Patents by Inventor Robert J. Henshaw

Robert J. Henshaw 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: 10029793
    Abstract: A portable electronic device holder incorporated in a seatback of a passenger seat. The device holder includes a shelf and a release latch arranged to hold the respective bottom and top edges of a portable electronic device for hands-free use. The latch holds the shelf in a stowed position flush with the seatback and releases to allow the shelf to rotate away from the seatback for use. The shelf is positioned apart from a tray table, when present, so that the device holder and tray table can be deployed and used at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Francis Xavier L. Garing, Robert J. Henshaw, Adam Britton, Kosta Gianakopoulos
  • Patent number: 9834308
    Abstract: An aircraft seating group has first and second laterally-adjacent passenger seats; a center console positioned between the first and second passenger seats; a center console disposed between the first and second laterally-adjacent passenger seats and having a shelf for supporting a handheld electronic device at approximately an eye level of a passenger in the first passenger seat. The center console may further include a retention system to maintain the electronic device in the shelf in a position allowing the passenger to comfortably view the screen of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Mark A. Kruse, Suzuko Hisata
  • Patent number: 9828099
    Abstract: An aircraft seating group including first and second laterally-adjacent seats, a center console positioned between the seats, a rear privacy shell positioned behind the seats and forming part of the center console, a vertical partition extending forward from the rear privacy shell to divide the center console, and a deployable shelf positioned to one side of the vertical partition, the shelf configured to hold a tablet for viewing by a passenger facing the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Mark A. Kruse, Suzuko Hisata
  • Publication number: 20170289494
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for controlling projection of graphical elements onto surfaces of an aircraft cabin interior may include a projector mounted to a surface of a static element of an aircraft passenger suite that outputs the graphical element onto a projection surface. The graphical element may correspond to a received projection request. A controller may receive a projection request from a computing device indicating a type of graphical element for display onto the projection surface. The type of graphical element may correspond to a type of communication message such as a message between a passenger and a flight attendant within the aircraft cabin. The graphical element may generated for display by the projector based on at least one of the type of graphical element associated with the received projection request and a native language of the passenger or flight attendant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Francis Xavier L. Garing, Benjamin Stephens, Suzuko Hisata, Jae Hun Gu, Alyssa G. Mellett, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Robert J. Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20170021930
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a cradle recline mechanism for an aircraft passenger seat includes a guide mechanism for guiding a seat bottom of the aircraft passenger seat forward and lower as the seat bottom moves from an upright sitting position to a cradle recline sitting position, where a rear portion of the seat bottom is lowered more than a front portion of the seat bottom, causing the seat bottom to angle upwards from a bottom edge of the seat back. A seat back of the passenger seat may be pivotably connected to the seat bottom such that it is pulled forward and down with the movement of the seat bottom, with the recline angle determined by a rigid support mechanism disposed behind the seat back. Passenger weight may be counterbalanced using a moveable control mechanism such as a locking gas spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. HENSHAW
  • Publication number: 20170015420
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an aircraft seating group has first and second laterally-adjacent passenger seats; a center console positioned between the first and second passenger seats; a center console disposed between the first and second laterally-adjacent passenger seats and having a shelf for supporting a handheld electronic device at approximately an eye level of a passenger in the first passenger seat. The center console may further include a retention system to maintain the electronic device in the shelf in a position allowing the passenger to comfortably view the screen of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. HENSHAW, Mark A. Kruse, Suzuko Hisata
  • Patent number: 9545999
    Abstract: Seating arrangements are provided that combine standard fore- and aft-facing lie-flat seating assemblies with a center premium lie-flat seating assembly. A center suite can include a center support shell and at least one center seat. The center support shell can provide a plurality of legwells for association with a plurality of standard seats. A center seat can be disposed between legwells in a non-overlapping manner so that legwells straddle the center seat. Surface area can be provided over the legwells to provide generous living space for a seated passenger, and to cooperate with a center seat to provide a bed for a reclined passenger. The support shell can have parallel endwalls orthogonal to parallel sidewalls to provide a center bed that is generally uniform in length and width. Legwells can be disposed in parallel and mirrored configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20160355263
