Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Mills

Christopher J. Mills 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).

  • Publication number: 20240017830
    Abstract: A system and a method for securing and stabilizing one or more galley carts within a stowage compartment within an internal cabin of a vehicle include one or more dampers configured to be secured to one or more surfaces of the stowage compartment. The one or more dampers are configured to exert a spring force into the one or more galley carts to stabilize the one or more galley carts between the one or more dampers and one or more other surfaces of the stowage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 11608155
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes an offset flange insert comprising a base portion, a flange portion, and an interconnect portion. The base portion of the insert is configured to be received in a hole in an edge region of the floor panel and includes an opening that is sized to receive a fastener. The interconnect portion extends laterally from the base portion such that when the edge portion of the floor panel is overlapping a lateral edge portion of the airframe, the flange portion of the insert is beyond the lateral edge portion. The flange portion is also configured to be bonded to a bottom surface of the floor panel beyond the lateral edge portion of the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin
  • Publication number: 20220178395
    Abstract: A fastener insert for securement to a composite sandwich panel at an opening in the composite sandwich panel includes a base and a fastener carrier. The base has a body and a flange integral with the body. The flange extends laterally outward of an outer perimeter of the body. The base defines a central cavity extending entirely through both the body and the flange. The base includes a first locking feature disposed at the central cavity. The fastener carrier is configured to insert into the central cavity of the base. The fastener carrier defines a fastener opening and has a second locking feature configured for mechanical engagement with the first locking feature of the base to retain the fastener carrier to the base. A panel assembly and a method of fastening a component to a composite sandwich panel utilize the fastener insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 11333183
    Abstract: A fastener-receiving insert system includes a fastener-receiving insert having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one adhesive-dispensing chamber adjacent to the distal end of the insert, containing at least one part of an adhesive material within a chamber wall. The fastener-receiving insert system further includes a puncturing device operably engaged with and configured to puncture the chamber wall to release the at least one part of the adhesive material around the fastener-receiving insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raj A. Desai, Christopher Brad Long, Christopher J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20210190111
    Abstract: A fastener-receiving insert system includes a fastener-receiving insert having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one adhesive-dispensing chamber adjacent to the distal end of the insert, containing at least one part of an adhesive material within a chamber wall. The fastener-receiving insert system further includes a puncturing device operably engaged with and configured to puncture the chamber wall to release the at least one part of the adhesive material around the fastener-receiving insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Raj A. Desai, Christopher Brad Long, Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 10836463
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an aircraft airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes a vertical load resisting coupling device and a shear load resisting coupling device to connect the floor panel to the airframe and resist forces applied to the panel. The vertical load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces perpendicular to a top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting lateral forces. The shear load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces parallel to the top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting vertical forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Timothy M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20200346734
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes an offset flange insert comprising a base portion, a flange portion, and an interconnect portion. The base portion of the insert is configured to be received in a hole in an edge region of the floor panel and includes an opening that is sized to receive a fastener. The interconnect portion extends laterally from the base portion such that when the edge portion of the floor panel is overlapping a lateral edge portion of the airframe, the flange portion of the insert is beyond the lateral edge portion. The flange portion is also configured to be bonded to a bottom surface of the floor panel beyond the lateral edge portion of the airframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin
  • Patent number: 10800509
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an aircraft airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes a vertical load resisting coupling device and a shear load resisting coupling device to connect the floor panel to the airframe and resist forces applied to the panel. The vertical load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces perpendicular to a top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting lateral forces. The shear load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces parallel to the top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting vertical forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin, Timothy M. Jones
  • Patent number: 10717515
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes an offset flange insert comprising a base portion, a flange portion, and an interconnect portion. The base portion of the insert is configured to be received in a hole in an edge region of the floor panel and includes an opening that is sized to receive a fastener. The interconnect portion extends laterally from the base portion such that when the edge portion of the floor panel is overlapping a lateral edge portion of the airframe, the flange portion of the insert is beyond the lateral edge portion. The flange portion is also configured to be bonded to a bottom surface of the floor panel beyond the lateral edge portion of the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin
  • Patent number: 10589835
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching a floor panel to an airframe is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a collet, a pin, a capnut, and a subplate. The collet comprises at least one tang, extending from a cylindrical collar that defines a collet aperture. An external thread is formed on the collar, and a tab is formed on a distal end of the tang. The collet tang extends through a floor panel aperture, a subplate aperture, and an airframe aperture, and may interact with a subplate asymmetry. The capnut is screwed onto the collet, such that the pin is forced to slide along the collet tang and the tab is engaged with the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 10384758
