Patents by Inventor Amanda Kalhous

Amanda Kalhous has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Automatic hitch system
    Patent number: 11912080
    Abstract: A hitch system for automatically coupling a hitch accessory that has an attachment bar assembly with a hitch receiver. The attachment bar assembly includes a housing bar that is tubular, with a pin-hole through the housing bar. A pin-lever is pivotably mounted in the housing bar and includes a pin configured to retract into the housing bar and to extend out of the pin-hole. A ramp-component is disposed in the housing bar and is engageable with the pin-lever. An actuator selectively moves the ramp-component to retract the pin into the housing bar and to extend the pin out of the housing bar, by selectively enabling pivoting of the pin-lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Amanda Kalhous, Norman J Weigert, Radu D. Sotir
  • AUTOMATIC HITCH SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230331051
    Abstract: A hitch system for automatically coupling a hitch accessory that has an attachment bar assembly with a hitch receiver. The attachment bar assembly includes a housing bar that is tubular, with a pin-hole through the housing bar. A pin-lever is pivotably mounted in the housing bar and includes a pin configured to retract into the housing bar and to extend out of the pin-hole. A ramp-component is disposed in the housing bar and is engageable with the pin-lever. An actuator selectively moves the ramp-component to retract the pin into the housing bar and to extend the pin out of the housing bar, by selectively enabling pivoting of the pin-lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Amanda Kalhous, Norman J. Weigert, Radu D. Sotir
  • Loading and unloading systems and methods
    Patent number: 11254254
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David C. Cochrane, Radu D. Sotir, Jarvis Chau, Steven Langille, Amanda Kalhous, Shiv G. Patel, Alec M. Wuorinen
  • LOADING AND UNLOADING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20210402908
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David C. Cochrane, Radu D. Sotir, Jarvis Chau, Steven Langille, Amanda Kalhous, Shiv G. Patel, Alec M. Wuorinen