Patents by Inventor James R. Zinke

James R. Zinke 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).

  • Patent number: 6325737
    Abstract: A differential casing is provided which is rotatable about an axis. The differential casing is generally cylindrically shaped and defines a first end surface and a second end surface. A pair of side gears is disposed within the differential casing and is individually rotatable about the axis. At least one pair of pinion bores are also formed in the differential casing and extend substantially through the second end surface of the differential casing. Pinion gears are slidably and rotatably disposed in the pinion bores for transmitting power from the engine to the pair of side gears. The pinion gears have rotational axes that are fixed in relation to the differential casing and are engaged with the pair of side gears. Each pair of pinion gears further include a mutually meshing portion, which extends beyond the second end surface of the differential casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Zinke, Garrett W. Gage
  • Patent number: 6013004
    Abstract: Parallel-axis gear differentials include a housing rotatable about a common axis of a pair of output shafts, and a planetary gearset mounted in the housing for interconnecting the output shafts. The gearset includes a pair of side gears positioned within the housing and fixed for rotation with the output shafts, and two or more pairs of meshed pinions journally mounted in gear pockets formed in the housing, with each pinion having a gear segment meshed with a gear segment of the other pinion and with one of the side gears. An anti-tipping mechanism includes brake shoes that are journalled on stub shaft segments of the pinions. Each brake shoe has a first support surface which mates with the outer diameter surface of a corresponding side gear, a second support surface which mates with the outer diameter surface of the gear segment on the adjacent meshed pinion, and a third support surface which mates with the wall surface of the gear pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett W. Gage, James R. Zinke, II
  • Patent number: 5586792
    Abstract: A quick connector coupling for a fluid line includes a hollow female connector body which receives a tubular male member with a raised annular upset. A retainer is demountably coupled to the connector body. The retainer includes two spaced beams which extend through slots in the connector body from a cross member postioned outside of the connector body. The beams are positioned between the upset and an end of the connector body, and have a relaxed spacing less than the upset diameter such that the male member is secured in the connector body. A release protrusion projects from each retainer beam between the cross member and the connector body. The release protrusions have cam surfaces cooperable with an external surface of the connector body to spread the retainer beams apart when the cross member is pressed toward the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Bundy Corporation
    Inventors: Gopichand Kalahasthy, James R. Zinke, II
  • Patent number: 5425347
    Abstract: A connector for attaching an exhaust gas recirculation tube to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. A thermal isolator surrounds an end of the tube and includes a sleeve contacting the tube and merging with a cylindrical body portion which is spaced from the tube. An upset bead is formed in the body portion. The tube and thermal isolator are inserted into a flange surrounding an opening formed in the intake manifold. A retainer is inserted into the flange and rotated such that latching devices on the retainer engage hooks on the flange to prevent removal of the retainer from the flange. The retainer also has ribs for supporting the body portion of the thermal isolator. The retainer is sized to engage the bead of the thermal isolator to prevent removal of the thermal isolator and tube from the flange. The flange and thermal isolator are sealed against fluid leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Bundy Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Zinke, II