Patents Assigned to Textron
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Publication number: 20070170730Abstract: A door handle lock assembly includes a housing configured to be attached to a door. A interconnecting member is rotatably and axially movably supported by the housing. A first handle is fixed to the interconnecting member at a first end of the interconnecting member and a second handle is fixed to the interconnecting member at a second end of the interconnecting member. The door is between the second handle and the housing. The door handle lock assembly is changed from a locked condition to an unlocked condition by axially moving the interconnecting member from a first position to a second position and then rotating the interconnecting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2005Publication date: July 26, 2007Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: George Hall
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Patent number: 7246976Abstract: An embodiment of a spade bit has straight grooves at a lead angle of 4 to 8 degrees placed on flat edges of the spade bit. In an alternative embodiment, a spade bit has two steps of straight grooves at a lead angle of 4 to 8 degrees placed on flat edges of the spade bit. In other alternative embodiments, a spade bit has tapered flat edge which have straight grooves at a lead angle of 4 to 8 degrees placed thereon. The straight grooves on the flat edges of the spade bits allow the spade bit to pull itself through the workpiece with a minimal amount of penetration. The flat edges of the spade bit may also have cutting surfaces for cleaning the hole and permitting the easy removal of the spade bit from the hole after drilling.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: William F. Nordlin
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Patent number: 7240948Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventor: Steven W. Houston
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Patent number: 7240682Abstract: The invention concerns a washing fluid pump (1) for windows and/or headlamp cleaning installations on motor vehicles including at least one motor, at least one pump housing (2) with at least one impeller (11) arranged therein, at least one intake (8) and at least two selectively actuable outlets (7). The washing fluid pump (1) is distinguished in that the pump housing (2) includes at least two pump chamber regions which are arranged in mutually superposed relationship, that at least two outlets (7) are associated with different pump chamber regions, and the impeller (11) is axially displaceably supported in the pump housing (2) in such a way that it can assume its operative position selectively in one pump chamber region or the other.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Martyn Jenkins, David J. Frost
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Patent number: 7240756Abstract: A walk behind powered apparatus having a mobile structure, a work implement drive system coupled to the mobile structure, a power device driving the work implement, and a handle structure coupled to the mobile structure. The handle structure includes a cam slot having a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is orthogonal to the first portion. A bail member is pivotally coupled to the handle structure and includes a pin extending therefrom. The pin cammingly engaging the slot such that when the bail member is in a first position the pin is disposed in the first portion of the slot and when the bail member is in a second position the pin is disposed in the second portion of the slot. A switch device is coupled to the work implement drive system and selectively actuates the work implement drive system in response to the movement of the bail member between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventor: Harry L. Derby, V.
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Publication number: 20070151495Abstract: A vessel designed to operate efficiently as both a catamaran and air cushion vessel can travel at low speed in a catamaran or displacement mode, high speed in an air cushion mode, and amphibiously with the aid of deployable side seals. The vessel includes catamaran hulls and flexible air cushion bow and stern seal systems together with retractable side seals having hinged doors containing inflatable, retractable flexible components. The doors form part of the side seal system in the deployed position, and protect the flexible components of the seal in the retracted position. The arrangement reduces the drag associated with the side seals while the vessel operates in its catamaran or surface effect ship modes, and prevents damage to the seals during operation in the high speeds SES mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: TEXTRON, INC. (a Delaware, US, corporation)Inventors: Kenneth Maloney, W. Dubose, E. Whittaker, Robert Moore, Jared Acosta
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Publication number: 20070151499Abstract: A vessel transfer system utilizes a larger, surface effect vessel with a hull and a cargo deck, having a pressurized volume of air under its hull. The larger vessel cargo deck is lowered relative to a water surface in order to receive a smaller vessel. Lowering is achieved by depressurizing the volume of pressurized air under the hull. Movable propulsors on an air cushion vehicle permit efficient operation under way in an outer position, while minimizing the envelope dimensions for stowage in a well deck, providing clearance from bridges, docks, etc. in an inner position. In the outer position, the propellers operate in more uniform inflow conditions, resulting in improved performance and lower noise levels. In addition, the craft can be arranged to use a full width stern ramp resulting in time saved during cargo loading/unloading. The propellers will be less likely to ingest green water in high sea states.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: TEXTRON INC. (a Delaware, US, corporation)Inventors: Kenneth Maloney, W. Dubose, E. Whittaker, Brett Martin, Robert Moore
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Publication number: 20070146942Abstract: A system for detecting position that is capable of self-monitoring for connectivity faults. In one embodiment, the system comprises a transformer, an excitation potential source, a bias potential source, and a processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON, INC.Inventors: Charles Covington, Grant Puckett
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Publication number: 20070144129Abstract: A motor coupling assembly for a mower cutting unit includes a coupling ring connected to the mower cutting unit. The coupling ring includes a coupling face having female ramp elements created in the coupling face. Magnets are positioned about the coupling face each including a face positioned substantially coplanar with the coupling face. A ring member connected to a motor includes a ring face having male ramp elements equal in quantity to the female ramp elements. The male ramp elements extend outwardly from the ring face and engage within the female ramp elements. The ring face is retained in contact with the coupling face by only a magnetic force of the magnets. The ring member is rotationally locked with respect to the coupling ring by complete engagement of the male ramp elements within the female ramp elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: Textron Inc.Inventor: J. Daly