    Abstract: A portable electronic device holder incorporated in a seatback of a passenger seat. The device holder includes a shelf and a release latch arranged to hold the respective bottom and top edges of a portable electronic device for hands-free use. The latch holds the shelf in a stowed position flush with the seatback and releases to allow the shelf to rotate away from the seatback for use. The shelf is positioned apart from a tray table, when present, so that the device holder and tray table can be deployed and used at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Franics Xavier L. Garing, Robert J. Henshaw, Adam Britton, Kosta Gainakopoulos
  • Patent number: 9469405
    Abstract: A passenger suite seating arrangement including a first passenger suite including a first seat and a first video monitor fixed in position directly forward of the first seat, and a second passenger suite including a second seat facing the first seat and laterally offset relative thereto, the second suite including a second video monitor configured to move parallel to a viewing angle of a passenger seated in the second seat to selectively connect and divide the first and second suites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 9302774
    Abstract: Seating arrangements for seats configurable between an upright and lie-flat position are presented. A three-seat grouping can include a lower aft-facing seating assembly, an upper seating assembly, and a lower fore-facing seating assembly in which the lower seating assemblies underlap the upper seating assembly when in a lie-flat position. Lower seats can be aligned or angled with respect to an upper seat in a manner that conserves space. A six-seat grouping can include 3-seat groupings in which lower seats are aligned with upper seats, or are angled with respect to them. Support structures can be shared by adjacent seats. A six-seat grouping can be embodied as a hybrid arrangement in which footspace is narrower for a lower opposing seat than for a lower seat facing the same direction as an upper seat. In an example embodiment, footspace can be divided between an upper seat and a lower opposing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 9266614
    Abstract: A passenger suite seating arrangement that includes first and second passenger suites positioned side-by-side and including respective first and second seats and first and second video monitors respectively positioned in a viewing position directly forward of the first seat and second seats. Third and fourth passenger suites are positioned side-by-side and facing the first and second passenger suites, and include respective third and fourth video monitors positioned and adapted to move between a stowed position laterally offset from a viewing position and a deployed viewing position forward of the third and fourth seats. In the deployed viewing position the third and fourth video monitors block visual contact between occupants of the first and second seats and the occupants of the third and fourth seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 9266613
    Abstract: A 3-seat seating grouping is presented that includes a center seat configured for vertical translation from a lower position to a raised position when converted from an upright to an inclined mode. The center seat can be disposed between an aft-facing seating assembly and a fore-facing seating assembly, and be configured to overlap both when in a lie-flat position. Non-overlapping footspace can be shared between a center passenger and an aft-facing passenger. When upright, a center seat can be at the same height as a non-translating aft- or fore-facing seat, reducing loads on a seat track during aircraft take-off. Seats within the 3-seat group can be angled or aligned with respect to cabin longitudinal axis. A plurality of 3-seat groups can be combined in various orientations to span a cabin. Groups can be arranged to mirror each other to maximize seating directed to an aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Suzuko Hisata
  • Patent number: 9169020
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger suite including one or more privacy walls arranged to define a seating area and a living area positioned to the side of the seating area, the seating area including a seat configured to achieve a horizontal bed position and the living area including at least one amenity for use by a passenger in the suite, the living area having a length substantially less than a length of the seating area such that the suite overlaps another suite in a longitudinal direction, and wherein an entrance to the suite is defined by a break in the one or more privacy walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Kroll, Suzuko Hisata, Francis X. Garing, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Glenn Allen Johnson, Robert J. Henshaw, JaeHun Gu, Benjamin D. Stephens
  • Patent number: 9162768
