Patents by Inventor Gregory A. Tubbs

Gregory A. Tubbs 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: 10220931
    Abstract: A return air bridge for use in an aircraft assembly includes an inboard portion configured to couple to a sidewall assembly at a bottom edge of the sidewall assembly and an outboard portion configured to couple to a structural member. The return air bridge also includes at least one support coupling the inboard portion to the outboard portion such that a return air flow path is defined between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The outboard portion comprises a plate configured to direct an air flow along the return air flow path upwardly with respect to the bottom edge of the sidewall assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas Seth Perkins, Cory Michael Hitchcock, John Erik West, Adam R. Weston, Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 10137975
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for securing aircraft sidewall. One embodiment comprises a hanger for supporting sections of sidewall for an aircraft. The hanger includes an elongated vertical member that attaches to a frame of the aircraft, and sets of keyholes that are each arranged in a vertical pattern along the member and that are each configured to support a corresponding section of sidewall of the aircraft. Each keyhole includes a receptacle dimensioned to receive a fitting from a section of sidewall, and a slot dimensioned to slidably accept the fitting via the receptacle to secure the fitting in place. The slot size of keyholes in each set varies from one end of the vertical pattern to another end of the vertical pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Cory M. Hitchcock, Thomas S. Perkins, Erik Ivar Wiman, Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Publication number: 20170291676
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for securing aircraft sidewall. One embodiment comprises a hanger for supporting sections of sidewall for an aircraft. The hanger includes an elongated vertical member that attaches to a frame of the aircraft, and sets of keyholes that are each arranged in a vertical pattern along the member and that are each configured to support a corresponding section of sidewall of the aircraft. Each keyhole includes a receptacle dimensioned to receive a fitting from a section of sidewall, and a slot dimensioned to slidably accept the fitting via the receptacle to secure the fitting in place. The slot size of keyholes in each set varies from one end of the vertical pattern to another end of the vertical pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Cory M. Hitchcock, Thomas S. Perkins, Erik Ivar Wiman, Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Publication number: 20170129581
    Abstract: A return air bridge for use in an aircraft assembly includes an inboard portion configured to couple to a sidewall assembly at a bottom edge of the sidewall assembly and an outboard portion configured to couple to a structural member. The return air bridge also includes at least one support coupling the inboard portion to the outboard portion such that a return air flow path is defined between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The outboard portion comprises a plate configured to direct an air flow along the return air flow path upwardly with respect to the bottom edge of the sidewall assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Seth Perkins, Cory Michael Hitchcock, John Erik West, Adam R. Weston, Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 9580955
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a method of operation for a convertible door system including a door accessible compartment having a moveable dividing wall that substantially divides the compartment into a first and a second sub-compartment. A first door assembly, configured to allow access to the first sub-compartment, is disposed between a first of two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A second door assembly, configured to allow access to the second sub-compartment, is disposed between a second of the two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A first and a second hinge assembly are adapted to rotationally join the first and second door assembly to respective opposing sidewalls. A third hinge assembly is adapted to rotationally join the moveable dividing wall to either the first door assembly or the second door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Publication number: 20160069122
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a method of operation for a convertible door system including a door accessible compartment having a moveable dividing wall that substantially divides the compartment into a first and a second sub-compartment. A first door assembly, configured to allow access to the first sub-compartment, is disposed between a first of two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A second door assembly, configured to allow access to the second sub-compartment, is disposed between a second of the two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A first and a second hinge assembly are adapted to rotationally join the first and second door assembly to respective opposing sidewalls. A third hinge assembly is adapted to rotationally join the moveable dividing wall to either the first door assembly or the second door assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 9187950
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a system and method of operation for a convertible door system including a door accessible compartment having a moveable dividing wall that substantially divides the compartment into a first and a second sub-compartment. A first door assembly, configured to allow access to the first sub-compartment, is disposed between a first of two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A second door assembly, configured to allow access to the second sub-compartment, is disposed between a second of the two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A first and a second hinge assembly are adapted to rotationally join the first and second door assembly to respective opposing sidewalls. A third hinge assembly is adapted to rotationally join the moveable dividing wall to either the first door assembly or the second door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 8752339
