Patents by Inventor William R. Clos
William R. Clos 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: 11952145Abstract: A cargo restraint system includes a cargo conveyor system, which has a plurality of rollers and a cargo restraint. The cargo restraint includes an inner pawl rotatably attached to the cargo conveyor system and an outer pawl rotatably attached to the cargo conveyor system. A lever is rotatably attached to the cargo loading system. A mechanical linkage connects the lever to the outer pawl and to the inner pawl, the outer pawl and the inner pawl being controlled by movement of the lever through the mechanical linkage.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: William R. Clos
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Patent number: 11939079Abstract: Examples include a cargo container for carrying items in an aircraft. The cargo container includes a first sidewall including a first length and a second sidewall including a second length extending transversely from the first sidewall. The first length is greater than the second length. The cargo container further includes a base sidewall extending from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, where the base sidewall is configured to support the cargo container on a cargo support surface of the aircraft. The cargo container further includes a lid configured to couple to the first sidewall, the second sidewall, or the base sidewall to at least partially cover a cavity formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the base sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Douglas A. Brown, William R. Clos, Kyle Pointer
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Publication number: 20230086379Abstract: Examples include a cargo container for carrying items in an aircraft. The cargo container includes a first sidewall including a first length and a second sidewall including a second length extending transversely from the first sidewall. The first length is greater than the second length. The cargo container further includes a base sidewall extending from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, where the base sidewall is configured to support the cargo container on a cargo support surface of the aircraft. The cargo container further includes a lid configured to couple to the first sidewall, the second sidewall, or the base sidewall to at least partially cover a cavity formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the base sidewall.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, William R. Clos, Kyle Pointer
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Patent number: 11286048Abstract: An aircraft cargo restraint system includes a fuselage framework defining a cargo cabin, a webbing configured to restrain cargo positionable within the cargo cabin, one or more spring tension reels configured to bias the webbing towards a bottom of the cargo cabin, and one or more actuators configured to move the webbing toward a top of the cargo cabin against the bias of the one or more spring tension reels.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
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Patent number: 11130574Abstract: An aircraft cargo restraint system includes a fuselage framework defining a cargo cabin, a webbing configured to restrain cargo positionable within the cargo cabin, one or more spring tension reels configured to bias the webbing towards a top of the cargo cabin, and one or more actuators configured to move the webbing toward a bottom of the cargo cabin against the bias of the one or more spring tension reels.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
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Patent number: 11066168Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a controller, a signal from each load cell of a plurality of load cells coupled to an aircraft cargo roller panel of an aircraft. Each signal is indicative of a load experienced by the load cell when cargo is on the aircraft cargo roller panel. The method also includes determining, based on the signals, a weight of the cargo, a center of gravity of the cargo, or both.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William R. Clos, Darrin M. Noe
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Publication number: 20210206493Abstract: A cargo restraint system includes a cargo conveyor system, which has a plurality of rollers and a cargo restraint. The cargo restraint includes an inner pawl rotatably attached to the cargo conveyor system and an outer pawl rotatably attached to the cargo conveyor system. A lever is rotatably attached to the cargo loading system. A mechanical linkage connects the lever to the outer pawl and to the inner pawl, the outer pawl and the inner pawl being controlled by movement of the lever through the mechanical linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventor: William R. Clos
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Publication number: 20200255150Abstract: An aircraft cargo restraint system includes a fuselage framework defining a cargo cabin, a webbing configured to restrain cargo positionable within the cargo cabin, one or more spring tension reels configured to bias the webbing towards a bottom of the cargo cabin, and one or more actuators configured to move the webbing toward a top of the cargo cabin against the bias of the one or more spring tension reels.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
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Publication number: 20200255149Abstract: An aircraft cargo restraint system includes a fuselage framework defining a cargo cabin, a webbing configured to restrain cargo positionable within the cargo cabin, one or more spring tension reels configured to bias the webbing towards a top of the cargo cabin, and one or more actuators configured to move the webbing toward a bottom of the cargo cabin against the bias of the one or more spring tension reels.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
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Publication number: 20200047887Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a controller, a signal from each load cell of a plurality of load cells coupled to an aircraft cargo roller panel of an aircraft. Each signal is indicative of a load experienced by the load cell when cargo is on the aircraft cargo roller panel. The method also includes determining, based on the signals, a weight of the cargo, a center of gravity of the cargo, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: William R. Clos, Darrin M. Noe
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Patent number: 9908610Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an aircraft cargo handling system articulating ball mat are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for transferring cargo across a stepped threshold and into a sloped compartment involves moving the cargo across the stepped threshold and onto a ball mat located within the sloped compartment, where the ball mat is configured in a substantially horizontal position. In one or more embodiments, the surface of the ball mat comprises at least one conveyance device (e.g., at least one roller ball and/or at least one caster). The method further involves configuring the ball mat in a sloped position. Further, the method involves moving the cargo off the ball mat and into the sloped compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: William R. Clos
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Publication number: 20170217561Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an aircraft cargo handling system articulating ball mat are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for transferring cargo across a stepped threshold and into a sloped compartment involves moving the cargo across the stepped threshold and onto a ball mat located within the sloped compartment, where the ball mat is configured in a substantially horizontal position. In one or more embodiments, the surface of the ball mat comprises at least one conveyance device (e.g., at least one roller ball and/or at least one caster). The method further involves configuring the ball mat in a sloped position. Further, the method involves moving the cargo off the ball mat and into the sloped compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventor: William R. Clos
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Publication number: 20160244166Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for a cargo power drive unit (PDU) with a water extraction mechanism. According to one aspect, a PDU includes a PDU housing that is configured for installation within the cargo floor. A PDU drive wheel is positioned within a drive wheel compartment of the PDU housing. A water barrier is positioned around a top portion of the PDU housing. A water extraction mechanism is configured to transfer water from a sump portion of the drive wheel compartment to the cargo floor outside of the water barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventor: William R. Clos
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Patent number: 9403595Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for a cargo power drive unit (PDU) with a water extraction mechanism. According to one aspect, a PDU includes a PDU housing that is configured for installation within the cargo floor. A PDU drive wheel is positioned within a drive wheel compartment of the PDU housing. A water barrier is positioned around a top portion of the PDU housing. A water extraction mechanism is configured to transfer water from a sump portion of the drive wheel compartment to the cargo floor outside of the water barrier.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: William R. Clos
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Patent number: 7086517Abstract: An apparatus is provided for housing cargo-moving devices in a cargo handling system. The apparatus comprises a variable width tray having a wide section, a narrow section, and a transition section for connecting the narrow section to the wide section. The narrow section is configured to house narrow cargo-moving devices such as rollers and lock/stops, while the wide section is configured to house wide cargo-moving devices such as power drive units. The variable width tray can be further configured to mount within a transport vehicle such as a commercial aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William R. Clos, Karen S. Whitaker