Patents by Inventor Eric A. Keen

Eric A. Keen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060070588
    Abstract: A variable fan drive for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine is provided. A drive side assembly utilizes a hydraulic actuator to actuate a variable sheave assembly. The variable sheave assembly drives a sheave assembly of a driven side assembly by way of a v-belt. The hydraulic actuator has a piston coupled to the variable sheave assembly. The piston is hydraulically translated by pressurized engine oil from the internal combustion engine. An electronically controlled solenoid valve controlled by an engine or vehicle controller selectively controls the flow of engine oil for piston actuation. Thus the speed of the fan can be controlled based on various engine or vehicle operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Dennis Bowman, Eric Keen, Andy Appleton
  • Publication number: 20060017312
    Abstract: A folding chair has a height adjustable seat whose height is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder having locking springs is seated inside each of the two tubular front legs of the chair. A trigger mechanism allows the user to release the locking aspect of the springs, adjusting the height of the seat before locking the spring length again. The chair is supported by a pair of cylindrical sleeves that move up and down the front legs and that are connected by a seat stop bar that maintains the seat in a position ready for use because it is contacted by the straight rear edge of a pair of gussets connected to the sides of the seat. The chair seat pivots upward into a storage position through a pair of hollow pins connected to fittings at the top of the pneumatic cylinders and that move up and down the front legs within an elongated slot cut into each front leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Lee Alderman, Eric Keen
  • Publication number: 20060003871
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus combining a stationary bike and upper body extremity hand cycle, includes an upper hand crank assembly rotatable under a resistance load for upper body conditioning and a lower foot crank assembly rotatable under a resistance load for lower body conditioning. The upper hand crank assembly and lower foot crank assembly are independently connected to the resistance load through respective upper and lower driving belts. Either an upper clutch or lower clutch, communicating with the upper or lower crank assemblies respectively, selectively engages the driving belts to drive the resistance load. The upper and lower crank assemblies are independent of each other, and each is operable to separately engage the resistance load to transfer the resistance load to the respective upper hand crank assembly or lower foot crank assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Houghton, Eric Keen
  • Patent number: 6780215
    Abstract: The belt driven vacuum pump is provided on a work vehicle to supply the vacuum needed for the engine intake air pre-cleaner. The vacuum pump is driven at or proportional to the engine speed to ensure proper vacuum for the intake airflow. Preferably, the vacuum pump is integrated into an accessory support bracket that carries other belt driven components such as the alternator, etc. The support bracket forms the vacuum pump housing to reduce the number of components required for the vacuum pump. Air outlet passages are formed in the support bracket and are preferably directed toward accessories or engine components that can benefit from additional cooling provided by the vacuum pump exhaust air. The vacuum pump can also be equipped with a hose at the inlet and/or the exhaust sides of the vacuum pump to provide a vacuum cleaner or a blower for use on or about the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Keen, Brent A. Lyman, Dennis A. Bowman
  • Patent number: 6588524
    Abstract: The belt driven vacuum pump is provided on a work vehicle to supply the vacuum needed for the engine intake air pre-cleaner. The vacuum pump is driven at or proportional to the engine speed to ensure proper vacuum for the intake airflow. Preferably, the vacuum pump is integrated into an accessory support bracket that carries other belt driven components such as the alternator, etc. The support bracket forms the vacuum pump housing to reduce the number of components required for the vacuum pump. Air outlet passages are formed in the support bracket and are preferably directed toward accessories or engine components that can benefit from additional cooling provided by the vacuum pump exhaust air. The vacuum pump can also be equipped with a hose at the inlet and/or the exhaust sides of the vacuum pump to provide a vacuum cleaner or a blower for use on or about the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Keen, Brent A. Lyman, Dennis A. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20030116372
    Abstract: The belt driven vacuum pump is provided on a work vehicle to supply the vacuum needed for the engine intake air pre-cleaner. The vacuum pump is driven at or proportional to the engine speed to ensure proper vacuum for the intake airflow. Preferably, the vacuum pump is integrated into an accessory support bracket that carries other belt driven components such as the alternator, etc. The support bracket forms the vacuum pump housing to reduce the number of components required for the vacuum pump. Air outlet passages are formed in the support bracket and are preferably directed toward accessories or engine components that can benefit from additional cooling provided by the vacuum pump exhaust air. The vacuum pump can also be equipped with a hose at the inlet and/or the exhaust sides of the vacuum pump to provide a vacuum cleaner or a blower for use on or about the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Eric A. Keen, Brent A. Lyman, Dennis A. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20020179352
    Abstract: The belt driven vacuum pump is provided on a work vehicle to supply the vacuum needed for the engine intake air pre-cleaner. The vacuum pump is driven at or proportional to the engine speed to ensure proper vacuum for the intake airflow. Preferably, the vacuum pump is integrated into an accessory support bracket that carries other belt driven components such as the alternator, etc. The support bracket forms the vacuum pump housing to reduce the number of components required for the vacuum pump. Air outlet passages are formed in the support bracket and are preferably directed toward accessories or engine components that can benefit from additional cooling provided by the vacuum pump exhaust air. The vacuum pump can also be equipped with a hose at the inlet and/or the exhaust sides of the vacuum pump to provide a vacuum cleaner or a blower for use on or about the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Eric A. Keen, Brent A. Lyman, Dennis A. Bowman
  • Patent number: D355481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Eric Keen