Personal safety apparatus and system

Abstract

A personal safety apparatus and systems include a mast connected to a base. The mast includes a plurality of mast sections and is vertically extendable from the base between a collapsed position and an extended position. A jib is rotatably connected to the mast. The jib is moveable between a first position wherein the jib is generally parallel to the mast and a second position wherein the jib extends outward from the mast. The jib includes a first jib arm and a second jib arm. The second jib arm is moveable relative to the first jib arm. An anchor point is secured to the jib. The anchor point is configured to connect to a cable configured to secure to a person.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A personal safety apparatus, comprising:
 a base;   a mast connected to the base, the mast comprising a plurality of mast sections such that the mast is vertically extendable relative to the base into and between a collapsed position and an extended position;   a jib rotatably connected to the mast; and   an anchor point secured to the jib and configured to permit a load to be secured to the jib;   wherein the base is configured to be engaged by a conveying apparatus such that the conveying apparatus can move the personal safety apparatus to a desired location.   
     
     
         2 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured such that the conveying apparatus engaging the personal safety apparatus acts as a counterweight of the personal safety apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rotating assembly that rotatably couples the mast to the base such that the mast is rotatable about the base. 
     
     
         4 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conveying apparatus is a forklift. 
     
     
         5 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the base has a port configured to receive a functional arm of the forklift. 
     
     
         6 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the base is configured to be engaged by the forklift such that the forklift is a counterweight for the personal safety apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a hydraulics system coupled to the base, and wherein the hydraulics system includes a hydraulic assembly that moves the mast into and between the collapsed position and the extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a hydraulic fluid tank on the base, the tank configured to hold hydraulic fluid utilized by the hydraulics system. 
     
     
         9 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a leg assembly coupled to the base that is movable into and between a retracted position in which the leg assembly is vertically above the base and an extended position in which the leg assembly extends away from the base to thereby provide additional stabilization to the personal safety apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a hydraulics system coupled to the base and wherein the hydraulics system includes a hydraulic assembly that moves the leg into and between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
         11 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the hydraulics system includes a hydraulic assembly that moves the mast into and between the collapsed position and the extended position. 
     
     
         12 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a hydraulic fluid tank on the base, the tank configured to hold hydraulic fluid utilized by the hydraulics system. 
     
     
         13 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the leg assembly is a first leg assembly, and further comprising a second leg assembly coupled to the base that is movable into and between a retracted position in which the second leg assembly is vertically above the base and an extended position in which the second leg assembly extends away from the base to thereby provide additional stabilization to the personal safety apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The persona safety apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the base has a first side and an opposite second side; and
 wherein when the first leg assembly is in the extended position, the first leg assembly transversely extends relative to the first side; and wherein when the second leg assembly is in the extended position, the second leg assembly extends relative to the second side.   
     
     
         15 . The personal safety apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the base has a port configured to receive a functional arm of the forklift, and wherein the port extends along an axis that is parallel to the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using a personal safety apparatus, the method comprising:
 coupling a mast to a base such that the mast is rotatable about the base;   coupling a jib to the mast such that the jib is rotatable about the mast;   securing an anchor point the jib such that a load is removably secured to and supported on the jib; and   engaging the base with a conveying apparatus such that the conveying apparatus moves the personal safety apparatus to a desired location and acts as a counterweight of the personal safety apparatus   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the conveying apparatus is a forklift, and wherein the base has a port configured to receive a functional arm of the forklift.