Patents by Inventor Martin R. Grether

Martin R. Grether 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: 11286050
    Abstract: Apparatus for adapting aircraft floors and related methods are disclosed. An example floor of an aircraft includes a floor beam, a seat track, and a cap coupled to the seat track. The cap is disposed over the seat track and the floor beam. The example floor includes a floor panel aligned with the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Martin R. Grether, Thomas C. Wittenberg, Demi A. Coolen
  • Publication number: 20190248499
    Abstract: Apparatus for adapting aircraft floors and related methods are disclosed. An example floor of an aircraft includes a floor beam, a seat track, and a cap coupled to the seat track. The cap is disposed over the seat track and the floor beam. The example floor includes a floor panel aligned with the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Martin R. Grether, Thomas C. Wittenberg, Demi A. Coolen
  • Publication number: 20180266478
    Abstract: An attachment system and method that includes first and second fittings, a first eccentric bushing positioned within the first fitting, and a second eccentric bushing positioned within the second fitting. The system may include a first friction washer positioned between the first bushing and first fitting and a second friction washer positioned between the second bushing and the second fitting. A coating on the exterior of the friction washers prohibits rotation of the bushings with respect to the fittings. The coating may be a nickel-diamond coating that prohibits rotation even in the presence of a lubricant. The first fitting may be a frame fitting connected to a fuselage of an aircraft and the second fitting may be a beam fitting connected to the floor of the aircraft. The system may include lock plates that engage lock stops to prohibit rotation of the bushings in combination with the coated friction washers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: MARTIN R. GRETHER, TROY A. HAWORTH, THOMAS C. WITTENBERG
  • Patent number: 10001158
    Abstract: An attachment system and method that includes first and second fittings, a first eccentric bushing positioned within the first fitting, and a second eccentric bushing positioned within the second fitting. The system may include a first friction washer positioned between the first bushing and first fitting and a second friction washer positioned between the second bushing and the second fitting. A coating on the exterior of the friction washers prohibits rotation of the bushings with respect to the fittings. The coating may be a nickel-diamond coating that prohibits rotation even in the presence of a lubricant. The first fitting may be a frame fitting connected to a fuselage of an aircraft and the second fitting may be a beam fitting connected to the floor of the aircraft. The system may include lock plates that engage lock stops to prohibit rotation of the bushings in combination with the coated friction washers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin R. Grether, Troy A. Haworth, Thomas C. Wittenberg
  • Publication number: 20170045080
    Abstract: An attachment system and method that includes first and second fittings, a first eccentric bushing positioned within the first fitting, and a second eccentric bushing positioned within the second fitting. The system may include a first friction washer positioned between the first bushing and first fitting and a second friction washer positioned between the second bushing and the second fitting. A coating on the exterior of the friction washers prohibits rotation of the bushings with respect to the fittings. The coating may be a nickel-diamond coating that prohibits rotation even in the presence of a lubricant. The first fitting may be a frame fitting connected to a fuselage of an aircraft and the second fitting may be a beam fitting connected to the floor of the aircraft. The system may include lock plates that engage lock stops to prohibit rotation of the bushings in combination with the coated friction washers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: MARTIN R. GRETHER, TROY A. HAWORTH, THOMAS C. WITTENBERG
  • Patent number: 8444359
    Abstract: A blind fastener employs a split bolt element having two symmetrical half sections split at mating separation faces and cooperatively displaceable between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position. A capture portion split bolt has a substantially circular plan form in the first collapsed position with a diameter which is received through an attachment hole in a structural member. A bearing section and a threaded portion both have a substantially circular plan form in the second expanded position while the capture portion has compression surfaces extending with an elliptical major axis greater than the hole diameter in the extended second position to engage a bottom surface surrounding the attachment hole. The bearing section closely engages the attachment hole in the expanded position. A wedge separator element is insertable between the half sections to expand them from the first collapsed position to the second expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Martin R. Grether, Miki Beatovic
  • Publication number: 20120082527
    Abstract: A blind fastener employs a split bolt element having two symmetrical half sections split at mating separation faces and cooperatively displaceable between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position. A capture portion split bolt has a substantially circular plan form in the fist collapsed position with a diameter which is received through an attachment hole in a structural member. A bearing section and a threaded portion both have a substantially circular plan form in the second expanded position while the capture portion has compression surfaces extending with an elliptical major axis greater than the hole diameter in the extended second position to engage a bottom surface surrounding the attachment hole. The bearing section closely engages the attachment hole in the expanded position. A wedge separator element is insertable between the half sections to expand them from the first collapsed position to the second expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Martin R. Grether, Miki Beatovic
  • Patent number: 7798447
    Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Cory M. Hitchcock, Gina C. Pischke, Todd Evan Jones, Paul R. Fortado
  • Patent number: 7607613
    Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seat track configured for use with an interface assembly includes at least one elongated support. The seat track also includes an engagement member coupled to the elongated support and having a plurality of coupling apertures disposed therethrough. Each coupling aperture may be configured to receive at least one of a clamp arm and a fastener of the interface assembly and further configured to be engaged with the at least one of the clamp arm and the fastener in an unsecured position. The clamp arm may be extractable from the coupling aperture in a first position and may not be extractable from the coupling aperture in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
  • Publication number: 20090236471
    Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Cory M. Hitchcock, Gina C. Pischke, Todd Evan Jones, Paul R. Fortado
  • Patent number: 7506855
    Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Gina C. Pischke, Martin R. Grether, Todd Evan Jones, Cory M. Hitchcock, Paul R. Fortado
  • Publication number: 20080277528
    Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seat track configured for use with an interface assembly includes at least one elongated support. The seat track also includes an engagement member coupled to the elongated support and having a plurality of coupling apertures disposed therethrough. Each coupling aperture may be configured to receive at least one of a clamp arm and a fastener of the interface assembly and further configured to be engaged with the at least one of the clamp arm and the fastener in an unsecured position. The clamp arm may be extractable from the coupling aperture in a first position and may not be extractable from the coupling aperture in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
  • Patent number: 7413143
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interface assembly includes a base, a support arm, and a lug member. The base has a pair of clamp arms projecting outwardly therefrom. Each clamp arm is adapted to be disposed through an associated coupling aperture disposed in the engagement member. The clamp arms are moveable relative to the engagement member between an unsecured position in which the clamp arms are extractable from the coupling apertures, and a secured position wherein the clamp arms are not extractable from the coupling apertures. The support arm is coupled to the base and to a component (e.g. a payload). The lug member that locks the assembly in the secured position is moveable between a first position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the unsecured position, and a second position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the secured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
  • Patent number: 7370832
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interface assembly includes a base, a support arm, and a lug member. The base has a pair of clamp arms projecting outwardly therefrom. Each clamp arm is adapted to be disposed through an associated coupling aperture disposed in the engagement member. The clamp arms are moveable relative to the engagement member between an unsecured position in which the clamp arms are extractable from the coupling apertures, and a secured position wherein the clamp arms are not extractable from the coupling apertures. The support arm is coupled to the base and to a component (e.g. a payload). The lug member that locks the assembly in the secured position, is moveable between a first position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the unsecured position, and a second position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the secured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Walter Forrest Frantz, Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, Douglas W. Hackett
  • Patent number: 7195201
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for situating and securing payloads to support structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a support structure, a floor assembly, and a payload assembly. The floor assembly includes a plurality of elongated engagement members coupled to the support structure, the engagement members being spaced apart and mostly parallel, each engagement member including an engagement surface. The payload assembly includes a payload component positioned proximate the floor assembly, and at least one payload support coupled to the payload component and engaged with at least some of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to beam loads from the payload component to the floor assembly and being moveable with the payload component relative to the floor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, W. Forrest Frantz, Gina C. Pischke, Kelly L. Morgan, Paul R. Fortado, Todd Evan Jones, Douglas W. Hackett
  • Patent number: 7093797
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for beaming some or all payload component loads out to surrounding support structure and adaptably coupling payload assemblies to a support structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a payload assembly includes a payload member and at least one payload support. The payload member is adapted to be positioned proximate the support structure, and the at least one payload support is coupled to the payload member and is adapted to operatively engage at least one of the elongated supports of the support structure. The at least one payload support is further adapted to beam loads from the payload member to the at least one elongated support, and to be moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure. In one particular embodiment, the payload support includes an end portion adapted to engage with a top surface of the elongated support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Martin R. Grether, Raymond R. Reed, W. Forrest Frantz
  • Patent number: 7051978
    Abstract: Processes for positioning, securing, and repositioning payload assemblies onto floor assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that includes a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to at least one engagement member, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; and removeably coupling the payload support to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members. In an alternate embodiment, the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond R. Reed, Martin R. Grether, W. Forrest Frantz, Gina C. Pischke, Kelly L. Morgan, Paul R. Fortado, Todd Evan Jones, Douglas W. Hackett