Patents by Inventor Robert D. Wilkey
Robert D. Wilkey 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).
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Patent number: 12612164Abstract: An interlock assembly for securing a passenger seat tray table including a mounting block mountable to a passenger seat, a catch pivotally mounted to the mounting block and configured to pivot about a first pivot axis, a handle pivotally mounted to the mounting block and configured to pivot about a second pivot axis, a first torsion spring biasing the catch open, and a second torsion spring biasing the handle closed. In use, the handle and the catch are configured to close and interlock to secure the passenger seat tray table, and disengage and open to release the passenger seat tray table. The interlock assembly may be a line replaceable unit, a component of a tray table assembly, a component of a passenger seat assembly, etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2024Date of Patent: April 28, 2026Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Neil M. Ralph, Ryan J. Suhre, Bradley E. Burgess, Robert D. Wilkey, Thomas W. Cahoon
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Publication number: 20250361016Abstract: A latch assembly for securing a passenger seat tray table including a spring-loaded sliding latch and a spring-loaded rotating catch. The spring-loaded latch interacts with the spring-loaded catch such that, when the spring-loaded latch is closed, the tab engages the spring-loaded catch to prevent the spring-loaded catch from pivoting open. The spring-loaded catch interacts with the spring-loaded latch such that, when the spring-loaded catch is open, the tab engages the spring-loaded catch to prevent the spring-loaded latch from sliding closed. The latch assembly operates by push-to-close and the latch resets automatically when the tray table is secured. The latch assembly may be a line replaceable unit, part of a tray table assembly, and part of an aircraft passenger seat assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2024Publication date: November 27, 2025Inventors: Neil M. Ralph, Ryan J. Suhre, Bradley E. Burgess, Robert D. Wilkey, Thomas W. Cahoon
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Publication number: 20250361015Abstract: An interlock assembly for securing a passenger seat tray table including a mounting block mountable to a passenger seat, a catch pivotally mounted to the mounting block and configured to pivot about a first pivot axis, a handle pivotally mounted to the mounting block and configured to pivot about a second pivot axis, a first torsion spring biasing the catch open, and a second torsion spring biasing the handle closed. In use, the handle and the catch are configured to close and interlock to secure the passenger seat tray table, and disengage and open to release the passenger seat tray table. The interlock assembly may be a line replaceable unit, a component of a tray table assembly, a component of a passenger seat assembly, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2024Publication date: November 27, 2025Inventors: Neil M. Ralph, Ryan J. Suhre, Bradley E. Burgess, Robert D. Wilkey, Thomas W. Cahoon
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Publication number: 20240336372Abstract: An aircraft boarding vehicle to transport passengers between airport gate area and to a front door or a rear door of an airplane positioned on a tarmac of an airport without impeding ground transportation and plane traffic having a passenger platform housing, a chassis or frame to support the passenger platform housing, one or more independent drive hubs affixed to the chassis, the hubs configured to drive in either direction and turn or rotate to enable navigation of the vehicle about the tarmac, a lift system to raise and lower said passenger platform housing to match the height of the airport gate, the door of the airplane, the traverse over wing tips, and a power supply to power the one or more independent drive hubs and the lift system and thus, to speed up the turnaround process during deplaning and boarding procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2024Publication date: October 10, 2024Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Robert D. Wilkey, Russell Kroll, Philip D. Palermo
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Publication number: 20240083596Abstract: An aircraft boarding vehicle to transport passengers between airport gate area and to a front door or a rear door of an airplane positioned on a tarmac of an airport without impeding ground transportation and plane traffic having a passenger platform housing, a chassis or frame to support the passenger platform housing, one or more independent drive hubs affixed to the chassis, the hubs configured to drive in either direction and turn or rotate to enable navigation of the vehicle about the tarmac, a lift system to raise and lower said passenger platform housing to match the height of the airport gate, the door of the airplane, the traverse over wing tips, and a power supply to power the one or more independent drive hubs and the lift system and thus, to speed up the turnaround process during deplaning and boarding procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Robert D. Wilkey
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Patent number: 11365008Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first side with a first display device, a second side with a second display device, and a privacy divider separating the first side and the second side. The first display device may be configured to actuate between a first deployed position and a first stowed position via a first stowage mechanism. The second display device may be configured to actuate between a second deployed position and a second stowed position via a second stowage mechanism. The privacy divider may include one or more panels configured to actuate between a panel deployed position and a panel stowed position. The privacy divider may be open when at least one of the first display device is in the first stowed position, the second display device is in the second stowed position, or the one or more panels are in the panel stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Dennis M. Heuer, Lyle T. Davis, Robert J. Henshaw, Robert D. Wilkey
