Patents by Inventor Alan V. Thomas

Alan V. Thomas 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: 5540479
    Abstract: A seat adapted to accommodate three passengers has a seat cushion and a seat back, three headrests are located in juxtaposed relationship along the upper edge of the seat back, the central headrest is coupled to a central armrest so that the headrest will retract into the seat back when the armrest is lowered and will be raised so that it extends upwardly from the upper edge of the seat back when the armrest is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Alan V. Thomas, Guy H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5437348
    Abstract: A vehicle bonnet assembly includes a bonnet hinged to the vehicle body adjacent one edge and having a releasable catch adjacent an opposite edge, the bonnet being hinged to the vehicle body in a manner which will permit rearward movement of the bonnet when an impact is applied to the leading edge thereof, a lifting mechanism being provided to lift the trailing edge of the bonnet in response to rearward movement of the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventors: John B. Cady, Mark S. Howard, Stephen A. Fisher, Robert C. W. Lloyd, Alan V. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5385212
    Abstract: A vehicle bonnet assembly includes a bonnet hinged to the vehicle body adjacent one edge and having releasable catch means adjacent an opposite edge, the bonnet being hinged to the vehicle body in a manner which will permit rearward movement of the bonnet when an impact is applied to the leading edge thereof, a lifting mechanism being provided to lift the trailing edge of the bonnet in response to rearward movement of the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventors: John B. Cady, Mark S. Howard, Stephen A. Fisher, Robert C. W. Lloyd, Alan V. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5263546
    Abstract: A vehicle bonnet assembly includes a bonnet hinged to the vehicle body adjacent one edge and having a releasable catch adjacent an opposite edge, the bonnet being hinged to the vehicle body in a manner which will permit rearward movement of the bonnet when an impact is applied to the leading edge thereof, a lifting mechanism being provided to lift the trailing edge of the bonnet in response to rearward movement of the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventors: John B. Cady, Mark S. Howard, Stephen A. Fisher, Robert C. W. Lloyd, Alan V. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4412419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid supply system and seeks to provide a simpler, safer but reliable system than at present known. The fluid supply system comprises a multi-charge solid propellant gas generator and a fluid explusion unit integrated into a single unit, the gas generator being provided in a cap (8) for a chamber (1) having a gas portion (3) and a fluid portion (2) and a movable partition (4) between these two portions operable to expel fluid from the chamber when the gas generator is rendered operative. The system also comprises ignition control means (22) operable to control the ignition of the solid propellant charges (13) when required to give a fully controllable system output.The system can be designed for supplying under pressure fluids such as hydraulic oil, fuels, oxidents and water and is particularly useful in aerospace applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Alan V. Thomas, Geoffrey E. Bone
  • Patent number: 4308721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid supply system and seeks to provide a simpler, safer but reliable system than at present known. The fluid supply system comprises a multi-charge solid propellant gas generator and a fluid expulsion unit integrated into a single unit, the gas generator being provided in a cap (8) for a chamber (1) having a gas portion (3) and a fluid portion (2) and a movable partition (4) between these two portions operable to expel fluid from the chamber when the gas generator is rendered operative. The system also comprises ignition control means (22) operable to control the ignition of the solid propellant charges (13) when required to give a fully controllable system output.The system can be designed for supplying under pressure fluids such as hydraulic oil, fuels, oxidants and water and is particularly useful in aerospace applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: Sperry Limited
    Inventors: Alan V. Thomas, Geoffrey E. Bone