US 12240456

US Patent 12240456, titled "Vehicle gear selection control," was invented by Bennet Langlotz and is assigned to Bulletproof Property Management LLC. The application for this patent was filed on October 27, 2024, and the patent was issued on March 4, 2025.

Abstract:
The patent describes a motor vehicle designed for driver operation, featuring a frame with wheels and a motor. A steering control is connected to the wheels to establish a steering angle. A controller, operably connected to the steering control, motor, and wheels, can drive the wheels in a forward (drive mode) or rearward (reverse mode) direction. Crucially, this drive system can select a direction for driving the wheels in response to a pattern of steering angle movements, eliminating the need for the operator to explicitly indicate a direction.

Independent Claims Overview:

Claim 1:
This claim describes a motor vehicle that includes a frame, wheels, a motor, and a steering control that sets a steering angle. It further specifies a "drive system" connected to the steering, motor, and wheels. This drive system is capable of moving the vehicle forward or backward. The core of the invention lies in this drive system's ability to automatically choose the vehicle's driving direction (forward or reverse) based on a detected pattern of steering wheel movements, without the driver having to manually select the direction.

Litigation Status:
The patent family for US12240456 is currently involved in litigation. A "First worldwide family litigation" has been filed. Additionally, a US case has been filed in the Texas Western District Court (case number 1:25-cv-00665). A PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2026-00228, has also been filed and is pending.