Patents by Inventor James C. Hile

James C. Hile 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: 5816614
    Abstract: A tiller assembly for steering a personal mobility vehicle. A knuckle joint for the tiller includes a base secured on the front wheel steering spindle and a knuckle element connected for limited pivotal movement on the base. A bolt connects the knuckle element to the base and also connects the tiller to the knuckle joint. A spring loaded pin on the tiller enters spaced apart openings in the knuckle element to lock the tiller to the knuckle element in any one of various positions, including an operating position and a collapsed position. Adjustment screws on the base are contacted by stop surfaces on the knuckle element to limit in both directions the pivoting of the knuckle element. This allows the tiller to float to a limited extent and also to act rigidly when the vehicle user needs to pull himself up by using the tiller. Spacer sleeves on the pivot bolt allow adjustment of the friction between the knuckle element and base without affecting the tiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Burke, Inc.
    Inventors: DuWayne E. Kramer, Jr., James Ernst, Jerry L. Traylor, James C. Hile