Patents Assigned to Advanced Composite Structures, LLC
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Patent number: 11981498Abstract: A thermally insulated panel includes a first skin, a second skin spaced apart from the first skin, and a core that is disposed between and bonded to the first skin and the second skin such that the core transfers loads between the first skin and the second skin. The core includes a porous filler material that has a vacuum drawn therein such that the core resists transfer of thermal energy through the panel. A cargo container including thermally insulated panels and a method of manufacturing the thermally insulated panels are also disclosed. In addition, a method of repairing a vacuum insulated panel is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Pherson
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Patent number: 11851270Abstract: A latch for securing a component to a track in a base of air cargo equipment, such as a pallet or the floor of a unit load device. The latch includes a rigid support configured to be attached at the bottom edge of the component. The latch also includes a handle. The handle rotates relative to the support between an open position and a closed position. The handle uses a rotationally tapered locking cam to secure the component to the track. In one embodiment, the component is a door, such as a fabric curtain.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas Pherson, Wendell Douglas Gissel
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Publication number: 20230143092Abstract: A panel includes a first board, a second board, and an edge cap. The first board and the second board each including a core that is sandwiched between and bonded to a first skin and a second skin. The edge cap is positioned between and bonded to the first board and the second board such that a cavity is defined by the first board, the second board, and the edge cap. The cavity is configured to receive an insert and is isolated from forces transferred between the first board and the second board.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Michael Carter
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Publication number: 20230125651Abstract: A base for a cargo container including a bottom plate, a top plate, risers, and a bracket. The top plate has a top surface that faces away from the bottom plate. The risers interconnect the top plate and the bottom plate. The bracket extends between the top plate and the bottom plate and is configured to maintain a distance between the top plate and the bottom plate. The bracket is replaceable from the base without access to the top surface of the top plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Pherson
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Patent number: 11084652Abstract: A curtain closure for the cargo opening of an air cargo container and the air cargo containers that have the same. The curtain closures include a fabric layer, and at least one of an insulating layer or a reinforcing layer attached to the inside of the fabric layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Garry L. Haruska
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Patent number: 10981720Abstract: A fabric closure, and enclosure, are provided for cargo containers, including a fabric panel formed of high-strength yarns, and a pair of selectively closeable openings formed in the fabric panel for access therethrough, the selectively closeable openings having a substantially vertical opening, and a slide fastener for closure thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: John E. Holland, Connie W. Holland, Daniel M. Nathan, Thomas R. Pherson
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Publication number: 20210070540Abstract: A zipper closure for a panel includes a holder and a first zipper. The holder includes an attachment tab, a first wing, and a second wing. The attachment tab is configured to attach to a panel. The first wing includes a first securement segment and the second wing includes a second securement segment that opposes the first securement segment. The first zipper includes a chain and a zipper tape. The zipper tape extends in a direction away from the chain and includes a first surface that has a third securement segment attached thereto and includes a second surface that is opposite the first surface and has a fourth securement segment attached thereto. The fourth securement segment is engaged with the first securement segment and the third securement segment is engaged with the second securement segment to releaseably secure the first zipper to the holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Pherson
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Patent number: 10894661Abstract: A fabric closure for the open end of an air cargo container having a fabric door and a fastening system for connecting the opposed side edges of the fabric door to couplings attached to the container. The fastening system includes at least one fabric pocket, a protective strip attached to the outer surface of the pocket, and a connecting strap for being secured around a respective coupling. The connecting strap passes through the fabric pocket and is engaged with a hook and loop fastener portion on the protective strip.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Michael Carter
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Publication number: 20200407149Abstract: A thermally insulated panel includes a first skin, a second skin spaced apart from the first skin, and a core that is disposed between and bonded to the first skin and the second skin such that the core transfers loads between the first skin and the second skin. The core includes a porous filler material that has a vacuum drawn therein such that the core resists transfer of thermal energy through the panel. A cargo container including thermally insulated panels and a method of manufacturing the thermally insulated panels are also disclosed. In addition, a method of repairing a vacuum insulated panel is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Michael Carter
