Seat Or Body Steered Patents (Class 280/235)
  • Patent number: 11807258
    Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to control operation of the radar sensor to acquire data for determining and updating a number of occupants in the vehicle. Upon receiving a control command whose execution will result in movement of the vehicle, a pre-movement radar scan of the vehicle interior is performed. Using information acquired by the pre-movement scan, the sensor control module determines if an excessive occupant condition exists in the vehicle interior. Responsive to a determination that an excessive occupant condition exists, the sensor control module may control an operation of the vehicle other than executing the control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Connected North America, Inc., Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon P. Roberts, Yang Ding, Daniel W. Reaser, Christopher J. Macpherson, Keaton Khonsari, Derek A. Thompson, Sergei I. Gage
  • Patent number: 11541882
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described by which a computing system detects low-impact collisions. A computing system includes at least one processor and memory. The memory includes instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to determine whether an object collided with a vehicle based on a comparison of data received from at least one motion sensor configured to measure at least an acceleration of the vehicle and data received from a plurality of level sensors, wherein each level sensor is configured to measure a relative position between a body of the vehicle and a respective wheel of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle. Execution of the instructions further causes the at least one processor to perform one or more actions in response to determining that the object collided with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Anton Albinsson, Derong Yang, Stavros Angelis
  • Patent number: 8453538
    Abstract: A cartridge bottom bracket is for a bicycle having a tubular shell with a bore. The bottom bracket includes a spindle having opposing ends and a sealed cartridge disposed within the shell bore and about a central portion of the spindle so as to define opposing free end portions of the spindle. The cartridge includes a pipe having opposing ends, two rolling contact bearings disposed within the pipe adjacent to a separate one of the pipe ends and rotatably coupling the spindle with the pipe, and a tubular spacer disposed about the spindle and extending between the two bearings so as to establish a spacing distance between the bearings. Further, two shaped caps are each mounted on a separate one of the free end portions of the spindle and are disposed axially against a separate one of the bearings to enclose the free end portion of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Roberto Mola, Gianpiero Scaltriti, Riccardo Restivo, Alessandro Sansone
  • Patent number: 7798510
    Abstract: A vehicle including: a front wheel; two rear wheels; a seat configured to allow a rider to lean forward when the vehicle travels; and a frame that includes a front frame section and a rear frame section, the front frame section extending from the seat to at least an axis of rotation of the front wheel and connecting the seat to the front wheel, the rear frame section extending from the first frame section rearward and connecting the rear wheels to the first frame section, the frame sections being pivotably connected at a pivot point between the main wheel and the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Comstock, Kurt Joseph Comstock
  • Patent number: 7464951
    Abstract: A powered vehicle and method of operating is described for on and off-road use. The powered vehicle comprises a chassis and a first and second axle coupled to the chassis having at least one wheel coupled to the first axle and at least two wheels coupled to the second axle. The powered vehicle further comprises a movable seat configured to support a rider sitting down on the seat, and configured to move relative to the chassis in order to provide a steering mechanism for the powered vehicle. For example, the movable seat provides a mechanism for the rider to shift his or her weight relative to the chassis to cause the steering mechanism for the powered vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen R. Coray
  • Patent number: 6581947
    Abstract: A hand cycle includes a frame and a seat which is pivotable relative to the frame about a longitudinally extending axis to effect steerage of the hand cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Stuart John Andrews, Wayne John Kotzur
  • Patent number: 6020812
    Abstract: A system for sensing the presence of an object within a vehicle's passenger compartment including an occupant in a motor vehicle comprising of: one or more safety restraint device such as air bag or pretensioner for protecting the occupant during a crash, actuating device includes within the restraint device for activating the safety restraint device to protect an occupant during a collision; a first occupant sensor, fixedly positioned in the vehicle, for generating a reflected electric field within the passenger compartment for generating an output signal indicative of the presence of an object, the electric field being of predetermined size, wherein the presence of an object effects the reflected electric field causing a change in the output signal of the sensor, the sensor mounted on one of a vehicle's steering wheel assembly for driver position detection or instrument panel near the passenger air bag module for passenger position detection; a crash sensor coupled to electronic control unit for sensing an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Thompson, Steven K. Underwood, Eldon L. Cooper, Jr., Craig T. Harston, Raymond Kleinberg, Stanford D. Hanson
  • Patent number: 5770997
    Abstract: A system for sensing the presence of an object within a vehicle's passenger compartment including an occupant in a motor vehicle comprising of: one or more safety restraint devices and a first occupant sensor, fixedly positioned in the vehicle, for generating a reflected electric field within the passenger compartment for generating an output signal indicative of the presence of an object, the sensor mounted on one of a vehicle's steering wheel assembly for driver position detection or instrument panel near the passenger air bag module for passenger position detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Kleinberg, Stanford D. Hanson, John C. Thompson, Steven K. Underwood, Eldon L. Cooper, Jr., Craig T. Harston
  • Patent number: 5385359
    Abstract: A dual drive bicycle having a hand crank mechanism for applying driving power to the front wheel of the bicycle includes a stabilizer bar attached to a hand crank mechanism frame, the stabilizer bar including a chest saddle against which the rider positions the chest area of his upper body during operation of the front wheel hand crank mechanism. The force applied by the rider's upper body against the chest saddle acts to maintain forward alignment of the front wheel of the bicycle to thereby greatly improve the stability of the bicycle. In addition, the stabilizer bar and chest saddle combination provides a resistance against which the rider works while operating the front wheel hand crank mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: James J. Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 5383675
    Abstract: A human powered mechanism for propelling a wheeled land vehicle, a water vehicle (a boat or hydroplane) using either a water screw or a jet of water or an ultra-light aircraft with an air screw. The mechanism can utilize either arm or leg muscles or preferably, both arms and legs extending and retracting in a manner similar to walking or running as performed from a semi-recumbent position. Steering or other critical control is accomplished through another mechanism which is guided by the appropriate movement of the operator's head. The operators feet are placed on pedals which are attached to swinging members which pivot in a bearing at the upper end. The operator's hands grasp leverage arms which are cantilevered, the distal ends of which are attached to the same push-pull connecting rods as the above mentioned swinging members with foot pedals attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Richard T. Liebert