IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,637,196
Granted Patent B2
US 12,637,196 · App. 18/152,204 · Granted May 26, 2026

Systems and methods for protecting surfaces of components within an internal cabin of a vehicle

Inventors: Aaron M. Forehand (Snohomish, WA); Petros G. Djiovanis (Everett, WA); Harold Samuel Phipps (Lake Forest Park, WA); Jeffrey Lee Kelsey (Snohomish, WA); Nicole Delores Fellows (Seattle, WA)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
B64C1/066B64F5/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,637,196
App. No.
18/152,204
Granted
May 26, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and a method for protecting one or more surfaces of one or more components within an internal cabin of a vehicle include panels configured to removably couple together in relation to the one or more surfaces of the one or more components.

Claims (46)

1 . A system for protecting one or more surfaces of one or more components within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the system comprising:

panels configured to removably couple together in relation to the one or more surfaces of the one or more components,

wherein each of the panels is rigid and self-supporting, and wherein each of the panels comprises:

a first face;

a second face opposite from the first face; and

internal braces between the first face and the second face that is opposite from the first face, wherein gaps are disposed between the braces, wherein the braces space the first face apart from the second face, and wherein the first face, the second face, and the internal braces are integrally molded and formed as a single monolithic piece; one or more first coupling members secured to the first face and one or more second coupling members secured to the second face.

2 . The system of claim 1 ,

wherein the one or more first coupling members of a particular one of the panels are incapable of coupling to the one or more second coupling members of the particular one of the panels,

wherein the one or more first coupling members of the particular one of the panels are configured to couple to the one or more second coupling members of another one of the panels that differs from the particular one of the panels, and

wherein the one or more second coupling members of the particular one of the panels are configured to couple to the one or more first coupling members of the another one of the panels that differs from the particular one of the panels.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more first coupling members comprise loops, and wherein the one or more second coupling members comprise hooks.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the loops are configured to face toward the one or more surfaces of the one or more components, and wherein the hooks are configured to face away from the one or more surface of the one or more components.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the panels include main bodies formed of plastic.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the panels include main bodies formed of polyethylene.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the panels differ in one or more of size or shape.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least two of panels have different thicknesses.

9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising corner joints configured to removably secure to each of the panels.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the corner joints comprise coupling members configured to removably couple to one or more complementary coupling members of the panels.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein each of the corners joints comprises:

a first wall; and

a second wall connected to the first wall at an angle,

wherein the coupling members outwardly extend from outer surfaces of the first wall and the second wall.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein cushions inwardly extend from inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall.

13 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising clips configured to removably secure to each of the panels.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the clips comprise coupling members configured to removably couple to one or more complementary coupling members of the panels.

15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the panels comprise one or more openings.

16 . A method for protecting one or more surfaces of one or more components within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the method comprising:

removably coupling panels together in relation to the one or more surfaces of the one or more components,

wherein each of the panels is rigid and self-supporting, and wherein each of the panels comprises:

a first face;

a second face opposite from the first face; and

internal braces between the first face and the second face that is opposite from the first face, wherein gaps are disposed between the braces, wherein the braces space the first face apart from the second face, and wherein the first face, the second face, and the internal braces are integrally molded and formed as a single monolithic piece; one or more first coupling members secured to the first face and one or more second coupling members secured to the second face.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising removably securing corner joints to the panels.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising removably securing clips to the panels.

19 . A system for protecting one or more surfaces of one or more components within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the system comprising:

panels configured to removably couple together in relation to the one or more surfaces of the one or more components, wherein each of the panels is rigid and self-supporting, and wherein each of the panels comprises:

a first face;

a second face opposite from the first face;

internal braces between the first face and the second face that is opposite from the first face, wherein gaps are disposed between the braces, wherein the braces space the first face apart from the second face, and wherein the first face, the second face, and the internal braces are integrally molded and formed as a single monolithic piece;

one or more first coupling members secured to the first face, wherein the one or more first coupling members comprise loops, wherein the loops are configured to face toward the one or more surfaces of the one or more components; and

one or more second coupling members secured to the second face, wherein the one or more second coupling members comprise hooks, wherein the hooks are configured to face away from the one or more surface of the one or more components,

wherein the one or more first coupling members of a particular one of the panels are incapable of coupling to the one or more second coupling members of the particular one of the panels,

wherein the one or more first coupling members of the particular one of the panels are configured to couple to the one or more second coupling members of another one of the panels that differs from the particular one of the panels, and

wherein the one or more second coupling members of the particular one of the panels are configured to couple to the one or more first coupling members of the another one of the panels that differs from the particular one of the panels;

corner joints configured to removably secure to each of the panels; and

clips configured to removably secure to each of the panels.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2023
From: FOREHAND, AARON M.; DJIOVANIS, PETROS G.; PHIPPS, HAROLD SAMUEL; KELSEY, JEFFREY LEE; FELLOWS, NICOLE DELORES
To: THE BOEING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 062322/0928 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240228009A1 · Jul 11, 2024
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