Patents by Inventor Terry Elstad

Terry Elstad 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: 20070222283
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a brake release system for a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle has a braking device that is positioned within the towed vehicle and is configured to depress a brake pedal of the towed vehicle. The braking device includes a brake actuator that is configured to controllably press on the towed vehicle's brake pedal. The brake release system is in communication with the brake actuator. The brake release system is configured to monitor when the brake pedal has been depressed for a predetermined period of time and when the brake release system determines that the predetermined period of time has been exceeded; the brake release system deactivates the brake actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Skinner, M. Walker, Terry Elstad
  • Publication number: 20050225169
    Abstract: A braking device is disclosed wherein the braking device is configured to aid in slowing down a towed vehicle. The braking device includes a brake actuator, which is preferably configured to controllably press on the towed vehicle's brake pedal; a controller, which is preferably configured to control the brake actuator; and, a voltage regulator system, which is preferably configured to monitor the energy level of the towed vehicle battery. When the voltage regulator system detects the energy level of the towed vehicle battery to have reached a predetermined energy level, the voltage regulator system is preferably configured to save the towed vehicle battery's remaining energy by substantially preventing the towed vehicle battery from supplying energy to the brake actuator. When the voltage detector receives a signal from the controller to supply the brake actuator with energy, the voltage regulator system is preferably configured to allow the brake actuator to use the remaining energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: Jerry A.Edwards
    Inventors: Robert Skinner, M. Walker, Terry Elstad
  • Publication number: 20050093366
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a brake monitoring system. The monitoring system includes an auxiliary braking device, the auxiliary braking device configured to activate a braking system of a towed vehicle. The monitoring system also includes a transmitter unit including a transmitter, the transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicating that the braking system of the towed vehicle has been activated. A receiver unit is also included. The receiver unit includes a receiver, the receiver configured to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter. The monitoring system also includes an indicator in communication with the receiver unit. Activation of the indicator informs a driver of a towing vehicle that the braking system of the towed vehicle has been activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: Jerry A. Edwards
    Inventors: Terry Elstad, Robert Skinner, Mark Walker