    Abstract: A panel assembly including a first panel defining a slot, a second panel comprising a tab, wherein the tab is received in said slot and defines a gap in the slot between the tab and the first panel, and a joining assembly positioned in the gap, the joining assembly including an outer rack member engaged with the first panel, an inner rack member engaged with the second panel and a shim in ratcheting engagement with the outer rack member and the inner rack member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20190009882
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an aircraft airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes a vertical load resisting coupling device and a shear load resisting coupling device to connect the floor panel to the airframe and resist forces applied to the panel. The vertical load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces perpendicular to a top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting lateral forces. The shear load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces parallel to the top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting vertical forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Timothy M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20180327074
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an aircraft airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes a vertical load resisting coupling device and a shear load resisting coupling device to connect the floor panel to the airframe and resist forces applied to the panel. The vertical load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces perpendicular to a top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting lateral forces. The shear load resisting coupling device is configured to resist forces parallel to the top facial plane of the floor panel, without significantly resisting vertical forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin, Timothy M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20180327075
    Abstract: A floor panel connection system for attaching a floor panel to an airframe is disclosed. The connection system includes an offset flange insert comprising a base portion, a flange portion, and an interconnect portion. The base portion of the insert is configured to be received in a hole in an edge region of the floor panel and includes an opening that is sized to receive a fastener. The interconnect portion extends laterally from the base portion such that when the edge portion of the floor panel is overlapping a lateral edge portion of the airframe, the flange portion of the insert is beyond the lateral edge portion. The flange portion is also configured to be bonded to a bottom surface of the floor panel beyond the lateral edge portion of the airframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Emily Yang, Michael Patrick Durbin
  • Publication number: 20180281921
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching a floor panel to an airframe is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a collet, a pin, a capnut, and a subplate. The collet comprises at least one tang, extending from a cylindrical collar that defines a collet aperture. An external thread is formed on the collar, and a tab is formed on a distal end of the tang. The collet tang extends through a floor panel aperture, a subplate aperture, and an airframe aperture, and may interact with a subplate asymmetry. The capnut is screwed onto the collet, such that the pin is forced to slide along the collet tang and the tab is engaged with the airframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 10047783
    Abstract: A spring fastener clip includes first, second, and third strips, each with a corresponding hole therethrough. The clip is bent to form an S-shape, wherein the first strip, the second strip, and the third strip are aligned one with another, and the three holes are aligned one with another. The spring fastener clip further includes a hook extending from the second strip to the first strip and including a tab proximate the first hole. When a substrate is disposed between the first and second strips, the tab hooks over an edge of the substrate and resists flexing of the clip on installation of a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20170370395
    Abstract: A spring fastener clip includes first, second, and third strips, each with a corresponding hole therethrough. The clip is bent to form an S-shape, wherein the first strip, the second strip, and the third strip are aligned one with another, and the three holes are aligned one with another. The spring fastener clip further includes a hook extending from the second strip to the first strip and including a tab proximate the first hole. When a substrate is disposed between the first and second strips, the tab hooks over an edge of the substrate and resists flexing of the clip on installation of a fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20170210457
    Abstract: A panel assembly including a first panel defining a slot, a second panel comprising a tab, wherein the tab is received in said slot and defines a gap in the slot between the tab and the first panel, and a joining assembly positioned in the gap, the joining assembly including an outer rack member engaged with the first panel, an inner rack member engaged with the second panel and a shim in ratcheting engagement with the outer rack member and the inner rack member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20160347454
    Abstract: Disclosed is a removable seat divider for placement in a seat. The removable seat divider includes a vertical structure configured to be placed on the seat along an approximate center of the seat. The vertical structure includes a first outer surface, second outer surface, top, and back portion, where the back portion of the vertical structure is configured to be placed adjacent to a back portion of the seat. The removable seat divider also includes a cavity located adjacent to the back portion, where the cavity connects the first outer surface to the second outer surface, and the cavity is configured to pass a seat belt through the cavity. The base back portion is configured to produce a restraining force against the seat that is proportional to a tension on the seat belt that passes through the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Julio E. Abreu, Christopher J. Mills
  • Patent number: 9035957
    Abstract: An efficient pipeline debug statistics system and method are described. In one embodiment, an efficient pipeline debug is utilized in a graphics processing pipeline of a handheld device. In one embodiment, a pipeline debug statistics system includes a plurality of pipeline stages with probe points, a central statistic component, and a debug control component. The plurality of pipeline stages with probe points perform pipeline operations. The central statistic block gathers information from the probe points. The debug control component directs the gathering of information from the probe points. In one exemplary implementation, debug control component can direct gathering of information at a variety of levels and abstraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin Michael Mahan, Christopher J. Mills, Edward A. Hutchins