Patents by Inventor Thomas Robert George Thompson
Thomas Robert George Thompson 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).
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Patent number: 11180214Abstract: A system includes a bicycle and a container including an opening. The bicycle is movable between an unfolded position and a folded position. The system includes a first member supported by the container in the container and positioned to engage the bicycle, and a second member supported by the container in the container and positioned to engage the bicycle spaced from the first member. The first member is movable relative to the second member toward and away from the opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Robert George Thompson, Paul Jonathan Alexander Wraith
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Patent number: 10919594Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly includes a frame including a first segment, a second segment connected to the first segment at a first hinge, and a third segment connected to the second segment at a second hinge. A synchronization cable extends through the second segment from the first hinge to the second hinge.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Publication number: 20210016854Abstract: A system includes a bicycle and a container including an opening. The bicycle is movable between an unfolded position and a folded position. The system includes a first member supported by the container in the container and positioned to engage the bicycle, and a second member supported by the container in the container and positioned to engage the bicycle spaced from the first member. The first member is movable relative to the second member toward and away from the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Thomas Robert George THOMPSON, Paul Jonathan Alexander WRAITH
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Patent number: 10858058Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame having a first segment and a second segment each elongated along a longitudinal axis. A hinge includes a first face on the first segment and a second face on the second segment. The first face and the second face are rotatable relative to each other about a rotational axis. The rotational axis extends at a non-right angle relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 10569698Abstract: A garment for cycling, having indicating lights associated with sleeves of the garment; first and second accelerometers provided on respective sleeves; and a controller configured to receive data from the accelerometers and determine from the date whether a wearer of the garment has raised an arm to indicate a maneuver. The controller is further configured to illuminate the appropriate indicating light depending on which arm has been raised, and to compare the data from the first and second accelerometers to filter out movements common to both the first and second accelerometers and determine when the sleeves are being moved independently of one another in a manner to indicate a turn.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Publication number: 20190061862Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly includes a frame including a first segment, a second segment connected to the first segment at a first hinge, and a third segment connected to the second segment at a second hinge. A synchronization cable extends through the second segment from the first hinge to the second hinge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventor: Thomas Robert George THOMPSON
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Publication number: 20190031270Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame having a first segment and a second segment each elongated along a longitudinal axis. A hinge includes a first face on the first segment and a second face on the second segment. The first face and the second face are rotatable relative to each other about a rotational axis. The rotational axis extends at a non-right angle relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventor: Thomas Robert George THOMPSON
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Publication number: 20180304800Abstract: A garment for cycling, having indicating lights associated with sleeves of the garment; first and second accelerometers provided on respective sleeves; and a controller configured to receive data from the accelerometers and determine from the date whether a wearer of the garment has raised an arm to indicate a maneuver. The controller is further configured to illuminate the appropriate indicating light depending on which arm has been raised, and to compare the data from the first and second accelerometers to filter out movements common to both the first and second accelerometers and determine when the sleeves are being moved independently of one another in a manner to indicate a turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George THOMPSON
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Patent number: 9845133Abstract: An electric bike is described and includes an air speed sensor to sense air speed at the bike, an electric motor to impart motive force to the bike, and a controller operatively connected to the motor, the controller to control the electric motor using the air speed sensed by the air speed sensor. The controller includes a set electric-motor parameter for the output power of the motor. The electric-motor parameter can be bike speed. The controller can also use ground inclination to determine the power to be output by the motor to assist in powering the bike. The controller can use ground inclination to determine the power to be output by the motor to charge a battery in the bike. The controller can set the power of motor assist to be greater in a greater headwind than in a lighter headwind. The controller uses rider weight and rider height as parameters for controlling the motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Richard Craven, Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9604689Abstract: An apparatus, includes a first pair of brackets coupled to a first bicycle frame component, and one of the first pair of brackets has a radially-inwardly extending first protrusion. The apparatus includes a first gear component coupled to a second bicycle frame component, and the gear component is rotatably coupled within the first pair of brackets. The first gear component has a first set of recesses radially spaced from each other about a periphery thereof. The apparatus further includes a first clamping component engaging at least one of the first pair of brackets and selectively biasing the first protrusion into one of the first set of recesses to rotatably lock the first gear component with respect to the first pair of brackets.