Patents by Inventor Robert D. Dixon

Robert D. Dixon 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: 10099902
    Abstract: A rail fixture that may include a plurality of track sections suspending a plurality of rail sections. The rail fixture may further include a traveler that traverses across one of the track sections, and a trolley that traverses across the plurality of rail sections. The rail fixture may further include a motorized winch assembly that may be used to lift a load to be moved toward the rail sections. The rail fixture may be used to move a load from a first location to a second location, for example, through an enclosed space having little clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert D. Dixon, Kevin L. Salt, Jeffrey A. Zornes, David A. Haverberg, Michael D. Hinckley, Chris Carlson, Craig B. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9570251
    Abstract: A system is provided for preventing a push-pull circuit breaker from being inadvertently depressed. The system may include a clip member having a generally C-shaped collar defining a cylindrical recess therein. The clip member is configured to resiliently expand to be positioned over and receive a cylindrical portion of the circuit breaker knob in a manner that prevents the circuit breaker knob from being depressed to close the circuit breaker. The system further includes first and second tabs depending from ends of the clip member. A cable tie may be positioned through openings formed in the first and second tabs to secure the first and second ends to each other, thereby locking the clip member in position on the push-pull circuit breaker knob and preventing the circuit breaker knob from being depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald C. Weaver, Robert D. Dixon, James D. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20160079009
    Abstract: A system is provided for preventing a push-pull circuit breaker from being inadvertently depressed. The system may include a clip member having a generally C-shaped collar defining a cylindrical recess therein. The clip member is configured to resiliently expand to be positioned over and receive a cylindrical portion of the circuit breaker knob in a manner that prevents the circuit breaker knob from being depressed to close the circuit breaker. The system further includes first and second tabs depending from ends of the clip member. A cable tie may be positioned through openings formed in the first and second tabs to secure the first and second ends to each other, thereby locking the clip member in position on the push-pull circuit breaker knob and preventing the circuit breaker knob from being depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Donald C. Weaver, Robert D. Dixon, James D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9221090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a structure and a locking magnet. The structure comprises a retaining portion and a magnetic portion. The retaining portion of the structure is configured to receive a first section of a workpiece such that a second section of the workpiece is positioned at an angle relative to the magnetic portion of the structure. The magnetic portion of the structure is positioned at a first side of the workpiece. The locking magnet is configured to exert an attractive force that causes the magnetic portion of the structure to move towards the second section of the workpiece when the locking magnet is positioned at a second side of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Publication number: 20150042019
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a structure and a locking magnet. The structure comprises a retaining portion and a magnetic portion. The retaining portion of the structure is configured to receive a first section of a workpiece such that a second section of the workpiece is positioned at an angle relative to the magnetic portion of the structure. The magnetic portion of the structure is positioned at a first side of the workpiece. The locking magnet is configured to exert an attractive force that causes the magnetic portion of the structure to move towards the second section of the workpiece when the locking magnet is positioned at a second side of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8876096
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a structure and a locking magnet. The structure comprises a retaining portion and a magnetic portion. The retaining portion of the structure is configured to receive a first section of a workpiece such that a second section of the workpiece is positioned at an angle relative to the magnetic portion of the structure. The magnetic portion of the structure is positioned at a first side of the workpiece. The locking magnet is configured to exert an attractive force that causes the magnetic portion of the structure to move towards the second section of the workpiece when the locking magnet is positioned at a second side of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8835781
    Abstract: A toggle switch lockout clip including a clip body having a central region and including a latch portion protruding from the central region, the latch portion including an extension member and a hook member connected to the extension member to define a hook gap, a leg portion protruding from the central region away from the latch portion, a first side portion opposed from a second side portion, wherein the first and second side portions extend from the central region and define a gap therebetween, and an engagement portion positioned between the first and second side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Dixon, Perry N. Rushton
  • Publication number: 20140061010
    Abstract: A toggle switch lockout clip including a clip body having a central region and including a latch portion protruding from the central region, the latch portion including an extension member and a hook member connected to the extension member to define a hook gap, a leg portion protruding from the central region away from the latch portion, a first side portion opposed from a second side portion, wherein the first and second side portions extend from the central region and define a gap therebetween, and an engagement portion positioned between the first and second side portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Dixon, Perry N. Rushton
  • Publication number: 20140008854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a structure and a locking magnet. The structure comprises a retaining portion and a magnetic portion. The retaining portion of the structure is configured to receive a first section of a workpiece such that a second section of the workpiece is positioned at an angle relative to the magnetic portion of the structure. The magnetic portion of the structure is positioned at a first side of the workpiece. The locking magnet is configured to exert an attractive force that causes the magnetic portion of the structure to move towards the second section of the workpiece when the locking magnet is positioned at a second side of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8123168
