Patents by Inventor Tommy G. Plant

Tommy G. Plant 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: 8662447
    Abstract: A flexible-usage travel suite that includes an enclosure having a floor, surrounding walls defining a predetermined area and an egress/ingress opening. A seat is positioned adjacent a first side of the enclosure and is moveable between a deployed seating configuration and a stowed storage configuration against the first side of the enclosure. A bed is positioned adjacent a second side of the enclosure and is moveable between a deployed lie-flat configuration when the seat is in its stowed storage configuration, and a stowed storage position when the seat is in its deployed seating configuration. A utility chair and utility table are positioned within the enclosure and are moveable among a stowed position and a use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Tommy G. Plant
  • Publication number: 20120318918
    Abstract: A flexible-usage travel suite that includes an enclosure having a floor, surrounding walls defining a predetermined area and an egress/ingress opening. A seat is positioned adjacent a first side of the enclosure and is moveable between a deployed seating configuration and a stowed storage configuration against the first side of the enclosure. A bed is positioned adjacent a second side of the enclosure and is moveable between a deployed lie-flat configuration when the seat is in its stowed storage configuration, and a stowed storage position when the seat is in its deployed seating configuration. A utility chair and utility table are positioned within the enclosure and are moveable among a stowed position and a use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BE AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Glenn A. JOHNSON, Tommy G. PLANT
  • Patent number: 6808413
    Abstract: An electrical connector, including a first electrically-conductive connector element, a second electrically-conductive connector element for being mated with the first connector element for allowing electrical current to flow through the electrical connector from an upstream to a downstream side, and a retainer for receiving and carrying the first connector element. The retainer includes locking anchors for mounting the retainer into complementary locking ports in a mounting bracket whereby the electrical connector is releasably carried on the mounting bracket. The retainer includes a retainer flange on which the locking anchors are mounted. The second connector element includes a connector flange for being mounted on an opposite side of the mounting bracket from the retainer. The connector flange has holes therein for receiving the locking anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy G. Plant, Marc Schatell
  • Patent number: 6793282
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly convertible between a two-seat configuration and a three-seat configuration, and including a seat assembly base and first, second and third seats for carrying respective seat bottom and seat back cushions, the first and third seats defining outboard seats and the second seat defining a center seat. First and second armrests are mounted between the first and third outboard seats on opposing sides of the center seat and are moveable between an upright use position and a retracted storage position above the seat bottom of the center seat. A tray table is mounted for movement between a raised retracted position wherein a bottom surface of the tray table defines at least a portion of the seat back of the center seat, and a lowered use position wherein the tray table resides above the seat bottom of the center seat to provide additional seating space and a tray table for the occupants of the outboard seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy G. Plant, Randy Penley, Trevor B. Skelly
  • Publication number: 20040166728
    Abstract: An electrical connector, including a first electrically-conductive connector element, a second electrically-conductive connector element for being mated with the first connector element for allowing electrical current to flow through the electrical connector from an upstream to a downstream side, and a retainer for receiving and carrying the first connector element. The retainer includes locking anchors for mounting the retainer into complementary locking ports in a mounting bracket whereby the electrical connector is releasably carried on the mounting bracket. The retainer includes a retainer flange on which the locking anchors are mounted. The second connector element includes a connector flange for being mounted on an opposite side of the mounting bracket from the retainer. The connector flange has holes therein for receiving the locking anchors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Tommy G. Plant, Marc Schatell
  • Publication number: 20040046430
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly convertible between a two-seat configuration and a three-seat configuration, and including a seat assembly base and first, second and third seats for carrying respective seat bottom and seat back cushions, the first and third seats defining outboard seats and the second seat defining a center seat. First and second armrests are mounted between the first and third outboard seats on opposing sides of the center seat and are moveable between an upright use position and a retracted storage position above the seat bottom of the center seat. A tray table is mounted for movement between a raised retracted position wherein a bottom surface of the tray table defines at least a portion of the seat back of the center seat, and a lowered use position wherein the tray table resides above the seat bottom of the center seat to provide additional seating space and a tray table for the occupants of the outboard seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Tommy G. Plant, Randy Penley, Trevor B. Skelly
  • Patent number: 6695406
