Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Greens Mower Data Display And Controller
    Publication number: 20080184688
    Abstract: A turf maintenance vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a traction drive system structured and operable to provide movement of the vehicle across a ground surface, and an electric motor structured and operable to provide rotation of a cutting device that includes a plurality of cutting blades. The vehicle additionally includes a vehicle controller that is configured to receive a programmable vehicle clip rate data input and monitor a groundspeed of the vehicle and a rotational speed of the cutting device as the vehicle moves across the ground surface. The controller is additionally configured to actively control the electric motor based on the monitored vehicle groundspeed to thereby actively control the rotational speed of the cutting device in order to maintain the programmed clip rate of the vehicle as the vehicle moves across the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Daly, Carlos Bellot
  • Automatic Tow Switch
    Publication number: 20080179860
    Abstract: A system for towing a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a tow arm connectable to a distal portion of a towing vehicle. The system additionally includes a tow mode mechanism connectable to a distal portion of a towed vehicle and connectable with the tow arm. The tow mode mechanism automatically places the towed vehicle in a tow mode when the towing vehicle begins to tow the towed vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Oliver A. Bell
  • Meter Bracket and Method of Attaching Same
    Publication number: 20080169675
    Abstract: A bracket can be easily attached to and removed from a support structure of a small utility vehicle. The bracket can receive a gauge or meter therein. The bracket can include features that facilitate the attachment and removal of the bracket to the support structure. The bracket can be configured to utilize existing fasteners to retain the bracket to the support structure. The bracket can be configured to facilitate attachment to and removal from the support structure using these existing fasteners without detaching other components from the small utility vehicle that the existing fasteners secure to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hebert
  • Battery Tray for a Golf Car
    Publication number: 20080169676
    Abstract: A plastic battery tray is provided for use in a golf car. The plastic battery tray can be integrally formed and include a floor and a sidewall. The floor can include a centrally disposed convex portion and a series of reinforcement ribs. The floor can further include a series of dividers extending therefrom for separating batteries. The sidewall can extend from the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Corey Keehn, Leo Watts
  • Brake light system
    Patent number: 7400238
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Oliver A. Bell, Jr., Aric Singletary
  • Intrinsically Safe Battery Lifting Device
    Publication number: 20080164706
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a battery lifting device is provided that includes an expandable retention subassembly, a shaft and a handle. The expandable retention subassembly is adapted to engage lifting tabs of a battery to be lifted and the shaft is pivotally coupled to the retention subassembly. The handle is connected to the shaft such that a lifting force applied to the handle utilizes the weight of the battery to expand the retention subassembly. Expansion of the retention subassembly, via the weight of the battery as the battery is lifted, firmly engages the retention subassembly with the battery lifting tabs such that the battery will not become dislodged or disconnected until the lifting force is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: David Jones, Walton R. Jeffcoat
  • Locking Differential For Electric Golf Cars And Utility Vehicles
    Publication number: 20080164084
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with motor braking and includes a locking differential that provides positive braking on slippery surfaces so as to prevent relative movement of the first and second output shafts of the differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Warren Clark, Aric Singletary
  • Electric Brake for Utility Vehicles
    Publication number: 20080164106
    Abstract: An electric braking system and methods for a utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a rotor coupled to a rear axle of the utility vehicle. A caliper is electrically controlled to provide stopping force to the rotor. A spring is pre-loaded to actuate the caliper when additional stopping force is needed. A controller controls the activation of the caliper by generating an electrical braking signal to control operation of the caliper based on a brake position signal generated from a brake pedal position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Oliver A. Bell, Aric Singletary
  • Instrument Panel Grommets
    Publication number: 20080163452
    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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Landon N. Ball, Richard Krall, Bradley J. Hanson, Donald S. Hanson, Albert G. Packard
  • Pivoting panel assembly
    Patent number: 7396066
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cargo bed pivoting panel assembly is provided. The assembly includes a panel having a pair of studs extending from corresponding opposing ends of the panel adjacent a bottom of the panel. The assembly additionally includes a main body having a first deck portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular from the first deck portion. Each sidewall includes an elongated receptacle for receiving, and slideably and pivotally retaining, a respective one of the studs. Accordingly, the panel can be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding the studs between first ends of the elongated receptacles and second ends of the elongated receptacles while simultaneously rotating the panel about a centerline of studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Houston
