Patents by Inventor Michael R. Sykes

Michael R. Sykes 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: 7219576
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable ratio brake pedal actuating assembly with an early increase of geometric ratio or force ratio and a subsequent decrease. The actuating assembly comprises a mount, an arm, an input portion and an input connector. The input connector is operatively connected to the arm such that the ratio varies as the arm moves. The ratio reaches a maximum peak prior to moving 30% of the fully stroked position. Also provided is an actuating assembly that uses a cam guide structure with a contoured cam surface and a link member. A configuration of the contoured cam surface, a guide slot, and the link member are such that the ratio varies as the arm is moved. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a cam guided booster pin linkage assembly that provides a variable pedal ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jube R. Leonard, Michael R. Sykes, Dominic D. Porco
  • Patent number: 6848545
    Abstract: A brake actuation assembly for a vehicle is actuatable to apply and release tension to one or more elements that connect to a brake system of the vehicle. The brake actuation assembly includes an electrically powered brake actuator, a manually operable control, and a manual brake actuator. The electrically powered actuator includes a motor with a driveshaft for driving connection with the elements. The motor is actuatable to rotate the driveshaft in a brake-applying direction to apply tension to the elements and in a brake-releasing direction to release tension to the elements. The manual actuator includes a handle and a cable. The manual actuator is movable between an operative position wherein the cable connects the handle to the driveshaft to enable rotation of the handle to rotate the driveshaft in the brake-applying and brake-releasing directions via the cable, and an inoperative position wherein the handle is disconnected from the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Scheuring, III, Terry L. Reid, Michael R. Sykes
  • Publication number: 20040094372
    Abstract: A brake actuation assembly for a vehicle is actuatable to apply and release tension to one or more elements that connect to a brake system of the vehicle. The brake actuation assembly includes an electrically powered brake actuator, a manually operable control, and a manual brake actuator. The electrically powered actuator includes a motor with a driveshaft for driving connection with the elements. The motor is actuatable to rotate the driveshaft in a brake-applying direction to apply tension to the elements and in a brake-releasing direction to release tension to the elements. The manual actuator includes a handle and a cable. The manual actuator is movable between an operative position wherein the cable connects the handle to the driveshaft to enable rotation of the handle to rotate the driveshaft in the brake-applying and brake-releasing directions via the cable, and an inoperative position wherein the handle is disconnected from the driveshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: VENTRA GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Scheuring, Terry L. Reid, Michael R. Sykes