Patents by Inventor Shawn A. Claflin
Shawn A. Claflin 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: 11933463Abstract: A lightbox is disclosed herein, comprising a lower panel, a back panel connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, wherein the back panel is coated in a reflective material, an inner lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the inner lens being adjacent the back panel, a first cavity at least partially defined by the back panel and the inner lens, an outer lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the outer lens being adjacent the inner lens and opposite the back panel, and a first LED adjacent the lower panel and oriented to emit a light away from the lower panel and into the first cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Travis J. Vaninetti, Shawn A. Claflin
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Publication number: 20240034472Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin arrangement between at least one forward passenger seat and at least one aft passenger seat, includes a panel positioned adjacent to and rearwardly of the at least one forward seat. The panel has a contoured shape for receiving the back of the forward passenger seat in at least one of a reclined position and an upright position. The panel extends substantially from an underside of an overhead bin to a cabin floor. In embodiments, at least a portion of the panel is configured to deform or break during a crash event due to one or more of a head impact by a passenger in the aft passenger seat with the panel and/or inertial forces of the crash event acting on the panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.Inventors: Robert Papke, Shawn Claflin, Jefferey McKee, Trevor Skelly, Mario Diliani
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Publication number: 20230400159Abstract: A lightbox is disclosed herein, comprising a lower panel, a back panel connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, wherein the back panel is coated in a reflective material, an inner lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the inner lens being adjacent the back panel, a first cavity at least partially defined by the back panel and the inner lens, an outer lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the outer lens being adjacent the inner lens and opposite the back panel, and a first LED adjacent the lower panel and oriented to emit a light away from the lower panel and into the first cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: TRAVIS J. VANINETTI, SHAWN A. CLAFLIN
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Patent number: 11787544Abstract: An implementation of a contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin includes a panel positioned between an aft seat and a forward seat, the panel having an aft-facing convex contour closely matching an aft-facing contour of a seatback of the forward seat and configured to enhance space utilization. The contoured class divider may include an articulation system to articulate at least a portion of the panel from a first position (normal operation) to a second position (emergency landing). The contoured class divider may provide up to an additional 12 inches of space which can be used to reduce seat pitch (and thereby enhance passenger comfort) or increase the number of rows of seats on a given aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert Papke, Shawn Claflin, Jefferey M. McKee, Trevor Skelly, Mario Diliani
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Patent number: 11565814Abstract: A slim aircraft monument is installable in an aircraft cabin adjacent to an aisle and has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion between the upper and lower portions. The monument includes a storage compartment accessible from a first side and a door on an adjacent side, the door deployable into the adjacent aisle or cabin space to reveal folding interconnected panels also deployable into the cabin space. The interconnected panels unfold into a horizontal workspace and, beneath the workspace, a series of vertically stacked storage bays capable of accommodating storage drawers and a cart bay configured for temporary accommodation of a half-size galley cart.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Travis J. Vaninetti, Jefferey M. McKee, Justin C. Christenson, Shawn A. Claflin
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Patent number: 11377213Abstract: An aircraft lavatory complex incorporating lavatories accessible to passengers of reduced mobility (PRM) is disclosed. Left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are accessible via left-side and right-side lavatory access doors opening in opposing directions. The left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are separated by a common central partition repositionable by cabin crewmembers (but protected from independent repositioning by occupants of either lavatory unit) to enlarge either of the left-side or right-side lavatory units for enhanced PRM accessibility.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Ray Hough, Richard Morris, Jefferey M. McKee, Shawn A. Claflin
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Patent number: 11370548Abstract: A modular aft galley and lavatory complex is disclosed. The galley complex is situated aft of an aircraft passenger cabin and incorporates left-side, right-side, and aft galley structures together partially enclosing an interior workspace, the left-side and right-side galley structures separated by a center aisle. Each galley structure includes trolley bays capable of securing trolleys therewithin. Each trolley can be removed from its trolley bay into the interior workspace or central aisle for use in catering or service operations inflight. Each galley structure includes storage bays accessible from the interior workspace. Between the upper and lower portions are flat workdecks and galley insert bays capable of accepting ovens, chillers, beverage makers, and other galley insert devices. Either the left or right galley structure includes a lavatory complex adjacent to the passenger cabin, incorporating aft lavatory units and a galley extension housing additional storage and cart space.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Ray Hough, Richard Morris, Jefferey M. McKee, Shawn A. Claflin
