Patents by Inventor Marc W. Kinard

Marc W. Kinard 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: 12084187
    Abstract: Described are devices and methods for arresting forward motion of a passenger seat back in a controlled manner using an energy absorbing element connected between structural elements of a pivotally-attached passenger seat back. The energy absorbing element includes an interference element and an energy absorbing element that are operably connected with each other so that, in an upright configuration, the combination of the energy absorbing element and the interference element resists movement of the passenger seat back with respect to the first structural element of the passenger seat back, and in transition to a folded-forward configuration, the interference element deforms the energy absorbing element to slow forward movement of the passenger seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Bentley, Marc W. Kinard
  • Publication number: 20230166843
    Abstract: Described are devices and methods for arresting forward motion of a passenger seat back in a controlled manner using an energy absorbing element connected between structural elements of a pivotally-attached passenger seat back. The energy absorbing element includes an interference element and an energy absorbing element that are operably connected with each other so that, in an upright configuration, the combination of the energy absorbing element and the interference element resists movement of the passenger seat back with respect to the first structural element of the passenger seat back, and in transition to a folded-forward configuration, the interference element deforms the energy absorbing element to slow forward movement of the passenger seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Paul R. Bentley, Marc W. Kinard
  • Patent number: 10843603
    Abstract: Composite components (22, 32) are described herein. An example composite component (22, 32) includes a fill material sandwiched between a first shell and a second shell. The first shell can include a cavity for receiving the fill material. The second shell can include a recessed portion extending into the cavity. The recessed portion can be configured to receive a separate component (16a, 30) of a passenger seat (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Marc W. Kinard, Joshua T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190299827
    Abstract: Composite components (22, 32) are described herein. An example composite component (22, 32) includes a fill material sandwiched between a first shell and a second shell. The first shell can include a cavity for receiving the fill material. The second shell can include a recessed portion extending into the cavity. The recessed portion can be configured to receive a separate component (16a, 30) of a passenger seat (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Marc W. Kinard, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10279916
    Abstract: Passenger seat armrests and consoles have laterally translating armrest doors that open and close to allow for deployment and stowage of tray tables. The armrest doors may be guided through their translation by slides or a linkage that controls their motion. The armrest doors may also translate in two-dimensions, incorporating a vertical translation as well as a lateral translation. The resulting motion allows for better placement of the deployable tray tables within the armrest or console and a reduction in wasted space. The passenger seat armrests may also incorporate cocktail trays that can be integrated into the armrest doors or the armrest or console itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Marc W. Kinard, Ty Parker, Raul G. Reyes, John D. Allen
  • Patent number: 9994321
    Abstract: Described is a passenger seat that includes a seat back with a lower portion disposed adjacent to the seat bottom, and recline mechanism configured to move the passenger seat between an upright position and a reclined position. The recline mechanism may move the passenger seat in two directions. The recline mechanism may include a plurality of corresponding members configured to interface with a plurality of elongate motion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Justin K. Murnan, Ty Parker, Marc W. Kinard, Josh T. Smith, Andreas Bucher, John D. Allen, Raul G. Reyes, Hollie C. Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20170174345
    Abstract: Described is a passenger seat that includes a seat back with a lower portion disposed adjacent to the seat bottom, and recline mechanism configured to move the passenger seat between an upright position and a reclined position. The recline mechanism may move the passenger seat in two directions. The recline mechanism may include a plurality of corresponding members configured to interface with a plurality of elongate motion members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Justin K. Murnan, Ty Parker, Marc W. Kinard, Josh T. Smith, Andreas Bucher, John D. Allen, Raul G. Reyes, Hollie C. Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20170088268
    Abstract: Described are passenger seat armrests and consoles (1) having laterally translating armrest doors (200) that open and close to allow for deployment and stowage of tray tables (300). The armrest doors may be guided through their translation by slides or a linkage that controls their motion. The armrest doors may also translate in two-dimensions, incorporating a vertical translation as well as a lateral translation. The resulting motion allows for better placement of the deployable tray tables within the armrest or console and a reduction in wasted space. The passenger seat armrests may also incorporate cocktail trays (100) that can be integrated into the armrest doors or the armrest or console itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Marc W. Kinard, Ty Parker, Raul G. Reyes, John D. Allen
  • Patent number: 7882778
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator is configured to provide redundant boost control to an aircraft within approximately the same space required by a single hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic actuator includes a housing and a piston assembly disposed within the housing. The piston assembly includes a ram, a first piston secured to the ram, and second and third pistons disposed on the ram such that the second and third pistons are translatable relative to the longitudinal axis of the ram. The pistons form two hydraulically separate actuator cylinders within the space required by a single cylinder which results in a reduction in the weight and size of the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Woodward HRT, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Fenny, Marc W. Kinard, John Lauffer
  • Publication number: 20090229694
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator is configured to provide redundant boost control to an aircraft within approximately the same space required by a single hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic actuator includes a housing and a piston assembly disposed within the housing. The piston assembly includes a ram, a first piston secured to the ram, and second and third pistons disposed on the ram such that the second and third pistons are translatable relative to the longitudinal axis of the ram. The pistons form two hydraulically separate actuator cylinders within the space required by a single cylinder which results in a reduction in the weight and size of the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON, INC., HR TEXTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Fenny, Marc W. Kinard, John Lauffer