Patents by Inventor Kent M. Kroener

Kent M. Kroener 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: 20220332421
    Abstract: An aircraft interior structure may include a passenger seating section proximate to a passenger compartment including an aircraft seat. The aircraft interior structure may include a seat extension cavity defined within the passenger seating section. The seat extension cavity may correspond to the aircraft seat. The aircraft interior structure may include a bassinet cavity defined within the passenger seating section proximate to the seat extension cavity. The bassinet cavity may be configured to receive a bassinet via an opening in the surface of the aircraft interior structure within the passenger compartment. The bassinet cavity and the bassinet may be accessible from the passenger compartment via the opening in the surface of the aircraft interior structure. The bassinet may be positioned in the bassinet cavity at a location selected to provide an unobstructed line of sight between the aircraft seat and an interior of the bassinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Kent M. Kroener
  • Patent number: 11142321
    Abstract: A privacy panel assembly for a passenger cabin environment including a flexible privacy panel having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the flexible privacy panel moveable between a stowed position leaving open an opening between spaced structures and a deployed position closing the opening, wherein the leading edge of the flexible privacy panel, when the flexible privacy panel is in the deployed position, is moveable out of a plane of the opening by way of force against the flexible privacy panel. A passenger suite configuration including a suite entrance formed between spaced walls and a flexible privacy panel moveable between a stowed position leaving open the suite entrance and a deployed position closing the suite entrance, wherein a portion of the flexible privacy panel is moveable out of a plane of the opening by way of force against the flexible privacy panel, for example, during emergency exit from the suite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Kent M. Kroener
  • Publication number: 20190322371
    Abstract: A privacy panel assembly for a passenger cabin environment including a flexible privacy panel having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the flexible privacy panel moveable between a stowed position leaving open an opening between spaced structures and a deployed position closing the opening, wherein the leading edge of the flexible privacy panel, when the flexible privacy panel is in the deployed position, is moveable out of a plane of the opening by way of force against the flexible privacy panel. A passenger suite configuration including a suite entrance formed between spaced walls and a flexible privacy panel moveable between a stowed position leaving open the suite entrance and a deployed position closing the suite entrance, wherein a portion of the flexible privacy panel is moveable out of a plane of the opening by way of force against the flexible privacy panel, for example, during emergency exit from the suite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Kent M. Kroener
  • Patent number: 10421546
    Abstract: A panel door assembly for providing access to an aircraft passenger suite includes a stationary panel with a side portion extending between upper and lower ends of the panel door assembly. A lower portion of the stationary panel may extend across a width of the panel door assembly and slide along a rail between open and closed positions. A removable panel may connect to the stationary panel and may include a first latching mechanism connecting the removable panel to an upper portion of the stationary panel and a second latching mechanism connecting the removable panel to the lower portion of the stationary panel. An emergency handle may be connected on an inner side of the removable panel, that when actuated, engages the first latching mechanism and the second latching mechanism, disconnecting the removable panel from the stationary panel and providing an egress path from the suite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Kent M. Kroener
  • Publication number: 20180281963
    Abstract: A panel door assembly for providing access to an aircraft passenger suite includes a stationary panel with a side portion extending between upper and lower ends of the panel door assembly. A lower portion of the stationary panel may extend across a width of the panel door assembly and slide along a rail between open and closed positions. A removable panel may connect to the stationary panel and may include a first latching mechanism connecting the removable panel to an upper portion of the stationary panel and a second latching mechanism connecting the removable panel to the lower portion of the stationary panel. An emergency handle may be connected on an inner side of the removable panel, that when actuated, engages the first latching mechanism and the second latching mechanism, disconnecting the removable panel from the stationary panel and providing an egress path from the suite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Kent M. Kroener