Curriculum Vitae
John
D. Pratt, Ph.D., P.E.
44 Argos •
Laguna Niguel, CA. 92677
Office (949) 363-8205 •
Cell (949) 705-7860
E-mail: johndpratt@cox.net
Argos Engineering provides litigation consulting in the areas of products liability and patent infringement. Argos' principal, Dr. John D. Pratt, has extensive experience with fasteners , latches and mechanisms, including manufacturing processes, standardization and performance. Dr. Pratt has also developed sophisicated analytical tools to analyze the influence of explosive decompression on aircraft interiors and structures.
Before entering private practice in 2005, Dr. Pratt co-invented and led the development
of the post-9/11 secure (terrorist-proof) cockpit door decompression
latches now installed on half the world's fleet of aircraft.
Previously Dr. Pratt invented and commercialized the first
viable blind fastening system for laminated composites. After
24 years, that system (Monogram Aerospace Fasteners' Composi-Lok©)
remains the one of the most-used structural blind fasteners
for composite airframe assembly and is the benchmark against which other fasteners are measured. Dr. Pratt continues to work with Airbus, Lockheed, and Boeing on the development of improved fastening systems that address the challenges of robotic assembly, asthetic appearance, and lightweight assembly. Recent litigation consulting
projects have included aircraft engine cylinder head bolt failure
analysis, aircraft hanger wind-induced anchorage loss, motor home retractable bunk mechanism failure analysis, wind-induced structural damage, glass rack safety analysis, and storm drain cover patent infringement.
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- Fasteners (rivets, bolts, nuts, springs etc.)
- Latching
Mechanisms
- Products Liability
- Accident Reconstruction
- Aircraft Rapid Decompression
- Engineering, Structural
- Failure Analysis
- Kinematics Analysis
- Mechanisms
- Wind Load Analysis
- Patent Infringement
| University
of California,
Irvine, CA |
Ph.D. – Civil
Engineering — Structural Mechanics (Airframe
Joint Behavior) |
| California
State University, Fullerton, CA |
M.S.M.E. |
| California
State University, Fullerton, CA |
B.S.M.E. |
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| Type of Matter: |
Wronful death (Glass panel falls off of delivery vehicle, killing bystander) |
| Law Firm: |
Law Offices of Richard Albert--Julie Nong |
| Case Name: |
Chu v. Weldco |
| Services Provided: |
Litigation Consulting, Expert Witness, Safety Mechanism Design |
| Disposition: |
Active |
| Date: |
2007-present |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Personal Injury / Defective product (Motor Home Overhead Bunk Mechanism) |
| Law Firm: |
Adorno Yoss Alvarado & Smith, Brea, CA |
| Case Name: |
Cline v. Winnebago et al. |
| Services Provided: |
Litigation Consulting, Expert Witness |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
2006-2007 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Wrongful Death (Loss of Airplane Hangar Anchorage in High Winds) |
| Law Firm: |
Clayson, Mann, Yaeger & Hansen, Corona, CA |
| Case Name: |
Cornelison v. Wilmer |
| Services Provided: |
Litigation Consulting, Expert Witness |
| Disposition: |
Active |
| Date: |
2006-present |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Property Loss (Water Intrusion into Residence during High Winds) |
| Law Firm: |
Tharpe & Howell, Sherman Oaks, CA |
| Case Name: |
Ostrewich v. Fire Insurance Exchange et al. |
| Services Provided: |
Litigation Consulting, Expert Witness |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
2006-2007 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Patent Infringement |
| Law Firm: |
Barnes and Thornburg, Chicago, IL |
| Case Name: |
Hartwell Corp. v. Adams-Rite |
| Services Provided: |
Litigation Consulting |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
2005 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Patent Infringement |
| Law Firm: |
Barnes and Thornburg, Chicago, IL |
| Case Name: |
Hartwell Corp. v. Harper Engineering |
| Services Provided: |
Litigation Consulting, Settlement Discussions |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
2005 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Airplane Crash — Wrongful Death (Engine Cylinder Bolt Failure) |
| Law Firm: |
Maloney Horn Bean & Hull, Irving, TX |
| Case Name: |
Moyer v. Superior Air Parts |
| Services Provided: |
Litigation Consulting |
| Disposition: |
Pending |
| Date: |
2005 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Patent Infringement |
| Law Firm: |
Barnes and Thornburg, Chicago, IL |
| Case Name: |
Hartwell Corp. v. Avibank Div. of SPS Inc. |
| Services Provided: |
In-House Expert (PMK) |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
2003-2004 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Helicopter Crash — Personal Injury (Cargo Door Latch Failure) |