    Abstract: A reclinable passenger seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a legrest assembly mounted adjacent a forward end of the seat bottom for being selectively extended generally downwardly and outwardly from the seat bottom for supporting the legs of the passenger. The legrest assembly also includes a legrest diaphragm mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the seat bottom and a legrest extension diaphragm telescoped within the legrest diaphragm for being selectively extended and retracted relative to the legrest diaphragm to provide an appropriate length leg support for the passenger. The legrest diaphragm and the legrest extension diaphragm each include respective pairs of spaced-apart rails and a fabric attached under tension to the rails for forming a taut, resilient support for the legs of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Tommy G. Plant
  • Patent number: 6692069
    Abstract: A reclining passenger seat, including a seat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame, and a seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable with the seat bottom from and between the upright and sleep positions. A legrest assembly is mounted adjacent a forward end of the seat bottom for being selectively extended generally downwardly and outwardly from the seat bottom for supporting the legs of the passenger. An armrest assembly is carried by the seat frame and includes an armrest moveable between a horizontal position with an upper support surface supporting a forearm of the seat occupant in the upright seat position and a forwardly-inclined, lowered position wherein the upper support surface is aligned with an upper surface of the seat bottom for providing a wider sleeping surface for the seat occupant when the seat is in the fully-reclined sleep position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Beroth, Gregory Hall, Ross Laming, Bobby Lawson, Stacy McAnulty, Tracy Pence, Tommy G. Plant, Al Wenzler
  • Publication number: 20030080597
    Abstract: A reclining passenger seat, including a seat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame, and a seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable with the seat bottom from and between the upright and sleep positions. A legrest assembly is mounted adjacent a forward end of the seat bottom for being selectively extended generally downwardly and outwardly from the seat bottom for supporting the legs of the passenger. An armrest assembly is carried by the seat frame and includes an armrest moveable between a horizontal position with an upper support surface supporting a forearm of the seat occupant in the upright seat position and a forwardly-inclined, lowered position wherein the upper support surface is aligned with an upper surface of the seat bottom for providing a wider sleeping surface for the seat occupant when the seat is in the fully-reclined sleep position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Michael T. Beroth, Gregory Hall, Ross Laming, Bobby Lawson, Stacy McAnulty, Tracy Pence, Al Wenzler, Tommy G. Plant
  • Patent number: 6494536
    Abstract: A reclinable passenger seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a seat bottom/seat back articulation assembly for simultaneously varying the adjustment of the seat bottom and seat back relative to each other. A translation linkage is provided for mounting the seat bottom and seat back for translating movement of the seat bottom relative to the seat back as the seat back is reclined from an upright position and raised to an upright position. The translation linkage extends the effective length of the seat bottom relative to the seat back to provide additional support to the buttocks and legs of the seated passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Tommy G. Plant
  • Publication number: 20020063449
    Abstract: A reclinable passenger seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a legrest assembly mounted adjacent a forward end of the seat bottom for being selectively extended generally downwardly and outwardly from the seat bottom for supporting the legs of the passenger. The legrest assembly also includes a legrest diaphragm mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the seat bottom and a legrest extension diaphragm telescoped within the legrest diaphragm for being selectively extended and retracted relative to the legrest diaphragm to provide an appropriate length leg support for the passenger. The legrest diaphragm and the legrest extension diaphragm each include respective pairs of spaced-apart rails and a fabric attached under tension to the rails for forming a taut, resilient support for the legs of the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Tommy G. Plant
  • Publication number: 20010033101
    Abstract: A reclinable passenger seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a seat bottom/seat back articulation assembly for simultaneously varying the adjustment of the seat bottom and seat back relative to each other. A translation linkage is provided for mounting the seat bottom and seat back for translating movement of the seat bottom relative to the seat back as the seat back is reclined from an upright position and raised to an upright position. The translation linkage extends the effective length of the seat bottom relative to the seat back to provide additional support to the buttocks and legs of the seated passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Tommy G. Plant
  • Patent number: 5560681
    Abstract: A seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the back of the seat bottom and a leg rest extending downwardly in an area forward of a front side of the seat bottom. The seat includes the combination of a seat bottom extension for increasing or decreasing the length of the seat bottom between the seat back and the leg rest to fit the distance between the buttocks and the back of the knees of the occupant. The seat bottom extension has a seat bottom extension assembly on which the leg rest is mounted for movement therewith and an adjustment assembly for adjustably mounting the seat bottom extension assembly to the front side of the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Burns Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Dixon, Tommy G. Plant, Ralph J. Nolan, Jr.