airbag based on the velocity while the performer falls toward the airbag to optimize an energy exerted on the performer when the performer impacts the airbag.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for optimizing an energy exerted on a performer falling from an elevated platform and impacting an airbag. A system is configured to determine a weight of the performer to fall from the elevated platform toward the airbag, measure a distance between the elevated platform and the airbag, and set an air pressure of the airbag based on the weight and the distance prior to the performer falling toward the airbag. The system is further configured to determine, while the performer falls toward the airbag, a velocity the performer will reach upon impact with the airbag, and adjust the air pressure of the airbag based on the velocity while the performer falls toward the airbag to optimize an energy exerted on the performer when the performer impacts the airbag.