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Patent number: 10773881Abstract: A curtain closure for the cargo opening of an air cargo container and the air cargo containers that have the same. The curtain closures include a fabric layer, and at least one of an insulating layer or a reinforcing layer attached to the inside of the fabric layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Garry L. Haruska
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Publication number: 20200255215Abstract: A latch for securing a component to a track in a base of air cargo equipment, such as a pallet or the floor of a unit load device. The latch includes a rigid support configured to be attached at the bottom edge of the component. The latch also includes a handle. The handle rotates relative to the support between an open position and a closed position. The handle uses a rotationally tapered locking cam to secure the component to the track. In one embodiment, the component is a door, such as a fabric curtain.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2018Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Michael Carter, Thomas Pherson, Wendell Douglas Gissel
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Publication number: 20190300276Abstract: A fabric closure for the open end of an air cargo container having a fabric door and a fastening system for connecting the opposed side edges of the fabric door to couplings attached to the container. The fastening system includes at least one fabric pocket, a protective strip attached to the outer surface of the pocket, and a connecting strap for being secured around a respective coupling. The connecting strap passes through the fabric pocket and is engaged with a hook and loop fastener portion on the protective strip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Michael Carter
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Publication number: 20180290827Abstract: A curtain closure for the cargo opening of an air cargo container and the air cargo containers that have the same. The curtain closures include a fabric layer, and at least one of an insulating layer or a reinforcing layer attached to the inside of the fabric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Pherson, Garry L. Haruska
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Patent number: 9834374Abstract: Composite panel for air cargo containers including a fire resistant, closed cell foam core, a skin attached to at least one surface of the core formed by fire resistant fibers in a matrix resin, wherein the panel will contain an internal fire with temperatures of up to 1500° F. for a period of at least 4 hours.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Pherson
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Patent number: 9248958Abstract: Composite panel for air cargo containers including a fire resistant, closed cell foam core, a skin attached to each surface of the core formed by fire resistant fibers in a matrix resin, wherein the panel will contain an internal fire with temperatures of up to 1500° F. for a period of at least 4 hours.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Pherson
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Patent number: 9174796Abstract: A fabric closure, and enclosure, are provided for cargo containers, including a fabric panel formed of high-strength yarns, and a pair of selectively closeable openings formed in the fabric panel for access therethrough, the selectively closeable openings having a substantially vertical opening, and a slide fastener for closure thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: John E. Holland, Connie W. Holland, Daniel M. Nathan, Thomas R. Pherson
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Patent number: 9174797Abstract: A fabric closure, and enclosure, are provided for cargo containers, including a fabric panel formed of high-strength yarns, and a selectively closeable opening formed in the fabric panel for access therethrough, the selectively closeable opening having a substantially vertical opening, and a slide fastener for closure thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: John E. Holland, Connie W. Holland, Daniel M. Nathan
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Patent number: 8776698Abstract: An air cargo pallet with a central panel created from a plurality of sandwiched layers, including a foam core disposed between an upper skin layer having a resin and fiber combination and a lower skin layer having a resin and fiber combination. The central panel is reinforced with additional fibers extending through the lower skin layer, the foam core and the upper skin layer. An interface layer is disposed around the periphery of the foam core and bonded between the upper skin layer and the lower skin layer to complete the central panel. The pallet is then formed by snap fitting a plurality of rails around the circumference of the central panel by connection to the interface layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Pherson
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Publication number: 20140096708Abstract: An air cargo pallet with a central panel created from a plurality of sandwiched layers, including a foam core disposed between an upper skin layer having a resin and fiber combination and a lower skin layer having a resin and fiber combination. The central panel is reinforced with additional fibers extending through the lower skin layer, the foam core and the upper skin layer. An interface layer is disposed around the periphery of the foam core and bonded between the upper skin layer and the lower skin layer to complete the central panel. The pallet is then formed by snap fitting a plurality of rails around the circumference of the central panel by connection to the interface layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventor: Thomas R. Pherson
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Publication number: 20130240519Abstract: A fabric closure, and enclosure, are provided for cargo containers, including a fabric panel formed of high-strength yarns, and a selectively closeable opening formed in the fabric panel for access therethrough, the selectively closeable opening having a substantially vertical opening, and a slide fastener for closure thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLCInventors: John E. Holland, Connie W. Holland, Daniel M. Nathan