    Abstract: Seating arrangements for seats configurable between an upright and lie-flat position are presented. A three-seat grouping can include a lower aft-facing seating assembly, an upper seating assembly, and a lower fore-facing seating assembly in which the lower seating assemblies underlap the upper seating assembly when in a lie-flat position. Lower seats can be aligned or angled with respect to an upper seat in a manner that conserves space. A six-seat grouping can include 3-seat groupings in which lower seats are aligned with upper seats, or are angled with respect to them. Support structures can be shared by adjacent seats. A six-seat grouping can be embodied as a hybrid arrangement in which footspace is narrower for a lower opposing seat than for a lower seat facing the same direction as an upper seat. In an example embodiment, footspace can be divided between an upper seat and a lower opposing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20150284092
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat including a seat bottom, a seatback pivotably attached to the seat bottom, and an extendable and angularly deployable leg rest pivotably attached to the seat bottom, the leg rest including leg rest rails pivotably attached to the seat bottom, a translating cushion assembly carried on the leg rest rails, a rack and pinion mechanism arranged to drive cushion assembly translation along the leg rest rails, and a timing link pivotably attached to the seat bottom arranged to actuate the rack and pinion mechanism in response to angular movement of the leg rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Robert D. Wilkey, Robert J. Henshaw, Joshua T. Munchow
  • Publication number: 20150284087
    Abstract: A fixed-shell aircraft passenger seat including a seat bottom pivotably attached to a seatback, a fixed-shell positioned behind the seatback, left and right spreaders guiding the seat bottom forward and lower as the seat bottom moves to a reclined sitting position, a linkage arm linked with movement of the seat bottom, and a locking gas spring arranged between the linkage arm and a fixed seat frame member for counterbalancing passenger weight to return the seat bottom to upright and prevent over acceleration into a cradle recline sitting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20150274299
    Abstract: An aircraft seating group including first and second laterally-adjacent seats, a center console positioned between the seats, a rear privacy shell positioned behind the seats and forming part of the center console, a vertical partition extending forward from the rear privacy shell to divide the center console, and a deployable shelf positioned to one side of the vertical partition, the shelf configured to hold a tablet for viewing by a passenger facing the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Mark A. Kruse, Suzuko Hisata
  • Publication number: 20150166183
    Abstract: Seating arrangements are provided that combine standard fore- and aft-facing lie-flat seating assemblies with a center premium lie-flat seating assembly. A center suite can include a center support shell and at least one center seat. The center support shell can provide a plurality of legwells for association with a plurality of standard seats. A center seat can be disposed between legwells in a non-overlapping manner so that legwells straddle the center seat. Surface area can be provided over the legwells to provide generous living space for a seated passenger, and to cooperate with a center seat to provide a bed for a reclined passenger. The support shell can have parallel endwalls orthogonal to parallel sidewalls to provide a center bed that is generally uniform in length and width. Legwells can be disposed in parallel and mirrored configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 8979189
    Abstract: A tray table assembly for a passenger seat including a table top having a cantilevered portion configured to slide horizontally between an overseat position and a position forward of a passenger seat, and a linear slide for providing horizontal motion of the table top, the linear slide configured to mount to a wall adjacent the passenger seat and support the table top in a horizontal position. A tray table assembly for an aircraft passenger suite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Benjamin D. Stephens, Francis X. Garing, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Glenn Allen Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150069805
    Abstract: Seating arrangements for seats configurable between an upright and lie-flat position are presented. A three-seat grouping can include a lower aft-facing seating assembly, an upper seating assembly, and a lower fore-facing seating assembly in which the lower seating assemblies underlap the upper seating assembly when in a lie-flat position. Lower seats can be aligned or angled with respect to an upper seat in a manner that conserves space. A six-seat grouping can include 3-seat groupings in which lower seats are aligned with upper seats, or are angled with respect to them. Support structures can be shared by adjacent seats. A six-seat grouping can be embodied as a hybrid arrangement in which footspace is narrower for a lower opposing seat than for a lower seat facing the same direction as an upper seat. In an example embodiment, footspace can be divided between an upper seat and a lower opposing seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw