Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Duff

Douglas J. Duff 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: 20240157811
    Abstract: A work vehicle is configured to perform an activity in a work area. The work vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of ground engaging members coupled to the chassis for movement of the chassis in the work area, a generator configured to generate energy from performance of the activity of the work vehicle in the work area, an energy storage device connected to the generator to store energy generated by the generator and configured to be charged to an initial charge, a work member, and a controller configured to establish an initial charge setting corresponding to the initial charge of the energy storage device based on at least one anticipated activity input of the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: STACY K. WORLEY, BRITON T. EASTMAN, DOUGLAS J. DUFF
  • Patent number: 11890947
    Abstract: A work vehicle is configured to perform an activity in a work area. The work vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of ground engaging members coupled to the chassis for movement of the chassis in the work area, a generator configured to generate energy from performance of the activity of the work vehicle in the work area, an energy storage device connected to the generator to store energy generated by the generator and configured to be charged to an initial charge, and a controller configured to establish an initial charge setting corresponding to the initial charge of the energy storage device based on at least one anticipated activity input of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Stacy K Worley, Briton T. Eastman, Douglas J. Duff
  • Publication number: 20220118859
    Abstract: A work vehicle is configured to perform an activity in a work area. The work vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of ground engaging members coupled to the chassis for movement of the chassis in the work area, a generator configured to generate energy from performance of the activity of the work vehicle in the work area, an energy storage device connected to the generator to store energy generated by the generator and configured to be charged to an initial charge, and a controller configured to establish an initial charge setting corresponding to the initial charge of the energy storage device based on at least one anticipated activity input of the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: STACY K. WORLEY, BRITON T. EASTMAN, DOUGLAS J. DUFF
  • Patent number: 10300946
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a joint of a connecting rod is provided. The joint couples a first segment of the rod to a second segment of the rod. The apparatus includes a body and a first leg having a first distal end for engaging the first rod segment to inhibit rotational movement of the first rod segment while permitting axial movement of the first rod segment relative to the first leg. The apparatus also includes a second leg for engaging the second rod segment. The second leg has a second distal end for inhibiting rotational movement of the second rod segment relative to the second leg. The apparatus further includes a clamp for selectively inhibiting axial movement of the second rod segment relative to the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff
  • Patent number: 10202268
    Abstract: A chair configured to movably couple to parallel guide rails of a frame includes a support bar having a first end and an opposing second end. A transverse cross-member is coupled to the first end of the support bar. The transverse cross-member has a first side portion and an opposing second side portion. A first support assembly is coupled to the first side portion of the transverse cross-member. The first support assembly is configured to removably couple to a first guide rail of the parallel guide rails. A second support assembly is coupled to the second side portion of the transverse cross-member. The second support assembly is configured to removably couple to a second guide rail of the parallel guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff
  • Patent number: 10053078
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes receiving, in a dynamometer, brake pedal position information. The brake pedal position information indicates a position of a brake pedal operatively coupled to a vehicle. The method also includes displaying, via a display in communication with the dynamometer, an indication of the position of the brake pedal based on the brake pedal position information. The method further includes determining a brake force generated via a brake of the vehicle when the position of the brake pedal is within a predetermined range of brake pedal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Douglas J Duff
  • Patent number: 9964457
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor including a housing and a support rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing also includes a handle coupled to the support to rotate with the support. The handle is spaced apart from the housing to define a space between the housing and the handle. The apparatus further includes an angular position sensor disposed in the space between the housing and the handle to sense relative rotation between the housing and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Duff, Andrew M. Sweigart
  • Publication number: 20170361874
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a joint of a connecting rod is provided. The joint couples a first segment of the rod to a second segment of the rod. The apparatus includes a body and a first leg having a first distal end for engaging the first rod segment to inhibit rotational movement of the first rod segment while permitting axial movement of the first rod segment relative to the first leg. The apparatus also includes a second leg for engaging the second rod segment. The second leg has a second distal end for inhibiting rotational movement of the second rod segment relative to the second leg. The apparatus further includes a clamp for selectively inhibiting axial movement of the second rod segment relative to the second leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff
  • Patent number: 9658062
    Abstract: A target holder that can be secured within a central aperture of a vehicle wheel includes a base defining a central axis of the target holder. The base has a first end configured to receive a target and an opposing second end. A retainer is coupled to the second end of the base. The retainer is insertable into the central aperture and engageable with the vehicle wheel to secure the target holder to the vehicle wheel. A plunger is disposed in the retainer. A lever is pivotably coupled to the base and operatively coupled to the plunger. With the retainer inserted into the central aperture, the lever is actuateable to move the plunger toward the retainer to urge a terminal end portion of the retainer to expand radially outward from the central axis of the target holder to engage an inner wall of the vehicle wheel defining the central aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Duff, Thomas W. Kara
