Patents by Inventor Christopher C. Culbertson

Christopher C. Culbertson 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: 8328166
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a restraint system is described for restraining a standing occupant in a vehicle such as a plane or helicopter. The restraint system includes a webbing strap that winds and unwinds from a spool assembly. The spool assembly includes a trigger assembly that locks a spool from rotation, a manual release assembly for manually releasing the trigger assembly and lock, and an adjustable payout assembly that determines the maximum length that the webbing strap can be pulled out before stopping (i.e., the number of rotations of the spool). The trigger assembly can trigger the lock assembly from one or more sensors. Further, the trigger assembly can be arranged to automatically unlock after a triggering event, manually unlocked after a triggering event or a combination of the two for different sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Matthew M. O'Brien, Christopher C. Culbertson, Colin A. Godby, Stephen M. King, Grant R. McCloud, Charles E. Van Druff
  • Publication number: 20110290047
    Abstract: A mobile oscillator device that employs two counter-rotating masses that generate a large impact force at multiple frequencies without generating forces in other undesired directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Salter, Matthew M. O'Brien, Eric N. Anderfaas, Christopher C. Culbertson
  • Publication number: 20090212159
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a restraint system is described for restraining a standing occupant in a vehicle such as a plane or helicopter. The restraint system includes a webbing strap that winds and unwinds from a spool assembly. The spool assembly includes a trigger assembly that locks a spool from rotation, a manual release assembly for manually releasing the trigger assembly and lock, and an adjustable payout assembly that determines the maximum length that the webbing strap can be pulled out before stopping (i.e., the number of rotations of the spool). The trigger assembly can trigger the lock assembly from one or more sensors. Further, the trigger assembly can be arranged to automatically unlock after a triggering event, manually unlocked after a triggering event or a combination of the two for different sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew M. O'Brien, Christopher C. Culbertson, Colin A. Godby, Stephen M. King, Grant R. McCloud, Charles E. Van Druff
  • Patent number: 7413247
    Abstract: An Occupant Retraction System (ORS) retracts a partially exposed occupant into a vehicle. The system responds to a trigger, wherein an occupant support retracts and actively pulls the occupant into the vehicle interior. The triggering event may be initiated by a manual switch, a rollover sensor, a crash sensor, a hostile ordnance sensor, or the like. A belt, harness, or foot strap may be connected to the occupant support to pull the occupant into the vehicle interior. A forcing means may be provided by a spring, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electro-mechanical actuator. The system further includes a damper for limiting acceleration to a safe maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: H. Koch & Sons Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, Christopher C. Culbertson, Mark W. Emory, Mark A. Forster
  • Patent number: 7275710
    Abstract: A mobile aircrew restraint system includes a track system and a trolley which runs along the track and carries a retractor which releases a webbing strap attached to a harness. The track is preferably an extruded or sectioned track which follows contours of an aircraft interior and may be removable and/or retractable to allow additional room for oversize cargo. The trolley includes an interlock pin which cooperates with interlock holes spaced one to two feet apart along the track, and includes a release handle for disengaging the interlocking pin. The strap retractor is attached to the trolley and is controllable to limit the payout of the webbing strap. The harness is worn by an aircrew member and is attached to the webbing strap by releasable buckles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventors: Charles E. VanDruff, Eric Kawabata, Christopher C. Culbertson
  • Patent number: 5987880
    Abstract: A thrust reverser system for a gas turbine engine 10 of the type which includes an outer nacelle 16 spaced apart from a core engine to define an annular bypass duct 32 therebetween and having a fan 22 disposed in an inlet for providing forced air to the bypass duct 32 and core engine. The thrust reverser system includes at least one passageway 40 through the nacelle 16 having a plurality of vanes 42 disposed therein. An internal reverser door 44 is disposed to be movable between a closed position wherein the internal reverser door 44 generally covers the at least one passageway 40 and an open position so as to allow at least a portion of air flow in the bypass duct 32 to pass through the at least one passageway 40. At least one mixer lobe 54 is disposed upstream of the at least one passageway 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher C. Culbertson