Ronald Mathis

US Patent:

8152184, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Apr 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/765567

Inventors:

Oliver Christoph Ferdinand Kuttner - Charlottesville VA, US
Ronald Christopher Mathis - Indianapolis IN, US

Assignee:

Edison2 LLC - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

B60G 3/20

US Classification:

280124128, 28012411, 280124117, 280124125

Abstract:

A structurally efficient vehicle suspension system capable of being isolated from the main vehicle structure by being housed within a vehicle's wheel thereby reducing risks of injury during a crash and permitting advantageous redesign of suspension geometry. By rotating the suspension link pivot axes approximately 90 degrees when compared with the positioning of traditionally known wishbone suspension systems, the upper and lower suspension links for each vehicle wheel are relocated to run essentially parallel to the axis of travel of the vehicle. Consequently, for each wheel the virtual longitudinal link length runs parallel with the axis of travel of the vehicle indicated by the arrow and virtual swing axle length runs perpendicularly to virtual longitudinal link length. However, the upper link pivot axis and the lower link pivot axis now run parallel to virtual swing axle and their convergence point defines its length.

US Patent:

8585155, Nov 19, 2013

Filed:

Mar 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/148052

Inventors:

Oliver Christoph Ferdinand Kuttner - Charlottesville VA, US
Ronald Christopher Mathis - Indianapolis IN, US

Assignee:

Edison2 LLC - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

B60B 3/08
B60B 23/00

US Classification:

301 64302, 301 64305

Abstract:

A wheel structure for use in an engine-powered vehicle having an inner rim, an outer rim, an inner, partially truncated, cone-shaped element, a hub and a closing portion. The outer rim is sealingly attached to the inner rim, while the inner cone-shaped element is oriented with an opening at its truncated vertex end closer to the inner rim than its base and is then attached around the perimeter of its base to the perimeter of the outer rim. A closing portion with an opening at its center is provided which is attached at its perimeter to the perimeter of the inner cone-shaped element. The hub is connected on one side to the truncated vertex end of the inner cone and on the other side to the opening at the center of the closing portion.

US Patent:

20120175857, Jul 12, 2012

Filed:

Feb 25, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/405244

Inventors:

Ronald Christopher Mathis - Indianapolis IN, US
Bradley W. Jaeger - Charlottesville VA, US

International Classification:

B60G 3/20

US Classification:

280124113

Abstract:

A structurally efficient vehicle suspension system capable of being isolated from the main vehicle structure by being housed within a vehicle's wheel thereby reducing risks of injury during a crash and permitting advantageous redesign of suspension geometry. In the primary embodiment of this invention, the essentially longitudinal links providing wheel travel are outboard of the steering. The upper and/or lower suspension links may be arranged so as to form either a solid triangular-like structure or a “wishbone” form having two separate arms. In addition, the spring/damper unit of the suspension can be configured in a number of different embodiments variously using telescopic dampers, coil springs, rotary dampers, rubber springs, air springs, torsion bars, bell cranks linked to pushrods or pullrods and leaf springs. The spring/damper unit may also be housed in an appropriately enlarged kingpin axis carrier.

US Patent:

20120217712, Aug 30, 2012

Filed:

Apr 20, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/502222

Inventors:

Oliver Christoph Ferdinand Kuttner - Charlottesville VA, US
Ronald Christopher Mathis - Indianapolis IN, US

International Classification:

B62D 21/18

US Classification:

2801241

Abstract:

An axle and wheel system for enhancing the safety of occupants of a vehicle. An axle structure is provided which is engineered to be crushable upon impact. The axle is structurally attached to the chassis of the vehicle and extends beyond the chassis on both sides thereof. Each axle end is attached to a wheel suspension. The portion of the axle extending beyond the chassis is covered by an aerodynamic ally shaped, crushable fairing and each wheel is covered by an aerodynamically shaped, crushable pod.