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Patent number: 11332249Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider configured to separate a first side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a first aircraft seat and a second side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a second aircraft seat. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a collapsible display device positioned proximate to the privacy divider of the aircraft passenger compartment suite. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first display device and a first plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the first side when the first display device is in a first display device stowed position. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a second display device and a second plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the second side when the second display device is in a second display device stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Robert D. Wilkey, Mark B. Dowty, Lyle T. Davis, Dennis M. Heuer
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Patent number: 11319072Abstract: A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, such as a business class cabin, including at least one longitudinal aisle dividing sections, with each section including at least one four-suite unit. Each four-suite unit generally includes an angled first seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle forward-facing, a second angled seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle rearward-facing, a third angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the first seat and rearward-facing, and a fourth angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the second seat and forward-facing. Aisle seats are accessed directly from the aisle while outboard seats share access passageways.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Edward W. Morgan, Horng Jaan Lin, Tracy N. Pence, Benjamin T. Bailey, Jae Hun Gu, Robert D. Wilkey
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Patent number: 11230382Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include at least one single passenger compartment including at least one single aircraft seat. The at least one single aircraft seat may be configured to seat a single passenger. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a combined divan passenger compartment with a combined divan aircraft seat. The combined divan aircraft seat may be configured to seat at least one passenger. The combined divan aircraft seat may have a width greater than a width of the at least one single aircraft seat. The combined divan passenger compartment may include a stowage compartment configured to stow large passenger amenities in a substantially vertical orientation. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider separating the combined divan passenger compartment and the at least one single passenger compartment.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Robert J. Henshaw, Suzuko Hisata, Robert D. Wilkey, Glenn A. Johnson
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Publication number: 20210237879Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include at least one single passenger compartment including at least one single aircraft seat. The at least one single aircraft seat may be configured to seat a single passenger. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a combined divan passenger compartment with a combined divan aircraft seat. The combined divan aircraft seat may be configured to seat at least one passenger. The combined divan aircraft seat may have a width greater than a width of the at least one single aircraft seat. The combined divan passenger compartment may include a stowage compartment configured to stow large passenger amenities in a substantially vertical orientation. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider separating the combined divan passenger compartment and the at least one single passenger compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Robert J. Henshaw, Suzuko Hisata, Robert D. Wilkey, Glenn A. Johnson
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Publication number: 20210214084Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider configured to separate a first side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a first aircraft seat and a second side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a second aircraft seat. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a collapsible display device positioned proximate to the privacy divider of the aircraft passenger compartment suite. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first display device and a first plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the first side when the first display device is in a first display device stowed position. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a second display device and a second plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the second side when the second display device is in a second display device stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Robert D. Wilkey, Mark B. Dowty, Lyle T. Davis, Dennis M. Heuer
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Publication number: 20210179268Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first side with a first display device, a second side with a second display device, and a privacy divider separating the first side and the second side. The first display device may be configured to actuate between a first deployed position and a first stowed position via a first stowage mechanism. The second display device may be configured to actuate between a second deployed position and a second stowed position via a second stowage mechanism. The privacy divider may include one or more panels configured to actuate between a panel deployed position and a panel stowed position. The privacy divider may be open when at least one of the first display device is in the first stowed position, the second display device is in the second stowed position, or the one or more panels are in the panel stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Dennis M. Heuer, Lyle T. Davis, Robert J. Henshaw, Robert D. Wilkey
