Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Instrument panel grommets
    Patent number: 7527319
    Abstract: The present teachings can provide for a golf car including: a front body; a rear body; a roof suspended above at least a portion of each of the front body and the rear body; an instrument panel mounted to the front body, the instrument panel having an outer surface facing the roof; a aperture in the outer surface of the instrument panel; and a roof strut extending from the roof and passing through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Landon N. Ball, Richard Krall, Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson, Albert G. Packard
  • Utility Vehicle Canopy
    Publication number: 20090108636
    Abstract: A utility vehicle canopy including a pair of lateral rain channels formed along a forward portion and an aft portion of a top side of the canopy. The canopy additionally includes a pair of longitudinal rain channels formed along a driver side portion and a passenger side portion of the canopy. The longitudinal rain channels interconnected with the lateral rain channels. The vehicle canopy further includes at least one outlet rain channel formed in the top side of the canopy. The outlet rain channel extends between an outer edge of the canopy and one of the lateral rain channels and/or one of the longitudinal rain channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson, JR., Anthony R. Rossello
  • Closed Loop Traction System for Light-Weight Utility Vehicles
    Publication number: 20090107749
    Abstract: A traction control system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a wheel speed sensor that generates a wheel speed signal in accordance with a rotational speed of a non-driven wheel of the utility vehicle. An accelerator position sensor generates an accelerator signal in accordance with a position of an accelerator pedal of the utility vehicle. A controller receives the wheel speed signal and the accelerator signal, determines an intended speed based on the accelerator signal, and determines a substantially actual wheel speed based on the wheel speed signal. Based on a comparison of the substantially actual wheel speed and the intended speed, the controller controls rotation of at least one driven wheel by adjusting at least one of a commanded speed and a commanded torque when the substantially actual wheel speed is outside of a desired range of the intended speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Aric Singletary, Oliver A. Bell
  • Limited Slip Differential For Electric Vehicle
    Publication number: 20090107741
    Abstract: An electric vehicle, such as a golf car or utility vehicle, is provided with an electric motor that provides dynamic braking for the vehicle. The vehicle drivetrain is provided with a limited slip differential in order to prevent the wheels from turning freely when traction is lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Warren Clark
  • Molded Wheel with Integral Hub
    Publication number: 20090108667
    Abstract: A unitary wheel and hub assembly is provided. In accordance with various embodiments the wheel and hub assembly includes a molded wheel having a hub integrally molded therewith. The wheel and hub assembly additionally includes a hub sub-assembly integrally formed with the hub to form a unitary wheel and hub assembly that can be directly rotatably mounted on a wheel shaft of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Anthony J. Sanville, Donald S. Hanson, Richard Krall
  • Operator Selectable Electric Vehicle Performance switch
    Publication number: 20090112383
    Abstract: An operator selectable performance control system for an electric vehicle, is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a motor structured and operable to provide motive power and regenerative braking forces to the vehicle and a mechanical brake assembly structured and operable to exert mechanical braking forces to the vehicle. The system additionally includes a controller operable to control the application of motive power and regenerative braking forces of the motor. The system further includes an operator selectable switch structured and operable to changeably select one of a plurality of vehicle performance routines executable by the controller for affecting maximum vehicle speed and an amount of regenerative braking implemented during vehicle operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Barry Lenart, Anthony Williams
  • Fuel Tank
    Publication number: 20090107565
    Abstract: A fuel tank is provided including an integrally formed body. The body includes a generally hollow portion defined by an outer wall and a fill neck extending around an aperture in the outer wall. The body further includes a mounting tab generally extending from the body and a snap-fit retainer configured to engage an accessory mounted to the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Jim Consiglio, Nicholas Herdegen, Barbara Sammons
  • Hill Hold For An Electric Vehicle
    Publication number: 20090107740
    Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Warren Clark
  • Instrument Panel Assembly of a Light-Weight Utility Vehicle
    Publication number: 20090108618
    Abstract: A multi-component instrument panel assembly for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The multi-component instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel component including a first storage unit and a second storage unit. A first insert component is adapted to interconnect with a first side of the instrument panel component. A second insert component is adapted to interconnect with a second side of the instrument panel component. An eyebrow component is adapted to interconnect with the first insert component, the second insert component, and the instrument panel component. A beverage holder is adapted to interconnect with and outwardly extend from the instrument panel component and the eyebrow component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson, Richard Krall
  • Combined State Of Charge Meter And Fuel Gauge
    Publication number: 20090107391
    Abstract: A vehicle meter can include first and second inputs and a gauge. The first input can be configured to receive a fuel level value from a fuel system. The second input can be configured to receive a power level value from a battery system. The gauge can be configured to display one of the fuel level or the power level. The gauge can display the fuel level when the first input is in communication with the fuel system and the power level value when the second input is in communication with the battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Brady, Kent H. Bruntz, Oliver A. Bell
  • LAMINATION HAVING TAPERED TOOTH GEOMETRY WHICH IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN ELECTRIC MOTOR
    Publication number: 20090108702
    Abstract: An electric motor has a stator, and a rotor disposed within the stator. The stator has a set of stator laminations and a set of windings held in position by the set of stator laminations. The rotor is arranged to rotate about an axis. The set of stator laminations is arranged into a stack. Each stator lamination includes an outer section, and a set of teeth coupled to the outer section. Each tooth of the set of teeth extends from that outer section toward the axis. Each tooth has (i) a first end which is proximate to the outer section and distal to the axis, and (ii) a second end which is proximate to the axis and distal to the outer section. A width of the first end of each tooth is substantially greater than a width of the second end of each tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON, INC.
