Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Schwitters
Christopher L. Schwitters 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).
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Patent number: 10919632Abstract: A section divider assembly is configured to be positioned above one or more seats and indicate a boundary of a section onboard a cabin of a vehicle. The section divider assembly includes an attachment header, and a barrier extending downwardly from the attachment header. A first coupler is secured to the attachment header. The first coupler is configured to be removably secured to a first fitting secured to a strongback of a stowage bin assembly within the cabin. A second coupler is secured to the attachment header and spaced apart from the first coupler. The second coupler is configured to be removably secured to a second fitting secured to a fixed rail within the cabin.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Derek A. Minyard, Brent Clarence Walton, Christopher L. Schwitters, David J. Barene
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Patent number: 10889376Abstract: A stowage bin assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The stowage bin assembly includes a strongback, and a pivot bin moveably coupled to the strongback. The pivot bin is configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position. A bin drive system is configured to move the pivot bin from the open position to the closed position. The bin drive system includes a motor operatively coupled to a bin actuator through a motion link. The motor is configured move the bin actuator via the motion link to push the pivot bin from the open position to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters
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Patent number: 10655780Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly is configured to securely couple to a structure. The mounting bracket assembly includes a securing cradle defining a securing chamber, a pivot arm that pivotally couples to the securing cradle through a first hinge, and a locking arm that pivotally couples to the pivot arm through a second hinge. The pivot arm and the locking arm are configured to pivotally move via the first hinge and the second hinge into an over-center securing position within the securing chamber to securely lock the mounting bracket assembly to the structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Raymond Roeder, Alyssa L. Yap, Wade T. Price, Christopher L. Schwitters, Bruce R. Olsen
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Publication number: 20190263525Abstract: A stowage bin assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The stowage bin assembly includes a strongback, and a pivot bin moveably coupled to the strongback. The pivot bin is configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position. A bin drive system is configured to move the pivot bin from the open position to the closed position. The bin drive system includes a motor operatively coupled to a bin actuator through a motion link. The motor is configured move the bin actuator via the motion link to push the pivot bin from the open position to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters
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Publication number: 20190178439Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly is configured to securely couple to a structure. The mounting bracket assembly includes a securing cradle defining a securing chamber, a pivot arm that pivotally couples to the securing cradle through a first hinge, and a locking arm that pivotally couples to the pivot arm through a second hinge. The pivot arm and the locking arm are configured to pivotally move via the first hinge and the second hinge into an over-center securing position within the securing chamber to securely lock the mounting bracket assembly to the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Raymond Roeder, Alyssa L. Yap, Wade T. Price, Christopher L. Schwitters, Bruce R. Olsen
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Publication number: 20190106213Abstract: A section divider assembly is configured to be positioned above one or more seats and indicate a boundary of a section onboard a cabin of a vehicle. The section divider assembly includes an attachment header, and a barrier extending downwardly from the attachment header. A first coupler is secured to the attachment header. The first coupler is configured to be removably secured to a first fitting secured to a strongback of a stowage bin assembly within the cabin. A second coupler is secured to the attachment header and spaced apart from the first coupler. The second coupler is configured to be removably secured to a second fitting secured to a fixed rail within the cabin.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Derek A. Minyard, Brent Clarence Walton, Christopher L. Schwitters, David J. Barene
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Patent number: 9499271Abstract: A section divider system is configured to separate sections within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The section divider system may include a first rail secured to a fixed panel within the internal cabin. A closeout panel may be secured to the fixed panel. The closeout panel extends between the fixed panel and a passenger service unit (PSU) within the internal cabin. A clearance space is formed between a portion of the closeout panel and the PSU. The closeout panel is configured to prevent access to an interior of the PSU. A bracket is secured to the first rail. One or more connecting beams extend from the bracket through the clearance space. A section divider assembly is connected to the connecting beam(s).Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Brent Clarence Walton, William F. Herold, Hung Quang Nguyen, Kevin Duane Bass, Christopher L. Schwitters
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Publication number: 20160297525Abstract: A section divider system is configured to separate sections within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The section divider system may include a first rail secured to a fixed panel within the internal cabin. A closeout panel may be secured to the fixed panel. The closeout panel extends between the fixed panel and a passenger service unit (PSU) within the internal cabin. A clearance space is formed between a portion of the closeout panel and the PSU. The closeout panel is configured to prevent access to an interior of the PSU. A bracket is secured to the first rail. One or more connecting beams extend from the bracket through the clearance space. A section divider assembly is connected to the connecting beam(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Brent Clarence Walton, William F. Herold, Hung Quang Nguyen, Kevin Duane Bass, Christopher L. Schwitters
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Patent number: 9096303Abstract: A system for attaching an aircraft wall panel to an airframe member includes a top support bracket having a mating member, a lower support bracket having a mating pin, and an aircraft wall panel having a first stabilizing attachment and a first securing attachment. The first stabilizing and securing attachments are arranged on a rear surface of the aircraft wall panel. The first stabilizing attachment is configured to connect to the mating member of the top support bracket and retain the aircraft wall panel in proximity to the airframe member. The first securing attachment is configured to connect to the mating pin of the lower support bracket to (a) engage the lower support bracket and facilitate horizontal and vertical adjustments of the aircraft wall panel in relation to the airframe member, and (b) lock a position of the first securing attachment relative to the lower support bracket.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: W Kwun-Wing Cheung, Christopher L Schwitters
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Patent number: 8979027Abstract: A system for attaching a wall panel includes a wall panel and a lock strip. The wall panel has a back and a tab extending from the back. The lock strip is moveably attached to a wall frame member, and has a three-position locking slot, including a receiving portion configured to receive the tab, a locking portion configured to lock the tab with respect to the frame member, and a release portion configured to release the tab. The wall panel is removably attachable to the frame member by inserting the tab into the receiving portion and linearly moving the lock strip to lock the tab in the locking portion. The system can be used for attaching interior sidewall panels in an aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: W. Kwun-Wing Cheung, Mark Cloud, Christopher L Schwitters
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Publication number: 20130320140Abstract: A system for attaching a wall panel includes a wall panel and a lock strip. The wall panel has a back and a tab extending from the back. The lock strip is moveably attached to a wall frame member, and has a three-position locking slot, including a receiving portion configured to receive the tab, a locking portion configured to lock the tab with respect to the frame member, and a release portion configured to release the tab. The wall panel is removably attachable to the frame member by inserting the tab into the receiving portion and linearly moving the lock strip to lock the tab in the locking portion. The system can be used for attaching interior sidewall panels in an aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: W. Kwun-Wing Cheung, Mark Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters
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Patent number: 5772380Abstract: A lightweight, two piece adjustable attachment device provides simple installation into a part, develops robust strength, and enables alignment of a retaining screw or bolt axis with the longitudinal axis of a threaded mounting hole, despite part to mount misalignment caused by tolerance build-up in a complex assembly. The adjustable attachment device is designed to provide sufficient overlap on each side of the part of the edges of the circular receiving aperture that the adjustable attachment device is able to withstand great force without pulling out of the part. The adjustable attachment device includes a fastener receiving slot that extends across the adjustable attachment device. The adjustable attachment device is installed into a circular receiving aperture in a part to be assembled onto a larger assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters