Christopher S Curtis

US Patent:

7926600, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Oct 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/255836

Inventors:

Charles Lee Flynn - Davisburg MI, US
Christopher E. Curtis - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

Dura Global Technologies, LLC - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

B60S 9/00

US Classification:

180 41, 280 615, 280 6153, 254418, 254425

Abstract:

A vehicle leveling assembly includes a plurality of jack assemblies corresponding to four quadrants of a vehicle, and a plurality of sensors for determining jack position and rate of movement. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring pulse width of current emitted by the hall effect sensor to monitor the speed of the shafts and recognizing contact with the ground when the shaft slows down. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring the electric motor current signal and correlating a pulse from the current signal to the electric motor revolutions per minute and travel of the shafts. A method of calibrating the leveling assembly includes measuring a change in inclination as the jack assemblies are extended a known distance to determine the distance between the jack assemblies. A method of leveling includes extending the shafts an additional compacting distance to ensure accurate calculations of shaft extension, prior to attempting to level the vehicle.

US Patent:

20100100280, Apr 22, 2010

Filed:

Oct 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/255812

Inventors:

Charles Lee Flynn - Davisburg MI, US
Christopher E. Curtis - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

G05D 1/00

US Classification:

701 36

Abstract:

A vehicle leveling assembly includes a plurality of jack assemblies corresponding to four quadrants of a vehicle, and a plurality of sensors for determining jack position and rate of movement. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring pulse width of current emitted by the hall effect sensor to monitor the speed of the shafts and recognizing contact with the ground when the shaft slows down. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring the electric motor current signal and correlating a pulse from the current signal to the electric motor revolutions per minute and travel of the shafts. A method of calibrating the leveling assembly includes measuring a change in inclination as the jack assemblies are extended a known distance to determine the distance between the Jack assemblies. A method of leveling includes extending the shafts an additional compacting distance to ensure accurate calculations of shaft extension, prior to attempting to level the vehicle.

US Patent:

20180259062, Sep 13, 2018

Filed:

Mar 2, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/910091

Inventors:

- Troy MI, US
Brian Mayville - Northville MI, US
Christopher Soave - Brighton MI, US
Christopher Curtis - Orion MI, US
Scott Hengy - Davison MI, US

International Classification:

F16H 59/08
F16H 61/24

Abstract:

A rotary shifter having a housing with a bezel cover. An auto return to park mechanism is provided and includes a knob supported upon the bezel cover. A rotary disk stopper is secured to the knob and seated within the housing, a spring rotationally biasing the end stopper relative to the housing. A solenoid is supported within the housing and engages the stopper in a first condition limiting the knob to manual rotary shifting between Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear shift positions. A PCB board is integrated into the housing and communicable with at least one external sensor associated with a driver exit condition. Upon a triggering of the exit condition with the shifter in other than a Park position, the solenoid is energized to disengage the end stopper in a second release condition permitting the spring to reset the stopper and knob to the Park position.