Patents by Inventor Richard Kmetz

Richard Kmetz 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).

  • Baggage chute apparatus
    Patent number: 6401901
    Abstract: A baggage chute for transferring baggage from an elevated level of an aircraft passenger boarding bridge to ground level. The chute includes at least one slide member which is shaped to form a truncated cylinder of arcuate cross-section and which has annularly extending ribs. A plurality of mounting members are used to fasten the slide member to the boarding bridge and to support the slide member. A baggage receiving area is attached near an end of the slide near ground level for receiving and retaining baggage. The receiving area includes a flexible member extending substantially across the receiving area for stopping the sliding of the baggage and which absorbs the impact of the baggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: United Air Lines, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bracken, Richard Kmetz, Paul Simon, John Hughes
  • BAGGAGE CHUTE APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20020060119
    Abstract: A baggage chute for transferring baggage from an elevated level of an aircraft passenger boarding bridge to ground level. The chute includes at least one slide member which is shaped to form a truncated cylinder of arcuate cross-section and which has annularly extending ribs. A plurality of mounting members are used to fasten the slide member to the boarding bridge and to support the slide member. A baggage receiving area is attached near an end of the slide near ground level for receiving and retaining baggage. The receiving area includes a flexible member extending substantially across the receiving area for stopping the sliding of the baggage and which absorbs the impact of the baggage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: DANIEL BRACKEN, RICHARD KMETZ, PAUL SIMON, JOHN HUGHES