  • Method and apparatus for reducing the infrared and radar signature of a vehicle
    Patent number: 7396577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight structure for simultaneously providing a reduced infrared and radar signature, while adding little or no weight to a vehicle. As such, the present invention allows for substantial improvements over prior systems. An example of the type of vehicle able to make use of the present invention is a military helicopter, but there is nothing within the spirit and scope of the present invention limiting it to any particular vehicle. The teachings of the present invention are useful with any vehicle for which a reduction in infrared emissions and microwave reflections is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan A. Riley, Robert A. Shepherd
  • Modular power source for riding mower
    Patent number: 7392869
    Abstract: A riding mower includes a frame adapted to support a passenger and a cutting unit connected to the frame having at least one rotatably mounted blade. Interchangeable power unit support assemblies each support either an engine connected to a generator or a battery unit. One of the power unit support assemblies is releasably connected to the frame. A first electric motor is provided to rotate the blade and a second propels the mower. An output voltage generated by either the generator or the battery unit energizes the first and second electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Carlson, Kenny Wilson
  • Front suspension strut
    Patent number: 7392997
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sanville, Landon N. Ball
  • FUEL TANK OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL WITH FUNCTIONAL INSTALLATION FITMENTS FOR AIR INTAKE AND VENTING, FOR FUEL TAKE-OFF OR THE LIKE
    Publication number: 20080149642
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel tank (1) of thermoplastic material, comprising functional installation fitments for air intake and venting, for fuel take-off or the like, which is distinguished in that at least one functional installation fitment is connected to the inside wall (3) of the container in material-bonded relationship in such a way that the functional installation fitment defines with the container wall a volume separated from the filling volume of the container in such a way that the inside wall (3) of the container serves directly as a boundary wall of said volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Borchert, Gerd Wolter, Harald Lorenz, Dirk Eulitz, Timo Kramer, Klaus Gebert
  • Three-piece windshield
    Patent number: 7390051
    Abstract: A window assembly cooperating with a window frame on a golf car includes a first window pane selectively coupled to the window frame. A second window pane is selectively coupled to the window frame and offset from the first window pane. An intermediate window pane is arranged between the first and second window panes and is movable between an upright position wherein the first, second and intermediate window panes collectively define a transparent barrier at the window frame and a collapsed position wherein the intermediate window pane is moved to a position alongside the second window pane thereby defining a passage at the window frame between the first and second window panes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kent H. Bruntz, Donald Hanson
  • Golf car having disk brakes and single point latching brake
    Patent number: 7389859
    Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Susan R Lang, legal representative, Terry L Reese, James M Criscuolo, Donald D Brown, James A. Buckley, Scott A. Walterman, Joseph A. Lang
  • Capstan anti-reversing pawl
    Patent number: 7384023
    Abstract: An anti-reversing pawl mechanism is claimed that includes a pawl that is engaged by a flexible coupling but that is also biased toward a driven member such that when the engagement of the flexible coupling is removed, the pawl engages the driven member and stops it from moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Jay Plummer
  • Blood pressure monitoring system and method of having an extended optical range
    Patent number: 7381187
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring blood pressure of a wearer has an inflatable arm cuff that is selectably inflatable to differing air pressures that incorporates a fabric having both a light transmission property and a light reflection property when the fabric is illuminated with light having wavelength(s) in the range from about 400 to about 2200 nanometers. A radiation source and a detector are attached to the fabric in relative positions such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric as the fabric stretches in response to motion in the wearer's body due to changes in the flow of blood through an artery disposed beneath the fabric occurring in consonance with variations in the air pressure within the inflatable cuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Textronics, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Coulston, Thomas A. Micka
  • AC DRIVE SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20080121443
    Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Oliver A. Bell
  • Sand bucket/cooler
    Patent number: D573844
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Richard Krall, Bradley J. Hanson, Kent H. Bruntz, Charles Louison, Bruce Simmons