With Vehicle Control Extension Patents (Class 180/320)
  • Patent number: 11628871
    Abstract: A method of facilitating production of a structure at a construction site, the method including the steps of: a) obtaining a mobile apparatus having: a frame; first and second wheels and a steerable third wheel spaced in a fore and aft direction from the first and second wheels and laterally between the first and second wheels; and a platform on the frame defining a first upwardly facing surface that is spaced at least 20? above the subjacent surface; b) placing at least one building component in a transporting position on the first upwardly facing surface; c) advancing the mobile apparatus from the first location to a second location at or adjacent the construction site; and d) separating the at least one building component from the transporting position at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Mary Jane Anderson
  • Patent number: 9616721
    Abstract: A universal offset lawn mower towing device includes a hitch engagement unit having a first elongated shaft with an opening along one end. An offset adjustment unit having a second elongated shaft member is slidingly positioned within the first elongated shaft, and further includes a semi-circular plate with a plurality of alignment apertures. A pair of mower attachment arms extend outward from the semi-circular plate and include mower attachment nuts along their distal ends. A safety tether includes an elongated steel cable that runs the length of the device, and connects the safety handle of the upright mower to the riding mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: William Perez
  • Patent number: 8807264
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the acceleration of a motor vehicle comprising a manually operable control member, a throttle pedal (4) actuatable by the control member and a computer (3). The control member may comprise a known-per-se throttle ring. There is provided a speed sensor (2) to detect the speed of the motor vehicle and to generate a corresponding speed signal (V). Computer (3) has stored therein transmission ratio curves (V1, V2, V3 . . . Vn) each applicable to a different vehicle speed, with each such transmission ratio curve (V1, V2, V3 . . . Vn) representing a ratio of transmitting the amount of actuation of the control member to the applicable stroke of throttle pedal (4). Computer (3) uses the speed signal (V) provided by speed sensor (2) to select one of transmission ratio curves (V1, V2, V3 . . . Vn) for actuating throttle pedal (4) with a stroke corresponding to the transmission ratio curve (V1, V2, V3 . . . Vn) selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Martine Kempf
  • Patent number: 8776940
    Abstract: A chassis for a road making machine comprises at least one first longitudinal beam which extends at least in sections laterally along an engine compartment of the road making machine. The longitudinal beam comprises a step which divides the longitudinal beam into an external longitudinal beam section and an internal longitudinal beam section. The internal longitudinal beam section forms a receiving area by the step in which a first cover element can be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Joseph Voegele AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Tobias Gotterbarm
  • Patent number: 8424632
    Abstract: A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly of the motor grader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Martin Lavern Ruhter, Josh Dean Graeve, Neil Vincent Harber, Michael Eugene Kennedy, Darrel Jeffrey Rowan, Jed Douglas Polzin
  • Patent number: 8360193
    Abstract: A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly of the motor grader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Neil Vincent Harber, Nathan Joseph Horstman, Charles Jon Paul Asp, James Michael Frett, Martin Lavern Ruhter, Michael Eugene Kennedy, Darrell Jeffrey Rowan, Richard John Gotto, Richard Arnold Valenzuela, Josh Dean Graeve, Maurice Thomas Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 8316774
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive system for a high-rail vehicle comprises a high-rail vehicle having a first prime mover, a disengaged transmission, a chassis, a first set of on-road wheel assemblies and a second set of rail wheels, a cab for controlling the high-rail vehicle on road, a remote cab spaced from the primary cab, the remote cab allowing for control of the high-rail vehicle on railroad tracks, a secondary drive assembly comprising one of a hydraulic motor or an electric motor, a friction roller engaging one of the first set of on road wheel assemblies, the friction roller drivably engaging at least one of the first set of on road wheel assemblies and, the secondary drive assembly operable from the remote cab to move the friction roller and move the high-rail vehicle along the railroad tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Patent number: 8091678
    Abstract: A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly of the motor grader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Darrell Jeffrey Rowan, Josh Dean Graeve, Martin Lavern Ruhter, Neil Vincent Harber, Michael Eugene Kennedy, Jed Douglas Polzin
  • Publication number: 20110308881
    Abstract: A drive assistance device for a backhoe loader vehicle has an elongated bar member having a hook or post component at its lower end which is configured to be placed around or adjacent to the directional control pedal of a hydrostatically controlled backhoe loader vehicle. The elongated bar member has a handle at its upper end to allow the vehicle operator to grasp the bar member. When the lower end of the bar member is connected to the pedal, the bar member extends up to the operator, who can then easily and safely control the movement of the pedal, allowing it to be placed in neutral to maintain the vehicle in a stationary position while digging is being done, and to be moved ahead, while safely operating the steering wheel, to move the vehicle in the appropriate forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Louis W. Cappuccio, Michael Cappuccio
