Patents by Inventor Frank M. Boyd

Frank M. Boyd 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: 5404016
    Abstract: An infrared dewar-detector assembly for use as a common module which is interchangeable between various military infrared detection systems. The detector is cooled to cryogenic temperature for improved sensitivity. The dewar of the common module incorporates a metal coldfinger mounted on a base plate for attachment to an associated cryo-engine. The coldfinger supports the detector on a beryllium bridge platform. The configurations of both the platform mount and the base plate are selected to minimize the vibrations transmitted to the detector.Signal paths from the detector include ribbon cables extending within the vacuum side of the dewar and having indium dot terminations making direct connections with a ceramic feedthrough header which, on the ambient pressure side of the unit, also includes indium pocket contacts for direct connection to the plug terminals of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Santa Barbara Research Center
    Inventors: Frank M. Boyd, David A. Hitzelberger, Wallace Y. Kunimoto, James A. Orr, Leonard E. Peck
  • Patent number: 5092045
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (39) comprising a rectangularly-shaped block (40) seated in a corresponding opening (41) of a blade (31) and a corresponding opening of a handle scale (32). Block (40) depresses into opening (41) after which blade (31) is free to rotate between locked open and closed modes, effecting two-position lock mechanism. Other embodiments include a stepped blocks (61, 81) by which two or one notches are utilized to effect either a two-position or one-position lock mechanism, respectively. These blocks register in their respective openings (42, 73, 89) provided in handle scale. The register in the opening (89) in the scale for the one-position lock mechanism is off-set in a direction towards the center of rotation for the blade (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventors: Francis M. Boyd, Jr., Frank M. Boyd, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5029354
    Abstract: A knife (20) having its member (21) comprising blade (22) and tang (23) locked to its side rails (24, 25) whichever way blade (22) or tang (23) seat in the knife (20). Side rails (24, 25) include opposing or non-corresponding edges (43, 44) which includes bayonet slots (41, 42) respectively. One pin (55) on blade (22) cooperatively engages bayonet slot (41) when the blade (22) is disposed in a pocket (40) between the side rails (24, 25), and one pin (54) on tang (23) cooperatively engages bayonet slot (42) when the tang (23) is disposed in pocket (40). Urging means (32) such as rubber bands (34, 35) urge the pins (55, 54) in their corresponding bayonet slots (41, 42) to stay therein and means such as rounds (63, 64) on side rails (24, 25) overcome such urging so that member (21) shifts into a pivoting position to unlock either blade (21) or tang (22) for pivoting either one out of pocket (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: F. Boyd, Ltd.
    Inventors: Francis M. Boyd, Jr., Frank M. Boyd, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4961239
    Abstract: A knife or tool (10) comprising a member (11) with a blade (12) and tool element (14) thereon, pivotable at (40) whereby one or the other, blade (12) or tool element (14), is correspondingly disposed in a sheath (22) while the other is exposed. Scales (16, 17) are mounted to each side (20, 21) of the member (11) and encompassed within its sheath (22), while an urging means (54, 55) or spring mechanisms are mounted between the member (11) at its pivot point (40) and the scales (16, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: F. Boyd, Ltd., Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Frank M. Boyd, Sr., Francis M. Boyd, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4804330
    Abstract: A vacuum tight electrical feedthru is disclosed for use where electrical leads must pass through the walls of a container in which a high vacuum must be maintained. It is useful in conjunction with infrared sensors, as well as for security, fire detection, rescue, night vision and medical applications. The feedthru includes a ceramic circuit ring with electrical traces deposited on one side. A ceramic seal ring partially covers the traces and is fired down to the main ceramic ring forming a hermetic seal. Metal rings are brazed to the seal ring and the ceramic circuit ring to allow welding to a housing. Spring loaded pads load a resilient pad onto the cables forcing gold plated dots to make contact to the pads on the ceramic circuit ring. This feedthru provides 180 conductors, 90 on each side. The ribbon cables are etched to expose the wires, which are then pressed on the gold dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Maciej J. Makowski, Frank M. Boyd