Patents by Inventor Karl J. Schaefer

Karl J. Schaefer 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: 8783612
    Abstract: A device comprising a base, and a coupler connected to the base and adapted to attach the base to a seat assembly of a passenger aircraft. The seat assembly is connected to the coupler, wherein the base further comprises a slidable lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Barr, Daniel M. Coon, Richard N. Dainard, Richard D. Griffin, Gregory W. Hewett, William B. Mann, Thomas Eugene Robbins, Dean W. Sang, Karl J. Schaefer, Ralph M. Soto, Jody A. Taylor, III
  • Patent number: 7328772
    Abstract: Ladder support apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes positioning a ladder having first and second pairs of legs in an operating position suitable for supporting a user. A ladder support assembly clampably coupled to the ladder, the ladder support assembly including at least one elongated member extending between a respective one of the first and second pairs of legs of the ladder, the elongated member being clampably coupled to the respective one of the first and second pairs of legs of the ladder by first and second coupling assemblies positioned at spaced-apart positions on the elongated member. The ladder is supported with the ladder support assembly on, for example, a non-uniform surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard J Gardner, Karl J Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7270297
    Abstract: A device is provided for hoisting a module for mounting into an overhead space, such as the crown of an aircraft fuselage. The device includes a frame that supports the module, and a lifting device that lifts the first frame to properly place the module. The lifting device includes a frame, attachment devices that attach the frame of the lifting device to overhead support frames, and a driving device that moves the frame of the lifting device up the attachment devices. The frame of the lifting device receives the frame that supports the module as the frame of the lifting device is moved by the driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Karl J. Schaefer, Thanh V. Duong, Gary W. Coleman
  • Patent number: 7226264
    Abstract: A seat gantry system and method are provided for handling, installing, and removing heavy seat assemblies, and the components thereof prevent manual lifting of a heavy seat assembly during installation. A seat gantry system or method may include an outside seat gantry, a seat cart, an inside seat gantry, and an artificial lifting torso. An outside seat gantry is used for lifting a seat assembly off a shipping platform, moving and positioning a seat assembly over a seat cart, and lowering the seat assembly onto the seat cart. A seat cart is used for transporting a seat assembly. An inside seat gantry is used for lifting a seat assembly from a seat cart and positioning and lowering the seat assembly for installation. An artificial lifting torso is used to provide a common lifting point at a balanced fore-aft center of gravity of a seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: N. Charles Eggleston, Karl J. Schaefer, David C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7073629
    Abstract: Ladder support apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a support assembly adapted for use with a ladder includes at least one elongated member adapted to extend between first and second legs of the ladder when the ladder is positioned in an operating position. First and second coupling assemblies are coupled to the elongated member at spaced-apart positions on the elongated member. The first and second coupling assemblies are adapted to be clampably coupled to the first and second legs of the ladder, respectively. The support assembly advantageously permits the ladder to be operated over non-uniform surfaces without permanent modification of the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Gardner, Karl J. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6860470
    Abstract: A pneumatic monopod hoist that functions as a personal lifting aid. The hoist is light in weight to allow for hand transport and is sized to be used in constrained areas, such as within an aircraft fuselage. The hoist has operating controls located directly upon the housing and may be positioned at varying angles relative to a support surface, such as a floor, to provide optimum load support. The housing and the operating controls are further configured such that the housing can be held in an upright orientation with only a single hand, while the controls are activated with the same hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Karl J. Schaefer, John R. Amell
  • Publication number: 20040099850
    Abstract: A pneumatic monopod hoist that functions as a personal lifting aid. The hoist is light in weight to allow for hand transport and is sized to be used in constrained areas, such as within an aircraft fuselage. The hoist has operating controls located directly upon the housing and may be positioned at varying angles relative to a support surface, such as a floor, to provide optimum load support. The housing and the operating controls are further configured such that the housing can be held in an upright orientation with only a single hand, while the controls are activated with the same hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Karl J. Schaefer, John R. Amell
  • Patent number: 6558235
    Abstract: An ergonomic sander handle for clamping onto a sanding device so that the ergonomic handle can be comfortably gripped by a worker and used to apply the sanding device to a surface, is provided. The ergonomic handle includes an elongate body, a clamp head and a bearing. The elongate body is typically a cylindrical aluminum tube with padding for easy and comfortable gripping. One end of the elongate body is attached the clamp head that attaches to the sanding device. The other end of the elongate body is attached to the bearing which may include a pair of roller balls. To sand a surface, the worker grips the elongate body in a power grip (without significant wrist flexion or deviation) and applies pressure to urge sanding device and the bearing onto the surface. The power grip minimizes loads on the wrist and hand which reduces the likelihood of musculoskeletal trauma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frederic P. Berg, Karl J. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20020132570
    Abstract: An ergonomic sander handle for clamping onto a sanding device so that the ergonomic handle can be comfortably gripped by a worker and used to apply the sanding device to a surface, is provided. The ergonomic handle includes an elongate body, a clamp head and a bearing. The elongate body is typically a cylindrical aluminum tube with padding for easy and comfortable gripping. One end of the elongate body is attached the clamp head that attaches to the sanding device. The other end of the elongate body is attached to the bearing which may include a pair of roller balls. To sand a surface, the worker grips the elongate body in a power grip (without significant wrist flexion or deviation) and applies pressure to urge sanding device and the bearing onto the surface. The power grip minimizes loads on the wrist and hand which reduces the likelihood of musculoskeletal trauma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frederic P. Berg, Karl J. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6386532
    Abstract: A clamp squeeze apparatus and method for squeezing a pair of handles of a hand clamp to open a jaw of the hand clamp, is provided. The clamp squeeze apparatus includes a body, a handle, a pair of squeeze jaws and a fluid pressure device. The handle is connected to the body. The pair of squeeze jaws are slidably mounted on the body and slidable in a closing direction and an opening direction. The closing direction advances the jaws together and the opening direction retracts the jaws apart. The fluid pressure device is connected to a fluid pressure supply and is operable to slide the pair of squeeze jaws in the closing direction so as to squeeze a pair of handles of the hand clamp and open the jaws of the hand clamp. The clamp squeeze apparatus and method eliminates the risk of hand and wrist injuries by automating clamping processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Donovan, Karl J. Schaefer