Patents by Inventor Dennis Hedrick

Dennis Hedrick 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: 10414501
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat having a dynamic breakover assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back pivotally-mounted to the seat bottom frame that allows the angle of the seat back relative to the seat bottom frame to be varied from an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position to a reclined position. The seat may include a means for sensing acceleration corresponding to a force indicative of an abnormal event; and a breakover mechanism coupled to the seat bottom frame and the seat back in which the means for sensing acceleration is coupled to the breakover mechanism. The breakover mechanism can prevent movement of the seat back in a forward direction past the TTOL position during normal use, and permit forward movement of at least a portion of the seat back in the forward direction past the TTOL position upon activation by the means for sensing acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Thompson, Jay Pierson, Brad Barg, Travis Finlay, Thomas Martz, Neng Yue, Dennis Hedrick, Randy Penley
  • Publication number: 20180346125
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat having a dynamic breakover assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back pivotally-mounted to the seat bottom frame that allows the angle of the seat back relative to the seat bottom frame to be varied from an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position to a reclined position. The seat may include a means for sensing acceleration corresponding to a force indicative of an abnormal event; and a breakover mechanism coupled to the seat bottom frame and the seat back in which the means for sensing acceleration is coupled to the breakover mechanism. The breakover mechanism can prevent movement of the seat back in a forward direction past the TTOL position during normal use, and permit forward movement of at least a portion of the seat back in the forward direction past the TTOL position upon activation by the means for sensing acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jeff Thompson, Jay Pierson, Brad Barg, Travis Finlay, Thomas Martz, Neng Yue, Dennis Hedrick, Randy Penley
  • Patent number: 8272694
    Abstract: A passenger seat, having a seat back, and a seat bottom, including a seat pan, supported by a frame mounted on laterally spaced-apart legs for being mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittings. A seat back frame assembly and a seat bottom assembly are joined for articulating movement such that when the seat back is reclined, the seat pan is shifted forward and the forward end of the seat pan and thus the seat bottom is raised in order to maintain an appropriate passenger seating angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Hawkins, Dennis Hedrick, Jeremy Green
  • Publication number: 20100308167
    Abstract: A passenger seat, having a seat back, and a seat bottom, including a seat pan, supported by a frame mounted on laterally spaced-apart legs for being mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittings. A seat back frame assembly and a seat bottom assembly are joined for articulating movement such that when the seat back is reclined, the seat pan is shifted forward and the forward end of the seat pan and thus the seat bottom is raised in order to maintain an appropriate passenger seating angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: BE AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Hawkins, Dennis Hedrick, Jeremy Green