Remote control kit system for full-sized vehicle

• US 8,615,334 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2008
• Issued: 12/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terry Ewert
• Original Assignee: Terry Ewert
• Inventors: Ewert, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY, JASON R
• Application Number:
  US12/121,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20080288142A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,048 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701/48, 180/167, 180/320, 318/581, 318/587, 318/625, 744/733
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/02 for personal initiation
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/00 Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle

Abstract

A remote control kit system for installation in a full-sized vehicle, the kit for remotely controlling the vehicle, the kit including an engine starter module servo, a steering module, a brake and throttle module, a gear shift module servo and a hand-held remote controller unit. The present invention also includes a method for installing such a system. A hand-held remote controller unit sends signals which are received by the simple mechanical actuators which in turn directs the vehicle to start, to turn, to shift gears, to brake and or to accelerate as required. No permanent modification to the existing vehicle is required.

Claims

1. A kit for remotely controlling a motor vehicle capable of carrying passengers, the kit comprising:

an engine starter module for mounting in the motor vehicle for engaging a vehicle starter switch for starting the motor vehicle;

a steering module for mounting in the motor vehicle for engaging a steering wheel to effect steering of the steering wheel in response to electrical signals;

wherein the steering module further comprises a steering wheel mount bar, the mount bar crossing the vehicle steering wheel and clamped to a first and second opposing side of the vehicle steering wheel; and

a motor mount bar pivotally mounted to the steering wheel mount bar, the motor mount bar remaining in a generally horizontal position during movement of the vehicle steering wheel;

an activation motor, a drive gear box and a torque arm configured to be mounted on the motor mount bar wherein the torque arm is further configured to engage the motor mount bar at one end and a vehicle floor at another end;

a brake and throttle module configured to mount in the motor vehicle and effect actuating of a vehicle throttle pedal and brake pedal and effect braking and actuation of the throttle in response to electrical signals;

a gear shift module for mounting in the motor vehicle configured to engage a gear shift lever to shift gears;

a hand-held remote controller unit for transmitting signals; and

a receiver for mounting in the motor vehicle to receive receiving signals from the hand-held remote controller.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein said engine starter model further comprises a switch module actuator with a linkage arm having a clamp for attachment to the vehicle starter switch.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the brake and throttle module further comprises:

a mounting mechanism for mounting the brake and throttle module to a vehicle floor;

an actuation bar for pivotal mounting to the mounting mechanism, the actuation bar having a first end and a second end;

a throttle linkage arm mounted at one end to the first end of the actuation bar, and having a throttle pedal clamp for attachment to a throttle pedal of the vehicle; and

a brake linkage arm mounted at one end to the second end of the actuation bar, and having a brake pedal clamp at another end for clamping to the brake pedal.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the gear shift module further comprises:

a gear shift clamp for mounting to a vehicle gear shift stem;

a hold-down bracket for mounting to a vehicle shift button for holding down the vehicle shift button for enabling shifting of a vehicle gear shift; and

a linkage arm for attachment to a vehicle at one end and attached to the gear shift clamp at another end.

5. The kit of claim 3 and further comprising a brake throttle receiver for receiving electrical signals from the hand-held remote controller, and a brake and throttle motor attached to the actuation bar for pivotally moving the actuation bar.

6. The kit of claim 4 wherein the gear shift module further includes a gear shift servo motor attached to the linkage arm for moving the linkage arm.

7. A method for remotely controlling a full-sized motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

installing a gear shift module adjacent a factory gear shift in a vehicle such that the factory installed shifter button is depressible for shifting the vehicle gearshift in response to actuation signals being received;

positioning an engine start servo adjacent the vehicle started switch;

mounting a brake throttle module on the floor of the vehicle in front of the vehicle drivers'"'"' seat and attaching the throttle linkage arm to a throttle pedal by means of a three-piece pedal clamp and attaching a brake linkage arm to a vehicle brake by means of the three-piece brake pedal clamp;

clamping a steering wheel mount bar to first and second opposing sides of a vehicle steering wheel and mounting a motor mount bar to the wheel mount bar, the motor mount bar configured to remain generally horizontal while the vehicle steering wheel moves and an actuation motor, a drive gear box and an electrical connector are mounted on the motor mount bar;

anchoring a torque arm at a first end thereof at a first end of the motor mount bar and at a second end on a vehicle floor adjacent a vehicle driver'"'"'s seat, the torque arm for stabilizing the steering module; and

attaching electrical connections from each element to their respective electrical connectors on the brake/throttle module; and

controlling the vehicle with a remote control by transmitting signals to a receiver.