Patents by Inventor John C. Forbes

John C. Forbes 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).

  • Selectively lockable knee brace
    Patent number: 5490831
    Abstract: A knee brace for aiding in rehabilitation of damaged leg muscles includes upper and lower housings normally pivotable one relative to the other about the knee joint axis of a patient. The upper housing is attachable to the thigh of the patient above the knee joint while the lower housing is secured to a stirrup which extends downwardly along the patient's leg and is attached to the patient's shoe. An actuation rod is carried within the lower housing and is coupled to a cable. The upper and lower housings carry cooperative clutch/brake elements which normally are disengaged to permit relative movement between the upper and lower housings. When the cable is extended the clutch/brake elements engage and lock the housings together. A heel strike mechanism fastened to the stirrup and the heel of the shoe is connected to the cable to selectively extend the cable and lock the brace in substantially any position when the patient places weight on the heel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: W. Neill Myers, Michael D. Shadoan, John C. Forbes, Kevin J. Baker, Darron C. Rice
  • Apparatus for testing high pressure injector elements
    Patent number: 5412981
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing and evaluating the spray pattern of high pressure fuel injector elements for use in supplying fuel to combustion engines. Prior art fuel injector elements were normally tested by use of low pressure apparatuses which did not provide a purge to prevent mist from obscuring the injector element or to prevent frosting of the view windows; could utilize only one fluid during each test; and had their viewing ports positioned one hundred eighty (180.degree.) apart, thus preventing optimum use of laser diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: W. Neill Myers, Ewell M. Scott, John C. Forbes, Michael D. Shadoan
  • Orbital maneuvering vehicle end effectors
    Patent number: 4718709
    Abstract: An end effector device (A) for grasping and holding an article such as a handle (18) of a space telescope is disclosed. The device includes a V-shaped capture window (74) defined as inclined surfaces (76, 78) in parallel face plates (22, 24) which converge toward a retainer recess (54) in which the handle is retained. A pivotal finger (30) meshes with a pair of pivoted fingers (26, 28) which rotate in counterrotation. The fingers rotate to pull a handle within the capture window into recess (54) where latches (50) lock handle (18) in the recess. To align the capture window, plates (22, 24) may be cocked plus or minus five degrees on base (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: W. Neill Myers, John C. Forbes, Wayne L. Barnes