Patents by Inventor Philip J. Bakker

Philip J. Bakker 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).

  • Motorized vehicle with fiber-optic joystick controller
    Patent number: 5409074
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle, particularly a wheelchair, having a joystick controller for controlling energization of driving motors which in turn drive vehicle wheels and control steering of the vehicle. The joystick controller includes fiber-optic arrangements which sense tilting movement of the joystick in forward, rearward, rightward or leftward directions, or a combination thereof. Light signals are generated of an intensity corresponding to the position of the joystick, which signals are converted into electric signals and supplied to a controller which in turn controls energization of the drive motors to control driving and steering of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignees: Haworth, Inc., Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold R. Wilson, Michael B. Miller, John Eide, Anthony L. Bowman, Robert T. Rogers, Sr., David R. Hawks, Philip J. Bakker