Patents by Inventor William Steve Shepard, Sr.

William Steve Shepard, Sr. 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).

  • HYBRID DINGHY PUSHER
    Publication number: 20120136522
    Abstract: A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: William Steve Shepard, JR., William Steve Shepard, SR.
  • Hybrid dinghy pusher
    Patent number: 8141667
    Abstract: A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Alabama For And On Behalf Of Its Component Institution, The University Of Alabama
    Inventors: William Steve Shepard, Jr., William Steve Shepard, Sr.
  • HYBRID DINGHY PUSHER
    Publication number: 20090308670
    Abstract: A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
    Inventors: WILLIAM STEVE SHEPARD, JR., William Steve Shepard, SR.