Patents by Inventor Michael A. Kidd

Michael A. Kidd 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: 20150285370
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a manual transmission includes a hollow shift lever having a shift knob provided thereon. A noise and vibration damper includes a hollow housing that is connected to the hollow shift lever, and a damper assembly is provided within the hollow housing of the noise and vibration damper. The damper assembly is adapted to be connected to a control member of a manually operable transmission. A line extends from the shift knob provided on the hollow shift lever and through the interior of the hollow shift lever. The line is adapted to control the operation of the manually operable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: TREMEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas P. Armitage, Michael A. Kidd
  • Patent number: 9086129
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a manual transmission includes a hollow shift lever having a shift knob provided thereon. A noise and vibration damper includes a hollow housing that is connected to the hollow shift lever, and a damper assembly is provided within the hollow housing of the noise and vibration damper. The damper assembly is adapted to be connected to a control member of a manually operable transmission. A line extends from the shift knob provided on the hollow shift lever and through the interior of the hollow shift lever. The line is adapted to control the operation of the manually operable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: TREMEC Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas P. Armitage, Michael A. Kidd
  • Publication number: 20100122600
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a manual transmission includes a hollow shift lever having a shift knob provided thereon. A noise and vibration damper includes a hollow housing that is connected to the hollow shift lever, and a damper assembly is provided within the hollow housing of the noise and vibration damper. The damper assembly is adapted to be connected to a control member of a manually operable transmission. A line extends from the shift knob provided on the hollow shift lever and through the interior of the hollow shift lever. The line is adapted to control the operation of the manually operable transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas P. Armitage, Michael A. Kidd
  • Publication number: 20080115420
    Abstract: An up-stop mechanism for a vehicular window provides, in some embodiments of the present invention, a means of adjustment of a window position from inside the vehicle, rather than, for example, through its beltline. Embodiments of the present invention may also permit adjustment of the window without loss of the position of the up stop and, with it, the vertical limit of the controlled window pane. Fine adjustment of the window position is also enabled through the use of indirect control of the position of the up stop and gradations on an adjacent base plate, on which the up stop is adjustably mounted. Embodiments of the present invention may provide an adjustment interface on a portion of an up stop, while a complementary interface, designed to engage the adjustment interface of the up stop, may be provided on an adjusting component, most preferably one that is borne or mounted separately from the up stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Kidd, Lawrence J. Olivieri
  • Publication number: 20060207838
    Abstract: A wheel assembly having a braking mechanism that is actuated by centrifugal force. The braking mechanism includes a rotating hub insert having a first pocket, a thread guard having a second pocket fixed relative to the frame of the wheel assembly, and an internal ball between the rotating hub insert and the thread guard. The internal ball can be flung by centrifugal force from the first rotating pocket to the second fixed pocket to cause a braking force from contact of the ball in the second pocket with the rotating hub insert. The amount of centrifugal force required to fling the ball into the second pocket can be calculated for rotation of the wheel greater than a certain predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Kidd, Gerald Cline
  • Publication number: 20060207841
    Abstract: A wheel assembly having a braking mechanism that is actuated by centrifugal force. The braking mechanism includes a rotating hub insert having a first pocket, a thread guard having a second pocket fixed relative to the frame of the wheel assembly, and an internal ball between the rotating hub insert and the thread guard. The internal ball can be flung by centrifugal force from the first rotating pocket to the second fixed pocket to cause a braking force from contact of the ball in the second pocket with the rotating hub insert. The amount of centrifugal force required to fling the ball into the second pocket can be calculated for rotation of the wheel greater than a certain predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Kidd, Gerald Cline
  • Publication number: 20030118259
    Abstract: A bearing assembly having integral molded bearing surfaces. Each bearing surface is molded within its respective inner and outer race. The use of plastic injection molded parts enables high precision with low cost to achieve a reliably rotating caster wheel. The use of integral molded bearing surfaces within the respective races eliminates the problem of having to remove flash from the molding process or concern about indentations made by ejection pins if a separate bearing part were used. The use of a split spanner bushing with the openings of the inner race members permits the bearings to be more easily assembled as well provides greater strength and integrity to the bearing assembly once it is molded into a hub and wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas E. Denner, Michael Kidd
  • Publication number: 20020159661
    Abstract: A bearing assembly having integral molded bearing surfaces. Each bearing surface is molded within its respective inner and outer race. The use of plastic injection molded parts enables high precision with low cost to achieve a reliably rotating caster wheel. The use of integral molded bearing surfaces within the respective races eliminates the problem of having to remove flash from the molding process or concern about indentations made by ejection pins if a separate bearing part were used. The bearing assembly can also be used with a molding process wheel to further reduce the cost of production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas E. Denner, Michael Kidd
  • Patent number: 3952962
    Abstract: A cable drum of the type which is penetrated from end to end by a central hole is provided with means for supporting the drum in an up-ended position on a cushion of pressurised fluid, (e.g. water). The said means comprise a flexible skirt of annular form disposed around the periphery of what, in use, is the lower end of the drum so as to define a cushion space, and water pump means whereby pressurised water can be supplied to said cushion space by way of the said central hole so as to support said drum.The invention also comprises a method of unreeling a cable from a cable drum of the type which is penetrated from end to end by a central hole, comprising the steps of disposing the drum on a surface in an upright position, forming at least one cushion of pressurised fluid (e.g. water) beneath the lower end of the drum and allowing the drum to rotate about an upright axis whilst supported by said cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: Mackley-Ace Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Michael Kidd