Patents by Inventor Edward L. Hopper

Edward L. Hopper 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).

  • Lift for physically-challenged passengers and method of operation
    Patent number: 6062809
    Abstract: A passenger lift (10) is provided for loading a passenger (12) into and out of an aircraft (14). Lift (10) includes a chassis (38) having a front (34) end and a back (36) end. A plurality of wheels (62 and 63) are attached to the chassis (38) providing means for moving the lift (10). The lift (10) also includes an electrical energy source (70) for providing electrical energy, and an energy converter (104) for translating the electrical energy from the electrical energy source (70) to mechanical energy. The lift (10) includes a rear support (40) generally perpendicular to the chassis (38) and attached to the back end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) has a basket (48) for holding the passenger (12) while the passenger is raised and lowered with the lift (10) and (48) is located at the front end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) includes a pair of lift arms (44) for lifting the basket (48), and a pair of stabilizing arms (42) for providing stability to the basket (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: American Airlines Incorporated
    Inventors: Rex A. Berkey, Daniel DeFant, Brad Hallum, Jeffrey A. Hansen, Edward L. Hopper, Philip Alan Johnson, Frank C. Saari, Randy Paul Sundell
  • Lift for physically-challenged passengers and method of operation
    Patent number: 5595470
    Abstract: A passenger lift (10) is provided for loading a passenger (12) into and out of an aircraft (14). Lift (10) includes a chassis (38) having a front (34) end and a back (36) end. A plurality of wheels (62 and 63) are attached to the chassis (38) providing devices for moving the lift (10). The lift (10) also includes an electrical energy source (70) for providing electrical energy, and an energy converter (104) for translating the electrical energy from the electrical energy source (70) to mechanical energy. The lift (10) includes a rear support (40) generally perpendicular to the chassis (38) and attached to the back end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) has a basket (48) for holding the passenger (12) while the passenger is raised and lowered with the lift (10) and (48) is located at the front end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) includes a pair of lift arms (44) for lifting the basket (48), and a pair of stabilizing arms (42) for providing stability to the basket (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: American Airlines, Incorporated
    Inventors: Rex A. Berkey, Daniel DeFant, Brad Hallum, Jeffrey A. Hansen, Edward L. Hopper, Philip A. Johnson, Frank C. Saari, Randy P. Sundell