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).
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Patent number: 11613312Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: NIKOLA CORPORATIONInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
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Publication number: 20210179202Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
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Patent number: 11001129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
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Patent number: 10981470Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
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Patent number: 10981609Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
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Patent number: 10899387Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
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Patent number: 10858049Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes, Markus Scholten
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Patent number: 10752300Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Steve Jennes, Adrian Hawkins
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Publication number: 20200254903Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
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Publication number: 20200255071Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes
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Publication number: 20200239076Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. MILTON, Kevin M. LYNK
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Patent number: 10661680Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
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Patent number: 10661844Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes, Markus Scholten
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Patent number: 10654530Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Steve Jennes
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Patent number: 10589797Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignees: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC, ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Adam Sadlik, Edwin Lorenz, Michael Schlundt, Paul Barr
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Patent number: 10589788Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLCInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk
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Patent number: 10581126Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
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Patent number: 10497998Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
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Publication number: 20190329635Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten
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Publication number: 20190263455Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Stephen Jennes, Markus Scholten