Patents by Inventor Kevin W. Ford
Kevin W. Ford 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: 9073739Abstract: A controller for use with a machine comprising a machine body, and a load handling apparatus coupled to the machine body and moveable by a movement actuator with respect to the machine body, the controller being configured to receive a signal representative of the position of the load handling apparatus with respect to the machine body and a signal representative of a moment of tilt of the machine, wherein the controller is further configured to issue a signal for use by an element of the machine including the movement actuator, which in response to the signal issued by the controller, is configured to restrict or substantially prevent a movement of the load handling apparatus when a value of the signal representative of the moment of tilt reaches a threshold value, the threshold value being dependent on the signal representative of the position of the load handling apparatus with respect to the machine body.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: J.C. BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITEDInventors: Sam Woods, Neil McKane, Kevin W. Ford
-
Patent number: 8667865Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle which includes a ground engaging structure driven from an output member of the transmission is disclosed, the transmission including a first input member connected to a prime mover, and a second input member drivable by the operation of a hydraulic drive motor, and the transmission being operable to transmit drive from the first input member to the output member in mechanical drive mode, and from the second input member to the output member in hydrostatic drive mode, the first input member providing a drive input from the prime mover to a mechanical drive train which includes a gear ratio selection apparatus, and for mechanical drive mode, the gear ratio selection apparatus providing for one of a plurality of alternative gear ratios to be selected by the engagement and/or disengagement of at least one power-shift clutch device, and the second input member being connected via a drive path to the output member, and there being a power-shift clutch device between the hydraulic driveType: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignees: J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited, JCB TransmissionsInventors: David J. Hoyle, Simon J. Evans, Kevin W. Ford
-
Publication number: 20140058636Abstract: A controller for use with a machine comprising a machine body, and a load handling apparatus coupled to the machine body and moveable by a movement actuator with respect to the machine body, the controller being configured to receive a signal representative of the position of the load handling apparatus with respect to the machine body and a signal representative of a moment of tilt of the machine, wherein the controller is further configured to issue a signal for use by an element of the machine including the movement actuator, which in response to the signal issued by the controller, is configured to restrict or substantially prevent a movement of the load handling apparatus when a value of the signal representative of the moment of tilt reaches a threshold value, the threshold value being dependent on the signal representative of the position of the load handling apparatus with respect to the machine body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: J.C. BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITEDInventors: Sam Woods, Neil Mckane, Kevin W. Ford
-
Patent number: 7963528Abstract: A working machine includes a body and an axle which is mounted so as to be moveable relative to the body, the axle carrying at or towards each end, a ground engaging wheel by means of which the machine can travel over the ground, the machine including a speed sensor sensitive to the machine ground speed, and there being a hydraulic control system including at least one control actuator connected between the body and the axle for controlling movement of the axle relative to the body, and the hydraulic system further including at least one control valve which is operable to restrict fluid flow occurring as a result of the control actuator extending or retracting in response to axle movements relative to the body, depending upon the signal provided by the speed sensor, wherein the control valve is an electrically operated control valve, operated proportionally by a valve controller which responds to changes in machine speed, by adjusting the restriction to fluid flow so as to permit more fluid flow as the machinType: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: J.C. Bamford Excavators LimitedInventors: Alexander North, Kevin W. Ford
-
Publication number: 20110030505Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle which includes a ground engaging structure driven from an output member of the transmission is disclosed, the transmission including a first input member connected to a prime mover, and a second input member drivable by the operation of a hydraulic drive motor, and the transmission being operable to transmit drive from the first input member to the output member in mechanical drive mode, and from the second input member to the output member in hydrostatic drive mode, the first input member providing a drive input from the prime mover to a mechanical drive train which includes a gear ratio selection apparatus, and for mechanical drive mode, the gear ratio selection apparatus providing for one of a plurality of alternative gear ratios to be selected by the engagement and/or disengagement of at least one power-shift clutch device, and the second input member being connected via a drive path to the output member, and there being a power-shift clutch device between the hydraulic driveType: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicants: J.C. BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITED, JCB TRANSMISSIONSInventors: David John Hoyle, Simon J. Evans, Kevin W. Ford
-
Publication number: 20090020965Abstract: A working machine includes a body and an axle which is mounted so as to be moveable relative to the body, the axle carrying at or towards each end, a ground engaging wheel by means of which the machine can travel over the ground, the machine including a speed sensor sensitive to the machine ground speed, and there being a hydraulic control system including at least one control actuator connected between the body and the axle for controlling movement of the axle relative to the body, and the hydraulic system further including at least one control valve which is operable to restrict fluid flow occurring as a result of the control actuator extending or retracting in response to axle movements relative to the body, depending upon the signal provided by the speed sensor, wherein the control valve is an electrically operated control valve, operated proportionally by a valve controller which responds to changes in machine speed, by adjusting the restriction to fluid flow so as to permit more fluid flow as the machinType: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: J.C. BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITEDInventors: Alexander North, Kevin W. Ford