Patents by Inventor Don Blackman
Don Blackman 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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Publication number: 20230387829Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Don Blackman, Brian Ford
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Publication number: 20230155522Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Don Blackman, Brian Ford
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Publication number: 20220069740Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Cobham Mission Systems Davenport LSS Inc.Inventors: Don Blackman, Brian Ford
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Publication number: 20200336086Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Cobham Mission Systems Davenport LSS Inc.Inventors: Don Blackman, Brian Ford
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Publication number: 20200144940Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Cobham Mission Systems Davenport LSS Inc.Inventors: Don Blackman, Brian Ford
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Publication number: 20190386582Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: Carleton Life Support Systems Inc.Inventors: Don Blackman, Brian Ford
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Publication number: 20180278182Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Carleton Life Support Systems Inc.Inventors: Don Blackman, Brian Ford
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Patent number: 9145108Abstract: Disclosed is a pretensioner for an occupant restraint. The pretensioner is designed to be used in conjunction with an inertial reel that locks the occupant restraint when detecting an adverse event. The pretensioner acts to remove slack in the webbing of the restraint and thereby safely secure the occupant once the reel is locked. The pretensioner described herein includes a rack that is initially held in place by a shear pin. Upon being activated, the rack is forced to a fully extended orientation, whereby the shear pin is severed. A deceleration ramp in included beneath the rack to slowly bring the rack to a stop at the end of the stroke.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian Ford, Justin Robinson, Don Blackman, Andre Coumand, Hugo Granados
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Patent number: 8662436Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for selectively adjusting the maximum payout of a tether from a reel assembly. The maximum payout can be selected by the user via a dial indicator on the end of the apparatus. By rotating the dial, an internal pawl is positioned relative to an associated ring gear. The ring gear includes a cut-out about its peripheral edge. The shaft of the reel assembly is rotatably interconnected to the ring gear via a series of gear reductions. After a predetermined about of tether has been paid out, the pawl encounters the cut-out about the ring gear. This, in turn, causes the pawl to engage the reel shaft to prevent further rotation. The maximum payout is determined by the initial spacing between the pawl and the cut-out.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems Inc.Inventors: Brian DeMenezes, Don Blackman, Brian Ford, Marc Jung, Justin Robinson, Kevin Holler, Joel Harshbarger
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Publication number: 20120325586Abstract: Disclosed is a restraint system for a vehicle, such as a wheeled vehicle, boat, or fixed or rotary winged aircraft. The system includes a control system integrated into the harness and strap of the restraint. This permits crewmembers to lock and unlock the restraint from a body worn control panel. Other auxiliary equipment also be operated from the control panel. In another embodiment, wiring for a communication system is integrated into the harness and strap.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: CONAX FLORIDA CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Meggs, Don Blackman, Brian Ford, Justin Robinson
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Publication number: 20120305694Abstract: Disclosed is a pretensioner for an occupant restraint. The pretensioner is designed to be used in conjunction with an inertial reel that locks the occupant restraint when detecting an adverse event. The pretensioner acts to remove slack in the webbing of the restraint and thereby safely secure the occupant once the reel is locked. The pretensioner described herein includes a rack that is initially held in place by a shear pin. Upon being activated, the rack is forced to a fully extended orientation, whereby the shear pin is severed. A deceleration ramp in included beneath the rack to slowly bring the rack to a stop at the end of the stroke.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: CONAX FLORIDA CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Ford, Justin Robinson, Don Blackman, Andre Coumand, Hugo Granados
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Publication number: 20120160948Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for selectively adjusting the maximum payout of a tether from a reel assembly. The maximum payout can be selected by the user via a dial indicator on the end of the apparatus. By rotating the dial, an internal pawl is positioned relative to an associated ring gear. The ring gear includes a cut-out about its peripheral edge. The shaft of the reel assembly is rotatably interconnected to the ring gear via a series of gear reductions. After a predetermined about of tether has been paid out, the pawl encounters the cut-out about the ring gear. This, in turn, causes the pawl to engage the reel shaft to prevent further rotation. The maximum payout is determined by the initial spacing between the pawl and the cut-out.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Conax Florida CorporationInventors: Brian DeMenezes, Don Blackman, Brian Ford, Marc Jung, Justin Robinson, Kevin Holler, Joel Harshbarger
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Publication number: 20110180165Abstract: A non-magnetic latching servo actuated valve under the control of a controller comprising a motor in rotational communication with a lead screw. The lead screw advances or retracts a valve stem connected to a valve stem cap. The valve stem cap has a valve stem cap passage. A valve end cap having a valve seat is provided and receives the valve stem cap such that the valve stem cap can contact the valve seat. A pressure relief device or shuttle assembly is positioned internal to the valve stem cap. The shuttle assembly is used for venting build-up downstream pressure through the non-magnetic latching servo actuated valve outlet, through the valve stem cap passage, around the shuttle assembly, through passages, into a pressure chamber, and to the nonmagnetic latching servo actuated valve exit where the fluid vents until the system is in balance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Conax Florida CorporationInventors: Mark Hansson, Byron K. Steiff, David Fordham, Don Blackman, Paul Schamell