Patents by Inventor Dean Pick

Dean Pick 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: 11872991
    Abstract: A transmission control apparatus for controlling a vehicle's transmission. The apparatus includes (i) a control motor mechanically connected to the transmission's selector drum and is actuable to rotate the selector drum, (ii) a torque sensor which senses torque applied to the selector drum by the control motor, (iii) a controller configured to control the control motor based on signals received from the torque sensor to control the engagement/disengagement of the dog clutches; and (iv) a cam indexer connected to the selector drum. The cam indexer includes (i) a cam sprocket having one gear detent corresponding to each of gear engagement position of the selector drum, and one neutral detent corresponding to each neutral position of the selector drum, and (ii) a cam follower that engages with the gear detents and biases the selector drum into either a corresponding gear engagement position or a corresponding neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Publication number: 20230356718
    Abstract: A transmission control apparatus for controlling a vehicle's transmission. The apparatus includes (i) a control motor mechanically connected to the transmission's selector drum and is actuable to rotate the selector drum, (ii) a torque sensor which senses torque applied to the selector drum by the control motor, (iii) a controller configured to control the control motor based on signals received from the torque sensor to control the engagement/disengagement of the dog clutches; and (iv) a cam indexer connected to the selector drum. The cam indexer includes (i) a cam sprocket having one gear detent corresponding to each of gear engagement position of the selector drum, and one neutral detent corresponding to each neutral position of the selector drum, and (ii) a cam follower that engages with the gear detents and biases the selector drum into either a corresponding gear engagement position or a corresponding neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Patent number: 10753345
    Abstract: The present invention is a combination of a shape-memory alloy (SMA) element and a fiber sleeve. The SMA connects at each end to a support element, the support elements being moveable relative to each other. The fiber sleeve comprises an electrically insulating sleeve made of flexible fiber material, and is sized so that the sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the SMA element. When the SMA element is deformed upon heating or cooling, causing the support elements to move relative to each other, the fiber sleeve also deforms and continues to surround the portion of the SMA element, inhibiting the flow of electric current from the SMA element to its surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Patent number: 9913650
    Abstract: The present invention is an anchor for a thermally responsive ligature that deforms when heated. The ligature has an engaging segment for engaging the anchor with two clamping portions and a curved portion. The anchor is made from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material and has an engaging surface for engaging a curved portion of the ligature. The clamping portions of the engaging segment of the ligature pass between the body and the clamping component when the curved portion of the engaging segment is engaging the engaging surface of the anchor body. Then, portions of the clamping component can be moved towards the anchor body to reconfigure the clamping component so that the portions of the clamping component press the clamping portions of the engaging segment of the ligature against the anchor body and maintain the engaging segment of the ligature in thermal or electrical communication with the anchor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Publication number: 20170164948
    Abstract: The present invention is an anchor for a thermally responsive ligature that deforms when heated. The ligature has an engaging segment for engaging the anchor with two clamping portions and a curved portion. The anchor is made from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material and has an engaging surface for engaging a curved portion of the ligature. The clamping portions of the engaging segment of the ligature pass between the body and the clamping component when the curved portion of the engaging segment is engaging the engaging surface of the anchor body. Then, portions of the clamping component can be moved towards the anchor body to reconfigure the clamping component so that the portions of the clamping component press the clamping portions of the engaging segment of the ligature against the anchor body and maintain the engaging segment of the ligature in thermal or electrical communication with the anchor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Patent number: 7963183
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a sequential transmission of a vehicle is provided comprising a control motor that drives a selector drum for shifting gears wherein the apparatus measures torque applied to or position of the selector drum and controls the control motor to engage the gears, to accommodate for wear and transient gear interference or jamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Dean Pick, Thomas Dowad
  • Publication number: 20100251846
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a sequential transmission of a vehicle is provided comprising a control motor that drives a selector drum for shifting gears wherein the apparatus measures torque applied to or position of the selector drum and controls the control motor to engage the gears, to accommodate for wear and transient gear interference or jamming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Dean Pick, Thomas Dowad
  • Patent number: 7591358
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system for a vehicle clutch, that operates in both a manual and an automatic mode. The invention provides a way of switching between operating modes not only when the clutch is engaged, but at any time while the vehicle is operating, smoothly and without shock, using a system that contains only one hydraulic circuit and reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Publication number: 20080060900
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system for a vehicle clutch, that operates in both a manual and an automatic mode. The invention provides a way of switching between operating modes not only when the clutch is engaged, but at any time while the vehicle is operating, smoothly and without shock, using a system that contains only one hydraulic circuit and reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Patent number: 7104373
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic control system for a motorcycle transmission. A pneumatic clutch cylinder used to disengage the clutch by pulling in a clutch lever via a clutch cylinder rod. Optionally, manual override of the clutch control may be provided for by linking the clutch lever to a clutch cable by a through rod and slip device. To change gear a pneumatic gear change cylinder, attached to the gear change lever, push-pulls lever to upshift and downshift transmission. The system is equipped with launch control that allows the motorcycle to start from a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Dean Pick
  • Publication number: 20050044975
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic control system for a motorcycle transmission. A pneumatic clutch cylinder used to disengage the clutch by pulling in a clutch lever via a clutch cylinder rod. Optionally, manual override of the clutch control may be provided for by linking the clutch lever to a clutch cable by a through rod and slip device. To change gear a pneumatic gear change cylinder, attached to the gear change lever, push-pulls lever to upshift and downshift transmission. The system is equipped with launch control that allows the motorcycle to start from a standstill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventor: Dean Pick