    Abstract: A window assembly for a mobile platform, for example, a commercial aircraft. The window assembly includes a reveal member that is retained within an opening in an interior panel of the mobile platform without the use of independent retaining clips or adhesives. In one embodiment the reveal member is generally rectangular in shape and includes a flange adjacent to each of the four corners thereof. The flanges engage the opening in the structural panel so that the reveal member can be held in a precise position within the opening in the interior structural panel without external fastening clips or adhesives. The window assembly is lighter in weight than existing window assemblies, and can also be easily removed without special tools or disassembly procedures, and also is retrofittable to existing mobile platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lon E Switzer, Robert D Dixon, Fred P Seibert, Scott Laverne, Michael J Zizzo, Gregory W Nelson, Gennady V Shankov, James G Trimble
  • Patent number: 8016278
    Abstract: A clamp including an upper body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an upper fulcrum, the upper fulcrum being positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the upper body, wherein the distal end of the upper body includes an upper jaw, a lower body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lower fulcrum, the lower fulcrum being positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the lower body, wherein the distal end of the lower body includes a lower jaw, an edge pusher having an upper projection pivotally engaged with the upper fulcrum and a lower projection pivotally engaged with the lower fulcrum, an actuating lever pivotally connected to the upper body, the actuating lever including a cam lobe moveable relative to the lower body to displace the proximal end of the lower body away from the proximal end of the upper body, and a biasing element positioned to bias the upper jaw away from the lower jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Publication number: 20100066001
    Abstract: A clamp including an upper body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an upper fulcrum, the upper fulcrum being positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the upper body, wherein the distal end of the upper body includes an upper jaw, a lower body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lower fulcrum, the lower fulcrum being positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the lower body, wherein the distal end of the lower body includes a lower jaw, an edge pusher having an upper projection pivotally engaged with the upper fulcrum and a lower projection pivotally engaged with the lower fulcrum, an actuating lever pivotally connected to the upper body, the actuating lever including a cam lobe moveable relative to the lower body to displace the proximal end of the lower body away from the proximal end of the upper body, and a biasing element positioned to bias the upper jaw away from the lower jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Publication number: 20080078877
    Abstract: A window assembly for a mobile platform, for example, a commercial aircraft. The window assembly includes a reveal member that is retained within an opening in an interior panel of the mobile platform without the use of independent retaining clips or adhesives. In one embodiment the reveal member is generally rectangular in shape and includes a flange adjacent to each of the four corners thereof. The flanges engage the opening in the structural panel so that the reveal member can be held in a precise position within the opening in the interior structural panel without external fastening clips or adhesives. The window assembly is lighter in weight than existing window assemblies, and can also be easily removed without special tools or disassembly procedures, and also is retrofittable to existing mobile platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Lon E. Switzer, Robert D. Dixon, Fred P. Seibert, Scott Laverne, Michael J. Zizzo, Gregory W. Nelson, Gennady V. Shankov, James G. Trimble
  • Patent number: 7272878
    Abstract: A cam actuating clamp. The clamp has first and second jaws, with one of the jaws including a surface forming a fulcrum and the other one of the jaws including a projecting arm which contacts the fulcrum when the clamp is in an open position. The clamp is moved from a closed to an open position simply by the user grasping an actuating lever that is pivotally secured to one of the jaws and lifting the clamp, in which the weight of the jaws causes rotation of the jaws, relative to the actuating lever, into an open configuration. A pair of springs secured under tension between the jaws hold the jaws in the open position. The jaws are clamped over a work piece by the user moving the actuating lever into a second position. A camming surface on the actuating lever provides an over center action that enables the springs to both assist in opening the clamp as well as closing the clamp depending upon the position of the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert D Dixon
  • Patent number: 7108461
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a clamp arm that is pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position, and a clamp spindle assembly that is adjustably positionable along the length of the arm. A magnet in the clamp spindle assembly magnetically engages the clamp arm with sufficient magnetic force to maintain the spindle assembly in a selected position as the clamp arm is moved between its raised and lowered positions, while allowing the position of the clamp spindle assembly to be manually adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bill D. Colburn, Robert W. Allard, Robert D. Dixon
  • Patent number: 6832416
    Abstract: A clamp formed from a single block of resilient material, and preferably from nylon. A living hinge is formed that couples upper and lower jaws of the clamp. First and second arms extend rearwardly from the upper and lower jaws, respectively. A pivotally mounted camming member secured to one of the arms can be manually moved by a user from a first position, wherein it holds the jaws in tight, clamping engagement with an assembly position therebetween, to a second position in which the jaws can be opened. The clamp requires only a minimal degree of user effort during use, therefore making it particularly ideally suited for applications where a large plurality of the clamps must be used and repeatedly applied, then taken off from, one or more workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Publication number: 20040216286
    Abstract: A clamp formed from a single block of resilient material, and preferably from nylon. A living hinge is formed that couples upper and lower jaws of the clamp. First and second arms extend rearwardly from the upper and lower jaws, respectively. A pivotally mounted camming member secured to one of the arms can be manually moved by a user from a first position, wherein it holds the jaws in tight, clamping engagement with an assembly position therebetween, to a second position in which the jaws can be opened. The clamp requires only a minimal degree of user effort during use, therefore making it particularly ideally suited for applications where a large plurality of the clamps must be used and repeatedly applied, then taken off from, one or more workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Robert D. Dixon
  • Patent number: D708152
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Dixon, Perry N. Rushton