Patents by Inventor Donald D. Brown

Donald D. Brown 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).

  • Publication number: 20240068883
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a platinum member having a base portion and a plurality of prongs extending from the base portion. The platinum member is positioned within a housing that includes a first platform having a first support surface supporting the base portion, and a second platform having a second support surface spaced apart from the first support surface. The second support surface supports an end portion of at least one prong of the plurality of prongs, and medial portions of the plurality of prongs between the first and second support surfaces are suspended at a distance from an interior surface of the housing. In some cases, the housing further includes one or more support members between the first and second platforms that project from the interior surface of the housing toward the medial portion of one or more prongs to limit an amount of bending of the prongs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy B. Brown, Rong Ding, Donald D. Leach, David W. Farley
  • Patent number: 7389859
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Susan R Lang, legal representative, Terry L Reese, James M Criscuolo, Donald D Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman, Joseph A. Lang
  • Patent number: 6907963
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system (50) for a vehicle such as a golf car or the like uses the same brakes (52) and same brake pedal (80) for both service braking and park and hold braking. The brakes (52) are selectively engaged, locked in their engaged position, and released using an integrated control assembly including a brake pedal (80), an accelerator pedal (82), and a brake pedal locking mechanism (84). The brake pedal locking mechanism (84) is configured to automatically latch the brake pedal (80) in a locked position thereof and to automatically unlatch the brake pedal (80) from its locked position upon either subsequent movement of the brake pedal (80) into an overtravel position or subsequent actuation of the accelerator pedal (82). In addition, a hydraulic accumulator (62) stores part of the energy generated upon brake pedal depression and consequent manual actuation of a master cylinder (60) of the system to maintain the brakes (52) in their fully engaged state when the brake pedal (80) is latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignees: Hayes Brake LLC, Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman, Susan R. Lang, legal representative, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Joseph A. Lang, deceased
  • Publication number: 20040104085
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lang, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, James A. Buckley, Donald D. Brown, Scott A. Walterman, Susan R. Lang
  • Patent number: 6648105
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lang, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Waterman
  • Patent number: 6543829
    Abstract: A utility box, of the type found on utility trucks, having a vertically-openable door which stores by resting on the top of the utility box. The door has as upper segment and a lower segment connected by a first hinge; and the upper segment is connected to the utility box top by a second hinge. The lower segment is about twice the height of the upper segment. Because of this construction, the door may be opened and closed nearby another vehicle or structure, since the maximum horizontal extension needed (from the box) to operate the door is about the same as the height of the smaller upper door segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Donald D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030010581
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lang, Susan R. Lang, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman
  • Patent number: 6457568
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lang, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman
  • Publication number: 20020101089
    Abstract: A utility box, of the type found on utility trucks, having a vertically-openable door which stores by resting on the top of the utility box. The door has as upper segment and a lower segment connected by a first hinge; and the upper segment is connected to the utility box top by a second hinge. The lower segment is about twice the height of the upper segment. Because of this construction, the door may be opened and closed nearby another vehicle or structure, since the maximum horizontal extension needed (from the box) to operate the door is about the same as the height of the smaller upper door segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Donald D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20010040074
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lang, Susan R. Lang, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman
  • Patent number: 6223865
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignees: Textron Inc., Hayes Brake, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lang, Terry Lou Reese, James M. Criscuolo, Donald D. Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Waterman
  • Patent number: 5727659
    Abstract: A caliper brake assembly adapted to be mounted on a frame or housing in a position to engage each side of a brake disc, the assembly including a pair of bushings mounted on the frame, a one piece caliper housing mounted on the bushings, a brake pad assembly mounted on the bushings on each side of the brake disc, a ball ramp rotor assembly mounted on one side of the caliper housing for moving the brake pads into engagement with the brake disc, a flat spring mounted on the brake pad assemblies to prevent vibration of the brake pad assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Hayes Industrial Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Brown, Curt H. Blaszczyk, James A. Buckley, Eric R. Buckhouse
  • Patent number: 5511515
