Patents by Inventor Forrest Craft

Forrest Craft 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).

  • Worm gear drive unit interface and assembly methods
    Patent number: 10960939
    Abstract: A system for detachably coupling subassemblies of vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable module repair or replacement in conventional locations without any additional infrastructure by driving fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Brandon Loeb, Nicholas Liotta, Daniel Elliot Schabb, Forrest Craft, Chao Lu, Kevin Hothem, James Hedden, Paul Choin
  • Worm gear drive unit interface and assembly methods
    Patent number: 10780930
    Abstract: A system for detachably coupling subassemblies to vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable drive interfaces located in a substantially conventional location (e.g., located vertically on the bottom of the vehicle) to drive fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Nicholas Liotta, Chao Lu, Paul Choin, Daniel Elliot Schabb, Forrest Craft, Kevin Hothem, James Hedden, Brandon Loeb