Patents by Inventor Chuck Peniston

Chuck Peniston 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: 8266982
    Abstract: A hysteresis assembly for a pedal includes an elastic member support, two adjacent hysteresis blocks, and an elastic member connecting the elastic member support to the more distant hysteresis block. The hysteresis blocks interface at a slope. The assembly is attached at one end to a mounting bracket for the pedal via a shaft, and at the other end to the pedal arm. As the pedal is displaced, the hysteresis blocks slide relative to each other and frictionally engage the mounting bracket. The frictional force is proportional to the return force generated by the elastic member. The spring rate of the elastic member, the angle of the slope between the hysteresis blocks, and the point of attachment are determined, through analysis, to provide desired hysteresis forces (i.e., idle force, frictional force, and return force) to the pedal, thus providing the feel of a mechanical pedal in an electronic pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Holding ASA, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, William Doucet
  • Patent number: 8240230
    Abstract: An electronic pedal assembly including a treadle, a pedal arm connected to the treadle, and a rotor assembly about which the pedal arm rotates. The assembly also includes one or more Hall sensors positioned within a cavity in the rotor assembly and one or more magnets that fixedly attached to the rotor assembly. The Hall sensors detect the position of the treadle by monitoring the positions of the magnets. Also, a method of monitoring an electronic pedal assembly using one or more magnets and one or more Hall sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Holding ASA, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, Jan Vondras
  • Publication number: 20060179972
    Abstract: A hysteresis assembly for a pedal includes an elastic member support, two adjacent hysteresis blocks, and an elastic member connecting the elastic member support to the more distant hysteresis block. The hysteresis blocks interface at a slope. The assembly is attached at one end to a mounting bracket for the pedal via a shaft, and at the other end to the pedal arm. As the pedal is displaced, the hysteresis blocks slide relative to each other and frictionally engage the mounting bracket. The frictional force is proportional to the return force generated by the elastic member. The spring rate of the elastic member, the angle of the slope between the hysteresis blocks, and the point of attachment are determined, through analysis, to provide desired hysteresis forces (i.e., idle force, frictional force, and return force) to the pedal, thus providing the feel of a mechanical pedal in an electronic pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, William Doucet
  • Publication number: 20060179971
    Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a mounting bracket, a pedal arm, and a pivot shaft pivotably connecting the pedal arm and the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes integrally formed bearing surfaces to support the pivot shaft and pedal arm. The pivot shaft is self-lubricating. The mounting bracket is a unitary component, with the bearing surfaces being inwardly-protruding surfaces formed through a deep drawing process. A treadle, or pedal pad, is attached to one end of the pedal arm. A magnetic assembly, including magnets and a ferromagnetic shield, is mounted to one end of the pivot shaft via features integrally formed with a mounting cap attached to the end of the pivot shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, Jan Vondras, William Doucet
  • Publication number: 20060169093
    Abstract: An electronic pedal assembly including a treadle, a pedal arm connected to the treadle, and a rotor assembly about which the pedal arm rotates. The assembly also includes one or more Hall sensors positioned within a cavity in the rotor assembly and one or more magnets that fixedly attached to the rotor assembly. The Hall sensors detect the position of the treadle by monitoring the positions of the magnets. Also, a method of monitoring an electronic pedal assembly using one or more magnets and one or more Hall sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, Jan Vondras
  • Publication number: 20060169097
    Abstract: A pedal assembly that includes a snap-on treadle that can easily be attached to a pedal arm but that cannot be removed without either plastic deformation or fracture of a portion of the treadle. Also, a kickdown mechanism that changes the amount of force required to push a treadle on the pedal as the treadle is pushed further and further.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, Jan Vondras, William Doucet