Gerald E 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:

6561600, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Sep 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/660720

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

A47B 8106

US Classification:

3122571, 348838, 312 72

Abstract:

An on-board entertainment display housing system for mounting flat panel displays, incorporating a plurality of interlocking extensions on a pair of mated panels coupled via a cam lock that provides operational support and rapid maintenance access to the flat panel.

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:

7148935, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Aug 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/652241

Inventors:

Chung Ho - Arcaida CA, US
S. Scott Seeley - Corona CA, US
Gerald E. Lester - Costa Mesa CA, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

H04N 5/64

US Classification:

348837, 248919, 248922, 296 377, 307 101

Abstract:

A position sensor for determining the relative physical location of a movable item via a combination of a sensor and an indicator plate affixed to an actuator device.

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:

D4490495, Oct 9, 2001

Filed:

Sep 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

D/130197

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Rockwell Collins - Cedar Rapids IA

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14450

US Patent:

57058601, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Mar 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/625470

Inventors:

Loi Ninh - Foothill Ranch CA
Gerald Lester - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Trans Com - Irvine CA

International Classification:

H04N 718
H04B 328

US Classification:

307 91

Abstract:

A vehicle passenger information system, for example an inflight entertainment system, has a combination of improvements for reducing electromagnetic interference ("EMI") and electrostatic discharge ("ESD"). A microprocessor based system controller has a system controller chassis with a first conductive EMI shield layer, a low impedance aircraft chassis ground path directly electrically connected to the shield layer and to controller components. Additionally, a display unit has a chassis with a second conductive EMI shield layer enclosing a plurality of PCBs directly electrically connected to the shield layer. The display unit supports are grounded through a plurality of system connectors penetrating the display chassis and a low impedance display unit ground path directly electrically connects the two shield layers. A method of decreasing the EMI and ESD susceptibility of, and the levels of radiated EMI from, a vehicle entertainment system is also provided.