Patents Assigned to Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11697034
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for replacing expired or unserviceable aircraft emergency slides (“slides”) in an aircraft. The disclosed methods utilize containers that are configured to securely retain both unserviceable slides and serviceable slides at different times in different configurations as installation tools. The container can be placed on an aircraft through the main door of the aircraft, and are further configured to be easily transported within the aircraft from a staging area of the aircraft to a slide installation and removal point at either the main door or an emergency exit door of the aircraft. The containers can be aligned with the installation and removal point to facilitate replacing an unserviceable slide with a new, serviceable slide. The disclosed methods and containers improve personnel safety concerning lifting and handling of the slides, which are heavy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Publication number: 20230017984
    Abstract: An aircraft wheel hub protector is adapted to engage an aircraft wheel including an aircraft tire on a rim. The aircraft wheel hub protector having two or more cover sections with a protective protrusion and coupling mechanism guide extending from the a first cover section and passing through a bearing race and internal surface within a hub of the rim of the aircraft wheel in such a fashion so as to provide a void within the protective protrusion. The second cover section is engaged with an opposed side of the aircraft wheel from the first cover section. A coupling mechanism passes through the void in the protective protrusion without having contact with the bearing race and internal surfaces within the hub of the rim and coupling the first cover section and securing the aircraft wheel hub protector to the aircraft wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Patent number: 11351814
    Abstract: An aircraft wheel hub protector is adapted to engage an aircraft wheel including an aircraft tire on a rim. The aircraft wheel hub protector having two or more cover sections with a protective protrusion and coupling mechanism guide extending from the a first cover section and passing through a bearing race and internal surface within a hub of the rim of the aircraft wheel in such a fashion so as to provide a void within the protective protrusion. The second cover section is engaged with an opposed side of the aircraft wheel from the first cover section. A coupling mechanism passes through the void in the protective protrusion without having contact with the bearing race and internal surfaces within the hub of the rim and coupling the first cover section and securing the aircraft wheel hub protector to the aircraft wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Patent number: 10799725
    Abstract: Containers and methods are disclosed for replacing expired or unserviceable aircraft emergency slides (“slides”) in an aircraft. The disclosed containers are configured to securely retain both unserviceable slides and serviceable slides. The containers can be placed on an aircraft through the main door of the aircraft, and are further configured to be easily transported within the aircraft from a staging area of the aircraft to a slide installation and removal point at either the main door or an emergency exit door of the aircraft. The containers can be aligned with the installation and removal point to facilitate replacing an unserviceable slide with a new, serviceable slide. The disclosed containers and methods improve personnel safety concerning lifting and handling of the slides, which are heavy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Publication number: 20190001746
    Abstract: An aircraft wheel hub protector is adapted to engage an aircraft wheel including an aircraft tire on a rim. The aircraft wheel hub protector having two or more cover sections with a protective protrusion and coupling mechanism guide extending from the a first cover section and passing through a bearing race and internal surface within a hub of the rim of the aircraft wheel in such a fashion so as to provide a void within the protective protrusion. The second cover section is engaged with an opposed side of the aircraft wheel from the first cover section. A coupling mechanism passes through the void in the protective protrusion without having contact with the bearing race and internal surfaces within the hub of the rim and coupling the first cover section and securing the aircraft wheel hub protector to the aircraft wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Patent number: 9944409
    Abstract: An aircraft brake assembly container having a base or container portion with feet extending therefrom. A further base portion is provided and mounted atop the base portion. A spacing is provided between the base and further base portions and this spacing is filled by a spacing container portion or member. The spacing container portion allows for lower profile base and further base portions while accommodating larger diameter new and used brake assemblies. A method of using same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Patent number: 9278764
    Abstract: An aircraft brake assembly container having a base or container portion with feet extending therefrom. A further base portion is provided and mounted atop the base portion. A spacing is provided between the base and further base portions and this spacing is filled by a spacing container portion or member. The spacing container portion allows for lower profile base and further base portions while accommodating larger diameter new and used brake assemblies. A method of using same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Publication number: 20160009424
    Abstract: An aircraft brake assembly container having a base or container portion with feet extending therefrom. A further base portion is provided and mounted atop the base portion. A spacing is provided between the base and further base portions and this spacing is filled by a spacing container portion or member. The spacing container portion allows for lower profile base and further base portions while accommodating larger diameter new and used brake assemblies. A method of using same is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Publication number: 20150076021
    Abstract: Containers and methods are disclosed for replacing expired or unserviceable aircraft emergency slides (“slides”) in an aircraft. The disclosed containers are configured to securely retain both unserviceable slides and serviceable slides. The containers can be placed on an aircraft through the main door of the aircraft, and are further configured to be easily transported within the aircraft from a staging area of the aircraft to a slide installation and removal point at either the main door or an emergency exit door of the aircraft. The containers can be aligned with the installation and removal point to facilitate replacing an unserviceable slide with a new, serviceable slide. The disclosed containers and methods improve personnel safety concerning lifting and handling of the slides, which are heavy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: BILL THOMAS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Patent number: 7954220
    Abstract: A method for using an aircraft brake assembly in servicing an aircraft, with the container having at least two identical container portions, at least one of the at least two container portions having an at least one sliding channel therein, an at least one cradle member having an at least one sliding portion engaging with said at least one sliding channel holding the cargo in a horizontal orientation, and at least one securement device securing the at least two identical container portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Bill Thomas and Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Patent number: 7690506
    Abstract: An aircraft brake assembly container and a method for using an aircraft brake assembly in servicing an aircraft, with the container having at least two identical container portions, at least one of the at least two container portions having an at least one sliding channel therein, an at least one cradle member having an at least one sliding portion engaging with the at least one sliding channel, and at least one securement device securing the at least two identical container portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron
  • Patent number: 7063212
    Abstract: A container suitable for storing and transporting hazardous materials such as alkali wet cell batteries in an aviation environment includes a container body and a hinged lid made of cross linked polyethylene, latches, and a triple tongue-in-groove seal around the rim of the container opening. The triple tongue-in-groove seal includes two smaller tongue-in-groove seals with a larger tongue-in-groove seal disposed therebetween. The larger tongue-in-groove structure provides structural strength to help prevent the lid from skewing when the container suffers stress such as an impact at a corner, and also helps to guide the lid and base into proper alignment when the lid is being closed. The smaller tongue-in-groove seals provide double redundant sealing to help contain hazardous materials inside the container without making the rim of the container excessively wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: José L. Ordonez
  • Publication number: 20040055922
    Abstract: A container suitable for storing and transporting hazardous materials such as alkali wet cell batteries in an aviation environment includes a container body and a hinged lid made of cross linked polyethylene, latches, and a triple tongue-in-groove seal around the rim of the container opening. The triple tongue-in-groove seal includes two smaller tongue-in-groove seals with a larger tongue-in-groove seal disposed therebetween. The larger tongue-in-groove structure provides structural strength to help prevent the lid from skewing when the container suffers stress such as an impact at a corner, and also helps to guide the lid and base into proper alignment when the lid is being closed. The smaller tongue-in-groove seals provide double redundant sealing to help contain hazardous materials inside the container without making the rim of the container excessively wide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose L. Ordonez
  • Patent number: 5628403
    Abstract: A universal airplane jet engine turbine blade packing case assembly for securely holding a matched turbine blade pair of various shapes, sizes, and profiles for safe shipping and storage includes a molded housing having a base and a hinged lid, with the housing being partitioned into two sections, one section for each turbine blade. Each section includes a dial rotatably affixed to the inside of the base, with a tapered slot in the dial for slidably receiving and engaging a turbine blade root when the slot is in a vertical loading position. When the root has been slid into the dial, rotating the turbine blade causes the dial to also rotate, which causes the slot opening to rotate behind a portion of the housing such that the turbine root is now positively held within the dial. The turbine blade and dial are rotated further until the turbine blade chord is aligned vertically in a stow position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Thomas, Jose L. Ordonez
  • Patent number: D669836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Bill Thomas Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Ordonez, Neil Waldron