Patents by Inventor Jacob Ritchie

Jacob Ritchie 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).

  • System for adjusting the pedals of a vehicle
    Patent number: 7681474
    Abstract: A system for adjustably positioning foot pedals with respect to a vehicle chassis, such as to improve ergonomics or to appropriately space a vehicle occupant with respect to a vehicle safety system. The system includes first and second electromagnetic actuators, first and second controllers, and a device, which may be a switch disposed on the vehicle chassis, provides a signal to change spacing between the vehicle chassis and the plurality of pedals. The first electromagnetic actuator displaces a first pedal with respect to the vehicle chassis, and the second electromagnetic actuator displaces a second pedal with respect to the vehicle chassis. The first controller operates the first electromagnetic actuator in response to the configuration of the device, and the second controller operates the second electromagnetic actuator in response to the first controller operating the first electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Andrew Weldon, Frank Wiemer, Edward Kunath, Jacob Ritchie
  • Actuator apparatus incorporating a controller
    Patent number: 7640826
    Abstract: An adjustable positioning apparatus, which may be used for a foot-operated control, includes a first member that is movably supported with respect to a base, an adjuster that is supported on the first member, and a second member. The adjuster includes a displacement device, an actuator, and a controller. The displacement device includes a first portion that is coupled to the first member, and includes a second portion that is displaced with respect to the first portion. The actuator displaces the second portion with respect to the first portion, and the controller operates the actuator and determines displacement of the second portion with respect to the first portion. The second member is coupled to the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Andrew Weldon, Frank Wiemer, Edward Kunath, Jacob Ritchie
  • Actuator apparatus incorporating a controller
    Publication number: 20060086201
    Abstract: An adjustable positioning apparatus, which may be used for a foot-operated control, includes a first member that is movably supported with respect to a base, an adjuster that is supported on the first member, and a second member. The adjuster includes a displacement device, an actuator, and a controller. The displacement device includes a first portion that is coupled to the first member, and includes a second portion that is displaced with respect to the first portion. The actuator displaces the second portion with respect to the first portion, and the controller operates the actuator and determines displacement of the second portion with respect to the first portion. The second member is coupled to the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Craig Weldon, Frank Wiemer, Edward Kunath, Jacob Ritchie
  • System for adjusting the pedals of a vehicle
    Publication number: 20060086200
    Abstract: A system for adjustably positioning foot pedals with respect to a vehicle chassis, such as to improve ergonomics or to appropriately space a vehicle occupant with respect to a vehicle safety system. The system includes first and second electromagnetic actuators, first and second controllers, and a device, which may be a switch disposed on the vehicle chassis, provides a signal to change spacing between the vehicle chassis and the plurality of pedals. The first electromagnetic actuator displaces a first pedal with respect to the vehicle chassis, and the second electromagnetic actuator displaces a second pedal with respect to the vehicle chassis. The first controller operates the first electromagnetic actuator in response to the configuration of the device, and the second controller operates the second electromagnetic actuator in response to the first controller operating the first electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Craig Weldon, Frank Wiemer, Edward Kunath, Jacob Ritchie