Patents by Inventor George R. Smallhorn

George R. Smallhorn 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: 8173902
    Abstract: A system for mounting conductors, such as electrical wires, optical fiber cables, conduits and the like, to the floor beams of an aircraft cabin floor, having: an elongate raceway a longitudinal routing rails spanning between adjacent pairs of floor beams, each routing rail having an interior channel for housing conductors; conductor cradle blocks disposed in the interior channel, each cradle block including a mounting cushion adapted to engage a bottom portion of said conductors; and rail support brackets, each rail support bracket removably clamped on at least one of: the top flange; the bottom flange; and the web of a beam and removably mounted to the rail ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Inflight Investments Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Publication number: 20110290954
    Abstract: A support bracket for mounting wires, cables, conduits and the like to floor beams of an aircraft passenger cabin floor without modification to the floor beams, the floor beams having a top flange, a bottom flange, and a vertical web. The support bracket has a support body with cable support cradles where each cradle has a cradling surface and a tie wrap passage; and at least clamping block connected to the support body with at least one adjustable tension bolt, the clamping block having a beam engaging surface wherein tension in the at least one bolt urges the beam engaging surface toward the support body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: INFLIGHT INVESTMENTS INC.
    Inventor: George R. SMALLHORN
  • Publication number: 20110279741
    Abstract: A viewing device, including: a base having an upper surface adapted for mounting to a lower contoured surface of an overhead structure in a passenger vehicle; a flexible and contouring viewing screen pivotally mounted to the base for rotary movement of the flexible and contouring viewing screen between a deployed position and a stowed position, wherein the flexible and contouring viewing screen moves from a flat deployed shape in the deployed position to a curved stowed shape that complies to the lower contoured surface of the overhead structure in the stowed position; and a rotary actuator disposed in the base and engaging the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: INFLIGHT INVESTMENTS INC.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Publication number: 20100139948
    Abstract: A system for mounting conductors, such as electrical wires, optical fibre cables, conduits and the like, to the floor beams of an aircraft cabin floor, having: an elongate raceway a longitudinal routing rails spanning between adjacent pairs of floor beams, each routing rail having an interior channel for housing conductors; conductor cradle blocks disposed in the interior channel, each cradle block including a mounting cushion adapted to engage a bottom portion of said conductors; and rail support brackets, each rail support bracket removably clamped on at least one of: the top flange; the bottom flange; and the web of a beam and removably mounted to the rail ends
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: INFLIGHT INVESTMENTS INC.
    Inventor: George R. SMALLHORN
  • Publication number: 20090249408
    Abstract: An access control system for controlling individualized access, by passengers of a vehicle, to data transmissions and electrical power including a transmission source; a passenger access interface; and a control circuit in communication with the transmission source. The control circuit includes: a microprocessor with memory storage, the microprocessor having a control signal emitter in communication with the transmission source, where the control signal determines access between the transmission source and the passenger access interface; and a portable memory device including stored access control software readable by the microprocessor for determining when a control signal is to be emitted, the portable memory device being removable by the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: INFLIGHT INVESTMENTS INC.
    Inventor: George R. SMALLHORN
  • Publication number: 20090072098
    Abstract: A support bracket for mounting wires, cables, conduits and the like to floor beams of an aircraft passenger cabin floor without modification to the floor beams. The floor beams have a top flange, a bottom flange, and a vertical web therebetween. The support bracket includes: a support body having a number of cradles where each cradle has an engaging surface and a tie wrap passage; and at least one beam engaging member connected to the support body, the beam engaging member having a beam clamping surface and biasing device to urge the beam clamping surface toward the support body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Patent number: 7143978
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrical power supply for mounting to floor tracks adjacent an aircraft passenger cabin seat assembly, the seat assembly having at least one passenger seat supported on legs secured to the floor tracks, the electrical power supply including: a housing having an interior chamber and a base plate with floor track mounting fasteners; an electrical power supply unit within the chamber having an inlet connector for communication with an aircraft electrical power source; and at least one electrical power outlet mounted to an exterior surface of the housing and in communication with the electrical power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Inflight Investments Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Patent number: 6863344
    Abstract: A support for entertainment or personal electronic equipment associated with a passenger seat mounted to a floor in a passenger cabin having a base adapted to anchor to the cabin floor laterally adjacent and forward of said seat. A post extends upwardly from the base and has an elongate pocket for housing each articulated support arm. A proximal end of the arm is mounted to the post and a distal end includes an equipment mount. Each arm has independent deployment from a stowed position housed within an associated pocket and a deployed position extending upwardly and laterally from the post toward a central portion of the associated passenger seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Inflight Canada Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Patent number: 6824104