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a system and method of operation for a convertible door system including a door accessible compartment having a moveable dividing wall that substantially divides the compartment into a first and a second sub-compartment. A first door assembly, configured to allow access to the first sub-compartment, is disposed between a first of two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A second door assembly, configured to allow access to the second sub-compartment, is disposed between a second of the two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A first and a second hinge assembly are adapted to rotationally join the first and second door assembly to respective opposing sidewalls. A third hinge assembly is adapted to rotationally join the moveable dividing wall to either the first door assembly or the second door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 7497638
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method includes a socket having a substantially spherical inner contour being accessible via an opening. A member having a partial spherical shape substantially similar to the spherical inner contour. A cross-sectional profile of the member is adapted to pass through the opening into the socket and to remain uncoupled with the socket when the socket and the member are in a first relative orientation. The member is further adapted to couple with the socket when the member is in the socket and in a second relative orientation with the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Tubbs, Stephen L. Scown
  • Publication number: 20080112753
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method includes a socket having a substantially spherical inner contour being accessible via an opening. A member having a partial spherical shape substantially similar to the spherical inner contour. A cross-sectional profile of the member is adapted to pass through the opening into the socket and to remain uncoupled with the socket when the socket and the member are in a first relative orientation. The member is further adapted to couple with the socket when the member is in the socket and in a second relative orientation with the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory A. Tubbs, Stephen L. Scown
  • Patent number: 7059565
    Abstract: Aircraft frames having multiple bracket mounting holes, corresponding brackets, and associated methods are disclosed. An aircraft frame member in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes multiple sets of mounting holes, each set having one or more mounting holes. Brackets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can be attached to either of at least two of the sets of mounting holes, for example, using snap fit attachment devices or other attachment devices. Each bracket can support one or more components (e.g., insulation, wiring, ECS ducting) relative to the aircraft frame member. The bracket can also span between two or more aircraft frame members. Each bracket can be installed in any of a variety of positions without the use of tools and can support any of a variety of devices. Accordingly, the time and cost associated with manufacturing, inventorying, installing and repositioning the brackets and the devices they support can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Scown, Gregory A. Tubbs, Cory M. Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 7007892
    Abstract: An insulation baffle for a mobile platform. The baffle is secured to a structure separating different lobes of the mobile platform. The baffle includes a main body portion and at least one blow out portion. A perimeter of the blow out portion is defined by at least one recess. The recess also forms a web portion that connects the blow out portion with the main body portion. A depth of the recess is predetermined such that the web portion formed by the recess will sever when a pressure differential between the different lobes exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the web portion severs at least a section of the blow out portion separates from the main body portion to air to pass between the lobes so that the pressure differential is reduced to approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregory A. Tubbs
  • Publication number: 20050224647
    Abstract: An insulation baffle for a mobile platform. The baffle is secured to a structure separating different lobes of the mobile platform. The baffle includes a main body portion and at least one blow out portion. A perimeter of the blow out portion is defined by at least one recess. The recess also forms a web portion that connects the blow out portion with the main body portion. A depth of the recess is predetermined such that the web portion formed by the recess will sever when a pressure differential between the different lobes exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the web portion severs at least a section of the blow out portion separates from the main body portion to air to pass between the lobes so that the pressure differential is reduced to approximately zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Gregory Tubbs
  • Publication number: 20050082431
    Abstract: Aircraft frames having multiple bracket mounting holes, corresponding brackets, and associated methods are disclosed. An aircraft frame member in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes multiple sets of mounting holes, each set having one or more mounting holes. Brackets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can be attached to either of at least two of the sets of mounting holes, for example, using snap fit attachment devices or other attachment devices. Each bracket can support one or more components (e.g., insulation, wiring, ECS ducting) relative to the aircraft frame member. The bracket can also span between two or more aircraft frame members. Each bracket can be installed in any of a variety of positions without the use of tools and can support any of a variety of devices. Accordingly, the time and cost associated with manufacturing, inventorying, installing and repositioning the brackets and the devices they support can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Scown, Gregory Tubbs, Cory Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20050005544
    Abstract: An insulated wall for a mobile platform is formed from at least two layers. A first layer includes an insulation material. A second layer includes a flexible material having an outer face with a decorative pattern and an inner face attached to the first layer. The wall is mounted in the mobile platform with the outer face of the second layer having the decorative pattern forming a mobile platform innermost facing surface. By attaching a flexible material layer to the insulation material, the insulated wall can be formed into rolls and rolled out during installation in a single step. In another embodiment, fasteners are preinstalled in the wall for fastening the wall to the mobile platform. In yet another embodiment, a method for insulating a compartment of a mobile platform is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Fabian Borowiecki, Karen Hills, Gregory Tubbs, Robert Denholm, Curtis Kinchen, Randall Hardy