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).
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Patent number: 8783612Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 7328772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard J Gardner, Karl J Schaefer
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Patent number: 7270297Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Karl J. Schaefer, Thanh V. Duong, Gary W. Coleman
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Patent number: 7226264Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: N. Charles Eggleston, Karl J. Schaefer, David C. Smith
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Patent number: 7073629Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard J. Gardner, Karl J. Schaefer
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Patent number: 6860470Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Karl J. Schaefer, John R. Amell
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Publication number: 20040099850Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventors: Karl J. Schaefer, John R. Amell
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Patent number: 6558235Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Frederic P. Berg, Karl J. Schaefer
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Publication number: 20020132570Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Frederic P. Berg, Karl J. Schaefer
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Patent number: 6386532Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gary L. Donovan, Karl J. Schaefer