Patents by Inventor Alan D. Erickson

Alan D. Erickson 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: 10723486
    Abstract: A method of assembling a structure using a fixture is disclosed. The fixture comprises a first portion and a second portion, and the structure comprises an object and a beam that includes a web. The method comprises installing the fixture on the beam by gripping the beam between a first clamping face of the first portion and a second clamping face of the second portion so that a first contact face of the first portion and a second contact face of the second portion abut each other, and the first clamping face and the second clamping face engage the web; positioning the object relative to the beam between a first positioning face of the first portion and a second positioning face of the second portion without gripping the object; and installing a fastener so that the first portion is drawn toward the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew Jameson Stewart, Alan D. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20190009930
    Abstract: A method of assembling a structure using a fixture is disclosed. The fixture includes a first portion including a first positioning face, a first contact face, and a first clamping face. Each of the first positioning face, the first contact face, and the first clamping face is movable in a first working direction. The fixture also includes a second portion including a second positioning face, a second contact face, and a second clamping face. Each of the second positioning face, the second contact face, and the second clamping face is movable in a second working direction opposite to the first working direction. When the fixture is installed on the beam, the first contact face and the second contact face abut each other, and the first clamping face and the second clamping face engage the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew Jameson Stewart, Alan D. Erickson
  • Patent number: 10124913
    Abstract: A fixture for positioning an object relative to a beam, wherein the beam includes a web, is disclosed. The fixture includes a first portion including a first positioning face, a first contact face, and a first clamping face. Each of the first positioning face, the first contact face, and the first clamping face is movable in a first working direction. The fixture also includes a second portion including a second positioning face, a second contact face, and a second clamping face. Each of the second positioning face, the second contact face, and the second clamping face is movable in a second working direction opposite to the first working direction. When the fixture is installed on the beam, the first contact face and the second contact face abut each other, and the first clamping face and the second clamping face engage the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew Jameson Stewart, Alan D. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20150344155
    Abstract: A fixture for positioning an object relative to a beam, wherein the beam includes a web, is disclosed. The fixture includes a first portion including a first positioning face, a first contact face, and a first clamping face. Each of the first positioning face, the first contact face, and the first clamping face is movable in a first working direction. The fixture also includes a second portion including a second positioning face, a second contact face, and a second clamping face. Each of the second positioning face, the second contact face, and the second clamping face is movable in a second working direction opposite to the first working direction. When the fixture is installed on the beam, the first contact face and the second contact face abut each other, and the first clamping face and the second clamping face engage the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew Jameson Stewart, Alan D. Erickson