Patents by Inventor Lee James Keetle

Lee James Keetle 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: 10480563
    Abstract: An insert, a floating nut and methods for use thereof in a panel of an aircraft are presented. Specifically, an insert includes a housing defining a cavity. An aperture is further defined in a first end of the housing and a semi-spherical portion is defined at a second end of the housing. A pair of vent openings are also defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING CO.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Barney, Lyle J. True, Lee James Keetle
  • Patent number: 9862166
    Abstract: A two-part adjustable-height insert may be installed in a bore of a sandwich panel, such that the adjustable-height insert may be configured to transfer a load to the sandwich panel. The adjustable-height insert may include a first insert part and a second insert part that may be selectively operatively positioned with respect to each other. The adjustable-height insert may be configured such that an interference fit between the first insert part and the second insert part may be engaged by moving a second flange of the second insert part towards a first flange of the first insert part, which may thereby reduce the overall height of the adjustable-height insert to a selected height. Presently disclosed adjustable-height inserts may be configured for flush installation in a sandwich panel. Methods of installing such adjustable-height inserts and adjusting the height of the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Karina Lopez, Lee James Keetle
  • Publication number: 20170268560
    Abstract: An insert, a floating nut and methods for use thereof in a panel of an aircraft are presented. Specifically, an insert includes a housing defining a cavity. An aperture is further defined in a first end of the housing and a semi-spherical portion is defined at a second end of the housing. A pair of vent openings are also defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher B. Barney, Lyle J. True, Lee James Keetle
  • Publication number: 20170253006
    Abstract: A two-part adjustable-height insert may be installed in a bore of a sandwich panel, such that the adjustable-height insert may be configured to transfer a load to the sandwich panel. The adjustable-height insert may include a first insert part and a second insert part that may be selectively operatively positioned with respect to each other. The adjustable-height insert may be configured such that an interference fit between the first insert part and the second insert part may be engaged by moving a second flange of the second insert part towards a first flange of the first insert part, which may thereby reduce the overall height of the adjustable-height insert to a selected height. Presently disclosed adjustable-height inserts may be configured for flush installation in a sandwich panel. Methods of installing such adjustable-height inserts and adjusting the height of the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Karina Lopez, Lee James Keetle
  • Patent number: 9702394
    Abstract: An insert, a floating nut and methods for use thereof in a panel of an aircraft are presented. Specifically, an insert includes a housing defining a cavity. An aperture is further defined in a first end of the housing and a semi-spherical portion is defined at a second end of the housing. A pair of vent openings are also defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher B. Barney, Lyle J. True, Lee James Keetle
  • Publication number: 20170016472
    Abstract: An insert, a floating nut and methods for use thereof in a panel of an aircraft are presented. Specifically, an insert includes a housing defining a cavity. An aperture is further defined in a first end of the housing and a semi-spherical portion is defined at a second end of the housing. A pair of vent openings are also defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher B. Barney, Lyle J. True, Lee James Keetle
  • Patent number: 8910360
    Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a shaft, a cutter, and a sleeve. The shaft may have a first end, a second end, and an axis extending through the shaft. The cutter may be associated with the shaft and may have a first channel configured to receive the first end of the shaft and a portion of the shaft. The sleeve may be configured to move along the axis within the first channel of the cutter, may have a second channel configured to receive the first end of the shaft and the portion of the shaft, and may be configured to be biased away from the second end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Lee James Keetle