Patents Assigned to Curtis E. Rodden
  • Patent number: 5855196
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling the activation of the throttle on a carburetor on the engine of a drag race car before the start of the race while staging the car. The apparatus eliminates some of the tasks a driver must perform during the process of staging and launching a race vehicle on the starting line(such as physically depressing the throttle pedal) using a starting line throttle actuation system for Pro tree and Full tree modes for controlling the throttle opening. In both Pro and Full tree modes, the staging process is simplified by allowing the driver to stage with the throttle pedal pre-depressed in the wide open down position, with the actual opening of the throttle controlled by the starting line throttle actuation control system. The apparatus has the driver use the same staging procedure for both Pro tree and Full tree races, thus eliminating separate training that has been required for Pro and Full tree races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Curtis E. Rodden
    Inventor: Frank Hawley
  • Patent number: 5839419
    Abstract: An adjustable automatic starting line throttle actuation controller for use with a drag racing vehicle. The device controls the throttle from a preset partial throttle opening to a wide open throttle during the initial staging process of the race, while the driver holds the throttle in a wide open position. The device can control the opening of the carburetor linkage of the carburetor to a preset low r.p.m. at the starting line (during the staging process) before a race begins, and control the opening of the throttle for the first portion of the race after the race starts. A preferred version of the device has a dual piston cylinder having respective piston rods connected to the carburetor and one connected to the throttle pedal. An electronic activation assembly controls which piston rod is being actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Curtis E. Rodden
    Inventor: Frank Hawley