  • Patent number: 7987932
    Abstract: A heavy vehicle, such as a transport vehicle or a “civil engineering” vehicle, of a mass greater than 500 metric tons, fitted with tires of radial structure of a diameter greater than three meters fifty having an axial width greater than 37 inches, and comprising a front axle provided with at least two tires and a rear axle, by which is transmitted at least part of the motive power. The rear axle of the vehicle comprises at least five tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Durif
  • Patent number: 7451853
    Abstract: A security vehicle having a main frame suspended on four wheels. A first support deck positioned on said main frame. The wheels at one end of the main frame being driven and wheels at the front end of the main frame being steerable. A drive train is mounted on said main frame and connected to the driven wheels. The drive train is located along a central longitudinal axis of the frame and at the center of the length of the distance between a front and a rear axle. A platform is mounted to the main frame at a level substantially above the first deck and connected to the first deck. Two seats are mounted on the platform. Vehicle controls are mounted on the platform adjacent the seats. Stairs are mounted to the first deck and the platform to allow access to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Hartley
  • Publication number: 20080269015
    Abstract: A brake-pedal operating rod mechanism and an accelerator-pedal operating link mechanism. The operating rod mechanism includes one end with a grip and another end with first, second and third brake rods laterally pivotally connected to a frame connected to a brake pedal bracket. The accelerator-pedal operating link mechanism includes a connecting rod longitudinally movably received in the brake rods of the brake-pedal operating rod mechanism, an accelerator-pedal operating lever pivoted by the connecting rod and extending toward an accelerator pedal, an accelerator-pedal operating link connected to an end of the operating lever away from the connecting rod and having a tip end with an accelerator pedal bracket, and a support link pivoted to the frame and to a laterally intermediate portion of the operating lever such that the link can be swung in directions in parallel with those of the operating rod mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicants: I.R. CARE KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KONNO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20080184841
    Abstract: An operating device is provided for a vehicle, in particular for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle. The operating device comprises a manually actuatable control lever. The control lever is used to adjust or modify the speed of the vehicle. The control lever is adjustable in a longitudinal direction, in order to adjust the speed of the vehicle. An implement with which at least one working function may be performed may be fitted to the vehicle. In order to enable ergonomic operation, it is proposed that the control lever comprise at least one operating element, with which the implement may be driven, and that the operating element be arranged so as to be movable together with the control lever in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Alain Blind, Gerd Schorry
  • Patent number: 7168519
    Abstract: A switch mounting assembly that adapts a switch to detect a position of a vehicle control, such as the position of a drive control actuator of a lawn and garden tractor or similar vehicle. The switch mounting assembly includes a switch support member and a lever pivotally connected to the switch support member. The switch support member mounts a switch that includes an actuator that is biased to an extended position and a may be selectively depressed to a retracted position. The lever is pivotable between a first position that allows the actuator to be biased to the extended position and a second position that depresses the actuator to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur James Harvey, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Patent number: 6712173
    Abstract: A remote throttle control device for snowmobiles includes a throttle coupler for releasable mounting to a snowmobile throttle controller. The throttle coupler mounts to a first end of a flexible push/pull cable. A manually operable remote actuator is mounted to an opposite second end of the push/pull cable. The remote actuator is for pushing or pulling the push/pull cable, so as to respectively push or pull the throttle coupler for actuation of the throttle controller when the throttle coupler is mounted to the throttle controller. The remote actuator is mounted to a pull handle. A strap is mountable at one end to the handle and at its opposite end to the ski of the snowmobile so that the ski may be pulled on by a user while the user simultaneously remotely controls the snowmobile throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Troy Esselink, Brett Bottcher
  • Patent number: 6494115
    Abstract: A left foot accelerator pedal device which allows persons lacking sufficient functionality of the right foot or right leg to operate a motor vehicle accelerator pedal using their left foot. The device incorporates an accelerator pedal activator which engages the motor vehicle accelerator pedal and is operably attached by a main shaft to a left side accelerator pedal. The main shaft is supported by a base unit which is removably attached to a base plate affixed to the vehicle floor. By depressing left side accelerator pedal a person lacking functionality of the right foot may operate the vehicle while the device may be easily removed from base plate allowing a person of normal functionality to operate the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Alfred Haugen, Lynn Ringdahl
