Patents by Inventor Robert D. Wilkey

Robert D. Wilkey 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).

  • Publication number: 20240083596
    Abstract: An aircraft boarding vehicle to transport passengers between airport gate area and to a front door or a rear door of an airplane positioned on a tarmac of an airport without impeding ground transportation and plane traffic having a passenger platform housing, a chassis or frame to support the passenger platform housing, one or more independent drive hubs affixed to the chassis, the hubs configured to drive in either direction and turn or rotate to enable navigation of the vehicle about the tarmac, a lift system to raise and lower said passenger platform housing to match the height of the airport gate, the door of the airplane, the traverse over wing tips, and a power supply to power the one or more independent drive hubs and the lift system and thus, to speed up the turnaround process during deplaning and boarding procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Robert D. Wilkey
  • Patent number: 11365008
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first side with a first display device, a second side with a second display device, and a privacy divider separating the first side and the second side. The first display device may be configured to actuate between a first deployed position and a first stowed position via a first stowage mechanism. The second display device may be configured to actuate between a second deployed position and a second stowed position via a second stowage mechanism. The privacy divider may include one or more panels configured to actuate between a panel deployed position and a panel stowed position. The privacy divider may be open when at least one of the first display device is in the first stowed position, the second display device is in the second stowed position, or the one or more panels are in the panel stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Dennis M. Heuer, Lyle T. Davis, Robert J. Henshaw, Robert D. Wilkey
  • Patent number: 11332249
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider configured to separate a first side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a first aircraft seat and a second side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a second aircraft seat. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a collapsible display device positioned proximate to the privacy divider of the aircraft passenger compartment suite. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first display device and a first plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the first side when the first display device is in a first display device stowed position. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a second display device and a second plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the second side when the second display device is in a second display device stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Robert D. Wilkey, Mark B. Dowty, Lyle T. Davis, Dennis M. Heuer
  • Patent number: 11319072
    Abstract: A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, such as a business class cabin, including at least one longitudinal aisle dividing sections, with each section including at least one four-suite unit. Each four-suite unit generally includes an angled first seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle forward-facing, a second angled seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle rearward-facing, a third angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the first seat and rearward-facing, and a fourth angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the second seat and forward-facing. Aisle seats are accessed directly from the aisle while outboard seats share access passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Edward W. Morgan, Horng Jaan Lin, Tracy N. Pence, Benjamin T. Bailey, Jae Hun Gu, Robert D. Wilkey
  • Patent number: 11230382
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include at least one single passenger compartment including at least one single aircraft seat. The at least one single aircraft seat may be configured to seat a single passenger. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a combined divan passenger compartment with a combined divan aircraft seat. The combined divan aircraft seat may be configured to seat at least one passenger. The combined divan aircraft seat may have a width greater than a width of the at least one single aircraft seat. The combined divan passenger compartment may include a stowage compartment configured to stow large passenger amenities in a substantially vertical orientation. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider separating the combined divan passenger compartment and the at least one single passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Robert J. Henshaw, Suzuko Hisata, Robert D. Wilkey, Glenn A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210237879
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include at least one single passenger compartment including at least one single aircraft seat. The at least one single aircraft seat may be configured to seat a single passenger. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a combined divan passenger compartment with a combined divan aircraft seat. The combined divan aircraft seat may be configured to seat at least one passenger. The combined divan aircraft seat may have a width greater than a width of the at least one single aircraft seat. The combined divan passenger compartment may include a stowage compartment configured to stow large passenger amenities in a substantially vertical orientation. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider separating the combined divan passenger compartment and the at least one single passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Robert J. Henshaw, Suzuko Hisata, Robert D. Wilkey, Glenn A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210214084
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider configured to separate a first side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a first aircraft seat and a second side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a second aircraft seat. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a collapsible display device positioned proximate to the privacy divider of the aircraft passenger compartment suite. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first display device and a first plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the first side when the first display device is in a first display device stowed position. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a second display device and a second plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the second side when the second display device is in a second display device stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Robert D. Wilkey, Mark B. Dowty, Lyle T. Davis, Dennis M. Heuer
  • Publication number: 20210179268
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first side with a first display device, a second side with a second display device, and a privacy divider separating the first side and the second side. The first display device may be configured to actuate between a first deployed position and a first stowed position via a first stowage mechanism. The second display device may be configured to actuate between a second deployed position and a second stowed position via a second stowage mechanism. The privacy divider may include one or more panels configured to actuate between a panel deployed position and a panel stowed position. The privacy divider may be open when at least one of the first display device is in the first stowed position, the second display device is in the second stowed position, or the one or more panels are in the panel stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Dennis M. Heuer, Lyle T. Davis, Robert J. Henshaw, Robert D. Wilkey
  • Patent number: 10836494
    Abstract: A cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of a pivoting mechanism including two articulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floating pin that passes through the center of the pivot. One actuator is affixed to a stationary assembly of the pivot device and the other actuator is affixed to a rotating body of the device. A first cable pulled at one end of the device pulls a second cable at an opposing end of the device through the articulating cable actuators. The cable actuating mechanism can be used to unlock, for example, a seat recline lock device in an aircraft seat equipped with a pivoting armrest, among other applications within and outside of an aircraft cabin environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilkey, Alexander N. Pozzi, Francis Xavier L. Garing
  • Publication number: 20200307797
    Abstract: A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, such as a business class cabin, including at least one longitudinal aisle dividing sections, with each section including at least one four-suite unit. Each four-suite unit generally includes an angled first seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle forward-facing, a second angled seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle rearward-facing, a third angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the first seat and rearward-facing, and a fourth angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the second seat and forward-facing. Aisle seats are accessed directly from the aisle while outboard seats share access passageways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Edward W. Morgan, Horng Jaan Lin, Tracy N. Pence, Benjamin T. Bailey, Jae Hun Gu, Robert D. Wilkey
  • Publication number: 20190300175
    Abstract: A cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of a pivoting mechanism including two articulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floating pin that passes through the center of the pivot. One actuator is affixed to a stationary assembly of the pivot device and the other actuator is affixed to a rotating body of the device. A first cable pulled at one end of the device pulls a second cable at an opposing end of the device through the articulating cable actuators. The cable actuating mechanism can be used to unlock, for example, a seat recline lock device in an aircraft seat equipped with a pivoting armrest, among other applications within and outside of an aircraft cabin environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Robert D. WILKEY, Alexander N. POZZI, Francis Xavier L. GARING
  • Patent number: 10301028
    Abstract: An aircraft tray table assembly includes a recessed storage compartment covered by a pivoting lid which becomes an integral part of the tray table surface upon closing. A mirror may be fixedly attached to the inside of the lid. A passenger may be provided a mirror surface by flipping open the pivoting lid when positioned in a passenger seat within an aircraft. A retractor may be configured to closing of the pivoting lid when a passenger manually translates the tray table into a stowed position, thereby avoiding contact of the deployed lid with aircraft fixture surfaces proximate the stowed position of the tray table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Stephens, Robert D. Wilkey, Robert J. Henshaw, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi
  • Patent number: 10279917
    Abstract: A cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of a pivoting mechanism including two articulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floating pin that passes through the center of the pivot. One actuator is affixed to a stationary assembly of the pivot device and the other actuator is affixed to a rotating body of the device. A first cable pulled at one end of the device pulls a second cable at an opposing end of the device through the articulating cable actuators. The cable actuating mechanism can be used to unlock a seat recline lock device in an aircraft seat equipped with a pivoting armrest, among other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilkey, Alexander N. Pozzi, Francis Xavier L. Garing
  • Patent number: 10189406
    Abstract: A storage bin space utilization detection and display system for use with a storage bin for storing one or more objects, including: a plurality of sensors disposed within an interior portion of the storage bin, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is associated with one of a plurality of regions defined within the interior portion of the storage bin, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is operable for detecting a presence/absence of the one or more objects within the associated region defined within the interior portion of the storage bin; and a visual indicator device operable for indicating the detected presence/absence of the one or more objects within the associated region defined within the interior portion of the storage bin to an individual outside of the storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Pozzi, Robert D. Wilkey, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alyssa G. Mellett, Julia M. Brooks, Jae Hun Gu
  • Publication number: 20180281967
    Abstract: An aircraft tray table assembly includes a recessed storage compartment covered by a pivoting lid which becomes an integral part of the tray table surface upon closing. A mirror may be fixedly attached to the inside of the lid. A passenger may be provided a mirror surface by flipping open the pivoting lid when positioned in a passenger seat within an aircraft. A retractor may be configured to closing of the pivoting lid when a passenger manually translates the tray table into a stowed position, thereby avoiding contact of the deployed lid with aircraft fixture surfaces proximate the stowed position of the tray table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Stephens, Robert D. Wilkey, Robert J. Henshaw, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi
  • Patent number: 9451814
    Abstract: A two-piece case for a smart phone or other electronic device includes a base and a frame. Interengaging snap coupling elements on the base and the frame releasably attach the components together to hold a phone within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CASE-MATE, INC.
    Inventor: Robert D. Wilkey
  • Publication number: 20150284092
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat including a seat bottom, a seatback pivotably attached to the seat bottom, and an extendable and angularly deployable leg rest pivotably attached to the seat bottom, the leg rest including leg rest rails pivotably attached to the seat bottom, a translating cushion assembly carried on the leg rest rails, a rack and pinion mechanism arranged to drive cushion assembly translation along the leg rest rails, and a timing link pivotably attached to the seat bottom arranged to actuate the rack and pinion mechanism in response to angular movement of the leg rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilkey, Robert J. Henshaw, Joshua T. Munchow
  • Publication number: 20140116897
    Abstract: A two-piece case for a smart phone or other electronic device includes a base and a frame. Interengaging snap coupling elements on the base and the frame releasably attach the components together to hold a phone within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CASE-MATE, INC.
    Inventor: Robert D. WILKEY
  • Patent number: D699757
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Case-Mate, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Wilkey
  • Patent number: D713833
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Case-Mate, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Wilkey