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9573648Abstract: An apparatus includes a first component having with a first coupling surface and a first axial aperture therethrough. The first component has an axial recess in the first coupling surface. The apparatus further includes a second component having a second coupling surface and a second axial aperture therethrough, and the second component has an axial protrusion extending from the second coupling surface. The axial recess of the first component and the axial protrusion of the second component selectively engage to radially lock the first component relative to the second component and align the first and second apertures upon engagement with each other. The first and second apertures selectively receive a bicycle wheel axle.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9561836Abstract: A system includes a computer in a bicycle, and the computer has a processor and a memory. The computer is programmed to determine user characteristics for a user of the bicycle, with the user characteristics including pedaling force and pedaling cadence; calculate a power contribution at least in part according to the user characteristics; select one or more operational parameters for a bicycle motor according to the power contribution; and apply the operational parameters to operation of the bicycle motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Publication number: 20160304157Abstract: An electric bike is described and includes an air speed sensor to sense air speed at the bike, an electric motor to impart motive force to the bike, and a controller operatively connected to the motor, the controller to control the electric motor using the air speed sensed by the air speed sensor. The controller includes a set electric-motor parameter for the output power of the motor. The electric-motor parameter can be bike speed. The controller can also use ground inclination to determine the power to be output by the motor to assist in powering the bike. The controller can use ground inclination to determine the power to be output by the motor to charge a battery in the bike. The controller can set the power of motor assist to be greater in a greater headwind than in a lighter headwind. The controller uses rider weight and rider height as parameters for controlling the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Richard Craven, Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9359036Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a top tube, a head tube rotatably coupled to a forward portion of the top tube about a first pivot, a seat tube having an upper portion rotatably coupled to a rear portion of the top tube about a second pivot, and a chain stay rotatably coupled to a lower portion of the seat tube about a third pivot. The head tube and the seat tube each pivot between operating positions away from the top tube and storage positions substantially along the top tube, and the chain stay pivots between an operating position away from the seat tube and a storage position along the seat tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9346514Abstract: An apparatus includes a base configured to engage a frame stem of a bicycle and first and second handlebar brackets rotatably coupled to the base about a pivot. The first and second handlebar brackets selectively support bicycle handlebars. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the base and selectively rotatably fixing each of the first and second handlebar brackets about the pivot at first and second positions with respect to the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9340251Abstract: An apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical and hollow main body having an open end and a closed end and a bayonet component extending therein. The bayonet component has a shaft at least partially enclosed within the main body and a pair of opposing protrusions extending radially outside of the main body proximate to a first end of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a lever rotatably coupled to the main body proximate to the open end thereof, and the lever includes a locking recess selectively aligned with the open end of the main body. The apparatus also includes a resilient member enclosed within the main body between the closed end thereof and the first end of the shaft of the bayonet component, and the resilient member biases the bayonet component toward the lever. The bayonet component engages the locking recess to inhibit rotation of the lever relative to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9290229Abstract: A bicycle chain stay coupling apparatus includes a first bracket component coupled to a seat tube of a bicycle frame, a connecting component of a chain stay of the bicycle frame, and a coupling component encasing the connecting component and coupled to the first bracket component. The coupling component is relatively more elastic than the first bracket component and the connecting component, and the coupling component is positioned in series between the first bracket component and the connecting component with respect to a common axle of the first bracket component, the connecting component, and the coupling component.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9290227Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a head tube rotatably supporting first and second handlebars, and the handlebars each selectively pivot to a tow position extending away from the head tube. The bicycle frame includes first and second primary wheel mounts receiving first and second wheels, respectively, in a riding configuration of the bicycle frame, and one of the primary wheel mounts includes a first drive system coupling operably engaging one of the wheels with a bicycle control and power system. The bicycle frame further includes first and second secondary wheel mounts receiving the first and second wheels, respectively, in a towing configuration of the bicycle frame, and one of the secondary wheel mounts includes a second drive system coupling operably engaging one of the wheels with the bicycle control and power system.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Patent number: 9284015Abstract: An apparatus includes a mount supporting a pedal and rotatably engaging a crank arm, a resilient member fixed to the mount, and a bracket fixed to the resilient member. The bracket selectively mechanically locks the mount in first and second positions relative to the crank arm. The first position of the mount locates the pedal in an operating position away from the crank arm, and the second position of the mount locates the pedal in a storage position along the crank arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
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Publication number: 20160016633Abstract: An apparatus includes a base configured to engage a frame stem of a bicycle and first and second handlebar brackets rotatably coupled to the base about a pivot. The first and second handlebar brackets selectively support bicycle handlebars. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the base and selectively rotatably fixing each of the first and second handlebar brackets about the pivot at first and second positions with respect to the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson