Patents by Inventor R. Clayton Crum

R. Clayton Crum 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: 6276230
    Abstract: A throttle controller includes an electrical position sensor having a movable element and being mounted on a steering mechanism, such as a handlebar, and a mechanical interface from the position sensor to a throttle handle. The movement of the throttle handle actuates the mechanical interface which, in turn, alters the position of the movable element in the position sensor. The changeable position of the movable element thus provides an electrical indication of the position of the throttle handle suitable for controlling the internal combustion engine or electric motor. The position sensor may be a rotary position sensor having a rotor as the movable element, wherein rotating the throttle handle rotates the rotor. The throttle controller is particularly useful on a personal water craft, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, etc. Potentiometers or Hall effect devices are both suitable for use as the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: R. Clayton Crum, Kevin D. Kurtz, John Zdanys, Jr.