Patents by Inventor Charles K. Lau

Charles K. Lau 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: 7766521
    Abstract: An interior sidewall panel assembly for a passenger aircraft includes a generally planar sidewall structural panel having a D-shaped window opening with an apex that is directed rearward and tilted slightly upward relative to the horizontal, a window assembly disposed in the window opening, an indirect lighting module disposed at a forward edge of the D-shaped window assembly and arranged to direct light forwardly such that the light washes onto a rear margin of a structural panel of a next adjacent panel assembly located immediately forward of the light module, and a kick panel disposed at a lower margin of the structural panel that incorporates cabin ventilation or decompression ducts and vents and an accent light adapted to direct light onto a cabin floor of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Wentland, Thomas L. LeBlanc, Charles K. Lau
  • Patent number: 7703956
    Abstract: The incorporation of a variety of illumination sources to provide the additional light sources that reflect against a ceiling panel to provide an altered ceiling height effect in an aircraft. The incorporation of floor, aisle and door illumination provides the added benefit of facilitating emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Wentland, Thomas L. LeBlanc, Charles K. Lau
  • Patent number: 7455263
    Abstract: Interior architectural structures and lighting for aircraft, particularly commercial passenger airplanes. Light diffusers and ceiling panels in a “wing-shape” and other secondary panels are utilized to create different interior designs and structures. A permeable secondary panel is utilized in one passenger cabin in order to provide a more private-type space. An enlarged ceiling arch with blended curves forming a “wing-type” configuration provides a more spacious cabin arrangement. Other features include air and light diffusers, passenger service modules, a “shelf”-like configuration and lighting above the airplane entrance/exit door, and bulkheads and monuments positioned at various positions in the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles K. Lau, Juliane B. Trummer
  • Publication number: 20080266887
    Abstract: An interior sidewall panel assembly for a passenger aircraft includes a generally planar sidewall structural panel having a D-shaped window opening with an apex that is directed rearward and tilted slightly upward relative to the horizontal, a window assembly disposed in the window opening, an indirect lighting module disposed at a forward edge of the D-shaped window assembly and arranged to direct light forwardly such that the light washes onto a rear margin of a structural panel of a next adjacent panel assembly located immediately forward of the light module, and a kick panel disposed at a lower margin of the structural panel that incorporates cabin ventilation or decompression ducts and vents and an accent light adapted to direct light onto a cabin floor of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Mark E. Wentland, Thomas L. LeBlanc, Charles K. Lau
  • Publication number: 20080266886
    Abstract: The incorporation of a variety of illumination sources to provide the additional light sources that reflect against a ceiling panel to provide an altered ceiling height effect in an aircraft. The incorporation of floor, aisle and door illumination provides the added benefit of facilitating emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Mark E. Wentland, Thomas L. LeBlanc, Charles K. Lau
  • Patent number: 6837460
    Abstract: A vehicle ceiling lining structure is provided. Each ceiling lining structure includes a frame formed in accordance with a section of a ceiling of an aircraft, a fabric attached to the frame, and mounts for attaching the frame to the ceiling. The structure includes a light that is attached to the frame in order to backlight the fabric. A light enhancement film is attached to the frame for dispersing the light. A back panel is attached to the frame to keep condensation away from the vehicle cabin. The frame includes one or more molded plastic parts that allow quick release from the mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing.Company
    Inventors: Peter S. Guard, Karen L. Hills, Kari L. Erkkila, Eric A. Bryan, Ryan B. Sparks, William C. Quan, Charles K. Lau
  • Publication number: 20040195445
    Abstract: A vehicle ceiling lining structure is provided. Each ceiling lining structure includes a frame formed in accordance with a section of a ceiling of an aircraft, a fabric attached to the frame, and mounts for attaching the frame to the ceiling. The structure includes a light that is attached to the frame in order to backlight the fabric. A light enhancement film is attached to the frame for dispersing the light. A back panel is attached to the frame to keep condensation away from the vehicle cabin. The frame includes one or more molded plastic parts that allow quick release from the mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Peter S. Guard, Karen L. Hills, Kari L. Erkkila, Eric A. Bryan, Ryan B. Sparks, William C. Quan, Charles K. Lau
  • Patent number: 5820221
    Abstract: A seat (10) is disclosed that includes a seat back (14) hingedly attached to a seat base (12) such that the seat back can be folded from an upright, vertical position to a closed, horizontal position with the lower surface of the seat back overlying the upper surface of the seat base throughout the seat's range of motion. For ready upholstering, in one embodiment, the foldable seat includes a removable seat base panel (20) and a removable seat back panel (22) attached to the seat base and back, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Tempress, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikal B. Greaves, Charles K. Lau, Mark A. McLean, William C. Quan, Ferdinand J. Van Engelen, Michelle J. Pillers, Kevin J. Talbot
  • Patent number: D398172
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Tempress, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikal B. Greaves, Charles K. Lau, Mark A. McLean, William C. Quan, Ferdinand J. Van Engelen, Michelle J. Pillers, Kevin J. Talbot
  • Patent number: D411381
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Tempress, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikal B. Greaves, Charles K. Lau, Mark A. McLean, William C. Quan, Ferdinand J. Van Engelen, Michelle J. Pillers, Kevin J. Talbot