Patents by Inventor RADU D. SOTIR
RADU D. SOTIR 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).
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Patent number: 11912080Abstract: A hitch system for automatically coupling a hitch accessory that has an attachment bar assembly with a hitch receiver. The attachment bar assembly includes a housing bar that is tubular, with a pin-hole through the housing bar. A pin-lever is pivotably mounted in the housing bar and includes a pin configured to retract into the housing bar and to extend out of the pin-hole. A ramp-component is disposed in the housing bar and is engageable with the pin-lever. An actuator selectively moves the ramp-component to retract the pin into the housing bar and to extend the pin out of the housing bar, by selectively enabling pivoting of the pin-lever.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Amanda Kalhous, Norman J Weigert, Radu D. Sotir
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Publication number: 20230331051Abstract: A hitch system for automatically coupling a hitch accessory that has an attachment bar assembly with a hitch receiver. The attachment bar assembly includes a housing bar that is tubular, with a pin-hole through the housing bar. A pin-lever is pivotably mounted in the housing bar and includes a pin configured to retract into the housing bar and to extend out of the pin-hole. A ramp-component is disposed in the housing bar and is engageable with the pin-lever. An actuator selectively moves the ramp-component to retract the pin into the housing bar and to extend the pin out of the housing bar, by selectively enabling pivoting of the pin-lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Amanda Kalhous, Norman J. Weigert, Radu D. Sotir
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Patent number: 11254254Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David C. Cochrane, Radu D. Sotir, Jarvis Chau, Steven Langille, Amanda Kalhous, Shiv G. Patel, Alec M. Wuorinen
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Publication number: 20210402908Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David C. Cochrane, Radu D. Sotir, Jarvis Chau, Steven Langille, Amanda Kalhous, Shiv G. Patel, Alec M. Wuorinen
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Publication number: 20210114686Abstract: A vehicle includes a road wheel and a crank configured to receive operator torque and provide crank power to the road wheel. A torque sensor is operatively coupled to the crank and configured to detect operator torque at the crank. A cadence sensor is operatively coupled to the crank and configured to detect a rotational speed of the crank. A motor is drivingly coupled to the road wheel and configured to selectively provide motor power to the road wheel. A controller is configured to control the motor power based on a target wheel speed of the road wheel. The controller is further configured to establish the target wheel speed based on the operator torque in response to the rotational speed being below a predefined threshold and to establish the target wheel speed based on the rotational speed in response to the rotational speed being at or above the predefined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: George Floarea, Radu D. Sotir
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Publication number: 20190291807Abstract: A cycle includes a foldable frame having a hinge between a fore portion and an aft portion. The frame is movable between folded and unfolded positions. A front fork with a first central axis is pivotably coupled to the fore portion. A handlebar stem with a second central axis is rotatably and slidably coupled to the front fork. The second central axis is non-coaxial with the first central axis. A seat post is slidably coupled to the aft portion. The fore portion has first and second apertures therethrough. When the frame is in the folded position, the handlebar stem may be disposed at least partially within the first aperture to thereby secure the front fork relative to the frame, and the seat post may be disposed at least partially within the second aperture to thereby secure the frame in the folded position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2018Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Radu D. Sotir, Goerge Floarea
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Patent number: 10286973Abstract: A product may include a pair of handles that may be foldable. A wedge may be engaged between the pair of handles and may lock the pair of handles in a first position. A release mechanism may be connected to the wedge. Operation of the release mechanism may move the wedge to disengage from and to unlock the handles and may enable moving the pair of handles to a folded position.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Radu D. Sotir, George C. Floarea, David Begleiter, Hung H. Nguyen
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Patent number: 10112674Abstract: A product may include a steering tube that may have a first component, and a second component. A hinge may be connected to enable the first and second components to fold relative to one another so that the steering tube is foldable. A latch may secure the first and second components in an unfolded position. The first and second components may be locked in a folded position. The latch may include a lever that has a latch hook. The first and second components may be secured through engagement of the latch hook with a striker.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Radu D. Sotir, George C. Floarea, Hung H. Nguyen, Christopher G. Gibson
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Publication number: 20170327178Abstract: A product may include a steering tube that may have a first component, and a second component. A hinge may be connected to enable the first and second components to fold relative to one another so that the steering tube is foldable. A latch may secure the first and second components in an unfolded position. The first and second components may be locked in a folded position. The latch may include a lever that has a latch hook. The first and second components may be secured through engagement of the latch hook with a striker.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Radu D. Sotir, George C. Floarea, Hung H. Nguyen, Christopher G. Gibson
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Publication number: 20170259873Abstract: A product may include a pair of handles that may be foldable. A wedge may be engaged between the pair of handles and may lock the pair of handles in a first position. A release mechanism may be connected to the wedge. Operation of the release mechanism may move the wedge to disengage from and to unlock the handles and may enable moving the pair of handles to a folded position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: RADU D. SOTIR, GEORGE C. FLOAREA, DAVID BEGLEITER, HUNG H. NGUYEN