Patents by Inventor Geoffrey S. Beech

Geoffrey S. Beech 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: 11952035
    Abstract: A controlled steering system includes a sliding carriage attached to the steering at least one steering rod. As the carriage slides from one side of the horizontal pivot pint of the towbar, the direction off steering with respect to the towbar reverses. Also, the distance of the sliding carriage from the horizontal pivot point controls the degree of steering. By controlling the movement of the sliding carriage in response to measurements of towbar angle, the backing process can be partially or completely automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Geoffrey S Beech
  • Publication number: 20210171098
    Abstract: A controlled steering system includes a sliding carriage attached to the steering at least one steering rod. As the carriage slides from one side of the horizontal pivot pint of the towbar, the direction off steering with respect to the towbar reverses. Also, the distance of the sliding carriage from the horizontal pivot point controls the degree of steering. By controlling the movement of the sliding carriage in response to measurements of towbar angle, the backing process can be partially or completely automated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventor: Geoffrey S. Beech
  • Patent number: 9840277
    Abstract: A steering system for a trailer is disclosed. A drawbar is attached to an elongated slide, with the slide attached to the trailer for rotation about a pivot axis. A carriage is mounted for movement along the slide and between ends of the slide. At least one control rod extends between the carriage and a steered wheel of the trailer. With the carriage positioned to one side of the pivot axis, the trailer wheels are steered in the direction of sideways towbar displacement when towed, and with the carriage positioned to the other side of the pivot axis, the trailer wheels are steered in the opposite direction of sideways towbar displacement when backed. An electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or manual actuator may be used to move and position the carriage on the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Geoffrey S. Beech
  • Patent number: 9004519
    Abstract: A switchable mechanism for steering a trailer when towing and backing is disclosed. A turntable having a rotatable upper portion is attached to a front of a trailer, with a slide mounted to the turntable with a center of the slide mounted generally over an axis of rotation of the turntable. A carriage is mounted to the slide, the carriage being movable between a first position and a second position. At least one steering controller is coupled between the carriage and steerable wheels of the trailer. A towbar is coupled to the turntable, with sideways displacement of the towbar steering the steerable wheels in both forward and backward directions. The towbar is connectable to any conventional hitch, meaning that no modifications are needed to the tow vehicle, and any tow vehicle with a conventional hitch can tow a trailer of the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Geoffrey S. Beech