Patents by Inventor Trevor R. Milton

Trevor R. Milton 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: 11613312
    Abstract: A trailer truck is the combination of a truck and one or more trailers used to haul freight. A trailer attaches to the truck via a trailer coupling (hitch), with much of its weight borne by the truck. The result is that both the truck and the trailer will have a distinctly different design than a rigid truck and trailer. Exemplary vehicles are provided, such as heavy duty trucks having truck bodies with improved aerodynamic characteristics, including improved drag coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: NIKOLA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
  • Publication number: 20210179202
    Abstract: A trailer truck is the combination of a truck and one or more trailers used to haul freight. A trailer attaches to the truck via a trailer coupling (hitch), with much of its weight borne by the truck. The result is that both the truck and the trailer will have a distinctly different design than a rigid truck and trailer. Exemplary vehicles are provided, such as heavy duty trucks having truck bodies with improved aerodynamic characteristics, including improved drag coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
  • Patent number: 11001129
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for a vehicle door or window are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a cabin located within the body of the vehicle, wherein the cabin includes an interior that is configured to accommodate at least one person. The vehicle includes at least one seat located in the interior of the cabin that is configured for seating a user. The vehicle includes at least one door that provides ingress and egress of the interior of the cabin of the vehicle, and the at least one door is located with respect to the body such that the door opens to provide ingress and egress of the cabin from a backside of the seat. Further, the door may be a cargo door, which allows access to the cabin for placement of a load, such as a cargo load on a pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
  • Patent number: 10981470
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10981609
    Abstract: A trailer truck is the combination of a truck and one or more trailers used to haul freight. A trailer attaches to the truck via a trailer coupling (hitch), with much of its weight borne by the truck. The result is that both the truck and the trailer will have a distinctly different design than a rigid truck and trailer. Exemplary vehicles are provided, such as heavy duty trucks having truck bodies with improved aerodynamic characteristics, including improved drag coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
  • Patent number: 10899387
    Abstract: A frame arrangement for a vehicle may include a first side member and a second side member that each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions are spaced laterally apart by a first distance, and the lower portions are spaced laterally apart by a second distance less than the first distance. The frame arrangement may further include a first battery positioned between the lower portions of the side members, and a second battery positioned between the upper portions of the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
  • Patent number: 10858049
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for a vehicle door or window are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a cabin located within the body of the vehicle, wherein the cabin includes an interior that is configured to accommodate at least one person. The vehicle includes at least one seat located in the interior of the cabin that is configured for seating a user. The vehicle includes at least one door that provides ingress and egress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle, and the at least one door is located with respect to the body such that the door opens to provide ingress and egress into the cabin from a backside of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes, Markus Scholten
  • Patent number: 10752300
    Abstract: A motor gearbox and suspension arrangement is provided for a vehicle. The arrangement includes a drive system for driving a wheel of the vehicle, and the drive system includes an electric motor and a gear train associated with the motor. The arrangement further includes a housing that receives the motor and the gear train, and a suspension control arm having a first end configured to be connected to the vehicle and a second end configured to be connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Steve Jennes, Adrian Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20200254903
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Publication number: 20200255071
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for a vehicle windshield are described herein. A vehicle includes a vehicle body comprising a front, a first side, and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite one another on the vehicle body. The vehicle comprises a cabin located within the body of the vehicle, wherein the cabin comprises an interior that is configured to accommodate at least one person. The vehicle comprises at least one door that provides ingress and egress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises a windshield that provides a visual line of sight out of the cabin for a user located within the interior of the cabin, and wherein the windshield extends across the front and at least partially on to at least one of the first side or the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes
  • Publication number: 20200239076
    Abstract: A frame arrangement for a vehicle may include a first side member and a second side member that each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions are spaced laterally apart by a first distance, and the lower portions are spaced laterally apart by a second distance less than the first distance. The frame arrangement may further include a first battery positioned between the lower portions of the side members, and a second battery positioned between the upper portions of the side members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. MILTON, Kevin M. LYNK
  • Patent number: 10661680
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10661844
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for a vehicle door or window are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a cabin located within the body of the vehicle, wherein the cabin includes an interior that is configured to accommodate at least one person. The vehicle includes at least one seat located in the interior of the cabin that is configured for seating a user. The vehicle includes at least one door that provides ingress and egress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle, and the at least one door is located with respect to the body such that the door opens to provide ingress and egress into the cabin from a backside of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes, Markus Scholten
  • Patent number: 10654530
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for a vehicle windshield are described herein. A vehicle includes a vehicle body comprising a front, a first side, and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite one another on the vehicle body. The vehicle comprises a cabin located within the body of the vehicle, wherein the cabin comprises an interior that is configured to accommodate at least one person. The vehicle comprises at least one door that provides ingress and egress to the interior of the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises a windshield that provides a visual line of sight out of the cabin for a user located within the interior of the cabin, and wherein the windshield extends across the front and at least partially on to at least one of the first side or the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes
  • Patent number: 10589797
    Abstract: A front suspension system is provided for a front-wheel drive vehicle having a drive shaft for driving a front wheel. The front suspension system includes a suspension device configured to be connected to the vehicle, a control arm configured to be connected to the vehicle, and a yoke mount configured to connect the suspension device to the control arm. The yoke mount has first and second legs that receive the drive shaft therebetween when the front suspension system is mounted on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC, ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Adam Sadlik, Edwin Lorenz, Michael Schlundt, Paul Barr
  • Patent number: 10589788
    Abstract: A frame arrangement for a vehicle may include first and second longitudinally extending side members that each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions are spaced laterally apart by a first distance, and the lower portions are spaced laterally apart by a second distance less than the first distance. The frame arrangement may further include at least one storage tank or battery positioned between the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
  • Patent number: 10581126
    Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed that includes a battery housing, a battery array, and one or more cooling plates. The battery housing forms a battery compartment having a width and length greater than a height. The battery array includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells oriented horizontally with an axis substantially perpendicular to the height of the battery compartment. The plurality of battery cells is organized into a plurality of rows within the battery compartment. The plurality of battery cells is stacked two or more battery cells deep within the plurality of rows. The one or more cooling plates are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the battery cells and positioned proximal to an end of battery cells within a row of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10497998
    Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed that includes a battery housing, a battery array, and one or more cooling plates. The battery housing forms a battery compartment having a width and length greater than a height. The battery array includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells oriented with an axis perpendicular to the height of the battery compartment. The plurality of cells are organized into a plurality of rows within the battery compartment. The one or more cooling plates oriented perpendicular to the axis of the battery cells and positioned proximal to an end of battery cells within a row of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Publication number: 20190329635
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for a vehicle door or window are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a cabin located within the body of the vehicle, wherein the cabin includes an interior that is configured to accommodate at least one person. The vehicle includes at least one seat located in the interior of the cabin that is configured for seating a user. The vehicle includes at least one door that provides ingress and egress of the interior of the cabin of the vehicle, and the at least one door is located with respect to the body such that the door opens to provide ingress and egress of the cabin from a backside of the seat. Further, the door may be a cargo door, which allows access to the cabin for placement of a load, such as a cargo load on a pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
  • Publication number: 20190263455
    Abstract: A trailer truck is the combination of a truck and one or more trailers used to haul freight. A trailer attaches to the truck via a trailer coupling (hitch), with much of its weight borne by the truck. The result is that both the truck and the trailer will have a distinctly different design than a rigid truck and trailer. Exemplary vehicles are provided, such as heavy duty trucks having truck bodies with improved aerodynamic characteristics, including improved drag coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten