Patents Assigned to Textron, Inc.
  • Vehicle Cargo Enclosure Side Pocket
    Publication number: 20080042468
    Abstract: A cargo enclosure for a vehicle includes a side panel having at least one pocket is formed therein. The pocket has a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a front wall having an aperture therein. A bottom surface of the pocket is canted downwardly from the back wall toward the aperture in the front wall such that any debris or other material that may infiltrate the pocket will readily slide down the canted bottom surface, through the aperture and onto a bottom surface of the cargo enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Wilson, Bradley Hanson, Anthony Sanville
  • AC drive system for electrically operated vehicle
    Patent number: 7332881
    Abstract: A drive system for an electric vehicle includes a motor for providing a drive torque and an electrically actuated brake for providing a braking torque to the motor. The system includes a controller that receives a plurality of inputs which may include a battery voltage input, a throttle pedal position input, a brake pedal position input, a key switch input, a forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) input, and a brake full-stroke input in addition to the brake pedal input. The controller may generate a drive signal for the motor based on some or all of the inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Oliver A. Bell
  • Regulated charge pump circuit and application in power stages employing normally on power switching devices
    Publication number: 20080036531
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit employs an oscillator powered by a variable positive supply voltage, storage and switching circuitry controlled by an oscillator signal from the oscillator, and a regulator that maintains a negative supply voltage generated by the storage and switching circuitry at a target value through control of the variable positive supply voltage. The charge pump can be used in a power stage employing normally on switching transistors (such as silicon carbide junction FETs or SiC JFETs) that require a negative voltage to be turned completely off. Such power stages are in turn useful in applications including military aerospace applications having harsh electromagnetic interference (EMI) conditions, where they may be controlled by optical control signals conveyed by optical fibers from a more benign operating environment within the body of an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: HR Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Boe
  • Device for stacking wires or cables
    Patent number: 7326855
    Abstract: A device for stacking wires or cables is provided. The device includes an attachment portion capable of attachment to a stud or other anchor, and a wire or cable receiving portion connected to the attachment portion. The wire or cable receiving portion has a plurality of segments which form a generally serpentine-shaped spine, thereby providing a plurality of wire or cable receiving slots. A pair of spaced apart tabs extend from each main portion. Each said tab has an end attached to the respective main portion and an opposite end which is free. Each tab curves outwardly and downwardly from the respective main portion and at least partially overlaps the respective wire or cable receiving slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Wilbur Keith Moffatt
  • Speed Control System For Walk Behind Powered Equipment
    Publication number: 20080021609
    Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled apparatus having a mobile structure and a handle assembly coupled to the mobile structure. The handle assembly includes a pair of grip portions. A ground engaging traction member is rotatably coupled to the mobile structure and imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground. A power source outputs drive power and a drive system, coupled between the power source and the ground engaging traction member, selectively transmits the drive power to the ground engaging traction member. A speed control actuation system coupled to the drive system includes a control member pivotable about an axis. An electronic member senses a control member rotation and relays an electronic signal to a controller which generates a linear speed control signal to the drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Harry Derby, Bryan Holby
  • Multi-Angle Steering Column Assembly
    Publication number: 20070295141
    Abstract: A steering column assembly attached to a frame of a vehicle includes a base rigidly attached to the frame. A bracket may be attached to the base. A steering column may be rigidly attached to the bracket. The bracket may attach to the base in a plurality of orientations. At least one angle may be defined in a first orientation between the steering column and the base. A correspondingly measured second angle may be defined in a second orientation between the steering column and the base. The first angle is distinct from the second angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Landon N. Ball, Anthony J. Sanville, William N. Mosuch, Walton R. Jeffcoat, Albert G. Packard
  • Convertible Cargo Bed
    Publication number: 20070290521
    Abstract: A convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a single piece molded main body having a pair of integrally formed hip restraints that each include a passenger hand hold integrally formed within the respective hip restraint. The assembly additionally includes a molded pivoting panel that has a cargo deck side and a seat side. The cargo deck side functions as a portion of a cargo deck when the pivoting panel is in a deployed position. The seat side has at least one full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto. That is the full-sized seat cushion is approximately the same size as the forward facing driver's and passenger's seats. Therefore, when the pivoting panel is transitioned from the deployed position to a stowed position, wherein the convertible cargo bed provides a full-sized rear facing seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Steven Houston
  • INSTRUMENT PANEL SUPPORT
    Publication number: 20070284906
    Abstract: An instrument panel support assembly can be removably attached to a small utility vehicle frame. The instrument panel support assembly can include multiple attachment features that enable a front suspension system to be coupled to the frame in different orientations. The frame can include alignment features that facilitate the alignment of the instrument panel support assembly on the frame for attachment thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Landon Ball
  • TALL EXTRUSION FASTENING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20070284901
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a raised projection or extrusion on a component of a small utility vehicle can be used to secure other components of the vehicle together. The extrusion can receive a fastener therein to hold the components together. The extrusion can be relatively rigid and engage directly with the fastener or indirectly with the fastener through other relatively rigid members, such as a washer. The extrusion can limit the compressive load imparted by the fastener on the other components. The engagement between the fastener and the extrusion can maintain the clamping load imparted between the fastener and the extrusion regardless of creeping of one or more components being secured by the fastener and extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Landon Ball, Albert Packard, Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson
  • GOLF CAR SEAT BACK AND SWEATER BASKET SUPPORT TUBES
    Publication number: 20070284908
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a vehicle structure, a seat back, and a support member. The support member can include a piece of metal tubing. The piece of metal tubing can have a plurality of engagement portions. A first engagement portion can be coupled to the vehicle structure. A second said engagement portion can be coupled to the seat back. A third engagement portion can be coupled to a sweater basket, and a fourth engagement portion can be coupled to a rear canopy support strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Landon Ball, Anthony Sanville
  • Textile-based electrode system
    Patent number: 7308294
    Abstract: Textile-based electrodes include a fabric portion having stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments. The electrodes can further include float yarns and can be configured in a textured or ribbed construction. When incorporated into a garment, the electrodes can be used to monitor biophysical characteristics, such as the garment wearer's heart rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Textronics Inc.
    Inventors: Qaizar N. Hassonjee, Juan Cera, Robert-Michael Bartecki, Thomas A. Micka, Claudia Schultze, Stacey B. Burr, Eleni Karayianni
  • CANOPY SYSTEM FOR A UTILITY VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20070278816
    Abstract: A retractable canopy system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system comprises a mounting frame that includes a pair of legs. An upper portion of each leg can be frictionally retained between a pair of corresponding vehicle roof support side struts. Distal ends of each mounting frame leg can be fixedly connected to a fixed structure of the vehicle. At least one deployment frame can be pivotally connected to the mounting frame legs and a canopy can be attached to the mounting frame and the deployment frame. Thus, the canopy can be transitioned between a stowed position and a deployed position by moving the deployment frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Anthony R. Rossello, Kent H. Bruntz, Bradley J. Hanson
  • BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20070279207
    Abstract: A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Oliver A. Bell, Aric Singletary
  • ELECTRONICS SPLASH SHIELD
    Publication number: 20070278829
    Abstract: A protection system for at least one electrical component of a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system comprises a hood having a top panel and a side panel. The top panel can be connected to an interior side of at least one wall of a vehicle body structure. The side panel extends substantially perpendicularly from an edge of the top panel and can be connected to a top side of a vehicle floor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Aric Singletary, Michael J. Hebert, Warren Clark
  • Engine governor system
    Patent number: 7303036
    Abstract: A governor system for limiting the ground speed of a vehicle and maintaining an idle speed of the engine. The governor system includes a first feedback shaft operably coupled with a transmission of the vehicle to provide a first feedback torque in response to a ground speed of the vehicle. A second feedback shaft is operably coupled with the engine to provide a second feedback torque in response to a revolutionary speed (RPM) of the engine. A ground speed governor system is coupled between the first feedback shaft and the throttle system of the engine for limiting operation of the throttle system in response to the first feedback torque, thereby limiting ground speed. An idle speed governor system is coupled between the second feedback shaft and the throttle system of the engine for actuating the throttle system in response to the second feedback torque, thereby maintaining a desired idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. MacConney, Matthew D. Wilson
  • FRONT SUSPENSION STRUT
    Publication number: 20070273121
    Abstract: A golf car suspension system includes a coil-over-shock strut assembly having a shock absorber cylinder and an offset bracket including a semicircular member and bracket legs extending from the semicircular member angularly offset from the semicircular member. The semicircular member engages the shock absorber cylinder. A spacer bracket has a semicircular portion engaging the shock absorber cylinder and opposed sleeve legs received between the bracket legs. A U-shaped knuckle bracket has a web and opposed flanges extending transversely from the web. The bracket legs and the sleeve legs are fixed to the web of the knuckle bracket. A steering knuckle connects to the knuckle bracket flanges. A wheel hub connects to the steering knuckle. A wheel connected to the wheel hub has a side-to-side tread face remaining in contact with a ground surface over a total travel distance of the strut assembly of up to 8.4 cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sanville, Landon Ball
  • PLASTIC WHEEL WELLS
    Publication number: 20070267237
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a body panel mounted to a frame. The body panel includes a first surface having a first guide member formed thereon. An electrical accessory wire can extend along the first surface of the body panel and be engaged with the first guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Hanson, Bradley Hanson, Anthony Rossello
  • Circuit tracer transmitter
    Patent number: D556067
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Fugman, Roland M. Wolstenholme, Thomas W. Scott
  • Circuit tracer receiver
    Patent number: D556068
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Fugman, Roland M. Wolstenholme, Thomas W. Scott
  • Sweater basket for a golf car
    Patent number: D558641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Jr., John G. Herrick, Bradley J. Hanson, Kent H. Bruntz