Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm MacMillian, Sobanski & Todd, LLC
  • Patent number: 6154700
    Abstract: An integrated system for automatically controlling the operation of both an automated mechanical transmission and a multiple speed axle assembly in a vehicle drive train assembly includes a transmission actuator for operating the transmission in any one of a plurality of transmission gear ratios. The system further includes an axle actuator for operating the axle assembly in any one of a plurality of axle gear ratios. An electronic controller is provided for operating the transmission in a desired one of the plurality of transmission gear ratios and for operating the axle assembly in a desired one of the plurality of axle gear ratios to provide a desired overall gear ratio for the vehicle. To accomplish this, the electronic controller is responsive to one or more input signals that represent operating parameters of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6039156
    Abstract: A slide pin bushing for use in a vehicle disc brake caliper assembly adapted to selectively frictionally engage a rotor connected to a vehicle wheel includes an anchor plate adapted to be secured to a stationary component of the vehicle, and a caliper secured to the anchor plate for sliding movement relative thereto. A pair of brake pads are carried by the disc brake caliper assembly, and an actuation system is provided for selectively moving the brake pads axially toward and away from one another so as to selectively frictionally engage the rotor. An elastomeric slide pin bushing is disposed in a non-threaded opening formed in the caliper. The slide pin bushing includes a pair of opposed ends and an intermediate body section. The intermediate body section of the slide pin bushing is provided with a cylindrical inner surface having a generally roughened textured surface finish. A generally rigid sleeve is disposed within the slide pin bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kelsey Hayes Company
    Inventor: Daniel P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6029708
    Abstract: A pulsation noise damper has an axially symmetrical housing (4) forming a chamber (3) in which pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing in an elevator system hydraulic line can expand. For the collection of contaminates in the hydraulic fluid a filter (6) is arranged at one of a pair of input/output openings (5) formed the housing (4). A pair of compression elements (7), each in the shape of an elastic bellows, are positioned in end openings (4a) formed in the housing (4) and the stiffness of each is selectively adjusted by a movable pressure plate (8) coupled to a fastening element (9). In this way the pulsation noise damper can be adapted to various levels of pulsation energy. The compression elements (7) are retained by end caps (1) attached to the housing by fasteners (2) and the fastening elements (9) extend through the end caps and are fixed by nuts (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Charles P. Spell, II, Terry D. Holmes, Dean Chow
  • Patent number: 5947696
    Abstract: A tire pump mounted upon a wheel includes a reciprocating piston driven by one of a pendulum assembly or flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 5947562
    Abstract: A quick release seat assembly (10) including a seat (11) having a seat cushion (12) and a seat frame (14), and a frame (16), wherein a pair of front seat mounts (18) support the front of seat (11) and a pair of rear seat mounts (20) support the back of seat (11). A pair of overlapping tabs (38, 42) are associated with rear seat mounts (20) and a pair of upstanding locking pins (32) and corresponding coupling mechanisms (50) are associated with front seat mounts (18). Each coupling mechanism (50) includes a releasable latch that engages the upstanding locking pin (32) and holds seat (11) on frame (16). A common pull cord (54) jointly releases the latches in order to allow removal of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Grant C. Denton, Peter A. Swisshelm
  • Patent number: 5941612
    Abstract: A controller for a hydraulic control system includes a microprocessor having a diagnostic routine. The diagnostic routine is operable to exercise an arithmetic logic unit within the microprocessor to verify that the arithmetic logic unit is functioning properly. Upon detection of a malfunction of the arithmetic logic unit, the diagnostic routine disables the hydraulic control system and generates a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Scott E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5845966
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (10) including a side impact air bag module (40) mounted to one of the side bolsters (32,34) of a seat back (14). The seat back (14) having a layer of foam cushion (24) encased by a trim cover (26) and an opening (38) therein for receiving the air bag module (40). A trim ring (46) includes a flange (50) extending partially into the opening (38) and a lip (48) fixedly secured to the trim cover (26) around the perimeter of the opening (38) to provide a rigid entrance to receive and facilitate mounting of the air bag module (40) to the seat back (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Severinski, Linda M. Makowski
  • Patent number: D406341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: James M. Stefano