Patents by Inventor James Grady Whitlaw

James Grady Whitlaw 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).

  • Gantry system and method for processing an aircraft
    Patent number: 10501208
    Abstract: A gantry system for processing an aircraft includes a gantry receiving a fuselage of the aircraft having a gantry frame with an arched member. The gantry system includes first and second locating arms extending between inner and outer ends movably coupled to the gantry frame. The gantry system includes a bracket assembly having a first locating arm bracket pivotably coupled to the first locating arm, a second locating arm bracket pivotably coupled to the second locating arm, and a head assembly bracket with a head assembly coupled thereto having an end effector for processing the fuselage. The head assembly is variably positionable by the first and second locating arms moving along the gantry frame for positioning the end effector relative to the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James Grady Whitlaw, John Eric Miller, Jairo A. Diaz, Matthew H. Mellin
  • GANTRY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN AIRCRAFT
    Publication number: 20190002130
    Abstract: A gantry system for processing an aircraft includes a gantry receiving a fuselage of the aircraft having a gantry frame with an arched member. The gantry system includes first and second locating arms extending between inner and outer ends movably coupled to the gantry frame. The gantry system includes a bracket assembly having a first locating arm bracket pivotably coupled to the first locating arm, a second locating arm bracket pivotably coupled to the second locating arm, and a head assembly bracket with a head assembly coupled thereto having an end effector for processing the fuselage. The head assembly is variably positionable by the first and second locating arms moving along the gantry frame for positioning the end effector relative to the fuselage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James Grady Whitlaw, John Eric Miller, Jairo A. Diaz, Matthew H. Mellin