    Abstract: A remote cluster system for providing a number of passenger seats with passenger services within an aircraft passenger cabin. The cluster includes a motherboard, having a power input connection in communication with an aircraft electrical power source; a signal input connection in communication with an aircraft passenger seat services unit; a number of circuit board slots in communication with the power input connection and signal input connection; and a number of passenger seat output connectors, each output connector communicating with at least one of the circuit board slots. A number of circuit boards are each removably engaged in an associated circuit board slot of the motherboard and passenger seat service cables communicate between the passenger seats and each passenger seat output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Inflight Canada Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Publication number: 20040195446
    Abstract: A remote cluster system for providing a number of passenger seats with passenger services within an aircraft passenger cabin. The cluster includes a motherboard, having a power input connection in communication with an aircraft electrical power source; a signal input connection in communication with an aircraft passenger seat services unit; a number of circuit board slots in communication with the power input connection and signal input connection; and a number of passenger seat output connectors, each output connector communicating with at least one of the circuit board slots. A number of circuit boards are each removably engaged in an associated circuit board slot of the motherboard and passenger seat service cables communicate between the passenger seats and each passenger seat output connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Publication number: 20040056160
    Abstract: A support for entertainment or personal electronic equipment associated with a passenger seat mounted to a floor in a passenger cabin having a base adapted to anchor to the cabin floor laterally adjacent and forward of said seat. A post extends upwardly from the base and has an elongate pocket for housing each articulated support arm. A proximal end of the arm is mounted to the post and a distal end includes an equipment mount. Each arm has independent deployment from a stowed position housed within an associated pocket and a deployed position extending upwardly and laterally from the post toward a central portion of the associated passenger seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Patent number: 6585189
    Abstract: An under floor housing system for a plurality of passenger seat electronic units within an aircraft, the aircraft including a passenger cabin with a floor supporting a plurality of passenger seats, the passenger cabin having an air circulation system; the individual passenger seat electronic units each being connected to a master control and communicating via at least one conduit to a passenger interface accessible from an associated passenger seat, the units and interface capable of providing passenger services selected from the group consisting of: audio entertainment; video entertainment; telephone; intercom; television; video games; internet; email; and electrical power supply, the under floor housing system comprising: at least one housing recessed beneath the floor surface adjacent the passenger seats, each housing having: a removable top cover; side walls; and a bottom wall defining an interior compartment; and air cooling means, for cooling each electronic unit within the interior compartment of each
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Inflight Canada Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Publication number: 20030106962
    Abstract: An under floor housing system for a plurality of passenger seat electronic units within an aircraft, the aircraft including a passenger cabin with a floor supporting a plurality of passenger seats, the passenger cabin having an air circulation system; the individual passenger seat electronic units each being connected to a master control and communicating via at least one conduit to a passenger interface accessible from an associated passenger seat, the units and interface capable of providing passenger services selected from the group consisting of: audio entertainment; video entertainment; telephone; intercom; television; video games; internet; email; and electrical power supply, the under floor housing system comprising: at least one housing recessed beneath the floor surface adjacent the passenger seats, each housing having: a removable top cover; side walls; and a bottom wall defining an interior compartment; and air cooling means, for cooling each electronic unit within the interior compartment of each
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Publication number: 20030106963
    Abstract: An under floor housing system for a passenger seat electronic units within an aircraft, where the aircraft includes a passenger cabin with a floor supporting the passenger seats and an air circulation system. Conventionally such electronic units are shoe box sized metal boxes hung under the passenger seats exposing them to damage, occupying valuable cabin space, and impeding access for servicing. The individual passenger seat electronic units are connected to a master control and communicate via conduits to a passenger interface accessible from an associated passenger sea. The units and interface are capable of providing passenger services such as: audio entertainment; video entertainment; telephone; intercom; television; video games; Internet; email; and electrical power supply for laptop computers. The under floor housing system has several individual housings recessed beneath the floor surface adjacent the passenger seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: INFLIGHT CANADA INC.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn
  • Patent number: 6572054
    Abstract: An under floor housing system for a passenger seat electronic units within an aircraft, where the aircraft includes a passenger cabin with a floor supporting the passenger seats and an air circulation system. Conventionally such electronic units are shoe box sized metal boxes hung under the passenger seats exposing them to damage, occupying valuable cabin space, and impeding access for servicing. The individual passenger seat electronic units are connected to a master control and communicate via conduits to a passenger interface accessible from an associated passenger sea. The units and interface are capable of providing passenger services such as: audio entertainment; video entertainment; telephone; intercom; television; video games; Internet; email; and electrical power supply for laptop computers. The under floor housing system has several individual housings recessed beneath the floor surface adjacent the passenger seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Inflight Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Smallhorn