Patents by Inventor Mark D. Gerber

Mark D. Gerber 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: 10946949
    Abstract: An under-wing flap support mounting structure incorporates a clevis on a forward end of an underwing beam. A spherical bearing support assembly carrying a spherical bearing is mounted to a fixed wing structure proximate a lower wing skin. A joint coupling has a lug pivotally coupled to the clevis and a longitudinal pin extending from the lug. The longitudinal pin is slidably received in the spherical bearing. The lug has a bore in which a fuse pin is disposed to secure the lug to the clevis and inhibit the lug from pivoting relative to the clevis. A force applied to an aft portion of the underwing beam that is sufficient to urge separation from the wing causes the clevis to apply a shear force to shear the fuse pin and enable the lug to pivot and cause the longitudinal pin to slide out of the spherical bearing. The underwing flap support separates from the wing without resulting damage to the underside of the wing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Tsai, Mark D. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20200115033
    Abstract: An under-wing flap support mounting structure incorporates a clevis on a forward end of an underwing beam. A spherical bearing support assembly carrying a spherical bearing is mounted to a fixed wing structure proximate a lower wing skin. A joint coupling has a lug pivotally coupled to the clevis and a longitudinal pin extending from the lug. The longitudinal pin is slidably received in the spherical bearing. The lug has a bore in which a fuse pin is disposed to secure the lug to the clevis and inhibit the lug from pivoting relative to the clevis. A force applied to an aft portion of the underwing beam that is sufficient to urge separation from the wing causes the clevis to apply a shear force to shear the fuse pin and enable the lug to pivot and cause the longitudinal pin to slide out of the spherical bearing. The underwing flap support separates from the wing without resulting damage to the underside of the wing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin R. Tsai, Mark D. Gerber