| Law Firm: |
Kaplan von Ohlen, Chicago, IL |
| Case Name: |
Dart Aero v. Hartwell Corporation |
| Services Provided: |
In-House Expert (PMK), Testing |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
2003-2005 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Helicopter Accident — Wrongful Death (Tail Boom Loss, Riveted Repairs) |
| Law Firm: |
Jones Hirsch Connors & Bull, New York, NY |
| Case Name: |
Tate v. Textron |
| Services Provided: |
Expert Witness, Litigation Consulting, Deposition |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
1999-2001 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Trademark Infringement |
| Law Firm: |
Textron in-house Counsel, Providence, RI |
| Case Name: |
Cherry Div. of Textron Inc. v. Allfast Inc. |
| Services Provided: |
In-House Expert (PMK) |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
1995 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Patent Infringement |
| Law Firm: |
Knobbe, Martin, Olsen & Bear, Newport Beach, CA |
| Case Name: |
Huck International v. Cherry Div. of Textron Inc. |
| Services Provided: |
In-House Expert (PMK), Deposition |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
~ 1995 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Products Liability (Leaking Roof) |
| Law Firm: |
Textron in-house Counsel, Providence, RI |
| Case Name: |
1988 Olympics Skating Oval Roof Leakage |
| Services Provided: |
In-House Expert (PMK), Arbitration Proceedings |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
Mid-1990s |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Federal Anti-Trust |
| Law Firm: |
Williams and Connelly, Washington, DC |
| Case Name: |
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action against Textron (Docket # 9226) |
| Services Provided: |
Deposition, FTC Testimony before Administrative Law Judge (Twice) |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date: |
1992 |
|
| Type of Matter: |
Patent Infringement |
| Law Firm: |
Monogram Industries in-house Counsel, Gardenia, CA |
| Case Name: |
Olympic Fastening Systems v. Monogram Aerospace Fasteners |
| Services Provided: |
In-House Expert (PMK), Deposition |
| Disposition: |
Settled |
| Date |
1979 |
Additional cases may be active but are not listed.
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| From: |
June
2005 |
| To: |
Present |
| Organization: |
Argos
Engineering, Laguna Niguel, CA |
| Title: |
Principal |
| Summary: |
Argos
Engineering provides litigation consulting, deposition
and trial testimony, expert reports and failure analysis.
Argos engineering has relationships with local laboratories
for in-depth mechanical testing and metallurgical analysis.
Argos Engineering offers litigation consulting and expert
witness services in the following areas:
- Fasteners and mechanically-fastened joint failures.
- Latching mechanisms and latched joint failures, particularly
aircraft structural latches.
- Wind-induced building damage.
- Aircraft rapid decompression.
- Mechanism kinematics and failure analysis.
- Metal forming (hot and cold forging) and processing
(heat treatment, finishing).
|
|
| From: |
August
2000 |
| To: |
June
2005 |
| Organization: |
Hartwell
Corporation, Placentia, CA |
| Title: |
Vice
President, Engineering |
| Summary |
Oversaw
all new product development and engineering, including
development of engine nacelle latches for the Airbus A380,
A318, A400M, B787 and RJ700/900 Series aircraft. Also
co-invented and led the development of the post-9/11 secure
cockpit door decompression mechanisms presently in use
on half of the world's fleet of commercial transport aircraft. |
|
| From: |
March
1988 |
| To: |
August
2000 |
| Organization: |
Textron
Aerospace Fasteners, Santa Ana, CA |
| Title: |
Vice
President, Research and Development
(Started as Director
R&D) |
| Summary |
Led the
development of various solid shank and blind fastener systems.
Founded Textron Sports Technology operation within TAF
in 1995 and led that group until its relocation to a commercial
Textron division in 1999. |
|
| From: |
February
1979 |
| To: |
March
1988 |
| Organization: |
Monogram
Aerospace Fasteners, Los Angeles, CA |
| Title: |
Engineering
Manager |
| Summary: |
Led the
product development and standardization efforts. Invented
Composi-Lok (I & II), Visu-Lok II and other product lines,
accounting for sales in excess of $250 million since 1983.
Represented company at MIL-HDBK-5, NASC and other standardization
activities. |
|
| From: |
August
1969 |
| To: |
February
1979 |
| Organization: |
Olympic
Fastening Systems, Downey, CA |
| Title: |
Sr. Project
Engineer, R&D (Started as Drafter Trainee) |
| Summary: |
Product
development and manufacturing engineering activities, including
fastener installation tooling and progressive header tooling.
