Patents by Inventor Michael Allen Bullard

Michael Allen Bullard 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: 11627816
    Abstract: An automatically adjusting comfort method includes measuring pressure applied by a user via a pressure-sensor array, determining a pressure profile based on measurements from the pressure-sensor array, comparing the pressure profile to a first limit, determining a cumulative pressure profile over a predetermined duration, comparing the cumulative pressure profile to a second limit, and adjusting one or more of a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile for increased comfort of the user when the pressure profile exceeds the first limit or the second limit. An automatically adjusting comfort system includes a pressure-sensor array communicatively coupled to a controller for determining a cumulative pressure profile over time, and a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile to increase a user's comfort, wherein the controller automatically adjusts one or more of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms based on the cumulative pressure profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Allen Bullard, Samantha Moore Wilt, Craig Daniel Cillessen
  • Patent number: 11021254
    Abstract: A multi-rail galley includes a countertop on top of a first storage portion, and a second storage portion above the countertop. The countertop includes a first plurality of rails on a top surface that are configured for receiving at least one countertop insert. The second storage portion has a second plurality of rails beneath a bottom surface of the second storage portion and configured for receiving at least one hanging insert. A method of providing a customizable aircraft galley includes providing a countertop above a storage compartment, the countertop having a horizontal surface facing upwards with a plurality of rails disposed on top of the horizontal surface, installing a galley insert onto one of the plurality of rails via a matching slot in the galley insert, and removing the galley insert from one of the plurality of rails, enabling stowage of the galley insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: David James Swanson, Michael Allen Bullard, Phillip Anthony Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20180199729
    Abstract: An automatically adjusting comfort method includes measuring pressure applied by a user via a pressure-sensor array, determining a pressure profile based on measurements from the pressure-sensor array, comparing the pressure profile to a first limit, determining a cumulative pressure profile over a predetermined duration, comparing the cumulative pressure profile to a second limit, and adjusting one or more of a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile for increased comfort of the user when the pressure profile exceeds the first limit or the second limit. An automatically adjusting comfort system includes a pressure-sensor array communicatively coupled to a controller for determining a cumulative pressure profile over time, and a plurality of adjusting mechanisms configured to alter the pressure profile to increase a user's comfort, wherein the controller automatically adjusts one or more of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms based on the cumulative pressure profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Allen Bullard, Samantha Moore Wilt, Craig Daniel Cillessen
  • Publication number: 20180162532
    Abstract: A multi-rail galley includes a countertop on top of a first storage portion, and a second storage portion above the countertop. The countertop includes a first plurality of rails on a top surface that are configured for receiving at least one countertop insert. The second storage portion has a second plurality of rails beneath a bottom surface of the second storage portion and configured for receiving at least one hanging insert. A method of providing a customizable aircraft galley includes providing a countertop above a storage compartment, the countertop having a horizontal surface facing upwards with a plurality of rails disposed on top of the horizontal surface, installing a galley insert onto one of the plurality of rails via a matching slot in the galley insert, and removing the galley insert from one of the plurality of rails, enabling stowage of the galley insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: David James Swanson, Michael Allen Bullard, Phillip Anthony Kendrick