Patents by Inventor Mark T. Kohls

Mark T. Kohls 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: 7970511
    Abstract: An electronic steering damper system is provided for a vehicle. The electronic steering damper system can be supported with respect to the vehicle's frame and can selectively impose resistance to steering of one or more of the vehicle's wheels in response to a vehicle condition signal received from a sensor such as, for example, a vehicle speed sensor. An actuator connected with the electronic steering damper system can be configured for use by an operator to adjust the manner in which the electronic steering damper system selectively imposes resistance to steering of the wheel(s) in response to the vehicle condition signal. Vehicles including an electronic steering damper system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark T. Kohls
  • Patent number: 7722061
    Abstract: A steering damper includes a cylinder housing, a piston, a piston rod, and a valve member. The cylinder housing includes an inner surface and the inner surface defines an inner area. The piston is at least partially disposed within the inner area and is movably engaged with the inner surface of the cylinder housing. The piston and the inner surface of the cylinder housing cooperate to define a first chamber and a second chamber disposed upon opposite sides of the piston. The piston rod is attached to the piston. At least one of the piston and the piston rod at least partially defines a passageway extending between the first chamber and the second chamber. The valve member is associated with the passageway and is movable to adjust restriction of fluid flow through the passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber. A vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark T. Kohls, James E. Kerker
  • Patent number: 7650865
    Abstract: A power equipment apparatus includes an engine, an electric starter motor, a manual starter mechanism, a temperature sensor, and a starter switch. The temperature sensor is operatively coupled with the engine and is configured to generate a temperature signal reflecting a temperature of a portion of the engine. The starter switch is configured to selectively facilitate passage of electrical power to the electric starter motor for actuation of the electric starter motor only when both the starter switch is actuated and the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark T. Kohls
  • Publication number: 20090250893
    Abstract: A steering damper includes a cylinder housing, a piston, a piston rod, and a valve member. The cylinder housing includes an inner surface and the inner surface defines an inner area. The piston is at least partially disposed within the inner area and is movably engaged with the inner surface of the cylinder housing. The piston and the inner surface of the cylinder housing cooperate to define a first chamber and a second chamber disposed upon opposite sides of the piston. The piston rod is attached to the piston. At least one of the piston and the piston rod at least partially defines a passageway extending between the first chamber and the second chamber. The valve member is associated with the passageway and is movable to adjust restriction of fluid flow through the passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber. A vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Mark T. Kohls, James E. Kerker
  • Publication number: 20090198411
    Abstract: An electronic steering damper system is provided for a vehicle. The electronic steering damper system can be supported with respect to the vehicle's frame and can selectively impose resistance to steering of one or more of the vehicle's wheels in response to a vehicle condition signal received from a sensor such as, for example, a vehicle speed sensor. An actuator connected with the electronic steering damper system can be configured for use by an operator to adjust the manner in which the electronic steering damper system selectively imposes resistance to steering of the wheel(s) in response to the vehicle condition signal. Vehicles including an electronic steering damper system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Mark T. Kohls
  • Publication number: 20080276891
    Abstract: A power equipment apparatus includes an engine, an electric starter motor, a manual starter mechanism, a temperature sensor, and a starter switch. The temperature sensor is operatively coupled with the engine and is configured to generate a temperature signal reflecting a temperature of a portion of the engine. The starter switch is configured to selectively facilitate passage of electrical power to the electric starter motor for actuation of the electric starter motor only when both the starter switch is actuated and the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Mark T. Kohls