Patents by Inventor Steven R. Franker

Steven R. Franker 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: 20170087950
    Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Brady, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Patent number: 9527362
    Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Brady, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Publication number: 20160332495
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Publication number: 20160059660
    Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Brady, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Patent number: 9205717
    Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Brady, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Publication number: 20150057885
    Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Louis J. Brady, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse