Patents by Inventor William W. Ahern

William W. Ahern 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: 5323574
    Abstract: A floor system with low resistance to impact has loosely connected separate light weight components forming a support frame upon which a plurality of floor panels is disposed. The support frame is comprised of a plurality of support elements which, in turn, are constructed of a plurality of support members each having a maximum dimension of at most a predetermined fixed size. The plurality of floor panels is disposed onto of and supported by the support elements. The floor panels preferably have mating beveled edges, which bevels facilitate the panels in kicking up and over each other upon substantially horizontal impact. The position of the floor panels is relative to the support elements is loosely maintained by cooperating short pins and holes. In one aspect of the invention, the support elements are spaced apart and are not connected to each other for support. In another aspect, the support elements are interconnected and supported by a supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Electronic Space Systems Corporation
    Inventor: William W. Ahern
  • Patent number: 5299397
    Abstract: A frangible enclosure with low resistance to impact has a curvature such that a distributed load primarily is resisted by axial stresses generated therein, in little or no bending stresses are generated. Weakened portions are made in the enclosure which reduce the flexural strength of the enclosure. The enclosure is made of a plurality of panels, which panels are constructed of a composite laminate of fiber reinforced material. The panels are interconnected to form a housing, or enclosure. Weakened portions in the panel can be made by perforating or cutting the material of which the laminate is made. A floor system can also be provided for an enclosure. Such a floor system, which is also frangible, is made of a support frame upon which the floor panels rest and loosely engage. The floor support frame can be supported by the base of the enclosure, or other supporting objects in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Electronic Space Systems Corporation
    Inventor: William W. Ahern
  • Patent number: 4026078
    Abstract: A self-supporting radome construction is formed from a random distribution of four basic structural elements assembled in a standard reoccurring pattern. The elements define four basic triangular openings. Each triangular opening is covered with a panel, and only four panel sizes are required whether or not the interior surface is the same or different than the exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: GeoMetrics
    Inventors: William W. Ahern, Birgit T. Mathe