Patents by Inventor Shelby T. Dobbs

Shelby T. Dobbs 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: 9446857
    Abstract: A method for covering an end of a housing for an engine. A cover is positioned relative to the end of the housing for the engine. The cover comprises a structure, a flange comprised of a deformable material extending from the structure around a circumference of the structure, and a retaining feature configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive the end of the housing. The cover is moved in a direction towards the end of the housing for the engine such that the retaining feature extends into an inlet of the engine through an opening of the housing to form an interference fit between the retaining feature and a portion of an interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick Earl Sparks, Shelby T. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20150089879
    Abstract: A method for covering an end of a housing for an engine. A cover is positioned relative to the end of the housing for the engine. The cover comprises a structure, a flange comprised of a deformable material extending from the structure around a circumference of the structure, and a retaining feature configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive the end of the housing. The cover is moved in a direction towards the end of the housing for the engine such that the retaining feature extends into an inlet of the engine through an opening of the housing to form an interference fit between the retaining feature and a portion of an interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Rick Earl Sparks, Shelby T. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 8950701
    Abstract: A method for covering an end of a housing for an engine. A cover is positioned relative to the end of the housing for the engine. The cover comprises a structure, a flange comprised of a deformable material extending from the structure around a circumference of the structure, and a retaining feature configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive the end of the housing. The cover is moved in a direction towards the end of the housing for the engine such that the retaining feature extends into an inlet of the engine through an opening of the housing to form an interference fit between the retaining feature and a portion of an interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rick Earl Sparks, Shelby T. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20140245665
    Abstract: A method for covering an end of a housing for an engine. A cover is positioned relative to the end of the housing for the engine. The cover comprises a structure, a flange comprised of a deformable material extending from the structure around a circumference of the structure, and a retaining feature configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive the end of the housing. The cover is moved in a direction towards the end of the housing for the engine such that the retaining feature extends into an inlet of the engine through an opening of the housing to form an interference fit between the retaining feature and a portion of an interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rick Earl Sparks, Shelby T. Dobbs