Patents by Inventor Donald D. McBride

Donald D. McBride 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: 5768740
    Abstract: A debris removal system removes debris from a work site by flowing fluid away from the work site toward the periphery of a structure. The fluid flow can be kept constant around the periphery so that debris is removed evenly. The structure can have a reduced cross section between the fluid inlet and the work site so that the resulting increased fluid velocity works to prevent debris from escaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Donald D. McBride, Dominic Bua, Yacov Domankevitz, Norman Nishioka
  • Patent number: 5607182
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignees: Sandia Corporation, Precision Fabrics Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Nelsen, Larry D. Whinery, Kenneth W. Gwinn, Donald D. McBride, Daniel A. Luna, Joseph P. Holder, Richard J. Bliton
  • Patent number: 5533755
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being Joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Sandia Corp./Precision Fabrics Grp., Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Nelsen, Larry D. Whinery, Kenneth W. Gwinn, Donald D. McBride, Daniel A. Luna, Joseph P. Holder, Richard J. Bliton
  • Patent number: 5482317
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a low cost, self-venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions, each flap portion having a base edge corresponding to a fold line and at least two side edges each extending outwardly from a base edge and ultimately converging to meet each other, the flap portions being folded at the fold line(s) and being joined at corresponding side edges to define an inflatable chamber. The inflatable protective cushion and method for making same may further include a lightweight, low permeability, fabric that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed and minimizes the packed volume of the cushion when stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Nelsen, Larry D. Whinery, Kenneth W. Gwinn, Donald D. McBride, Daniel A. Luna, Joseph P. Holder, Richard J. Bliton