Patents by Inventor Jack E. Hart

Jack E. Hart 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: 6290175
    Abstract: An extended luggage bin (20) for a vehicle (24) is provided. The extended luggage bin includes an overhead bin structure (22) located within the vehicle. The overhead bin structure includes a door (32), a shelf (36), first and second bulkheads (34a and 34b), and a bin upper panel (30) having a length and a width. The first and second bulkheads extend between the shelf and the bin upper panel to define a storage space having a volume therebetween. The storage space is accessible through an opening on a frontal side of the extended luggage bin for placing luggage in the storage space. The extended luggage bin also includes a bin extension coupled to the opening of the overhead bin structure. The bin extension includes a bin upper panel extension assembly (50) coupled to the bin upper panel and first and second bulkhead extensions (52a and 52b) extending at least partially between the first and second bulkheads and the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Jack E. Hart, Siulun Tam, Ralph M. Burrows
  • Patent number: 6062509
    Abstract: The invention provides centerline luggage bin assemblies, for retrofitting existing aircraft with replacement, preferably larger, overhead storage bins, that are compatible with the existing aircraft bin support structure for original equipment bins. The assemblies include both a bin structure and supporting brackets that engage the existing aircraft bin supports with little or no modification to the existing supports. This facilitates rapid retrofit of the aircraft, thereby reducing aircraft out-of-service time and also costs of manpower used to retrofit the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph M. Burrows, Jack E. Hart
  • Patent number: 5934615
    Abstract: Articulating overhead luggage bin assemblies including a luggage bin that it is adapted for mounting to a support structure in a mass transit vehicle, such as an aircraft. The bins have an upper shroud portion, and a lower bucket portion, with cooperating means for interconnecting these two bin portions so that the bucket portion is guided downward and forward relative to the shroud, when the bin is opened. The cooperating means are "rigid" so that each end of the bucket moves in concert with the other, without need for a torque tube or other motion control device linking the bucket ends. The assembly also includes a downlock mechanism for holding the bin in a fully opened position. To close the bin, the downlock mechanism is disengaged by application of backward force to the bucket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt L. Treichler, Scott G. Jackson, Siulun Tam, Ralph M. Burrows, Jack E. Hart
  • Patent number: 5716027
    Abstract: The invention provides luggage bin assemblies, for retrofitting existing aircraft with larger overhead storage bins, that are compatible with existing aircraft bin support structure for original equipment bins. The assemblies include both a bin structure and supporting brackets that engage the existing aircraft bin supports with little or no modification to the existing supports. This facilitates rapid retrofit of the aircraft, thereby reducing aircraft out-of-service time and also costs of manpower used to retrofit the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Jack E. Hart, Ralph M. Burrows, Michael E. Marquardt
  • Patent number: 5687929
    Abstract: Extensions for carry-on luggage storage bins in cabins of aircraft, trains, ships, and the like, that increase bin storage capacity. The extensions are adapted to be mounted on a frontal opening of an existing luggage bin. The extensions include a substantially planar rectangular base having vertical bulkheads at opposite farthest-apart ends thereof, and a substantially planar top portion extending between upper ends of the bulkhead to form a rectangular box shape with open from and rear. The rear of the extension is adapted to be mounted onto the frontal opening of the bin, thereby extending the lateral dimensions of the bin, while the front of the extension may be supplied with a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Jack E. Hart, Michael J. Leenhouts
  • Patent number: 5549258
    Abstract: The invention provides luggage bin assemblies, for retrofitting existing aircraft with larger overhead storage bins, that is compatible with existing aircraft bin support structure for original equipment bins. The assemblies include both a bin structure and supporting brackets that engage the existing aircraft bin supports with little or no modification to the existing supports. This facilitates rapid retrofit of the aircraft thereby reducing aircraft out of service time and also costs of manpower used to retrofit the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Heath Tecna Aerospace Company
    Inventors: Jack E. Hart, Ralph M. Burrows, Michael E. Marquardt
  • Patent number: 5395074
    Abstract: A retrofit bezel assembly to be installed within an interior of an aircraft, the aircraft having overhead stowage bins with shelves. The bezel assembly is constructed as a unit for installation in place of an existing bezel assembly. Each bezel assembly unit includes a ceiling panel, four bulkhead extensions, and two shelf extensions. The ceiling panel substantially spans and covers the upper surface of the interior of the aircraft from a right-side stowage bin to a left-side stowage bin. The bulkhead extensions are attached to the corners of the ceiling panel. They extend downwardly adjacent the interior ends of the sides of the stowage bins. The bulkhead extensions are configured to attach to inside ends of the bin shelves with fasteners through existing holes. Bin doors are attached to the bulkhead extensions. The door contour cross section matches the shape of the interior sides of the bulkhead extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Health Tecna Aerospace Company a unit of Ciba-Geigy
    Inventors: Jack E. Hart, Gary B. Harwood
  • Patent number: 4541595
    Abstract: In an aircraft having a pressure window mounted in the hull, an interior window assembly is removably mounted in an interior wall spaced from the hull. The interior window assembly is in register with the pressure window to enable occupants of the aircraft to view the outside. The interior wall has an opening formed therein to accept the interior window assembly and the portions of the wall surrounding the opening are biased toward the interior of the aircraft. The interior window assembly includes a windowpane mounted in a frame. The frame includes a flange that overlies the inboard surface of the portions of the wall surrounding the opening, and the bias of the wall portions is exerted on the flange. A constraint means is affixed to the hull of the aircraft and releasably engages the frame to constrain the frame from inboard movement. The bias force of the wall portions and the constraint means cooperate to hold the window in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Heath-Tecna Precision Structures
    Inventors: Peter E. Fiala, Gerald E. Davis, Alan J. Tuma, Jack E. Hart