Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Hoyle

Christopher S. Hoyle 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).

  • Patent number: 5452919
    Abstract: A vehicle air suspension can be controlled between a Standard setting of ride height and a lower, Kneel, setting. Movement to or from the Kneel setting is frozen if a door is opened or if the footbrake is applied. Alteration to the Kneel setting is prevented except when the vehicle is stationary. The suspension reverts to the Standard ride height if the vehicle is driven off or the handbrake is released. Movement of the suspension to or from a lower or higher setting is carried out sequentially to prevent headlamp dazzle. If the vehicle becomes partly supported by direct contact between the chassis and the ground (belly-out) this is detected by monitoring signals to ride height control valves and by providing a controlled re-inflation and balancing of the air springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Rover Group Limited
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoyle, Mark Pask, Richard G. Woodhouse, Martin J. Davis, Michael J. Booth