Patents by Inventor William P. Sumner
William P. Sumner 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).
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Patent number: 11530049Abstract: A detachable cargo mirror assembly for use on a rotorcraft surface that includes a bracket for mounting to a surface on the rotorcraft, the bracket comprising a base portion and a retainer portion having a first pair of opposing holes, an elongated arm having two opposing ends, a first end for coupling with the bracket and a second end coupled to a mirror apparatus, the first end having a passage; and a releasable connector that engages with the first pair of opposing holes and the passage in the elongated arm when the elongated arm is in a first position to display a desired image on the mirror apparatus. The detachable cargo mirror assembly can be removed or in a stowed position when not in use.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Brian Lafon, Ricky Jenkins, Sean Morgan, William P. Sumner, William L. Neal
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Patent number: 10858091Abstract: In a first aspect, there is a helicopter skid landing gear assembly including a front cross tube configured to interconnect two skid tubes; and a rear cross tube configured to interconnect two skid tubes; wherein at least one of the cross tubes comprises a monolithic metallic tube having a cross-section with a round exterior shape and an elliptical hollow portion therein. In a second aspect, there is a method for retrofitting a helicopter with a landing gear assembly; the method including providing a front cross tube and a rear cross tube, at least one of the front cross tube and the rear cross tube comprises a monolithic metallic tube having a cross-section with a substantially round exterior shape and an elliptical hollow portion therein; and connecting the front cross tube and rear cross tube to a fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: John C. Larkin, III, Emery N. Ward, William P. Sumner, Ricky Jenkins, Brian Lafon
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Publication number: 20200331626Abstract: A detachable cargo mirror assembly for use on a rotorcraft surface that includes a bracket for mounting to a surface on the rotorcraft, the bracket comprising a base portion and a retainer portion having a first pair of opposing holes, an elongated arm having two opposing ends, a first end for coupling with the bracket and a second end coupled to a mirror apparatus, the first end having a passage; and a releasable connector that engages with the first pair of opposing holes and the passage in the elongated arm when the elongated arm is in a first position to display a desired image on the mirror apparatus. The detachable cargo mirror assembly can be removed or in a stowed position when not in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.Inventors: Brian Lafon, Ricky Jenkins, Sean Morgan, William P. Sumner, William L. Neal
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Patent number: 10745147Abstract: A detachable cargo mirror assembly for use on a rotorcraft surface that includes a bracket configured to mount to a surface on the rotorcraft, the bracket comprising a base portion and a retainer portion having a first pair of opposing holes, an elongated arm having two opposing ends, a first end for coupling with the bracket and a second end coupled to a mirror apparatus, the first end having a passage: and a releasable connector configured to engage with the first pair of opposing holes and the passage in the elongated arm when the elongated arm is in a first position to display a desired image on the mirror apparatus. The detachable cargo mirror assembly can be removed or in a stowed position when not in use.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Brian Lafon, Ricky Jenkins, Sean Morgan, William P. Sumner, William L. Neal
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Publication number: 20200017710Abstract: Briefly, the disclosure relates to films, such as polyurethane films, which may be utilized to coat a windshield of an aircraft, such as a rotary-wing or a fixed-wing aircraft. In particular implementations, prior to application of a polyurethane film to an aircraft windshield, the polyurethane film may be exposed to an elevated temperature for an appropriate duration, which may operate to decrease stresses internal to the polyurethane film as well as to soften the polyurethane film. A slip solution may be applied to the aircraft windshield, so as to permit sliding of the polyurethane film relative to the windshield. After application of the slip solution, a tack solution may be applied, which may operate to remove the slip solution, thereby permitting the polyurethane film to be affixed to the windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: William P. Sumner, William Lewis Neal, II, Robert Matson, David Kimble Huber
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Publication number: 20190047687Abstract: In a first aspect, there is a helicopter skid landing gear assembly including a front cross tube configured to interconnect two skid tubes; and a rear cross tube configured to interconnect two skid tubes; wherein at least one of the cross tubes comprises a monolithic metallic tube having a cross-section with a round exterior shape and an elliptical hollow portion therein. In a second aspect, there is a method for retrofitting a helicopter with a landing gear assembly; the method including providing a front cross tube and a rear cross tube, at least one of the front cross tube and the rear cross tube comprises a monolithic metallic tube having a cross-section with a substantially round exterior shape and an elliptical hollow portion therein; and connecting the front cross tube and rear cross tube to a fuselage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: John C. Larkin, III, Emery N. Ward, William P. Sumner, Ricky Jenkins, Brian Lafon
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Publication number: 20180134411Abstract: A detachable cargo mirror assembly for use on a rotorcraft surface that includes a bracket configured to mount to a surface on the rotorcraft, the bracket comprising a base portion and a retainer portion having a first pair of opposing holes, an elongated arm having two opposing ends, a first end for coupling with the bracket and a second end coupled to a mirror apparatus, the first end having a passage: and a releasable connector configured to engage with the first pair of opposing holes and the passage in the elongated arm when the elongated arm is in a first position to display a desired image on the mirror apparatus. The detachable cargo mirror assembly can be removed or in a stowed position when not in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Brian Lafon, Ricky Jenkins, Sean Morgan, William P. Sumner, William L. Neal
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Patent number: 9090329Abstract: A jettisonable door system for an aircraft includes an upper hinge having a forward portion that is hingedly coupled to an airframe of the aircraft, the upper hinge having an aft portion that is releasably secured to an upper outboard plate with an upper pin. The jettisonable door system further includes a lower hinge having a forward portion that is hingedly coupled to the airframe of the aircraft, the upper hinge having an aft portion that is releasably secured to a lower outboard plate with a lower pin. A rotation of the upper pin releases the upper hinge from the upper outboard plate and a rotation of the lower pin releases the lower hinge from the lower outboard plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: William P. Sumner, Philip J. Bookout
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Publication number: 20080023579Abstract: A modular reel assembly for winding, dispensing, transporting, or storing hose, cord, or cable, is provided. Such a reel comprises of a pair of substantially similar polymeric support endplates and a pair of substantially similar polymeric spool endplates. The substantially similar support endplates are connected by at least one support endplate connecting member defining a predetermined support assembly width. The substantially similar spool endplates are connected by at least one spool endplate connecting member defining a predetermined spool assembly width. The modular reel assembly can thus be adjusted to particular discrete spool assembly and support assembly widths through appropriately selected interchangeable spool endplate and support endplate connecting members.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: Alemite LLCInventors: Erik Leonard, William P. Sumner
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Publication number: 20040084482Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a device for dispensing fluid from a container with an open end and a closed end. A follower is movably disposed in the container and fluid is held between the follower and the open end of the container. An air inlet opening is provided between the follower and the closed end of the container. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a piston chamber, a piston disposed for reciprocal movement in the chamber and an actuator movably mounted to the housing for reciprocating the piston. The housing has an air inlet duct, an air outlet duct, a fluid inlet duct and a fluid outlet duct, all of which open into the chamber. The housing sealingly mounts to the open end of the container such that the interior of the container is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet duct. The piston sealingly engages the chamber walls at two longitudinally spaced locations for dividing the chamber into a first volume and a second volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: William P. Sumner, Don K. Shinn, Sanford L. Zahler