Keith E Ferguson

US Patent:

7887020, Feb 15, 2011

Filed:

Mar 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/052243

Inventors:

Keith Michael Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US
Othar P. Kennedy - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

AMI Industries, Inc. - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

F16M 13/00

US Classification:

248429, 248424, 2973441

Abstract:

An apparatus for adjusting the position of a seat comprises a rack and a clock nut that grips the rack. The rack comprises a threaded rod, while the clock nut comprises a short cylindrical body that is drilled and threaded along its diameter with internal threads corresponding to the thread diameter and pitch of the rack. Circumferential reliefs are then formed in the threaded bore to enable the clock nut to be “clocked” from a position in which the threads of the clock nut engage the threads of the rack to a second position in which the threads of the clock nut disengage the threads of the rack. A pair of linkages are provided to rotate the clock nut between the engaged and disengaged positions and to transmit loads from the clock nut. Because the clock nut engages multiple teeth of the rack simultaneously, the seat track locking mechanism of the present invention is capable of extremely fine position adjustment without sacrificing ruggedness and because of the design of the linkages, the seat track locking mechanism locks bi-directionally and with little or no backlash.

US Patent:

7905450, Mar 15, 2011

Filed:

Mar 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/048646

Inventors:

Othar P. Kennedy - Colorado Springs CO, US
Ryan Stuart Porter - Monument CO, US
Keith Michael Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

AMI Industries, Inc. - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

B64D 11/06

US Classification:

2441181, 244122 R

Abstract:

A support for aircraft seats and other equipment has a lower support link that sweeps out a lateral arc. The lower support link supports a platform that may have a conventional linear track. The linear track provides fore/aft movement substantially orthogonal to a line tangent to the center of the lateral arc. A pilot link is attached to the platform to form a parallelogram linkage that maintains the equipment platform in a rotationally fixed attitude as the lower support link sweeps out its lateral arc.

US Patent:

8146999, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Sep 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/552525

Inventors:

Keith Michael Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US
Donald R. Pinkal - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

AMI Industries. Inc - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

B60N 2/46

US Classification:

29741135, 29741136, 29741138

Abstract:

An aircraft seat has an adjustable armrest in which the armrest platform is supported by a hinged attachment to an armrest support member. The hinged attachment between the armrest platform and the arm support member is located at the wrist-end of the arm support member near the aircraft control stick. The armrest platform and the armrest support are locked into position by means of telescoping struts that are controlled at the wrist-end of the arm platform member. The telescoping struts can be selectively locked to create triangular and/or quadrilateral trusses that lock the armrest firmly into position and may include springs or other elements to bias the armrest platform up and forward so that the armrest “floats” when the telescoping struts re released.

US Patent:

8292221, Oct 23, 2012

Filed:

Feb 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/029567

Inventors:

Othar P. Kennedy - Colorado Springs CO, US
Ryan Stuart Porter - Monument CO, US
Keith Michael Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

AMI Industries, Inc. - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

B64D 11/06

US Classification:

2441181, 244122 R

Abstract:

A support for an aircraft seat, table or other piece of equipment has a lower support link that sweeps out a lateral arc. The lower support link cooperates with a conventional linear track to support the piece of equipment. The linear track provides fore/aft movement substantially orthogonal to a line tangent to the center of the lateral arc. A pilot link is operatively attached to the piece of equipment to form a four-bar linkage that maintains the equipment in a predetermined rotational attitude as the lower support link sweeps out its lateral arc.

US Patent:

20210269160, Sep 2, 2021

Filed:

Feb 24, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/184075

Inventors:

- Colorado Springs CO, US
Keith M. Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

AMI Industries, Inc. - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

B64D 11/06
F16D 63/00
G05G 1/02
G05G 5/05

Abstract:

A locking mechanism to prevent back-drive includes a locking shaft with guide grooves. Locking shaft guides engage the guide grooves to constrain lateral motion of the locking shaft. A nut includes corresponding grooves to the locking shaft, and engages the locking shaft to prevent linear translation. The locking mechanism may be incorporated into a aircraft seat armrest to create a positive lock in the armrest position.

US Patent:

20210269161, Sep 2, 2021

Filed:

Feb 26, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/186090

Inventors:

- Colorado Springs CO, US
Keith M. Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

AMI Industries, Inc. - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

B64D 11/06

Abstract:

An armrest is disclosed that includes an armrest frame rotationally coupled to a seat frame, an armrest subframe pivotably couple to a second end of the armrest frame, and an arm pad laterally aligned and translatably coupled to the armrest subframe. The armrest further includes a tilting mechanism configured to pivot the armrest subframe relative to the armrest frame. The armrest further includes a translation mechanism configured to translate the arm pad relative to the armrest subframe. The armrest further includes a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the armrest relative to the seat frame. At least one of the tilting mechanism, the translation mechanism, or the rotation mechanism includes a spring-loaded linkage.

US Patent:

20210269162, Sep 2, 2021

Filed:

Feb 26, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/186128

Inventors:

- Colorado Springs CO, US
Keith M. Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

AMI Industries, Inc. - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

B64D 11/06

Abstract:

An armrest is disclosed that includes an armrest subframe configured to couple to an arm of the seat that includes a slot within a face of the armrest subframe configured to receive a stop pin. The armrest further includes an arm pad translatably coupled to the armrest subframe and includes a plurality of grooves formed on one edge of the armrest subframe. The arm pad further includes the stop pin that restricts the translation of the arm pad and a spring anchor. The armrest further includes a lever rotationally coupled to the armrest that includes a locking pin configured to engage one or more grooves of the plurality of grooves, and an actuating end, wherein a movement of the actuating end at least one of engages or disengages the locking pin from the one or more grooves of the plurality of grooves. The armrest further includes a biasing spring.

US Patent:

20210101684, Apr 8, 2021

Filed:

Oct 16, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/073184

Inventors:

- Farmington CT, US
Keith M. Ferguson - Colorado Springs CO, US
Scott R. Patterson - Manitou Springs CO, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Technologies Corporation - Farmington CT

International Classification:

B64D 11/06
B60N 2/14
B60N 2/06

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides a swivel stop comprising a rotating member, a first boss coupled to the rotating member and a second boss coupled to the rotating member, and a second plate having a first interference surface and a second interference surface. An interference between the first boss and the first interference surface and the second boss and the second interference surface tends to limit the rotation of the rotating member with respect to the second plate. The swivel stop may further comprise a rail wherein the second plate is configured to translate along the rail.