Patents by Inventor Bryan E. Holby

Bryan E. Holby has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8660744
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Harry L. Derby, V, Bryan E. Holby
  • Publication number: 20140025274
    Abstract: An electronically controlled speed limiting system for a turf maintenance machine includes at least one traction motor rotating a wheel. At least one hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the traction motor provides hydraulic fluid to operate the traction motor. At least one actuator in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump varies an output of the hydraulic pump. A controller in communication with the actuator commands the actuator to control the output of the hydraulic pump and thereby an operating speed of the wheel. A brake is activated by the controller if a wheel speed sensor signals the wheel is slip-spinning, to mitigate turf damage. A steering position sensor signal is used by the controller to modify brake activation during machine turns. An inclinometer signal is used by the controller to automatically reduce machine speed on inclined surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Christian Stanton Carver BRYANT, Bryan E. HOLBY, Lynn G. WESTBROOK, Brian MELKA
  • Patent number: 8543295
    Abstract: An electronically controlled speed limiting system for a turf maintenance machine includes at least one traction motor rotating a wheel. At least one hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the traction motor provides hydraulic fluid to operate the traction motor. At least one actuator in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump varies an output of the hydraulic pump. A controller in communication with the actuator commands the actuator to control the output of the hydraulic pump and thereby an operating speed of the wheel. A brake is activated by the controller if a wheel speed sensor signals the wheel is slip-spinning, to mitigate turf damage. A steering position sensor signal is used by the controller to modify brake activation during machine turns. An inclinometer signal is used by the controller to automatically reduce machine speed on inclined surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Stanton Carver Bryant, Bryan E. Holby, Lynn G. Westbrook, Brian Melka
  • Publication number: 20120136539
    Abstract: An electronically controlled speed limiting system for a turf maintenance machine includes at least one traction motor rotating a wheel. At least one hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the traction motor provides hydraulic fluid to operate the traction motor. At least one actuator in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump varies an output of the hydraulic pump. A controller in communication with the actuator commands the actuator to control the output of the hydraulic pump and thereby an operating speed of the wheel. A brake is activated by the controller if a wheel speed sensor signals the wheel is slip-spinning, to mitigate turf damage. A steering position sensor signal is used by the controller to modify brake activation during machine turns. An inclinometer signal is used by the controller to automatically reduce machine speed on inclined surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Christian Stanton Carver Bryant, Bryan E. Holby, Lynn G. Westbrook, Brian Melka
  • Patent number: 7275615
    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 is then coupled to the drive system and includes a control member pivotable about an axis. The axis is generally parallel to a plane extending between the pair of grip portions of the handle assembly to permit an operator to operate the control member merely through thumb actuation without removing their hands from the pair of grip portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Harry L. Derby, V, Bryan E. Holby
  • Patent number: 7168227
    Abstract: A walk-behind greens mower having a mobile structure and a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to the mobile structure. The ground engaging traction member imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed. An internal combustion engine is supported on the mobile structure and outputs a driving force to the ground engaging traction member. A bed knife is supported by the mobile structure having a cutting edge that cooperates with a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on the mobile structure. An electric motor supported on the mobile structure rotatably driving the grass cutting reel at a rotational speed that can vary depending upon the detected ground speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Harry L. Derby, V, Bryan E. Holby