Patents by Inventor Larry Eccleston

Larry Eccleston 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: 11400903
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Larry Eccleston
  • Publication number: 20210380086
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Publication number: 20180339687
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Patent number: 10040437
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Patent number: 9758089
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal is a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter is configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20170217411
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny
  • Publication number: 20160362044
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal is a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter is configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9428105
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal may be a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter may be configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20150367774
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal may be a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter may be configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9120424
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal is a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter is configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20140288795
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Larry Eccleston
  • Publication number: 20140246974
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal may be a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter may be configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 8746812
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny, Doug Marsden, Kirk Englert
  • Patent number: 7902848
    Abstract: A reversible test probe and test probe tip. In one embodiment, a test probe tip is reversible relative to a test probe body. The reversible probe has a first probe tip at a first end and a second probe tip at a second end. The test probe body has an opening operable to receive the first probe tip and the second probe tip. When the first probe tip is positioned in the opening, the first probe tip is electrically coupled to a metal device in the test probe body. When the second probe tip is positioned in the opening, the second probe tip is electrically coupled to a metal device in the test probe body. In another embodiment, a test probe having two test probe tips is reversible relative to a test lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Eccleston, Chris W. Lagerberg, John Renner, III, David J. Gibson, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20100176828
    Abstract: A reversible test probe and test probe tip. In one embodiment, a test probe tip is reversible relative to a test probe body. The reversible probe has a first probe tip at a first end and a second probe tip at a second end. The test probe body has an opening operable to receive the first probe tip and the second probe tip. When the first probe tip is positioned in the opening, the first probe tip is electrically coupled to a metal device in the test probe body. When the second probe tip is positioned in the opening, the second probe tip is electrically coupled to a metal device in the test probe body. In another embodiment, a test probe having two test probe tips is reversible relative to a test lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Eccleston, Chris W. Lagerberg, John Renner, III, David J. Gibson, SR.
  • Publication number: 20060214506
    Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Marcia Albright, Chandrakumar Kulkarni, Jerald Prater, Jason Reichard, Dennis Morse, Mark Austin, Pat Burgess, Marvin Hoot, Larry Eccleston, Steve Zavodny, Doug Marsden, Kirk Englert
  • Publication number: 20060176166
    Abstract: Brake controllers typically require a microprocessor or some complex digital circuitry to achieve a proportional brake control signal suitable to control electric brakes on a towed vehicle. These components can be difficult to manufacture and can be expensive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Smith, Larry Eccleston, William Demerly
  • Patent number: 6615125
    Abstract: A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem. The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically set at least one of a gain level and a boost level for the brake control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Tekonsha Towing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Bruce E. Smith, Marcia S. Albright
  • Publication number: 20020123837
    Abstract: A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically set at least one of a gain level and a boost level for the brake control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Bruce E. Smith, Marcia S. Albright
  • Patent number: 6445993
    Abstract: A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem. The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically acquire an operating point of the brake control signal when the brake control unit is mounted within a range of operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Bruce E. Smith, Marcia S. Albright