Gerald W Lester

US Patent:

6373536, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Aug 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/651194

Inventors:

Richard C. Mell - Brea CA
S. Scott Seeley - Corona CA
Gerald E. Lester - Costa Mesa CA
Stephen R. Boss - Claremont CA

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

H04H 564

US Classification:

348837, 292220

Abstract:

A system and method for safe and secure stowage of an on-board entertainment display utilizing at least one dual biased latch in the stowage compartment and a complementary recess in the display assembly such that the latch prohibits un-commanded display deployment, even in the absence of electrical power to the unit.

US Patent:

7042528, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Oct 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/273237

Inventors:

Gerald E. Lester - Costa Mesa CA, US
Bradley Foreman - Mission Viejo CA, US
Mauricio J. Mirand - Long Beach CA, US
Doris McQuaid - Laguna Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Thales Avionics, Inc. - Edison NJ

International Classification:

H04N 5/645
H04N 5/64

US Classification:

348825, 348836, 348837

Abstract:

A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.

US Patent:

7405773, Jul 29, 2008

Filed:

Apr 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/413364

Inventors:

Gerald E. Lester - Costa Mesa CA, US
Bradley Foreman - Mission Viejo CA, US
Mauricio J. Mirand - Long Beach CA, US
Doris McQuaid - Laguna Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Thales Avionics, Inc. - Edison NJ

International Classification:

H04N 5/645
H04N 5/64

US Classification:

348825, 348836, 348837

Abstract:

A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.

US Patent:

7942459, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/978815

Inventors:

Gerald E. Lester - Costa Mesa CA, US
Terry Lo - Hsinchu, TW
Tomson Tseng - Hsinchu, TW
Ton Do - Corona CA, US
Randall Welch - Mission Viejo CA, US

Assignee:

Thales Avionics, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B65D 45/32
B65D 45/00

US Classification:

29225671, 292256

Abstract:

A mounting device for a line replaceable unit in an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The mounting device provides for easy installation and removal of a line replaceable unit from overhead mounting apparatus or mounting rails in an aircraft, in particular, an Airbus. The mounting device includes a fixing block having a least one opening, and at least one assembly including a shaft portion passing through the opening, a clamping element and a visual position element whose orientation indicates an orientation of the clamping element. The assembly is operable such that the clamping element secures the device to a component of the vehicle when positioned in a first position, and releases the device when positioned in a second position, and the visual position element provides an indication of whether the clamping element is in the first or second position.

US Patent:

57047987, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Feb 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/599567

Inventors:

John R. Portman - Anaheim CA
Gerald Lester - Costa Mesa CA
Loi Ninh - Foothill Ranch CA
Gary Tillyer - Mission Viejo CA
John Newman - Mission Viejo CA

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Transcom, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

H01R 3396

US Classification:

439188

Abstract:

A connector module for terminating a video signal for a monitor in an aircraft entertainment system is disclosed. The module includes a switch having a post that is movable between an extended position for terminating the video signal and a retracted position for enabling transmittance of the video signal through an output connector for the monitor. In addition, the module includes a lever rotatably attached adjacent to the output connector. The lever is rotatable to a terminating position wherein the lever is adjacent to the post to enable positioning of the post in the extended position. Further, upon attachment of the video cable to the output connector, the video cable contacts the lever to cause rotation of the lever against the post to move the post to the retracted position.