  • Publication number: 20170030711
    Abstract: A target holder that can be secured within a central aperture of a vehicle wheel includes a base defining a central axis of the target holder. The base has a first end configured to receive a target and an opposing second end. A retainer is coupled to the second end of the base. The retainer is insertable into the central aperture and engageable with the vehicle wheel to secure the target holder to the vehicle wheel. A plunger is disposed in the retainer. A lever is pivotably coupled to the base and operatively coupled to the plunger. With the retainer inserted into the central aperture, the lever is actuateable to move the plunger toward the retainer to urge a terminal end portion of the retainer to expand radially outward from the central axis of the target holder to engage an inner wall of the vehicle wheel defining the central aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas J. Duff, Thomas W. Kara
  • Publication number: 20170028977
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes receiving, in a dynamometer, brake pedal position information. The brake pedal position information indicates a position of a brake pedal operatively coupled to a vehicle. The method also includes displaying, via a display in communication with the dynamometer, an indication of the position of the brake pedal based on the brake pedal position information. The method further includes determining a brake force generated via a brake of the vehicle when the position of the brake pedal is within a predetermined range of brake pedal positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff
  • Publication number: 20170023424
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor including a housing and a support rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing also includes a handle coupled to the support to rotate with the support. The handle is spaced apart from the housing to define a space between the housing and the handle. The apparatus further includes an angular position sensor disposed in the space between the housing and the handle to sense relative rotation between the housing and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas J. Duff, Andrew M. Sweigart
  • Publication number: 20170020293
    Abstract: A chair configured to movably couple to parallel guide rails of a frame includes a support bar having a first end and an opposing second end. A transverse cross-member is coupled to the first end of the support bar. The transverse cross-member has a first side portion and an opposing second side portion. A first support assembly is coupled to the first side portion of the transverse cross-member. The first support assembly is configured to removably couple to a first guide rail of the parallel guide rails. A second support assembly is coupled to the second side portion of the transverse cross-member. The second support assembly is configured to removably couple to a second guide rail of the parallel guide rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff
  • Patent number: 9506639
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light fixture and a cable operatively coupled to the light fixture. In one aspect, the apparatus also includes an actuator operatively coupled to the cable to draw in or draw out the cable. The apparatus further includes a bar having a first portion pivotably coupled to the light fixture and a second portion pivotably coupled to a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff
  • Patent number: 7976027
    Abstract: Sealing member seals a through-hole formed in a panel that defines first and second compartments of a vehicle, and it has a tubular section and stopper portions. The intercompartment sealing member is fit onto a receiving member provided in the first compartment. Lip section, extending from the tubular section toward the panel in a spread-out form, is bendable (reversible) with respect to the panel. The lip section has operating convexities provided on its panel-facing surface. Manipulation of the operating convexities can invert the lip section, initially bent away from the panel, to contact the panel. The stopper portions function to limit a bent amount through which the lip section can be bent away from the panel (in the reverse direction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Noro, Douglas J. Duff, Andy Sweigart, Katsuyuki Suzuki, Takashi Komoriya
  • Publication number: 20090102139
    Abstract: Sealing member seals a through-hole formed in a panel that defines first and second compartments of a vehicle, and it has a tubular section and stopper portions. The intercompartment sealing member is fit onto a receiving member provided in the first compartment. Lip section, extending from the tubular section toward the panel in a spread-out form, is bendable (reversible) with respect to the panel. The lip section has operating convexities provided on its panel-facing surface. Manipulation of the operating convexities can invert the lip section, initially bent away from the panel, to contact the panel. The stopper portions function to limit a bent amount through which the lip section can be bent away from the panel (in the reverse direction).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Noro, Douglas J. Duff, Andy Sweigart, Katsuyuki Suzuki, Takashi Komoriya
  • Patent number: 6363774
    Abstract: A vehicle brake leakage detector installs between a vehicle brake pedal and a reference point such as a steering wheel, for testing vehicle hydraulic brake systems, and, specifically, for detecting brake fluid leaks. A brake contact at one end of the detector contacts the vehicle brake pedal and a reference end at the opposite end of the detector contacts any tangible reference location, such as a steering wheel. Force means are associated with the detector for applying force for pressurizing the vehicle brake fluid when the detector is installed. A sensor detects relative movement between the brake contact and reference end to determine whether any brake fluid leaks are present. An output source indicates whether any brake fluid leaks are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Honda of America, Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff
  • Publication number: 20020017129
    Abstract: A vehicle brake leakage detector installs between a vehicle brake pedal and a reference point such as a steering wheel, for testing vehicle hydraulic brake systems, and, specifically, for detecting brake fluid leaks. A brake contact at one end of the detector contacts the vehicle brake pedal and a reference end at the opposite end of the detector contacts any tangible reference location, such as a steering wheel. Force means are associated with the detector for applying force for pressurizing the vehicle brake fluid when the detector is installed. A sensor detects relative movement between the brake contact and reference end to determine whether any brake fluid leaks are present. An output source indicates whether any brake fluid leaks are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas J. Duff