Masco Industries, Inc.

Cairns & Brother Inc.

Mascotech, Inc.

Lawrence H Zuckerman

Kurt P Schuler

Daniel L Deland

Curtis T Moy

Paul Heimnick

David G Grossman

Robert E Gray

Robert M Armstrong

Robert J Richter

Jeffrey N Olsen

Jeffrey Norman Olsen

Robert Muir Armstrong

Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simpler, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems

A generally hands-free, voice communication system in combination with a head-protective helmet. The helmet protects the wearer's head and the communications system permits voice communications between journeyman personnel, e.g. firefighters, police, military, industrial, hazardous material handling personnel, in relatively close proximity with each other and between journeymen and a group leader; and the group leader's communication system to also permit relatively long-range communication between the group leader and a relatively distant communications center such as a fire engine or distant fire company, base station or repeater.

Combination head-protective helmet & communications system

Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simple, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a slding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping, and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simpler, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

An obstruction detecting reversing apparatus is disclosed for a motor driven device, such as a powered vehicle door or window system, wherein the device undergoes varying loads, and consequently varying current draws, during normal operation. In order to accurately detect the presence of an obstruction, in light of such normally varying currents, the apparatus circuit logic monitors instantaneous motor current and compares it with the time average of motor current over a very short preceding time interval, which 'tracks' normal current draw in order to sense an obstruction-caused rise in motor current at virtually any stage of the door closing operation, and thus also accommodates normal changes in current draw caused by different gravity effects when the device is oriented in different grade-caused orientations.

Growing community of inventors

Easton, PA, United States of America

Lawrence H Zuckerman