Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Erhardt

Timothy M. Erhardt 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).

  • Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads in an aircraft
    Patent number: 8920085
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the track from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track by the at least one engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Timothy C. Hudson, Trevor M. Laib, Timothy M. Erhardt
  • Apparatus and Methods for Removably Securing Payloads in an Aircraft
    Publication number: 20100196116
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the track from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track by the at least one engagement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy C. Hudson, Trevor M. Laib, Timothy M. Erhardt
  • Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads in an aircraft
    Patent number: 7713009
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the track from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track by the at least one engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Timothy C. Hudson, Trevor M. Laib, Timothy M. Erhardt