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Patent number: 10836494Abstract: A cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of a pivoting mechanism including two articulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floating pin that passes through the center of the pivot. One actuator is affixed to a stationary assembly of the pivot device and the other actuator is affixed to a rotating body of the device. A first cable pulled at one end of the device pulls a second cable at an opposing end of the device through the articulating cable actuators. The cable actuating mechanism can be used to unlock, for example, a seat recline lock device in an aircraft seat equipped with a pivoting armrest, among other applications within and outside of an aircraft cabin environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Wilkey, Alexander N. Pozzi, Francis Xavier L. Garing
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Publication number: 20200307797Abstract: A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, such as a business class cabin, including at least one longitudinal aisle dividing sections, with each section including at least one four-suite unit. Each four-suite unit generally includes an angled first seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle forward-facing, a second angled seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle rearward-facing, a third angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the first seat and rearward-facing, and a fourth angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the second seat and forward-facing. Aisle seats are accessed directly from the aisle while outboard seats share access passageways.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Edward W. Morgan, Horng Jaan Lin, Tracy N. Pence, Benjamin T. Bailey, Jae Hun Gu, Robert D. Wilkey
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Publication number: 20190300175Abstract: A cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of a pivoting mechanism including two articulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floating pin that passes through the center of the pivot. One actuator is affixed to a stationary assembly of the pivot device and the other actuator is affixed to a rotating body of the device. A first cable pulled at one end of the device pulls a second cable at an opposing end of the device through the articulating cable actuators. The cable actuating mechanism can be used to unlock, for example, a seat recline lock device in an aircraft seat equipped with a pivoting armrest, among other applications within and outside of an aircraft cabin environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Robert D. WILKEY, Alexander N. POZZI, Francis Xavier L. GARING
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Patent number: 10301028Abstract: An aircraft tray table assembly includes a recessed storage compartment covered by a pivoting lid which becomes an integral part of the tray table surface upon closing. A mirror may be fixedly attached to the inside of the lid. A passenger may be provided a mirror surface by flipping open the pivoting lid when positioned in a passenger seat within an aircraft. A retractor may be configured to closing of the pivoting lid when a passenger manually translates the tray table into a stowed position, thereby avoiding contact of the deployed lid with aircraft fixture surfaces proximate the stowed position of the tray table.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin D. Stephens, Robert D. Wilkey, Robert J. Henshaw, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi
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Patent number: 10279917Abstract: A cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of a pivoting mechanism including two articulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floating pin that passes through the center of the pivot. One actuator is affixed to a stationary assembly of the pivot device and the other actuator is affixed to a rotating body of the device. A first cable pulled at one end of the device pulls a second cable at an opposing end of the device through the articulating cable actuators. The cable actuating mechanism can be used to unlock a seat recline lock device in an aircraft seat equipped with a pivoting armrest, among other applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Wilkey, Alexander N. Pozzi, Francis Xavier L. Garing
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Patent number: 10189406Abstract: A storage bin space utilization detection and display system for use with a storage bin for storing one or more objects, including: a plurality of sensors disposed within an interior portion of the storage bin, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is associated with one of a plurality of regions defined within the interior portion of the storage bin, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is operable for detecting a presence/absence of the one or more objects within the associated region defined within the interior portion of the storage bin; and a visual indicator device operable for indicating the detected presence/absence of the one or more objects within the associated region defined within the interior portion of the storage bin to an individual outside of the storage bin.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Alexander N. Pozzi, Robert D. Wilkey, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alyssa G. Mellett, Julia M. Brooks, Jae Hun Gu
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Publication number: 20180281967Abstract: An aircraft tray table assembly includes a recessed storage compartment covered by a pivoting lid which becomes an integral part of the tray table surface upon closing. A mirror may be fixedly attached to the inside of the lid. A passenger may be provided a mirror surface by flipping open the pivoting lid when positioned in a passenger seat within an aircraft. A retractor may be configured to closing of the pivoting lid when a passenger manually translates the tray table into a stowed position, thereby avoiding contact of the deployed lid with aircraft fixture surfaces proximate the stowed position of the tray table.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Benjamin D. Stephens, Robert D. Wilkey, Robert J. Henshaw, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi
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Patent number: 9451814Abstract: A two-piece case for a smart phone or other electronic device includes a base and a frame. Interengaging snap coupling elements on the base and the frame releasably attach the components together to hold a phone within the case.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: CASE-MATE, INC.Inventor: Robert D. Wilkey