Patents Examined by Keith Dixon
  • Patent number: 9096318
    Abstract: The application relates to a unit for accommodating at least one member of an aircraft crew, wherein the unit is designed in such a manner that it can be arranged in a crew rest compartment of an aircraft, wherein the unit comprises first means, second means and third means for changing the volume of the unit, wherein the unit comprises: a lying-down facility for crew members, wherein the lying-down facility comprises first means for displacing the lying-down facility, a front panel, wherein the front panel comprises second means for displacing the front panel, and a sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises third means for displacing the sidewall. Furthermore, the application comprises a crew rest compartment for accommodating at least one crew member, wherein the crew rest compartment is designed to be arranged in an aircraft, wherein the crew rest compartment comprises a unit according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Seher Ergenci, Matthias Breuer, Holger Warner
  • Patent number: 7997539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for twisting and clamping a second flap moveable about a rotational axis with respect to a first flap. A device includes a twisting device arranged on the first flap including a drivable shaft rotatable about the rotational axis and a catch connected to the second flap. The device also includes a clamping device including a clamping sleeve arranged along the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Eads Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Thanhofer, Helmut Janker, Manfred Palik
  • Patent number: 7984873
    Abstract: A retraction cylinder (20) makes it possible to retract a leg (10) of a rotorcraft landing gear, the retraction cylinder (20) comprising a retraction chamber (33) and an extension chamber (34) separated by a head (26) of a piston (25), the piston (25) sliding in a cylindrical sheath (35). In addition, the retraction cylinder (20) comprises a return element (23) and a control chamber (22) furnished with a first fluid, this control chamber (22) being separated from the return element (23) by a movable release member (24), the movable release member (24) sliding so that the retraction cylinder (20) fulfils a damping function when a control pressure exerted by the first fluid on the movable release member (24) is greater than a return pressure exerted by the return element (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Vincent Lassus, Benjamin Talon
  • Patent number: 5088585
    Abstract: Routine hand-labor cargo processing is an integral component of world commerce. The present invention permits the incorporation in one-and-the-same freight floor surface of the capacity for near-instantaneous conversion from the traditional static norm to the fluidity of an appropriately-spaced roller ball floor surface constructed of a positively unfailing composition. This convertability aspect offers an incomparable cost reduction in both labor and equipment in the cargo handling field. This floor system allows for those transfer balls 20 to retract from and project above its floor surface at the will of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: William S. Lambert
  • Patent number: 5078257
    Abstract: A lattice production line includes a plurality of work stations, each connected to adjacent work stations by more than two conveyor belts. Each work station includes a manufacturing robot, an outer turntable with workpiece storage, and an inner turntable aligned with the robot. A program is provided to operate each conveyor, turntable, and robot independently, wherein parallel processing of workpieces through the system is possible. A preproduction scheduling algorithm provides for initial efficient use of the lattice, while a runtime algorithm enables the lattice to respond efficiently to the occurrence of faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Donald W. Carter, Jr.
    Inventor: Donald W. Carter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5069326
    Abstract: This conveyor apparatus, when conveying articles between adjoining stations, under the control of the control device on the basis of conveying state conveyance is carried out by driving by both the linear motor unit and the servomotor unit in at least one of the low speed regions (acceleration region at the initial stage of conveyance and deceleration region at the last stage of conveyance) and by driving by the servomotor unit in the intermediate region at the intermediate stage of conveyance. Therefore, conveyance in the low speed region is assisted by the linear motor unit which generates large thrust, with the result that acceleration and deceleration in the low speed region are enhanced effectively and no deviation is caused at each speed change point by the servomotor unit of high positioning precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corp.
    Inventors: Shunji Sakamoto, Toshihiko Hoshino
  • Patent number: 5064049
    Abstract: A device for lining up parts having different shapes of upper and lower surfaces thereof and which are transported from a part feeder to a further transporting device located beneath the part feeder, includes running path conveyor with one end arranged adjacent to the part feeder, and a lining-up conveyor for transporting the parts from the running path conveyor to the further transporting device which is positioned lower than the running path conveyor. The lining-up conveyor includes two spaced rotatable rollers located, respectively, in vicinity of the another end of the running path conveyor and the further transporting device, a belt wound between the two spaced rotatable rollers and forming thereby a slop surface. The slop surface has thereon a member for catching protrudent parts formed on one of the upper and lower surfaces of the parts to thereby retain the parts on the slope surfaces. A drive is provided for driving the belt in a direction opposite to a descending direction of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Saito
  • Patent number: 5062519
    Abstract: An escalator system comprising a main frame (1) defining a circulating loop path (2) therein, a plurality of steps (3,4,5,6) connected in an endless step loop disposed in the loop path and a special convertible step unit (4,5,6) disposed in the step loop and having a movable member (4a,11). The special step unit defines at least one of the steps with the movable member in an ordinary position in an ordinary operating mode, and the step unit defining a special step having a broad tread surface with the movable member displaced in a broad step position in a special operating mode. A displacement mechanism (45,46,13) having one end engageable with the special step unit (7) is disposed for displacing the movable member of the special step unit between the ordinary position and the broad step position by a drive force of the step loop which is a drive force component in the direction of width of the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasumasa Haruta
  • Patent number: 5052547
    Abstract: A belt meandering motion correcting device includes a belt tension enhancer for enhancing the tension of a side of the belt which undergoes a deviation, and a control roller around which the belt is wound and which allows a side portion of the belt where tension has increased to be displaced toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the belt. Accordingly, a side portion of the control roller on the side where tension has been enhanced, i.e., the side where a deviation has occurred, is displaced toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the belt, and is thereby guided in an opposite direction to the deviating direction of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Doi