Patents by Inventor Thomas Herman PROHASZKA

Thomas Herman PROHASZKA 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: 11524663
    Abstract: A trailer oscillation and stability control device including an accelerometer and an angular rate sensor. An oscillation detection discriminator detects oscillatory lateral trailer motion in response to trailer displacement data derived from inputs from the angular rate sensor and acceleration signals received from the accelerometer, and then generates corresponding oscillatory event data. A brake controller generates a braking control signal in response to oscillatory event data received from the oscillation detection discriminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Herman Prohaszka, David James Cattermole, John Peter Manfreda, Matthew Allen Collin, Mark James Woloszyk, Paul Michael McCoy
  • Patent number: 10781594
    Abstract: A method and device for halting the extension or retraction of a retractable awning comprises a sensor coupled to a processor that commands awning extension and retraction. The sensor senses a motion parameter, such as acceleration, which is associated with extension or retraction motion of a retractable awning and generates corresponding respective extension or retraction motion parameter signals. The processor calculates an acceleration rate of change and/or a tilt angle from the motion parameter signals received from the sensor, and halts awning extension or retraction by generating and sending a stop signal when the acceleration rate of change or tilt angle meets at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Herman Prohaszka, Kenneth Alan Higbee, David James Cattermole, John Peter Manfreda
  • Publication number: 20190071877
    Abstract: A method and device for halting the extension or retraction of a retractable awning comprises a sensor coupled to a processor that commands awning extension and retraction. The sensor senses a motion parameter, such as acceleration, which is associated with extension or retraction motion of a retractable awning and generates corresponding respective extension or retraction motion parameter signals. The processor calculates an acceleration rate of change and/or a tilt angle from the motion parameter signals received from the sensor, and halts awning extension or retraction by generating and sending a stop signal when the acceleration rate of change or tilt angle meets at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Herman Prohaszka, Kenneth Alan Higbee, David James Cattermole, John Peter Manfreda
  • Publication number: 20190071876
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing wind damage to a retractable awning comprises a processor that detects an oscillatory characteristic of movement signals received from an awning movement sensor, and generates an awning retraction signal if the oscillatory characteristic meets a predetermined retraction criterion. The sensor may comprise a gyroscopic sensor that detects angular movement of an awning portion and generates corresponding angular movement signals. The processor may detect predetermined angular movement signal events in the angular movement signals, calculate time elapsed between the events, and transmit a retraction signal when an angular movement signal characteristic relating to time elapsed between angular movement signal events meets at least one predetermined retraction criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Herman Prohaszka, Kenneth Alan Higbee, David James Cattermole, John Peter Manfreda
  • Publication number: 20170151935
    Abstract: A trailer oscillation and stability control device including an accelerometer and an angular rate sensor. An oscillation detection discriminator detects oscillatory lateral trailer motion in response to trailer displacement data derived from inputs from the angular rate sensor and acceleration signals received from the accelerometer, and then generates corresponding oscillatory event data. A brake controller generates a braking control signal in response to oscillatory event data received from the oscillation detection discriminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Herman PROHASZKA, David James CATTERMOLE, John Peter MANFREDA, Matthew Allen COLLIN, Mark James WOLOSZYK, Paul Michael MCCOY