Patents by Inventor Gerald E. Lester

Gerald E. Lester has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7942459
    Abstract: A mounting device for a line replaceable unit in an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The mounting device provides for easy installation and removal of a line replaceable unit from overhead mounting apparatus or mounting rails in an aircraft, in particular, an Airbus. The mounting device includes a fixing block having a least one opening, and at least one assembly including a shaft portion passing through the opening, a clamping element and a visual position element whose orientation indicates an orientation of the clamping element. The assembly is operable such that the clamping element secures the device to a component of the vehicle when positioned in a first position, and releases the device when positioned in a second position, and the visual position element provides an indication of whether the clamping element is in the first or second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Lester, Terry Lo, Tomson Tseng, Ton Do, Randall Welch
  • Publication number: 20080237440
    Abstract: A mounting device for a line replaceable unit in an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The mounting device provides for easy installation and removal of a line replaceable unit from overhead mounting apparatus or mounting rails in an aircraft, in particular, an Airbus. The mounting device includes a fixing block having a least one opening, and at least one assembly including a shaft portion passing through the opening, a clamping element and a visual position element whose orientation indicates an orientation of the clamping element. The assembly is operable such that the clamping element secures the device to a component of the vehicle when positioned in a first position, and releases the device when positioned in a second position, and the visual position element provides an indication of whether the clamping element is in the first or second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Lester, Terry Lo, Tomson Tseng, Ton Do, Randall Welch
  • Patent number: 7405773
    Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Lester, Bradley Foreman, Mauricio J. Mirand, Doris McQuaid
  • Patent number: 7148935
    Abstract: A position sensor for determining the relative physical location of a movable item via a combination of a sensor and an indicator plate affixed to an actuator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Ho, S. Scott Seeley, Gerald E. Lester
  • Patent number: 7042528
    Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Lester, Bradley Foreman, Mauricio J. Mirand, Doris McQuaid
  • Publication number: 20040075639
    Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Thales Avionics In-Flight Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald E. Lester, Bradley Foreman, Mauricio J. Mirand, Doris McQuaid
  • Patent number: 6561600
    Abstract: An on-board entertainment display housing system for mounting flat panel displays, incorporating a plurality of interlocking extensions on a pair of mated panels coupled via a cam lock that provides operational support and rapid maintenance access to the flat panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventors: S. Scott Seeley, Gerald E. Lester, Richard C. Mell, Stephen R. Boss, James R. Dan
  • Patent number: 6373536
    Abstract: A system and method for safe and secure stowage of an on-board entertainment display utilizing at least one dual biased latch in the stowage compartment and a complementary recess in the display assembly such that the latch prohibits un-commanded display deployment, even in the absence of electrical power to the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Mell, S. Scott Seeley, Gerald E. Lester, Stephen R. Boss
  • Patent number: D449049
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins
    Inventors: S. Scott Seeley, Gerald E. Lester, Richard C. Mell, Stephen R. Boss