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Publication number: 20220009634Abstract: A slim aircraft monument is installable in an aircraft cabin adjacent to an aisle and has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion between the upper and lower portions. The monument includes a storage compartment accessible from a first side and a door on an adjacent side, the door deployable into the adjacent aisle or cabin space to reveal folding interconnected panels also deployable into the cabin space. The interconnected panels unfold into a horizontal workspace and, beneath the workspace, a series of vertically stacked storage bays capable of accommodating storage drawers and a cart bay configured for temporary accommodation of a half-size galley cart.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Travis J. Vaninetti, Jefferey M. McKee, Justin C. Christenson, Shawn A. Claflin
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Publication number: 20210347485Abstract: An implementation of a contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin includes a panel positioned between an aft seat and a forward seat, the panel having an aft-facing convex contour closely matching an aft-facing contour of a seatback of the forward seat and configured to enhance space utilization. The contoured class divider may include an articulation system to articulate at least a portion of the panel from a first position (normal operation) to a second position (emergency landing). The contoured class divider may provide up to an additional 12 inches of space which can be used to reduce seat pitch (and thereby enhance passenger comfort) or increase the number of rows of seats on a given aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert Papke, Shawn Claflin, Jefferey M. McKee, Trevor Skelly, Mario Diliani
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Patent number: 11130575Abstract: A slim aircraft monument includes a structure installable in an aircraft passenger cabin adjacent to a cabin space (e.g., in front of an otherwise unused exit door). The slim monument has an overall width of not more than four to six inches. The slim monument includes a side door with an external handle, the door deployable into the cabin space to reveal a group of nested interconnected panels within. The nested panels are similarly deployable into the cabin space to form a substantially horizontal work surface and, underneath the work surface, vertically stacked bays providing temporary storage for storage drawers and a cart space adjacent to the storage drawers, the cart space capable of accommodating a half-size galley cart.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Travis J. Vaninetti, Jefferey M. McKee, Justin C. Christenson, Shawn A. Claflin
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Patent number: 11066171Abstract: An implementation of a contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin includes a panel positioned between an aft seat and a forward seat, the panel having an aft-facing convex contour closely matching an aft-facing contour of a seatback of the forward seat and configured to enhance space utilization. The contoured class divider may include an articulation system to articulate at least a portion of the panel from a first position (normal operation) to a second position (emergency landing). The contoured class divider may provide up to an additional 12 inches of space which can be used to reduce seat pitch (and thereby enhance passenger comfort) or increase the number of rows of seats on a given aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.Inventors: Robert Papke, Shawn Claflin, Jefferey McKee, Trevor Skelly, Mario Diliani
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Patent number: 10843799Abstract: A contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin includes a panel positioned between an aft seat and a forward seat, the panel having a convex contour closely matching an aft-facing contour of a seatback of the forward seat and configured to enhance space utilization. The contoured class divider may include multiple panel portions that are coupled together and articulate relative to one another. The contoured class divider may include an articulation system to articulate the panel portions with respect to one another from a first position (normal operation) to a second position (emergency landing). The contoured class divider may provide up to an additional 12 inches of space which can be used to reduce seat pitch (and thereby enhance passenger comfort) or increase the number of rows of seats on a given aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert Papke, Shawn Claflin, Jefferey McKee, Trevor Skelly, Mario Diliani
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Publication number: 20200339262Abstract: A galley cart compartment is disclosed. In embodiments, the galley cart compartment includes an interior compartment or space having left and right sidewalls and a cabin floor. The interior compartment can receive and securely store a galley cart (e.g., trolley) insertable into, and removable from, the interior compartment along an axis of entry (e.g., parallel to the depth of the interior compartment). The galley cart has left and right sides and an underside to which casters are pivotably or rotatably attached, each caster has left and right wheels separated by a wheel gap. Tracks extend along the cabin floor parallel to the axis of entry, a left and right track positioned to engage respectively with the left-side and right-side casters. Each track includes a guide rail that projects into the wheel gap, preventing the caster wheels from rotating when the galley cart is removed from the interior compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Shawn A. Claflin, Brandon L. Popple
