Patents by Inventor Keith E. KOTRLA

Keith E. KOTRLA 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: 11643035
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure basically includes a vehicle frame, an upper suspension arm, a lower suspension arm, a sway bar and a rack and pinion steering. The upper suspension arm is pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame about first and second upper pivot points. The lower suspension arm is pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame about first and second lower pivot points. The sway bar is attached to the upper suspension arm and located above the upper suspension arm. The rack and pinion steering arranged between the upper and lower suspension arms. The rack and pinion steering is located adjacent the second upper pivot point and between the first and second upper pivot points with respect to a longitudinal vehicle direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keith E. Kotrla, Michael P. Deschamps
  • Patent number: 11305598
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes a vehicle frame, at least one front wheel, a pair of rear wheels, a solid rear axle, a pair of trailing arms, a rear differential and a motor. The solid rear axle rotatably supports the rear wheels at its opposite ends. Each of the trailing arms is pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and the solid rear axle. A shock absorber is coupled between the vehicle frame and each of the trailing arms. The rear differential is supported on the solid rear axle and connected to the rear wheels. The transmission has a propeller shaft connected to the rear differential to drive the rear wheels. The motor is connected operatively to the transmission. The propeller shaft includes first and second drive sections that articulates relative to each other. The second drive section is connected to the rear differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Todd A. Booth, Keith E. Kotrla, Louis R. Doucette, Craig S. Letourneau, Thomas Teribury
  • Patent number: 11014421
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes a vehicle frame, least one front wheel, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of rear suspensions, a rear differential and a motor. The rear suspensions connect the rear wheels to the vehicle frame. The rear differential connects to the rear wheels. The motor is connected to the rear differential to drive the rear wheels. Each rear suspensions includes a trailing arm, a floating rear knuckle, a shock absorber and a plurality of control links. The trailing arm has a front end pivotally connected to the vehicle frame. The floating rear knuckle is pivotally connected to a rear end of the trailing arm. The shock absorber is coupled between the vehicle frame and the trailing arm. The control links have first ends movably supporting the floating rear knuckle and second ends pivotally connected to the vehicle frame forward of the rear differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Todd A. Booth, Keith E. Kotrla, Louis R. Doucette, Craig S. Letourneau, Thomas Teribury
  • Publication number: 20210031580
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes a vehicle frame, least one front wheel, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of rear suspensions, a rear differential and a motor. The rear suspensions connect the rear wheels to the vehicle frame. The rear differential connects to the rear wheels. The motor is connected to the rear differential to drive the rear wheels. Each rear suspensions includes a trailing arm, a floating rear knuckle, a shock absorber and a plurality of control links. The trailing arm has a front end pivotally connected to the vehicle frame. The floating rear knuckle is pivotally connected to a rear end of the trailing arm. The shock absorber is coupled between the vehicle frame and the trailing arm. The control links have first ends movably supporting the floating rear knuckle and second ends pivotally connected to the vehicle frame forward of the rear differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Todd A. BOOTH, Keith E. KOTRLA, Louis R. DOUCETTE, Craig S. LETOURNEAU, Thomas TERIBURY
  • Publication number: 20210031713
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure basically includes a vehicle frame, an upper suspension arm, a lower suspension arm, a sway bar and a rack and pinion steering. The upper suspension arm is pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame about first and second upper pivot points. The lower suspension arm is pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame about first and second lower pivot points. The sway bar is attached to the upper suspension arm and located above the upper suspension arm. The rack and pinion steering arranged between the upper and lower suspension arms. The rack and pinion steering is located adjacent the second upper pivot point and between the first and second upper pivot points with respect to a longitudinal vehicle direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Keith E. KOTRLA, Michael P. DESCHAMPS
  • Publication number: 20210031579
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes a vehicle frame, at least one front wheel, a pair of rear wheels, a solid rear axle, a pair of trailing arms, a rear differential and a motor. The solid rear axle rotatably supports the rear wheels at its opposite ends. Each of the trailing arms is pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and the solid rear axle. A shock absorber is coupled between the vehicle frame and each of the trailing arms. The rear differential is supported on the solid rear axle and connected to the rear wheels. The transmission has a propeller shaft connected to the rear differential to drive the rear wheels. The motor is connected operatively to the transmission. The propeller shaft includes first and second drive sections that articulates relative to each other. The second drive section is connected to the rear differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Todd A. BOOTH, Keith E. KOTRLA, Louis R. DOUCETTE, Craig S. LETOURNEAU, Thomas Teribury