Patents by Inventor Gary E. Pfitzner

Gary E. Pfitzner 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: 8424580
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for preparing a cassette spool. The apparatus includes: a supply reel for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper; at least one cutting member for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper; a cutting surface defined in a plane; a pivoting path member adapted to move from a first position aligned in the plane to a second position aligned at least partially out of the plane; at least one removing member for removing uncut unrolled tape material from original backing paper; and a cassette spool for rolling up unrolled cut tape material on original backing paper. In further embodiments, methods are provided for preparing a cassette spool with cut tape material on original backing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Ronald E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8236222
    Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond N. Henderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Surendra R. Parekh, Christopher G. Harris, Kurtis S. Willden
  • Publication number: 20110030903
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for preparing a cassette spool. The apparatus includes: a supply reel for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper; at least one cutting member for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper; a cutting surface defined in a plane; a pivoting path member adapted to move from a first position aligned in the plane to a second position aligned at least partially out of the plane; at least one removing member for removing uncut unrolled tape material from original backing paper; and a cassette spool for rolling up unrolled cut tape material on original backing paper. In further embodiments, methods are provided for preparing a cassette spool with cut tape material on original backing paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Ronald E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7811401
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for preparing a cassette spool. The apparatus includes: a supply reel for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper; at least one cutting member for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper; a cutting surface defined in a plane; a pivoting path member adapted to move from a first position aligned in the plane to a second position aligned at least partially out of the plane; at least one removing member for removing uncut unrolled tape material from original backing paper; and a cassette spool for rolling up unrolled cut tape material on original backing paper. In further embodiments, methods are provided for preparing a cassette spool with cut tape material on original backing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Ronald E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100043941
    Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond N. Henderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Surendra R. Parekh, Christopher G. Harris, Kurtis S. Willden
  • Patent number: 7651650
    Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kurtis S. Willden, Raymond N. Henderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Surendra R. Parekh, Christopher G. Harris
  • Publication number: 20080290208
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for preparing a cassette spool. The apparatus includes: a supply reel for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper; at least one cutting member for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper; a cutting surface defined in a plane; a pivoting path member adapted to move from a first position aligned in the plane to a second position aligned at least partially out of the plane; at least one removing member for removing uncut unrolled tape material from original backing paper; and a cassette spool for rolling up unrolled cut tape material on original backing paper. In further embodiments, methods are provided for preparing a cassette spool with cut tape material on original backing paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald A. Anderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Ronald E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7118370
    Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kurtis S. Willden, Raymond N. Henderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Surendra R. Parekh, Christopher G. Harris
  • Publication number: 20040041304
    Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Kurtis S. Willden, Raymond N. Henderson, Gary E. Pfitzner, Surendra R. Parekh, Christopher G. Harris