    Inventor: M. Robert Mock
  • Automated Battery Plate Inspection
    Publication number: 20090107264
    Abstract: A quality inspection system and method for identifying faulty battery plates is provided, wherein the plates comprise lead grids that have undergone a pasting process. In various embodiments, the quality inspection system includes a first scanner positioned to sequentially scan a first surface of each of a plurality of the battery plates, after the lead grids have undergone the pasting process. The first scanner scans the first surface of each plate for anomalies and communicates scanned first surface data to a processing center. The processing center analyzes the first surface data and determines an integrity status of the first surface, i.e., whether anomalies exist in the first surface. If anomalies exist in the first surface of any plate the respective plate can be discarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Oliver A. Bell
  • Rear Body Panel for a Golf Car
    Publication number: 20090108632
    Abstract: A rear body panel for a golf car includes a seat support portion and a bag well portion disposed rearward from the seat support portion. The rear body panel also includes a pair of wheel wells disposed on opposite sides of the bag well portion. The seat support portion includes a discontinuous recessed flange, a lower end trim edge, and at least one tab for limiting movement of the rear body panel on the golf car. Stiffening ribs are also included adjacent the wheel wells, and hand hold apertures are further included. The bag well portion includes a front wall portion, a pair of outwardly sloped side walls, and a floor portion with an impact absorption feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Jing Wen, Donald S. Hanson
  • PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HOLLOW BODIES OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL BY EXTRUSION BLOW MOLDING
    Publication number: 20090102102
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow molding. In the process according to the invention continuous extrusion of at least two preforms in web form of plasticized material is effected by means of a plurality of extrusion devices. The preforms are jointly shaped to form a hollow body in the still plastic condition, that is to say in the first heat, within a multi-part tool forming a mold cavity. In that case a wall thickness profile is imparted to at least one preform during the extrusion operation independently of the respective other preform by continuous nozzle gap adjustment during the extrusion operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Borchert, Gerd Wolter, Harald Lorenz, Dirk Eulitz, Timo Kramer, Thomas Froitzheim, Joachim Eckhardt
  • LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR ROTARY SHAFTS
    Publication number: 20090101752
    Abstract: A locking assembly has a base and a rotary shaft which is capable of rotating relative to the base. The rotary shaft has a shaft body and a set of capture portions supported by the shaft body. The locking assembly further includes a set of detention mechanisms supported by the base. The set of detention mechanisms is arranged to (i) initially apply retention force to the set of capture portions to provide resistance against rotation of the rotary shaft from an initial angular position, and (ii) remove application of the retention force from the set of capture portions in response to an amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft. The amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft exceeds a predetermined threshold and is sufficient to substantially rotate the rotary shaft from the initial angular position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: M. Robert Mock, Mark Woodruff
  • Reduced-friction drive screw assembly
    Patent number: 7520192
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced friction in drive screw assemblies, including electromechanical actuator (EMA) assemblies. A drive screw assembly is disclosed that includes a drive shaft, a drive screw, and a screw head. A stationary guide collar having a guide bore and a support surface receives the screw head or a portion of the drive screw. The guide collar may be fixed in angular relation to the screw head. As the screw head moves on a linear path during rotation of an associated drive shaft, a supported surface slides in only linear motion with respect to the support surface of the guide collar and as a result friction forces due only to linear motion are generated. Rotational friction forces and associated efficiency and power losses are consequently reduced or eliminated in the drive screw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Robert Mock
  • Saw tool
    Patent number: 7516550
    Abstract: A tool is provided into which a saw blade can be mounted and removed therefrom. The tool includes a housing have a groove therein. An attachment assembly is mounted in the groove and can be slid within the groove. The attachment assembly includes a first part, a second part, and a member attaching the parts together, while allowing the parts to move relative to each other. The saw blade is inserted between the first and second parts and is removable therefrom. A spring retainer is affixed within the housing. The attachment assembly is moveable within the housing to abut against the spring retainer. When the attachment assembly abuts the spring retainer, the second parts can be moved out of engagement with each other to allow the removal of the saw blade from therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Hagan, John W. Kroening, Ronald G. Axon
  • Vehicle cargo enclosure side pocket
    Patent number: 7513555
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilson, Bradley J. Hanson, Anthony J. Sanville
  • Golf car rear suspension height adjustment
    Patent number: 7513330
    Abstract: A height adjustable golf car suspension system includes an axle housing and first and second brackets connected to the axle housing. The first and second brackets each include a first U-shaped member welded to the axle housing, a second U-shaped member welded to the first U-shaped member, and a flange of the second U-shaped member having first and second apertures created through the flange. The first and second apertures receive a mounting fastener of a shock absorber and coil spring assembly. The first aperture is positioned above the second aperture. A height of the suspension system is adjustable by insertion of the mounting fastener into a select one of the first and second apertures of both the first and second brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Furman, James Agerton, II
  • Plastic floor board
    Patent number: D589843
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Anthony R. Rossello