Patents by Inventor Winston Platt

Winston Platt 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: 9333853
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline with an axle assembly having an input member, a first output member, a second output member and a power distribution system that includes a transmission and a differential. The differential has first and second differential outputs. The first differential output is coupled directly to the first output member. The transmission is configured to control rotary power transmitted through the differential to the first and second output members. The axle assembly is operable in a first mode, which has no effect on a torque transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member, a second mode, which reduces the torque that is transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member, and a third mode that increases the torque that is transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Winston Platt
  • Publication number: 20130001002
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Publication number: 20120255803
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Publication number: 20120192396
    Abstract: A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels. The method includes: removing the bearing caps from the carrier structure; disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly; moving the differential assembly away from carrier structure; mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing; replacing the bearing caps to the carrier structure; and re-engaging the shafts to the differential assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 8177014
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Publication number: 20120040795
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 8042639
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Publication number: 20110224044
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline with an axle assembly having an input member, a first output member, a second output member and a power distribution system that includes a transmission and a differential. The differential has first and second differential outputs. The first differential output is coupled directly to the first output member. The transmission is configured to control rotary power transmitted through the differential to the first and second output members. The axle assembly is operable in a first mode, which has no effect on a torque transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member, a second mode, which reduces the torque that is transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member, and a third mode that increases the torque that is transmitted from the second differential output to the second output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Winston Platt
  • Publication number: 20110218073
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 7984782
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 7951035
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline having an axle assembly with an input pinion, which is configured to receive a rotary input, a input ring gear, which is meshingly engaged with the input pinion, a first output member, a second output member and a power distribution system. The first output member is configured to drive a first vehicle wheel on a first side of a vehicle. The second output member is configured to drive a second vehicle wheel on a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side. The power distribution system is driven by the input ring gear and distributes drive torque between the first and second output members. The power distribution system includes a first continuously variable transmission. A method for operating a vehicle driveline is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Winston Platt
  • Publication number: 20100243356
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Publication number: 20090203487
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline having an axle assembly with an input pinion, which is configured to receive a rotary input, a input ring gear, which is meshingly engaged with the input pinion, a first output member, a second output member and a power distribution system. The first output member is configured to drive a first vehicle wheel on a first side of a vehicle. The second output member is configured to drive a second vehicle wheel on a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side. The power distribution system is driven by the input ring gear and distributes drive torque between the first and second output members. The power distribution system includes a first continuously variable transmission. A method for operating a vehicle driveline is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Winston Platt