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).

  • Patent number: 10919632
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Derek A. Minyard, Brent Clarence Walton, Christopher L. Schwitters, David J. Barene
  • Patent number: 10889376
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters
  • Patent number: 10655780
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Roeder, Alyssa L. Yap, Wade T. Price, Christopher L. Schwitters, Bruce R. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20190263525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters
  • Publication number: 20190178439
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Roeder, Alyssa L. Yap, Wade T. Price, Christopher L. Schwitters, Bruce R. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20190106213
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Derek A. Minyard, Brent Clarence Walton, Christopher L. Schwitters, David J. Barene
  • Patent number: 9499271
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brent Clarence Walton, William F. Herold, Hung Quang Nguyen, Kevin Duane Bass, Christopher L. Schwitters
  • Publication number: 20160297525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brent Clarence Walton, William F. Herold, Hung Quang Nguyen, Kevin Duane Bass, Christopher L. Schwitters
  • Patent number: 9096303
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: W Kwun-Wing Cheung, Christopher L Schwitters
  • Patent number: 8979027
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: W. Kwun-Wing Cheung, Mark Cloud, Christopher L Schwitters
  • Publication number: 20130320140
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: W. Kwun-Wing Cheung, Mark Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters
  • Patent number: 5772380
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters