Patents Assigned to Textron, Inc.
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Patent number: 6898918Abstract: The invention provides a rivet and method of installing the rivet to attach honeycomb material to other materials. The rivet is installed by drilling a hole through the materials. A back side sleeve of the rivet is inserted through one end of the hole while a front side sleeve with a stem member inserted therethrough is inserted through the other end of the hole such that the head of the stem member and the sleeve portion of the front sleeve are positioned within the sleeve portion of the back sleeve. The shank portion of the stem member is then pulled such that the head of the stem member expands the sleeve portions of the front and back sleeves into the materials to attach the rivet to the materials. A locking collar is also provided to lock the stem member to the front sleeve upon continued pulling of the stem member.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventor: Soheil Eshraghi
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Patent number: 6892657Abstract: A turf care system and method uses simultaneously fired pulses of high-pressure liquid jets of the mixture shot toward the ground. The liquid is mixed with dry grass seed shortly before being delivered to a high-pressure liquid/seed pumping system, which uses an accumulator and sequencing valve to produce at regular repetitive intervals pulses of the liquid/seed mixture under high pressure. The pulses are delivered to an elongated hydraulic manifold having multiple nozzles pointed downwardly, which are spaced from one another and the ground by predetermined distances. The momentum of the high-pressure jet of liquid/seed mixture issuing from each nozzle cuts through overlying vegetation to deposit the seeds into the crown of the soil at predetermined desired depth. Spray patterns are determined by nozzle orifice shape, and are preferably selected to provide a shallow knife slit-like opening or trench in the crown of the turf.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: Milton C. Engelke, Kevin E. Kenworthy, Laurence B. Jones
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Patent number: 6880782Abstract: A flight control system for a rotorcraft to prevent the adverse effects of the vortex ring state is disclosed. In the flight control system of the present invention, selected control inputs are sent the rotorcraft prior to the onset of the vortex ring state. In the preferred embodiment, the control inputs are transient, do not require input from the pilot, and do not affect the flight path of the rotorcraft.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Ronald L. Kisor
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Patent number: 6875083Abstract: An abrasive media containment bag (11) having a bag portion (13), a nozzle fitting (15), a blast fitting (17), and a filter member (19) is disclosed. The abrasive media containment bag (11) allows the surface of an aircraft or aircraft component to be prepared for bonding by using abrasive blasting, without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media. The abrasive media containment bag (11) isolates the area to be treated ande recovers and contains the abrasive media.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.Inventor: John W. Gunnell
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Publication number: 20050055992Abstract: A walk-behind greensmower includes an operator presence control for selectively determining when power from a source is delivered to an output. The operator presence control includes a handle, a bale coupled to the handle, a control arm and an electromagnet. The bale is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The control arm is moveable between a neutral position and a drive position where the control arm causes delivery of power from the source to the output when in the drive position. The electromagnet is selectively energizable in response to the position of the bale such that the control arm is retained in the drive position when the bale is in the engaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2004Publication date: March 17, 2005Applicant: Textron Inc.Inventors: Harry Derby, Jeffrey Millard, Carlos Bellot
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Publication number: 20050050871Abstract: The mower has at least two independently driven wheels that are each capable of bi-directional rotation. The at least two wheels are independently driven so that operation of the at least two wheels causes the at least two wheels to independently rotate which propels and steers the mower. A microprocessor controls the operation of the at least two wheels in accordance with signals received by the microprocessor. The mower has at least one controller. The at least one controller sends signals to the microprocessor that the microprocessor uses to control the operation of the at least two wheels. The operation of the at least one controller causes the at least two wheels to propel and steer the mower.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Applicant: Textron Inc.Inventors: Robert Wuertz, Terrance Benson
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Patent number: 6847923Abstract: Design software that is relatively easy to use and provides that a user need not be skilled at reading stress plots. The design software takes design requirements into account and indicates whether the proposed design meets the design requirements. The design software provides numerical output values for comparison to numerical design requirement input values so the user can readily see whether, and how, the design is unacceptable or is over-designed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventor: Steven P. Donovan
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Patent number: 6840352Abstract: A golf car having a frame supported on a plurality of wheels and a bracket member fixedly coupled to the frame. A brake pedal assembly and an accelerator pedal assembly are pivotally coupled to the bracket member such that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are disposed in a generally suspended position behind the cowling, rather than a floor mounted position. This arrangement maximizes the ergonomic placement of the pedals, and minimizes corrosion due to exposure to moisture and chemicals and damaged caused by contact with brush and debris.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: James A. Buckley, Michael J. Hebert
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Patent number: 6834485Abstract: A control apparatus for a lawn mower which includes two coupling members pivotable about a single axis. The coupling members are connected to a drive mechanism and a braking mechanism for the lawn mower. The lawn mower device has a drive configured to rotate a shaft in a first direction. A drive wheel is coupled to the shaft and is coupled to a driven wheel by a drive belt. A tensioning system is shown coupled to the drive belt. The tensioning system has a first idler plate configured to bias a first idler pulley against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in the first direction and a second idler plate configured to bias a second idler plate against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in a second direction. A brake mechanism is further coupled to the tensioning system. The brake mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the driven wheel. A brake lockout is provided which resist the inadvertent engagement of the brake when the mower is driven in a reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventor: Merlin H. Grandrud
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Patent number: 6808032Abstract: The mower has at least two independently driven wheels that are each capable of bi-directional rotation. The at least two wheels are independently driven so that operation of the at least two wheels causes the at least two wheels to independently rotate which propels and steers the mower. A microprocessor controls the operation of the at least two wheels in accordance with signals received by the microprocessor. The mower has at least one controller. The at least one controller sends signals to the microprocessor that the microprocessor uses to control the operation of the at least two wheels. The operation of the at least one controller causes the at least two wheels to propel and steer the mower.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Wuertz, Terrance G. Benson
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Publication number: 20040206537Abstract: A molded electronic assembly of the present invention includes a wiring harness with connectors connected thereto, and a molded body formed to encapsulate the wiring harness and provide access to the connectors. The molded may comprise a plastic material such as polyurethane or other moldable material. A conductive coating may be placed on the outer surface of the molded body to provide electrical shielding. Additionally, the wiring harness may be shielded with a wrapping of metallic tape or the like. The molded electronic assembly of the present invention may include a grounding fixture or grommet that provides mechanical properties of a structural fixture and allows for ground wires to be terminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Charles W. Marsh, Joseph R. Frissora
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Publication number: 20040202526Abstract: A fastener includes a head, a threaded member, and a resilient shank portion interconnecting the head portion and the threaded portion. The shank portion includes a first end adjacent the head and a second end adjacent the threaded member. The shank includes a tubular section having an inner wall and an outer wall between the first end and the second end. The tubular section has a curved axial profile. The tubular section is axially elastically deformed as the fastener is torqued down.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.Inventor: Troy J. Bunch
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Patent number: 6802232Abstract: A golf car having a frame supported on a plurality of wheels, a pedal system, and a pedal arm assembly operably coupled to the pedal system for actuating either a brake system or drive system of the golf car. The pedal arm assembly includes an arm pivotally coupled at least indirectly to the frame and a pedal member extending therefrom. The pedal arm assembly is injection molded such that the arm and the pedal member are integrally molded as a single member that is generally resistant to corrosion. The pedal arm assembly may also include an internal reinforcement member that is encapsulated within the pedal arm assembly for improved structural rigidity.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman
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Patent number: 6796693Abstract: A headlamp adjuster configured for engagement with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The headlamp adjuster includes a U-shaped structure which is engaged with a screw and which is engageable with the reflector. The screw is prevented from translating substantially upon rotation, but the headlamp adjuster is configured such that rotation of the screw causes the U-shaped structure to translate thereby moving the reflector. The screw includes an externally threaded shaft portion which is threadably engaged with an internally threaded bore of the U-shaped structure. The U-shaped structure may be a single piece which is engaged with the screw and is engageable with the reflector, or may include a U-shaped member which is engaged with the screw and a slide member, where the slide member is engageable with the reflector.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: James Patrick Clinch, Karl Schmitt, Usman Yusuf Shami
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Patent number: 6796407Abstract: A hydraulic brake system includes a hydraulic accumulator that stores much of the energy generated upon brake pedal depression. The stored energy can be used to maintain the brakes in their fully engaged state and to help return an applied brake pedal to its released position, in which case return fluid flow to the master cylinder is damped to avoid undesirable severe kickback of the brake pedal. A booster is provided to automatically boost the energy storage capacity of the accumulator during normal brake and hold cycles in order to provide sufficient energy accumulation to compensate for relatively severe pressure drops occurring, e.g., during prolonged periods of storage at extremely low temperatures. The booster may comprise an indexing arm that is acted upon by the system's brake pedal to selectively move a variable thickness spacer on the indexing arm into and out of engagement with the accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignees: Hayes Brake LLC, Textron, Inc.Inventors: James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman, Brian Bigsby
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Patent number: 6796907Abstract: A one-piece flag nut having a flag portion protruding perpendicularly to the axis of a nut portion thereof such that during installation, as the flag nut rotates, the flag portion catches on any nearby structure and acts as a wrench during the installation process. The one-piece flag nut is formed by an extrusion process, and preferably formed to have ribs provided on the flag portion thereof which provide strength to the flag nut. The outer edges of the flag portion are preferably rolled to prevent the flag portion from being hung up on the structure during the installation process, thus preventing the flag nut from being properly seated.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: James T. McGuire, Kenneth G. Lowry
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Patent number: 6789558Abstract: An electrical command signal to a direct drive valve is compensated by a digital signal processor to cause the output hydraulic fluid flow from the valve to conform to a desired predetermined flow. The compensation is accomplished by measuring flow from the valve using a standard direct drive valve code. This flow is compared to a desired flow and the difference is taken on a point to point basis. A compensation is then calculated to change the command signal so as to cause the flow to be according to the desired flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.Inventors: Kim L. Coakley, Russell L. Bessinger, Rex J. Blake
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Patent number: 6776515Abstract: A bulb shield for use in an automotive headlamp assembly, and a method for making same. The bulb shield includes a cup portion and a portion which extends from the cup portion and is configured for mounting to a reflector of the automotive headlamp assembly or to another, proximate structure. When the bulb shield is mounted, the cup portion is generally horizontally aligned with a headlamp bulb in the automotive headlamp assembly, thereby eliminating a “hot spot” which would otherwise be viewable when looking into the headlamp beam. The bulb shield includes a part made of a glass and polymer blend, and at least a portion of the part includes a vacuum aluminized coating. Such a bulb shield is relatively inexpensive and easy to make, yet can withstand the high temperatures which are typically experienced in an automotive headlamp assembly. Additionally, the bulb shield may include a complex cup shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Elco Textron Inc.Inventor: Karl R. Schmitt
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Patent number: D500799Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.Inventor: Geoffrey Olson
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Patent number: D494450Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.Inventors: David P. Schultz, Joseph B. Diller