Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Currier

Thomas J. Currier 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: 11820275
    Abstract: A carrier platform with a suspension mechanism and suspension methods for supporting a vibration-sensitive load including humans and sensitive objects or cargo in a vehicle such as a terrestrial vehicle, a marine vehicle or aircraft. The suspension mechanism deploys a set of linkage elements for accommodating linear motion of the carrier platform in a vertical linear degree of freedom (Z-axis) and in two horizontal linear degrees of freedom (X- and Y-axes). The suspension mechanism uses springs attached to the carrier platform for biasing it along the vertical linear degree of freedom. The suspension mechanism also has an active damping device with a set of motors to dampen vibrations experienced by the carrier platform in at least one translational degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. Currier, Christopher A. Tacklind
  • Patent number: 11685303
    Abstract: A berth apparatus and method for promoting relaxation and/or inducing sleep in a recumbent passenger occupying a berth belonging to the berth apparatus. The apparatus is mounted in a vehicle and has a secondary suspension with a vibration detection system and a motion management system. The berth may execute motion in all six degrees of freedom with at least the vertical degree of freedom being monitored for unwanted motion. The motion management system has a motion removing component for removing unwanted motion in at least the vertical degree of freedom, and it also has a motion adding component to add to the berth a desirable motion of low frequency and small amplitude in at least one degree of freedom based on a physiological parameter, e.g., the inhalation cycle of the recumbent passenger. The apparatus and method may further use a vibration transfer element to transfer motion in one degree of freedom, such as horizontal displacement, to another degree of freedom, such as roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. Currier, Christopher A. Tacklind
  • Publication number: 20220134936
    Abstract: A carrier platform with a suspension mechanism and suspension methods for supporting a vibration-sensitive load including humans and sensitive objects or cargo in a vehicle such as a terrestrial vehicle, a marine vehicle or aircraft. The suspension mechanism deploys a set of linkage elements for accommodating linear motion of the carrier platform in a vertical linear degree of freedom (Z-axis) and in two horizontal linear degrees of freedom (X- and Y-axes). The suspension mechanism uses springs attached to the carrier platform for biasing it along the vertical linear degree of freedom. The suspension mechanism also has an active damping device with a set of motors to dampen vibrations experienced by the carrier platform in at least one translational degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas J. Currier, Christopher A. Tacklind
  • Publication number: 20200070712
    Abstract: A berth apparatus and method for promoting relaxation and/or inducing sleep in a recumbent passenger occupying a berth belonging to the berth apparatus. The apparatus is mounted in a vehicle and has a secondary suspension with a vibration detection system and a motion management system. The berth may execute motion in all six degrees of freedom with at least the vertical degree of freedom being monitored for unwanted motion. The motion management system has a motion removing component for removing unwanted motion in at least the vertical degree of freedom, and it also has a motion adding component to add to the berth a desirable motion of low frequency and small amplitude in at least one degree of freedom based on a physiological parameter, e.g., the inhalation cycle of the recumbent passenger. The apparatus and method may further use a vibration transfer element to transfer motion in one degree of freedom, such as horizontal displacement, to another degree of freedom, such as roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas J. Currier, Christopher A. Tacklind