Patents by Inventor James Sterling Wells

James Sterling Wells 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).

  • Publication number: 20030021660
    Abstract: A flatrack for supporting and transporting cargo on a cargo aircraft (air), within an ISO container (sea), and on a PLS truck system (land) without the need of a crane or K-loader is provided. The flatrack includes a main body portion and a pair of longitudinally extending planar surfaces extending along an underside of the main body portion. The pair of longitudinally extending planar surfaces are sufficiently spaced apart so as to roll along a plurality of rollers positioned within the cargo aircraft. The pair of longitudinally extending planar surfaces further includes a retaining flange engageable with a pair of retaining rails also positioned within the cargo aircraft to permit air transport. A plurality of cargo restraint connectors are coupled to the main body portion of the flatrack so as to permit connection with a standard cargo securing system within an ISO container to permit sea transport. A PLS rail mounting system is also provided that extends along the underside of the main body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: James Sterling Wells
  • Patent number: 6427947
    Abstract: A pallet interface system for supporting a Container Roll in/Out Platform (CROP), flatrack or ISO container within an aircraft, such as a C-17 aircraft. The interface system includes two independent, identical interface pallets which are coupled together by flexible cables. The cables have lengths which enable the two interface pallets to be spaced apart a precise distance so as to be able to support a CROP, flatrack or ISO container. The interface pallets are of small enough dimensions and weight such that same can be manipulated by one or more individuals, thereby obviating the need for a crane to be employed to lift the load onto the pallets before the loading process can begin. Each pallet has a plurality of ISO locking assemblies which allow a CROP, flatrack or ISO container to be locked thereto. Each pallet also has a 463L cargo system edge structure which permits it to be locked to the rails within the C-17 aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Myles A. Rohrlick, Anibal J. Garcia, Richard Joseph Almassy, James Sterling Wells