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Publication number: 20070137161Abstract: A reel mower assembly which includes a mower reel mounted to a frame, a drive operative to rotate the reel about a reel axis, a magnetic backing plate mounted to the frame and a magnetic bed bar retained in proximity to the backing plate in an operating position. The assembly includes a bed knife interposed between the backing plate and the bed bar, with the backing plate providing additional magnetic attraction between the bed bar and bed knife. The assembly includes an engagement device for preventing sliding movement of the bed knife with respect to the bed bar while allowing the bed knife to move away from the bed bar and backing plate when a separating force is exerted on the bed knife in a direction away from the bed bar that is greater than an attractive force exerted on the bed knife by the bed bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2006Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: Textron Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Dohme Mahan, James Berkeley
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Publication number: 20070138220Abstract: A golf bag well arrangement on a golf car includes a receiving area adapted to receive at least one golf bag in a secure position. A first support surface is arranged on the receiving area and defines a first plane. A second support surface is defined on the receiving area and defines a second plane. A first retaining wall extends between an outer boundary of the first support surface and an inner boundary of the second support surface. The first plane is parallel and offset to the second plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2005Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: Textron Inc.Inventors: Derek W. Haines, Bradley J. Hanson
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Publication number: 20070138820Abstract: A golf bag well arrangement on a golf car includes a receiving area defined on the golf car and adapted to accept at least one golf bag in a secure position. A first support surface is arranged on the receiving area and provides vertical support to the golf bag in the secure position. A second support surface is defined on the receiving area and provides lateral support to the golf bag in the secure position. The second support surface defines a first arcuate wall portion defined on the receiving area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Bradley Hanson, Donald Hanson, Anthony Rossello
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Patent number: 7229115Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: Matthew D. Wilson, Bradley J. Hanson, Anthony J. Sanville
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Patent number: 7228945Abstract: A brake assembly includes a mounting plate, pressure members disposed in a substantially coplanar manner relative to the mounting plate, and electric actuators mounted to the mounting plate. The electric actuators are configured to selectively move the pressure members relative to the mounting plate (i) from a non-braking position to a braking position in response to a first command, and (ii) from the braking position to the non-braking position in response to a second command. Such a brake assembly is well-suited for a variety of applications including vehicle brakes such as aircraft brakes.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.Inventor: Robert John O'Neill
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Patent number: 7228679Abstract: An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventor: James E. Berkeley
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Patent number: 7230422Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for error-compensated counting of Hall states for motor position feedback and/or commutation. An indicated Hall state is detected by digital Hall state sensors and a duration of the Hall state is compared to a specified time period. When the duration exceeds the specified time period, the indicated Hall state is compared to one or more valid Hall states and a position counter is changed for valid states. When the indicated Hall state is invalid, the position counter is not changed. The Hall state sensors may be connected to logic means and may detect the position of a rotor of a permanent magnet motor relative to a stator. When noise induces a change in an indicated Hall state, corresponding noise-induced effects on the position counter may be may be removed through error-compensated counting.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.Inventors: William K. Morita, Jr., Raymond Y. Liu, Estella C. Chung
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Publication number: 20070113826Abstract: A governor system is provided for limiting a degree of throttle travel of a throttle as a function of rotational speed of a drive axle. The governor system includes a governor shaft rotatably supported by the drive axle and operably interconnected to internal components of the drive axle for varying a feedback torque, a governor arm fixed for rotation with the governor shaft, a throttle cable interconnected with the governor arm for applying a first pulling force to the throttle and an accelerator cable resiliently interconnected with the governor arm to apply a second pulling force to the governor arm. The second pulling force induces rotation of the governor arm for applying a torque on the governor shaft. The torque balances with the feedback torque of the governor shaft for limiting the second pulling force as a function of the rotational speed of the drive axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: TEXTRON INC.Inventor: Steven Houston
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Patent number: 7219590Abstract: In a system for controlling the inclination angle and rotation angle of a body, a rotary actuator is coupled to a base. A pivot actuator is coupled to an output shaft of the rotary actuator. The rotary actuator controls the angular position of the pivot actuator. A displacement member is coupled to an output shaft of the pivot actuator. The pivot actuator controls the linear position of the displacement member. A support shaft is pivotably coupled to the displacement member. A spherical bearing includes a socket that is coupled to the base and a ball that is coupled to the support shaft. In this manner, the angular position and linear position of the displacement member is translated to a corresponding rotation angle and inclination angle in the support shaft. This system provides for a continuous range of rotation of the upper body and a continuous range of inclination angles in the upper body relative to the lower base.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Textron Systems CorporationInventor: Salvatore Cianciolo
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Patent number: 7219704Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle, conveys fuel from the tank to an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, and includes a filling connection with a filling opening. The tank comprises an improved venting arrangement for venting the tank during refuelling and during operation thereof, with at least one fuel vapor filter by way of which the fuel tank is vented. The fuel vapor filter is of a two-stage configuration having first and second filter stages in the direction of flow in venting. A refuelling venting conduit is branched off after the first filter stage and is communicatable with the atmosphere or the tank interior.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Dirk Bolle, Volker Treudt
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Patent number: D546271Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Hanson, Warren Clark