Patents by Inventor Kenneth S. Thomas

Kenneth S. Thomas 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: 8621662
    Abstract: A suit includes a hard upper torso providing shoulder apertures. A repositionable scye bearing is arranged at a shoulder aperture. An adjustable shoulder device interconnects the scye bearing and the hard upper torso. The adjustable shoulder device is configured to move the scye bearing between first and second shoulder width positions relative to the hard upper torso. A method of donning a suit includes the steps of adjusting a scye bearing relative to a hard upper torso to a desired shoulder width position. The scye bearing can be subsequently repositioned for desired crewmember fit and use while the desired shoulder width position is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130221161
    Abstract: An extravehicular activity system includes a vehicle having a bulkhead providing a port. The bulkhead separates an interior environment and an unenclosed exterior environment. The exterior environment is configured to be exposed to atmospheric pressure in a donning condition. A cover has a perimeter with a side of the perimeter secured to the bulkhead by a hinged joint. A spacesuit is supported on the bulkhead in the exterior environment and includes a flange providing a rear entry opening aligned with the port. A PLSS is retained in the cover and spaced from the flange in the donning condition. The PLSS is configured to be rotated about the hinged joint and into engagement with the flange in a donned condition in which the PLSS is removably secured to the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Thomas, Jorge E. Hidalgo
  • Publication number: 20120260386
    Abstract: A suit includes a hard upper torso having a visor and providing an entry opening and shoulder apertures. An interface includes a harness supporting a load plate. The harness is configured to be secured to a subject. A primary life support system is mounted to the hard upper torso. The interface is arranged at the entry opening and is secured between the hard upper torso and the primary life support system in a donned condition. A method of donning the suit is provided, which includes donning a harness that supports a load plate. A hard upper torso includes an entry opening through which the suit is entered. The load plate is positioned relative to the hard upper torso. A primary life support system is closed over the load plate to secure the primary life support system relative to the hard upper torso.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Arend Overbeeke, Kenneth S. Thomas, Montira Satienpoch
  • Publication number: 20120260387
    Abstract: A suit includes a hard upper torso providing shoulder apertures. A repositionable scye bearing is arranged at a shoulder aperture. An adjustable shoulder device interconnects the scye bearing and the hard upper torso. The adjustable shoulder device is configured to move the scye bearing between first and second shoulder width positions relative to the hard upper torso. A method of donning a suit includes the steps of adjusting a scye bearing relative to a hard upper torso to a desired shoulder width position. The scye bearing can be subsequently repositioned for desired crewmember fit and use while the desired shoulder width position is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120260388
    Abstract: A suit includes a hard upper torso having an entry opening and shoulder apertures. The hard upper torso extends along a subject axis configured to coincide with an axis of a subject having donned the suit. The entry opening lies in a plane at an angle 7°+/?5° relative to the subject axis. The hard upper torso also includes non-circular shoulder apertures in one embodiment. In one example, the hard upper torso includes a waist bearing lying is at an angle of 63°+/?5° relative to the entry opening plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Thomas