Patents by Inventor Richard Torrance

Richard Torrance 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).

  • Publication number: 20070135017
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for providing a soft-start for a toy vehicle configured to be operated by a person. The method includes receiving a throttle signal operable to induce motion via a motor operating as a drive mechanism of the toy vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based on the throttle signal. The transition signal may be applied to effect operation of the motor. The transition signal may be a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20 and 100 percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the problems of conventional control systems. The transition signal may be ramped in a linear or non-linear fashion. The system may couple the soft-start control circuit between a ground terminal of a battery of the toy vehicle and motor(s), thereby allowing the soft-start control circuit to operate on a low voltage (i.e., not the high voltage of the battery).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: David Norman, Robert Mimlitch, Richard Torrance
  • Patent number: 7222684
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for providing a soft-start for a toy vehicle configured to be operated by a person. The method includes receiving a throttle signal operable to induce motion via a motor operating as a drive mechanism of the toy vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based on the throttle signal. The transition signal may be applied to effect operation of the motor. The transition signal may be a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20 and 100 percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the problems of conventional control systems. The transition signal may be ramped in a linear or non-linear fashion. The system may couple the soft-start control circuit between a ground terminal of a battery of the toy vehicle and motor(s), thereby allowing the soft-start control circuit to operate on a low voltage (i.e., not the high voltage of the battery).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Richard Torrance
  • Publication number: 20020121395
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for providing a soft-start for a toy vehicle configured to be operated by a person. The method includes receiving a throttle signal operable to induce motion via a motor operating as a drive mechanism of the toy vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based on the throttle signal. The transition signal may be applied to effect operation of the motor. The transition signal may be a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20 and 100 percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the problems of conventional control systems. The transition signal may be ramped in a linear or non-linear fashion. The system may couple the soft-start control circuit between a ground terminal of a battery of the toy vehicle and motor(s), thereby allowing the soft-start control circuit to operate on a low voltage (i.e., not the high voltage of the battery).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, Richard Torrance