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US6634904B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Airplane seat computer connection

Assignee: Boeing Co
•
Filing: 2001-10-03
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Granted: 2003-10-21
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Expires: 2021-10-03
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Abstract

Abstract A flexible computer connection attaches to a passenger seat in an airplane to supply a personal computer used by a passenger with electrical power and communications with an external location such as a ground source for telecommunications and connecting to the internet.

Inventors

  • 👤 Willie P. Rowland
  • 👤 Donald B. Lee

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 06:54
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D11/00; B64D11/06; B64D11/0624; B60; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/20; B60Q3/233; B60Q3/50; B60Q3/56; B60Q3/70; B60Q3/76; B64D11/0015; B64D11/00155; F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0004; F21V33/0052; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/717; H01R13/7177; F21V21/00; F21V21/14; F21V21/32; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 138 words
An adjustably positionable person computer connecting device adapted to couple a computing device to a main communication line, the person computer connecting device comprising: a PC connector; a light source for illuminating a work area; a flexible support structure supporting and encapsulating a power supply conductor, a light power conductor and a communications conductor, the flexible support structure supporting the PC connector at a first end and being adapted to be fixedly coupled to a support structure so as to project from the support structure; the communication conductor being connected to the PC connector the communication conductor passing through a second end of the flexible support structure for attaching to the main communication line for communicating with the main communication line; and wherein the light source is coupled to the flexible support structure and a discrete power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 138 words
An adjustably positionable person computer connecting device adapted to couple a computing device to a main communication line, the person computer connecting device comprising: a PC connector; a light source for illuminating a work area; a flexible support structure supporting and encapsulating a power supply conductor, a light power conductor and a communications conductor, the flexible support structure supporting the PC connector at a first end and being adapted to be fixedly coupled to a support structure so as to project from the support structure; the communication conductor being connected to the PC connector the communication conductor passing through a second end of the flexible support structure for attaching to the main communication line for communicating with the main communication line; and wherein the light source is coupled to the flexible support structure and a discrete power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 42 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light source is supported by the flexible support structure at the first end and the light source is connected to the discrete power source by the light power conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 49 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible support structure comprises: an outer sheath; a peripheral support connected to a first end of the outer sheath that supports the PC connector; and a base connected to a second end of the outer sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 55 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a plurality of large diameter sections and a plurality of small diameter sections, the plurality of large diameter sections telescopingly and slidingly engaged with the plurality of small diameter sections to allow the flexible support structure to be flexible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
The personal computer connecting devices as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the base comprises apertures to support bolts for attachment to the support structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 41 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a power connector supported at the first end, the power connector connected to a power source by the power supply conductor for supplying power to the personal computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the PC connector comprises a parallel port connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the PC connector comprises a serial port connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the PC connector comprises a USB connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the PC connector comprises a R.J-45 connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 157 words
A personal computer connecting device for connecting a personal computer to a ground terminal external to the mobile platform, the personal computer connecting device comprising: a PC connector; a communications wire connecting the PC connector to a transmission device in the mobile platform, the transmission line device for communicating with the ground terminal; a light source for illuminating a work area; a light power wire connecting the light source to a power supply to supply power to the light source; a power connector; a power supply wire connecting the power connector to the power source; the flexible support structure supporting and encapsulating the power supply wire, light power wire and communications wire, the flexible support structure comprising: an outer sheath; a peripheral support connected to a first end of the outer sheath, the peripheral support that supports the power connector, light source and PC connector; and a base connected to a second end of the outer sheath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 157 words
A personal computer connecting device for connecting a personal computer to a ground terminal external to the mobile platform, the personal computer connecting device comprising: a PC connector; a communications wire connecting the PC connector to a transmission device in the mobile platform, the transmission line device for communicating with the ground terminal; a light source for illuminating a work area; a light power wire connecting the light source to a power supply to supply power to the light source; a power connector; a power supply wire connecting the power connector to the power source; the flexible support structure supporting and encapsulating the power supply wire, light power wire and communications wire, the flexible support structure comprising: an outer sheath; a peripheral support connected to a first end of the outer sheath, the peripheral support that supports the power connector, light source and PC connector; and a base connected to a second end of the outer sheath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 54 words
The personal computer connecting device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a plurality of large diameter sections and a plurality of small diameter sections, the plurality of large diameter sections telescopingly and slidingly engaged with the plurality of small diameter sections to allow the flexible support structure to flex.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 121 words
An aircraft comprising: a fuselage; a passenger seat positioned inside the fuselage; a personal computer connecting device connected to the passenger seat, the personal computer connecting device comprising: a PC connector; a communications wire connecting the PC connector to a transmission device for transmitting or receiving with a ground station; a fight source for illuminating a work area; a light power wire supplying power from a power source to the light source; and a flexible support structure, the flexible support structure supporting the PC connector and the light source at a first end, the flexible support structure attached to the passenger seat at a second end, the flexible support structure supporting and encapsulating the light power wire and the communications wire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 121 words
An aircraft comprising: a fuselage; a passenger seat positioned inside the fuselage; a personal computer connecting device connected to the passenger seat, the personal computer connecting device comprising: a PC connector; a communications wire connecting the PC connector to a transmission device for transmitting or receiving with a ground station; a fight source for illuminating a work area; a light power wire supplying power from a power source to the light source; and a flexible support structure, the flexible support structure supporting the PC connector and the light source at a first end, the flexible support structure attached to the passenger seat at a second end, the flexible support structure supporting and encapsulating the light power wire and the communications wire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 27 words
The aircraft as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the second end of the flexible support structure is attached to a top portion of the passenger seat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 27 words
The aircraft as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the second end of the flexible support structure is attached to a side area of the passenger seat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 35 words
The aircraft as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising a power connector connected to a power source by a power supply line, the power connector and power supply supported by the flexible support structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 38 words
The aircraft as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the PC connector is connected to the personal computer by a PC communications wire and the power connector is connected to the personal computer by a PC power wire.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5836783A Cited
US5451092A Cited
US5769369A Cited
US6038426A Cited
US6034688A Cited
US6007036A Cited
US6092868A Cited
US6386724B2 Cited
US6257923B1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-10-20 2007-04-21 2007-10-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-10-20 2011-04-21 2011-10-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-10-20 2015-04-21 2015-10-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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