Patents by Inventor Dean W. Banks

Dean W. Banks 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: 7070019
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Corporation USA
    Inventors: David T. Takamoto, Jack R. Auld, John C. Dunne, Jr., Harry Adam Dupre, III, Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean W. Banks, Gregory E. Mott
  • Publication number: 20030051937
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle comprises a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: David T. Takamoto, Jack R. Auld, John C. Dunne, Harry Adam Dupre, Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean W. Banks, Gregory E. Mott
  • Patent number: RE43662
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: David T. Takamoto, Jack R. Auld, John C. Dunne, Jr., Harry Adam Dupre, III, Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean W. Banks, Gregory E. Mott