Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Hickman
Gregory J. Hickman 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).
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Patent number: 11946305Abstract: A window operator handle and cover with magnetic features that enable the handle to be retained to the cover in a folded position. The handle can have a detent mechanism to retain the handle in an unfolded position. The operator cover can also be attached to the operator with magnets.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Truth Hardware CorporationInventors: Brian Dallmann, Eric Fickas, Jonathan P. Hickman, Gregory J. Vetter
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Publication number: 20240091839Abstract: A stamp-forming system includes a lower die formed of elastomeric material and having lower die lateral sides. In addition, the stamp-forming system includes a die wall configured to encircle the lower die lateral sides, and move vertically relative to the lower die. Also included in the stamp-forming system is an upper die configured to move between an open position in which the upper die is separated from the die wall and the lower die, and a clamped position in which the upper die is in contact with the die wall and applying clamping pressure to a blank against the lower die, to thereby form the blank into a formed article. The die wall is sized and configured to prevent lateral expansion of the lower die when the lower die is vertically compressed by the clamping pressure applied by the upper die.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Kenndy San, Emma L. Morrissey, Gregory J. Hickman
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Patent number: 11927044Abstract: A window operator handle and cover with magnetic features that enable the handle to be retained to the cover in a folded position. The operator cover can also be attached to the operator with magnets.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Truth Hardware CorporationInventors: Brian Dallmann, Eric Fickas, Jonathan P. Hickman, Gregory J. Vetter
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Publication number: 20230234304Abstract: A system for manufacturing a part includes a mold having a contoured forming surface. The system also includes at least one tension strap, configured to attach to a consolidated laminate sheet, and a heating assembly, positioned relative to the mold and configured to supply heat to the consolidated laminate sheet, when attached to the at least one tension strap, to form a heated consolidated laminate sheet. The system additionally includes a strap retraction mechanism, configured to retract the at least one tension strap, when attached to the consolidated laminate sheet, to force the heated consolidated laminate sheet against the contoured forming surface of the mold. The heating assembly includes a flexible heating element configured to flex to conform to a shape of the heated consolidated laminate sheet as the heated consolidated laminate sheet is forced against the contoured forming surface of the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Paul G. Werntges, Gregory J. Hickman
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Patent number: 11642859Abstract: A system for manufacturing a part that includes a mold, a first fixation component, fixed to the mold, second fixation components, each configured to be fixed to a consolidated laminate sheet, third fixation components, each fixed to the mold. The system also includes tension straps. The first fixation component is configured to attach the consolidated laminate sheet to the mold so that the consolidated laminate sheet does not translationally move relative to the forming surface of the mold. Each one of the second fixation components is configured to attach the tension straps to the consolidated laminate sheet. Each one of the third fixation components is configured to attach the tension straps to the mold so that the tension straps are movable relative to the mold. The system also includes a heating assembly and a strap retraction mechanism, configured to retract the tension strap.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Paul G. Werntges, Gregory J. Hickman
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Publication number: 20220266541Abstract: A method for joining a first thermoplastic substrate and a second thermoplastic substrate, each including a polyaryletherketone material having a first melting temperature. The method includes co-consolidating a first semicrystalline thermoplastic film with the first thermoplastic substrate to yield a first co-consolidated structure. The first semicrystalline thermoplastic film defines a first bonding surface of the first co-consolidated structure and includes a polyaryletherketone material having a second melting temperature that is less than the first melting temperature. The method further includes co-consolidating a second semicrystalline thermoplastic film with the second thermoplastic substrate to yield a second co-consolidated structure. The second semicrystalline thermoplastic film defines a second bonding surface of the second co-consolidated structure and includes a polyaryletherketone material having a third melting temperature that is less than the first melting temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Ying Shi, Alexander M. Rubin, Gregory J. Hickman
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Publication number: 20210339483Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for manufacturing a part. An example method comprises heating a consolidated laminate sheet, comprising multiple plies each made of fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin, to a heated temperature below a melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin to form a heated consolidated laminate sheet. The method also comprises forcing the heated consolidated laminate sheet against a contoured forming surface of a mold until a shape of the heated consolidated laminate sheet corresponds with a contoured shape of the contoured forming surface of the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Paul G. Werntges, Gregory J. Hickman
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Patent number: 10703027Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, David S. Nansen, Lee C. Firth, Carey E. Wilkinson, Gregory J. Hickman, William C. Dykstra
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Publication number: 20190389099Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, David S. Nansen, Lee C. Firth, Carey E. Wilkinson, Gregory J. Hickman, William C. Dykstra
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Patent number: 10464240Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, David S. Nansen, Lee C. Firth, Carey E. Wilkinson, Gregory J. Hickman, William C. Dykstra
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Publication number: 20170144337Abstract: Provided are induction heating cells including pressure bladders used for supporting dies and methods of using these induction heating cells. A pressure bladder may be disposed between a die and a bolster of the cell. Even when the bolster is deformed during operation of the cell, the pressure bladder continues to provide uniform support to the die thereby preserving integrity of the die and prevents its cracking or braking. As such, the cell may be operated at a higher processing pressure inside the cavity formed by the die without further strengthening the bolster. The bolster is allowed to deform without compromising the integrity of the die. The deformation of the bolster is compensated by the shape change of the pressure bladder. The number and/or position of the bladders in the cell may depend on the shape of processed parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Marc R. Matsen, David S. Nansen, Lee C. Firth, Carey E. Wilkinson, Gregory J. Hickman, William C. Dykstra