    Abstract: A harness is disclosed that fits over an animal's head, such as a dog, and buckles around his chest behind the front legs. Straps, independent of the harness, are fitted around the dogs front legs and are attached to the leash through four D-rings (two D-rings attached to each side of the harness). The lower D-rings are located in such a position that the leg straps, when pulled back by the person walking the dog, pull straight back or perpendicular to the dogs legs. As the animal tries to walk faster or pull faster than the person walking the dog walks, the straps around the dog's legs pull back perpendicular to the dog's legs preventing the animal from walking faster than the person walking the dog. The harness is designed to restrict the movement of the dogs front legs by the force of the dogs own pulling power. The more the dog tries to pull, the less movement the dog has in his front legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventors: Donald D. Brown, Barbara J. Brown
  • Patent number: 4878567
    Abstract: A brake/locking differential for connecting a first shaft to a second shaft so that the shafts are either braked to a stop or rotated at the same speed, the differential including a clutch plate mounted on one of the shafts and a friction plate mounted on the end of the other shaft for axial motion into engagement with the clutch plate, a frame fixedly mounted with respect to the shafts, a cam plate mounted in the frame in a parallel relation to the friction plate, a sealed thrust bearing mounted on the other of the shafts for axial motion into engagement with the friction plate, an actuator plate positioned between the cam plate and the bearing for moving the bearing and friction plate into engagement with the clutch plate, and a brake ring mounted on the frame for moving the friction plate into engagement with the clutch plate to brake the rotary motion of the shafts and further including a compensating assembly for adjusting the axial position of the actuator plate, thrust bearing, brake plate and friction
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Hayes Industrial Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. V. Buckley, Donald D. Brown, Glenn S. Metzelfeld
  • Patent number: 4878346
    Abstract: A replaceable cartridge assembly for master cylinder having a housing with a longitudinal bore and an oil inlet connected to the longitudinal bore. The assembly includes a cylinder removably mounted in the longitudinal bore, a pair of seal rings mounted on the cylinder and located on each side of the oil inlet, an axial bore in the cylinder having a fluid outlet at one end connected to the brake system, and a pair of ports connecting the space between the seal rings to the axial bore in the cylinder. A piston in the cylinder has a cup seal around the outside and an O-ring seal spaced from the cup seal. A collar in the end of the axial bore in the cylinder retains the piston in the bore while a spring in the axial bore in the cylinder biases the piston away from the end of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Hayes Industrial Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn S. Metzelfeld, James A. V. Buckely, Donald D. Brown
  • Patent number: 4785683
    Abstract: A brake actuator for an all-terrain vehicle, the actuator including a housing and a cover, a hand-operated lever arm pivotally mounted in the housing and projecting outwardly from the housing through said cover, the lever arm being operatively connected to the brake cables for the wheels, a locking segment mounted for pivotal movement in the housing, a ratchet-type cam surface on the segment, the segment being biased to move into locking engagement with the lever arm, the ratchet-type cam surface being spaced at progressively greater distances from the pivot axis to block the lever arm at increasing distances from the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Hayes Industrial Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. V. Buckley, Donald D. Brown
  • Patent number: 4753541
    Abstract: A sealed thrust bearing including a housing having a circular base, an outer cylindrical wall formed around the outer edge of the base, and a cylindrical hub at the center of the base spaced from and coaxial with the cylindrical wall, a thrust bearing positioned in the space between the wall and hub, the thrust bearing including an inner race centered on said hub, a set of ball bearings seated on the inner race, and an outer race centered on the hub and seated on the ball bearings, the outer wall including a collar formed around the outer edge of the wall and a V-shaped ridge on the inside of the outer edge of the collar located in a position to sealingly engage the outer edge of the outer race and an outwardly angled lip around the inside of the hub positioned to sealingly engage the inner edge of the outer race to thereby seal the bearing lubricant within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Hayes Industrial Brake, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Brown
  • Patent number: 4135607
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated drum type brake embodying an improved support for the actuating magnet. The magnet is supported by a lever and when energized effects pivotal movement of the lever to actuate the brake. The support between the lever and magnet permits some floating movement of the magnet so as to accommodate for surface irregularities and relative movement between the magnet and the lever as is necessary to effect brake actuation. The support, however, restricts the degree of relative movement between the magnet and lever to acceptable values while transmitting the actuating force from the magnet to the lever. The support comprises an integral tab formed at the outer end of the lever which extends into an aperture in the magnet with sufficient clearance to permit limited movement in several directions. Rotary movement is, however, not restricted by this connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co.
    Inventors: Donald D. Brown, Terry L. Trindle