Patents by Inventor Donald Coffland

Donald Coffland 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: 10035246
    Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to a tool for releasing a cable tie. The tool includes a front member having a front indexing surface and a front extension member. The tool includes a rear member movably coupled to the front member, with the rear member including a rear indexing surface and a rear extension member. When the front member and the rear member engage a head of the cable tie in a closed state, the front extension member protrudes into an opening in the head, in an insertion direction, a front extension distance that is less than the length of the head minus a distance from the rear surface to a pawl of the cable tie along the insertion direction, and spaces a contact portion of the pawl, along a transverse direction, by a distance sufficient to disengage the cable tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald Coffland, Christine Anderson, Curt Backman, Aaron Ayers, David Wright, Scott Shapiro, Donald Young
  • Patent number: 9256220
    Abstract: A method and system comprise a tool, a number of radios, and a processor. The tool has a sensor and a wireless transmitter, and is configured to perform an operation on an area. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit a signal comprising sensor data upon completion of the operation. The number of radios is configured to generate location measurements using the signal. The processor is configured to identify a location of the area using the location measurements and generate an indication of completion of the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald Coffland, Russell N. Tice, Sujith Mally
  • Publication number: 20150343609
    Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to a tool for releasing a cable tie. The tool includes a front member having a front indexing surface and a front extension member. The tool includes a rear member movably coupled to the front member, with the rear member including a rear indexing surface and a rear extension member. When the front member and the rear member engage a head of the cable tie in a closed state, the front extension member protrudes into an opening in the head, in an insertion direction, a front extension distance that is less than the length of the head minus a distance from the rear surface to a pawl of the cable tie along the insertion direction, and spaces a contact portion of the pawl, along a transverse direction, by a distance sufficient to disengage the cable tie.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald Coffland, Christine Anderson, Curt Backman, Aaron Ayers, David Wright, Scott Shapiro, Donald Young
  • Patent number: 8311658
    Abstract: An electronic torque wrench having a flexible head provides accurate torque measurements irrespective of the angular position of the head relative to a handle on which the force is applied. The head includes first and second portions connected by at least three pivotal links. One of the links is used to react against the entire torque applied to the handle, regardless of the pivotal position of the handle. An electronic strain gauge on the torque-reacting link provides a measurement of the torque applied to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald Coffland, Russell Tice, Sujith Mally
  • Publication number: 20090326699
    Abstract: An electronic torque wrench having a flexible head provides accurate torque measurements irrespective of the angular position of the head relative to a handle on which the force is applied. The head includes first and second portions connected by at least three pivotal links. One of the links is used to react against the entire torque applied to the handle, regardless of the pivotal position of the handle. An electronic strain gauge on the torque-reacting link provides a measurement of the torque applied to the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Donald Coffland, Russell Tice, Sujith Mally
  • Publication number: 20060118078
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that create variable volume chambers. A method includes synchronizing rotation of a plurality of geometrical elements to create a first chamber with the plurality of the geometrical elements and a housing. A continuous portion of the first chamber, defined by the plurality of geometrical elements, permits a volume of the first chamber to be varied. An apparatus includes a first chamber disposed between a plurality of geometrical elements and a housing. The plurality of geometrical elements are configured for synchronized rotation within the housing and a continuous portion of the first chamber, defined by the plurality geometrical elements, permits a volume of the first chamber to be varied. A plurality of chambers can be formed with a plurality of geometrical elements configured for synchronized rotation within a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Coffland
  • Publication number: 20060117547
    Abstract: One advantageous embodiment of the present invention is an integral clamping-and-bucking apparatus (12) for a system (10), which is utilized for applying rivet fasteners (56) to two or more panels (14a, 14b) and forming a joint (24) therebetween. The integral clamping-and-bucking apparatus (16) includes a clamping foot (46) for clamping the panels (14a, 14b) in a predetermined configuration and for drilling a hole (54) in the panels (14a, 14b) the panels (14a, 14b) at the joint (24). Also, the integral clamping-and-bucking apparatus (12) further includes a bucking bar (48) for bucking a rivet tail (62) that extends from the hole (54). The clamping foot (46) and the bucking bar (48) are coupled to and actuated by a controller (32). This controller (32) actuates the bucking bar (48) and the clamping foot (46) for transferring power between the clamping foot (32) and the bucking bar (48) while maintaining a substantially constant total force applied to the panels (14a, 14b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Ffield, Donald Coffland