Patents by Inventor William O. Nobles

William O. Nobles 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: 4715566
    Abstract: A plurality of manned space station modules are interconnected via end caps into a variety of space station configurations without need for dedicated interconnect modules. Each module preferably comprises an elongated module body, end caps mounted to respective ends of the body and the end caps being in the form of a four sided, truncated pyramid having a truncated side forming a flat, square central end face remote from the body and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body, and four flat oblique side faces integral with and about the four sides of the central end face. The body may be cylindrical in form or of cruciform configuration defined by paired right angle intersecting panels. Three modules may be interconnected at their ends to form a triad. Modules may be connected end-to-end by abutting end faces of the end caps, side-face-to-side-face or end-face-to-side-face. The modules may have their axes coplanar, or out of plane, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: William O. Nobles