Patents by Inventor Murray J. Hines

Murray J. Hines 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: 5820344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved helicopter rotor system including a contoured flexure strap having a simplified geometrical configuration. The flexure strap serves to join the rotary hub assembly with the rotor blades and is formed of fiberglass. The primary load carrying fibers of the flexure strap preferably extend in the same direction as the spanwise axis of the flexure strap in order to withstand the centrifugal forces acting on the strap. The inboard end portion of the flexure strap includes two separate ends, with one of the ends extending in a vertically upward direction and the other end in a vertically downward direction. This allows the ends of flexure straps positioned on opposite sides of the rotary hub assembly to overlap one another and be retained in place by a single pin and bolt assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Hamilton, Stephen L. Guymon, Murray J. Hines, Thu N. Vu