Patents by Inventor Frank M. Ead

Frank M. Ead 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: 6138736
    Abstract: A hand held, fluid driven film applique tool is disclosed for applying a film having an adhesive backing to a surface having a protrusion. The applique tool comprises a tool head including a hollow cylinder having an open end for receiving the protrusion and a closed end, the hollow cylinder being surrounded by an annular surface which is relatively flat and smooth. An elastomeric plug is slidably received by the hollow cylinder, the plug having a head portion forming the closed end of the hollow cylinder and a fluid pressure surface to which is applied a fluid under pressure to drive the elastomeric plug toward the open end of the hollow cylinder. A spring is provided for biasing the elastomeric plug away from the open end of the hollow cylinder and a switch is included for connecting a source of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure surface of the elastomeric plug. Further, a handle is furnished for holding the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Frank M. Ead, Jeffrey W. Howard, Thomas A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6089299
    Abstract: A film applique tool is disclosed for manually applying a film having an adhesive backing to a surface having protrusions. The tool comprises a tool head having a hollow cylinder for receiving the protrusion, the hollow cylinder being surrounded by an annular surface which is relatively flat and smooth. A handle is provide for manually holding the tool, as well as a switch for connecting the hollow cylinder to a source of fluid under pressure. In operation, tool head is placed over the protrusion so that the hollow cylinder receives at least the protrusion and the film overlying the protrusion and fluid pressure is applied to the film by connecting the hollow cylinder to the source of fluid pressure to stretch and press the film firmly against both the protrusion and an area of the surface surrounding the protrusion to assure that the film is flatly and completely applied at the protrusion and to the surface in the area surrounding the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Frank M. Ead, Jeffrey W. Howard, Thomas A. Robertson