  • Patent number: 6151986
    Abstract: An adjustable control pedal apparatus is used in a motor vehicle. The pedal apparatus includes a pedal assembly mounted to a support bracket mounted to the vehicle by a pivot shaft. The pivot shaft contains a worm gear. The pedal assembly includes a pedal arm pivotally mounted to an inner arm. A jack screw extends between the inner arm and pedal arm. The jack screw has a pinion portion on one end which is driven by the worm gear of the pivot shaft. A threaded portion of the jack screw is threadably received in a slide block mounted to the pedal arm. Rotation of the pivot shaft by a motor correspondingly turns the jack screw to adjust the position of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: KSR Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Larry G. Willemsen, Gregory Scott Kolwich
  • Patent number: 6076621
    Abstract: A mobile work platform contains a base having two sections. The first section contains an energy source, a motor, a gearbox, a drive axle, and at least one drive wheel. The second section contains two steerable casters. The second section telescopes relative to the first section so that the distance between the drive axle and the controlled casters, and the length of the base, are variable. The platform also contains two ladders that are removably attached to the base and that and extend upward from the base, an upper horizontal working platform, and a control system for regulating the speed and direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Spencer Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald H. Horn
  • Patent number: 5636552
    Abstract: A control lever extension includes a base plate and a receiving element pivotably connected to the base plate. A first end of a secondary control lever is configured to detachably engage the receiving element. A first end of an extension arm is pivotably connected to the secondary control lever and a receiving member for cooperation with the tractor controls is pivotably connected to a second end of the extension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Stanley I. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5168771
    Abstract: A left side accelerator apparatus for physically handicapped persons provided with a formation wherein a cover member is removably provided on a base fixed on an automobile floor side, a main shaft is rotatably supported by the cover member, a left side pedal arm fitted with a left side accelerator pedal is fitted to the main shaft at the left end and a right side arm having a roller in contact with an automobile side accelerator pedal is fitted to the main shaft at the right end so that the automobile side accelerator pedal may be operated by treading in the left side accelerator pedal. Thus, a person physically handicapped in the right foot can operate the accelerator of an automobile with the left foot and, when the apparatus is not used, it will be able to be removed by one touch so as not to be in the way of the driving operation by a non-handicapped person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Yoshio Fujimori
  • Patent number: 4993509
    Abstract: A vehicle hand control device operable to control the brake pedal or accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle. The device includes an elongated support tube connectable to and along the steering column of the vehicle, a control arm tube pivotally connected at one end to, and extending from, the upper end of the support tube, and a slender, elongated control arm mounted for rotation only within the control arm tube. The control arm includes an elongated handle extending from one end of the control arm, the handle preferably having its longitudinal axis disposed from the longitudinal axis of the control arm. A control arm lever is connected at the other end of the control arm which also extends somewhat beyond the end of the control arm tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Keith Howell
  • Patent number: 4788879
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for hand operation of throttle and brake pedals including two (2) adjustable length rods having handles on one end and throttle and brake pedal engagement devices on the other ends, said rods are held together by an anchor bracket in close proximity, such that, the user of the apparatus can manipulate the brake and the throttle pedals with one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Inventor: Dana L. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 4438835
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a conventional fuel flow control foot pedal and brake control foot pedal, a pair of push-pull control rods are each separately rotatably clamped to the fuel flow control foot pedal and to the brake control foot pedal. The pair of push-pull control rods are slidably secured through at least one bearing plate, vertically adaptively attached to the top of the motor vehicle floor board. Each one of the control rods are positioned for active operation by at least one tension spring separately securing one push-pull rod to the bearing plate. A manual first lever is pivotedly connected to the push-pull rod terminus opposite the rod terminus secured to the brake pedal, the manual lever having one terminus pivotedly connected to the bearing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Inventors: William Dowden, deceased, by Naomi Muckelroy, executrix
  • Patent number: 4324309
    Abstract: A control system for the legless operation of a motor vehicle includes a rod secured to the accelerator and extending toward the driver's seat with a linkage secured to the brake and extending generally along side the rod in such a manner that both the accelerator and brake can be controlled by the same limb of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Inventor: Maynard Ginley