Patents by Inventor Thomas Lerche

Thomas Lerche 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: 10882618
    Abstract: A multifunctional container system for producing a container for a cargo compartment of an aircraft includes a first lateral container component, which forms a first lateral surface of the container that is at least partially beveled, a first lower resting surface having first fastening devices and a first top side, a second lateral container component, which forms a second lateral surface of the container that is at least partially beveled, a second lower resting surface having second fastening devices and a second top side, and a floor cladding. The cladding is selectively positionable between the first resting surface and the second resting surface, which enclose a continuous gap to each other and comprise a predetermined distance to each other and to create a protrusion that faces away from the first and second top side. The protrusion extends into a recess of a floor in a cargo compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Wietzke, Thomas Lerche, Ralf Schliwa
  • Patent number: 10882639
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring luggage into a vehicle having a freight hold opening and a passenger compartment opening arranged at the same level outside the vehicle. The system has a luggage transfer element and a passenger bridge, wherein the passenger bridge has a transition zone that can be simultaneously connected to the freight hold opening and the passenger compartment opening. The luggage transfer element has a housing module for receiving luggage, and a movement module for transferring the luggage transfer element. The luggage transfer element can be transferred through the transition zone and the freight hold opening by way of the movement module. The system avoids delays as the passengers are boarding and simplifies the transfer of luggage into a freight hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Benthien, Matthias Hegenbart, Thomas Lerche, Tobias-Valentin Mayer
  • Patent number: 10611483
    Abstract: A passenger seat arrangement for a transport vehicle has at least one first passenger seat or row of seats having a first backrest, at least one second passenger seat having a second backrest which, by its rear side, faces the rear side of the first backrest, and a seat supporting frame. The seat supporting frame comprises a first backrest reinforcing strut which is arranged along the first backrest at a first inclination angle with respect to the horizontal, and a second backrest reinforcing strut which is arranged along the second backrest at a second inclination angle, supplementary to the first inclination angle, with respect to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Starke, Michael Harriehausen, Thomas Lerche, Bastian Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20190135453
    Abstract: Disclosed here is a transfer system for transferring luggage into a vehicle having a freight hold opening and a passenger compartment opening arranged at the same level outside the vehicle. The system has a luggage transfer element and a passenger bridge, wherein the passenger bridge has a transition zone that can be simultaneously connected to the freight hold opening and the passenger compartment opening. The luggage transfer element has a housing module for receiving luggage, and a movement module for transferring the luggage transfer element. The luggage transfer element can be transferred through the transition zone and the freight hold opening by way of the movement module. The system avoids delays as the passengers are boarding and simplifies the transfer of luggage into a freight hold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Hermann BENTHIEN, Matthias HEGENBART, Thomas LERCHE, Tobias-Valentin MAYER
  • Publication number: 20180273180
    Abstract: A multifunctional container system for producing a container for a cargo compartment of an aircraft includes a first lateral container component, which forms a first lateral surface of the container that is at least partially beveled, a first lower resting surface having first fastening devices and a first top side, a second lateral container component, which forms a second lateral surface of the container that is at least partially beveled, a second lower resting surface having second fastening devices and a second top side, and a floor cladding. The cladding is selectively positionable between the first resting surface and the second resting surface, which enclose a continuous gap to each other and comprise a predetermined distance to each other and to create a protrusion that faces away from the first and second top side. The protrusion extends into a recess of a floor in a cargo compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas WIETZKE, Thomas LERCHE, Ralf SCHLIWA
  • Publication number: 20180016010
    Abstract: A monument assembly for an aircraft includes at least one component of a primary structure of the aircraft, in particular a fuselage stiffening element, and a plurality of interconnected framework elements for creating a self-carrying three-dimensional framework. The at least one fuselage stiffening element is attachable to a skin of the aircraft and includes at least one bracket, wherein the framework is mechanically supported on the at least one bracket of the at least one component of the primary structure of the aircraft and wherein the framework comprises a plurality of compartments accessible from an interior region of the aircraft. The compartments are adapted for receiving and holding cabin equipment modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Hermann BENTHIEN, Matthias HEGENBART, Andreas POPPE, Wolfram SCHOPENHAUER, Ralf SCHLIWA, Thomas LERCHE, Cord HAACK, Ralph STURM, Matthias RADNY, Jon RUETER
  • Publication number: 20170101186
    Abstract: A passenger seat arrangement for a transport vehicle has at least one first passenger seat or row of seats having a first backrest, at least one second passenger seat having a second backrest which, by its rear side, faces the rear side of the first backrest, and a seat supporting frame. The seat supporting frame comprises a first backrest reinforcing strut which is arranged along the first backrest at a first inclination angle with respect to the horizontal, and a second backrest reinforcing strut which is arranged along the second backrest at a second inclination angle, supplementary to the first inclination angle, with respect to the horizontal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Starke, Michael Harriehausen, Thomas Lerche, Bastian Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8636251
    Abstract: A storage compartment is provided for a transportation means, for mounting in an overhead region. The storage compartment includes, but is not limited to a universal housing module and a transformable container module. Various container modules, in particular fixed bins and pivot bins, can be installed in the universal housing module without this requiring any alteration of the housing module. The transformable container module can be converted within the housing module from a state as a fixed container to a state as a movable chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Mayer, Thomas Lerche
  • Publication number: 20120012705
    Abstract: A storage compartment is provided for a transportation means, for mounting in an overhead region. The storage compartment includes, but is not limited to a universal housing module and a transformable container module. Various container modules, in particular fixed bins and pivot bins, can be installed in the universal housing module without this requiring any alteration of the housing module. The transformable container module can be converted within the housing module from a state as a fixed container to a state as a movable chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Tobias MAYER, Thomas LERCHE
  • Publication number: 20070111650
    Abstract: A method and a device for air-conditioning aircraft cabins proposes that the impulse of an air jet (26) injected into the cabin is altered, dependent upon a temperature measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Lerche