Designed hydraulic-pneumatic installation tools for Olympic's
and competitor's product lines. |
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- Professional Engineering License (Mechanical
Engineering), CA, 1979
- National Academy of Forensic Engineers
(NAFE)
- National Society of Professional Engineers
(NSPE/CSPE)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME)
- American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE)
- American Society of Metals (ASM)
- Society of Forensic Engineers and Scientists
(SFES-Candidate)
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences
(AAFS)
- Current Chairman of the finite element
analysis working group (FEAWG) of FAA/DoD MMPDS — the
handbook used by aircraft designers for allowable materials
and joint properties.
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| Patent |
Date |
Description |
| 7,255,375 |
08/14/2007 |
Pressure sensing dead bolt |
| 7,252,311 |
08/07/2007 |
Motor driven latch |
| 6,866,227 |
03/15/2005 |
Pressure responsive blowout latch with reservoir |
| 6,866,226 |
03/15/2005 |
Pressure responsive blowout latch |
| 6,261,042 |
07/17/2001 |
Quick-release fastener system |
| 6,171,038 |
01/09/2001 |
Tapered shank rivet |
| 5,957,642 |
09/28/1999 |
Cleat system |
| 5,941,539 |
08/24/1999 |
Fastener system with expandable nut body |
| 5,938,384 |
08/17/1999 |
Fastener system |
| 5,884,923 |
03/23/1999 |
Fastener system with expandable nut body |
| 5,692,865 |
12/02/1997 |
Quick release fastener system |
| 5,620,287 |
04/15/1997 |
Fastener system with controlled clamping load |
| 5,378,098 |
01/03/1995 |
Hole filling blind rivet |
| 5,354,160 |
10/11/1994 |
Composite fastener |
| 5,333,980 |
08/02/1994 |
Buckling semi-solid rivet |
| 5,152,648 |
08/06/2002 |
Blind fastener for composite materials |
| 5,131,107 |
07/21/1992 |
Method of making a blind fastener |
| 5,066,179 |
11/19/1991 |
Blind fastener |
| 5,056,973 |
10/15/1991 |
Bulb fastener |
| 5,052,870 |
10/01/1991 |
Bulb fastener |
| 5,046,348 |
09/10/1991 |
Blind fastener for composite materials |
| 4,967,463 |
11/06/1990 |
Method of fastening panels using drive nut blind fasteners |
| 4,767,248 |
08/30/1988 |
Fastener for securing panels of composite materials |
| 4,752,169 |
06/21/1988 |
Flush break blind bolt |
| 4,747,204 |
05/31/1988 |
Method of installing drive nut blind fasteners with cap
nuts |
| 4,681,494 |
07/21/1987 |
Drive nut blend fastener with cap nut |
| 4,659,272 |
04/21/1987 |
Blind fastener with torque lock |
| 4,659,271 |
04/21/1987 |
Flush break blind fastener |
| 4,548,533 |
10/22/1985 |
Wedge-type fastener |
| 4,537,542 |
08/27/1985 |
Wedge-type low profile fastener |
| 4,457,652 |
07/03/1984 |
Composite buckling blind fastener |
| 4,451,189 |
05/19/1984 |
Bulb rivet |
| 4,376,604 |
03/15/1983 |
Blind fastener for composite materials |
- "Fastening of Advanced Composites,"
NASA conference, 1983, Seattle, WA
- "Testing and Analysis of Mechanically-Fastened
Lap Joints," Ph.D. Dissertation, John D. Pratt (2001)
- "Analytical Modeling of Bolted Lap
Joint Load-Elongation Behavior," Journal
of Aerospace Engineering,
January 2002 (ASCE)
- "Comparative Load-Elongation Behavior
of Single-Bolted and Dual-Bolted Lap Joints," Journal
of Aerospace Engineering, April 2002 (ASCE)
- "The Influence of Conical Head
Geometry on the Slip Resistance of Bolted Joints," Journal
of Aerospace Engineering, October 2002 (ASCE)
- "Rapid Decompression of Pressurized
Aircraft," Journal of Failure Analysis
and Prevention, December
2006 (ASM)
- “Allowables-Based Flow Curves for Nonlinear Finite-Element Analysis”, Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, April, 2007 (ASM)
July 10-11, 2005: NAFE, Chicago, IL
October 15-16, 2005: SFES, Concord, CA
January 21-23, 2006: NAFE, Washington, DC
January 28-29, 2006: SFES, Santa Monica,
CA
February 20-24, 2006: AAFS, Seattle, WA
March 25-26, 2006: SFES, Yosemite, CA
October 7-8, 2006: SFES, Incline Village,
NV
May 17-19, 2006: ASCE, Long Beach, CA
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