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Patent number: 10676194Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin includes a panel positioned between an aft seat and a forward seat, the panel having an aft-facing convex contour closely matching an aft-facing contour of a seatback of the forward seat and configured to enhance space utilization. The contoured class divider may include an articulation system to articulate at least a portion of the panel from a first position (normal operation) to a second position (emergency landing). The contoured class divider may provide up to an additional 12 inches of space which can be used to reduce seat pitch (and thereby enhance passenger comfort) or increase the number of rows of seats on a given aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert Papke, Shawn Claflin, Jefferey McKee, Trevor Skelly, Mario Diliani
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Publication number: 20190359336Abstract: A modular aft galley and lavatory complex is disclosed. The galley complex is situated aft of an aircraft passenger cabin and incorporates left-side, right-side, and aft galley structures together partially enclosing an interior workspace, the left-side and right-side galley structures separated by a center aisle. Each galley structure includes trolley bays capable of securing trolleys therewithin. Each trolley can be removed from its trolley bay into the interior workspace or central aisle for use in catering or service operations inflight. Each galley structure includes storage bays accessible from the interior workspace. Between the upper and lower portions are flat workdecks and galley insert bays capable of accepting ovens, chillers, beverage makers, and other galley insert devices. Either the left or right galley structure includes a lavatory complex adjacent to the passenger cabin, incorporating aft lavatory units and a galley extension housing additional storage and cart space.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Ray Hough, Richard Morris, Jefferey M. McKee, Shawn A. Claflin
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Publication number: 20190359335Abstract: An aircraft lavatory complex incorporating lavatories accessible to passengers of reduced mobility (PRM) is disclosed. Left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are accessible via left-side and right-side lavatory access doors opening in opposing directions. The left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are separated by a common central partition repositionable by cabin crewmembers (but protected from independent repositioning by occupants of either lavatory unit) to enlarge either of the left-side or right-side lavatory units for enhanced PRM accessibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Ray Hough, Richard Morris, Jefferey M. McKee, Shawn A. Claflin
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Patent number: 10370106Abstract: A contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin according to a predetermined class arrangement and including a divider panel having a contour closely matching a contour of a forward-positioned seatback, and adapted for being positioned in closely spaced-apart relation to the seatback for providing additional space aft of the divider panel. At least one leg is provided for supporting the panel on an aircraft cabin deck. A viewing window is formed in the panel for providing the ability of a flight attendant to observe areas of the cabin.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Robert Papke, Shawn Claflin, Jefferey McKee, Trevor Skelly
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Patent number: 10315767Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft can include a storage compartment and a vacuum lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the storage compartment between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vacuum lift mechanism can include at least one vacuum actuator in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The aircraft storage unit can further include an overhead mounting frame for mounting the vacuum lift mechanism to an upper structure of an interior of the aircraft, and a storage compartment frame configured to releasably receive the storage compartment. The vacuum lift mechanism may be releasably attached, at an upper end, to the overhead mounting frame, and at a lower end, to the storage compartment frame. The upper structure of the interior of the aircraft can be above a ceiling of the cabin area.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Shawn A. Claflin, James B. Hauser
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Patent number: 10280952Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft includes a storage compartment, a vacuum lift mechanism, and a stowage container housing. The vacuum lift mechanism may include at least one vacuum actuator, and an air manifold in fluid communication with a vacuum source, the air manifold configured to provide vacuum and venting to the at least one vacuum actuator. The stowage container housing may be configured to receive the storage compartment in the stowed position and may be configured for mounting above a ceiling of the cabin area.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Shawn A. Claflin, James B. Hauser
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Patent number: 10207806Abstract: A method of installing an aircraft overhead stowage system includes installing a plurality of bin support rail fittings onto a plurality of bin support rails disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex; positioning a stowage compartment housing supported by a stowage support structure above the ceiling of the galley complex, the stowage compartment housing including a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing; aligning the stowage compartment housing and the stowage support structure with the bin support rails; and fastening the stowage support structure to the bin support rails using the bin support rail fittings such that the stowage compartment housing is structurally supported above the ceiling of the galley complex.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Shawn A. Claflin, Robert Papke, James B. Hauser, Jefferey McKee