The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 10, 1978
Filed:
Jul. 01, 1977
Richard F Ayotte, Livonia, MI (US);
Trevor O Jones, Birmingham, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A dual-vehicle operating system permits the simultaneous operation of two automobiles at one time under substantially identical conditions by a single operator. The system has a lead vehicle, with a driver, a servo operated driverless trailing vehicle, and a zero-force mechanical connecting link. An electronic control 'drives' the trailing vehicle through servo controls which operate the throttle pedal, brake pedal and steering system of the trailing vehicle. The zero-force link contains transducers which provide lead vehicle responsive inputs to the electronic control so that the trailing vehicle mimics the lead vehicle. Both a manual and an automatic override of the electronic control are present to convert the zero-force link to a mechanical towing system.