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).

  • Patent number: 11952145
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William R. Clos
  • Patent number: 11939079
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, William R. Clos, Kyle Pointer
  • Publication number: 20230086379
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brown, William R. Clos, Kyle Pointer
  • Patent number: 11286048
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
  • Patent number: 11130574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
  • Patent number: 11066168
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William R. Clos, Darrin M. Noe
  • Publication number: 20210206493
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventor: William R. Clos
  • Publication number: 20200255150
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
  • Publication number: 20200255149
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Trent DeVerter, William R. Clos
  • Publication number: 20200047887
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: William R. Clos, Darrin M. Noe
  • Patent number: 9908610
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William R. Clos
  • Publication number: 20170217561
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: William R. Clos
  • Publication number: 20160244166
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventor: William R. Clos
  • Patent number: 9403595
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William R. Clos
  • Patent number: 7086517
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William R. Clos, Karen S. Whitaker