Patents by Inventor George Ruff

George Ruff 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: 6860566
    Abstract: A spring loaded pay out arrangement for a seat harness securable to a seat, the seat harness being releasably connectable to an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, Limited
    Inventor: Steven Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 6820931
    Abstract: An energy absorber for absorbing energy of a vehicle or component of a vehicle or occupant of the vehicle in a crash situation so as to allow relatively gradual deceleration of the vehicle, component or occupant, the energy absorber including a first part, a second part and an elongate deformable member secured to the first part and extending through a deforming arrangement carried by the second part, whereby said elongate deformable member normally acts as a tie or strut between said first part and said second part but wherein the arrangement is such that, when the force acting between said first part and second part in a predetermined direction exceeds a predetermined amount, said elongate deformable member is thereby forced progressively through said deforming arrangement as the distance between said first part and said second part changes and the deformable member is thereby forced to undergo plastic deformation, whereby energy is absorbed, and wherein said deforming arrangement is such as to effect such
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, Limited
    Inventors: Steven Anthony George Ruff, Graham Philip Hartnell
  • Patent number: 6742848
    Abstract: A harness arrangement for a seat, the arrangement including an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat, a separate seat harness securable to the seat, and the seat harness being releasably connected to the occupant harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, Limited
    Inventor: Steven Anthony George Ruff
  • Publication number: 20030209074
    Abstract: An acceleration or deceleration sensor for locking a payout aircrew harness system comprises a frame or housing in which is received a heavy ball accommodated between opposing shells having opposing conical recesses receiving the ball. The shells are held against the ball by respective opposing springs whereby the ball and shells, in the absence of accelerating or decelerating forces are held in a balanced, equilibrium, position between the shells. The shells are carried at respective ends of respective levers or arms pivoted in the frame or housing, whereby movement of the ball in any direction relative to said frame or housing will cause pivotal movement of the arms. The sensor includes a trigger or trip mechanism of which one said arm forms part. Thus said a trigger or trip mechanism is operable by movement of said heavy ball relative to said frame or housing, to move from a sensing position to a locked position in which it will remain until a positive re-setting operation is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony George Ruff
  • Publication number: 20030205926
    Abstract: A harness arrangement for a seat, the arrangement comprising an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat, a separate seat harness securable to the seat, and means releasably to connect the seat harness to the occupant harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 6591602
    Abstract: A rocket motor is disclosed that is suitable for use with an ejection seat. The rocket motor includes a combustion chamber, and has a plurality of spaced apart outlets arranged in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, to allow the passage of exhaust gases upon ignition of a propellant within the combustion chamber. Each exhaust outlet is arranged to direct the exhaust gases along respective fixed lines of thrust. The arrangement is such that the resultant thrust generated by the rocket motor acts along the line non-parallel with at least one of the fixed lines of thrust so as to direct the rocket motor along the curved trajectory. The secondary outlets may be smaller than the primary outlets and are selectively closable by valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony George Ruff
  • Publication number: 20030098603
    Abstract: A spring loaded pay out arrangement for a seat harness securable to a seat, the seat harness being releasably connectable to an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Anthony George Ruff
  • Publication number: 20020079725
    Abstract: An energy absorber for absorbing energy of a vehicle or component of a vehicle or occupant of the vehicle in a crash situation so as to allow relatively gradual deceleration of the vehicle, component or occupant, the energy absorber including a first part, a second part and an elongate deformable member secured to the first part and extending through a deforming arrangement carried by the second part, whereby said elongate deformable member normally acts as a tie or strut between said first part and said second part but wherein the arrangement is such that, when the force acting between said first part and second part in a predetermined direction exceeds a predetermined amount, said elongate deformable member is thereby forced progressively through said deforming arrangement as the distance between said first part and said second part changes and the deformable member is thereby forced to undergo plastic deformation, whereby energy is absorbed, and wherein said deforming arrangement is such as to effect such
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Steven Anthony George Ruff, Graham Philip Hartnell
  • Patent number: 6315245
    Abstract: An ejection seat having a blast protection system comprising a blast screen stowed on the ejection seat and deployable to at least substantially envelop an occupant of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 6308917
    Abstract: An ejection seat having a blast protection system comprising an inflatable curtain stowed on the ejection seat and deployable to at least substantially envelop an occupant of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 6149118
    Abstract: The rotational mounting arrangements for mounting an item on a mounting surface include a stator element and rotor element cooperating together to mount the item for rotational movement relative to the mounting surface, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the rotor element in one or more predetermined positions relative to the stator element. The locking mechanism may include one or more apertures formed in one of the stator and rotor elements, and one or more apertures or recesses in the other of the stator and rotor elements for receiving a locking component. In another form, the locking mechanism may include one or more apertures formed in one of the stator and rotor elements, and a locking component carried on the other of the stator and rotor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company LTD
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 5975822
    Abstract: A quick release fitting for securing equipment, such as seating, to floor or ceiling tracks of T-shaped internal channel section comprises a first member securable to the seating and a second member rotatable through a quarter turn in the first member, the second member including a T-shaped end complementary in shape with the channel and engageable therein by insertion in the channel with the cross-member of the "T" extending along the channel and subsequently turning the second member through a quarter turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 5842669
    Abstract: A crashworthy seat comprises a sitting platform and a back. The sitting platform is supported by a frame adapted to be secured to the aircraft. The frame has upright members supporting the back of the sitting platform for vertical sliding movement under controlled resistance provided by an energy absorbing mechanism which comprises an elongate member extending along each upright and a cooperating cutting or deforming tool carried by the seat back. In a crash situation, the sitting platform slides downwardly under controlled resistance provided by the cutting tool cutting a shaving from the elongate member or by the deforming tool deforming the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony George Ruff
  • Patent number: 5355709
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reforming drawn and ironed containers are disclosed. The invention permits improvements in bottom profiles by radially expanding arcuate segments against the inner leg that connects the bottom rim of the container to the center panel. The reforming introduced by the present invention permits containers to be constructed of a lighter gauge material without suffering from any loss in strength. The container being reformed is seated on a flat surface and a radially expanding die is used in conjunction with a tapered mandrel to reform the bottom profile. Most preferably, the reforming tool of the present invention is incorporated into a container necking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company
    Inventors: Joseph Bauder, George Ruff
  • Patent number: D367426
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: George Ruff