About Us
When I was 14 years old, I started working for a regional retail chain. After many years, I realized opportunities to develop a safety product for feet when operating manual pallet jacks. Once my idea was fully conceived, I pursued a patent, and the FootGuardian® device was born. I am a small business owner based out of Charleston, South Carolina, and proud to have developed the FootGuardian® device. I am blessed to have a great business relationship with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation and, together, we are making my business grow.
Why the FootGuardian® device?
- Protection with a 3/8 of an Inch of Steel between You and the Wheel
- Guard Has a Self-Adjusting Mechanism
- Conforms to the Irregularities and Pitches of Truck Ramps
- Allows mostly Full Range of Motion for Steering
- Reusable and transferrable between most manual pallet jacks for greater flexibility and cost-efficiency
- Prevents Unnecessary Lost Time and Lost Production
- Offers uninterrupted travel over most surfaces, angles, declines, and inclines
- Helps divert debris from the pallet truck’s steer tires for smoother operation and reliable travel
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the invention completely remove the risk of a foot injury?
A: No. It reduces the risk of the pallet jack running over the foot.
Q: Does this feature offer any advantages beyond safety?
A: Safety is its primary purpose; however, it also assists in diverting debris away from its wheel and path for smoother operation and reliable travel. In addition to the confidence and peace of mind that the product gives the pallet jack operator while working, the product offers significant benefits to companies. The impact of an employee injury extends beyond the immediate cost of the accident and includes factors such as lost time and lost production. By decreasing injuries, the FootGuardian® device prevents these subsequent losses.
Q: Will this product work with any model of pallet jack?
A: The FootGuardian® device attachment is available as a retrofit for most manual pallet jacks. The FootGuardian® device is designed to fit most standard manual pallet jacks that are in use today. The SFG-001 FootGuardian® is not a universal device. We made the FootGuardian® reusable and transferable for most manual pallet jacks so that you can save money while adding an extra layer of protection for your employees!
As an estimate, the SFG-001 standard FootGuardian® device fits in the area between the wheels that is greater than 2 3/4 inches. The post can be no bigger than 2.25 inches in diameter. The distance from outside to outside wheel must be less than 8 1/2 inches. Anything outside these parameters may need a custom guard. Please measure the subject area to check for compatibility.
Q: How do injuries caused by manual pallet jacks differ from those injuries caused by powered pallet jacks?
A: The injuries caused by manual pallet jacks are like those caused by a powered one. The foot does not know the difference once a thousand pounds are on it. However, most powered pallet jacks tend to have guards, whereas our product is the first solution for manual pallet jacks. The objective is to protect the employee’s foot in a similar manner as in powered units.
Q: Is it easy to install on any model pallet jack?
A: The FootGuardian® device quickly and easily attaches to most brands of manual hand pallet trucks. The FootGuardian® device can be installed in under 5 minutes. Mounting a specially designed collar clamp to the steering mechanism provides improved protection at most angles (flat, slight inclines, and slight declines) and under most load conditions operates on inclines and declines. The FootGuardian® device is also transferable. When the pallet jack is replaced, simply detach the guard and place it on the new manual pallet jack.
Warning: The FootGuardian® device does not prevent all injuries involving pallet jacks and may make some injuries worse. Operators of pallet jacks equipped with the FootGuardian® device are instructed to wear appropriate protective gear, including steel-toed and steel-shanked boots, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, eye protection, hearing protection, and helmets or hard hats. Injury or death may still occur with the use of protective gear. Each operator of a pallet jack with a FootGuardian® device installed must remain alert, attentive, sober, and not under the influence of drugs, medicine, or other substances when operating such pallet jacks.
Contact us if you have questions about the installation of our product. We proudly offer our patented product for clients throughout Summerville, SC, and the United States.
