Patents Assigned to L & W Engineering
  • Patent number: 11866799
    Abstract: A method of producing a shaped structure support, e.g., for a vehicle, is disclosed. The method includes: heating a hollow workpiece of a steel material to a material transformation temperature range; deforming the hollow workpiece in a press into the shaped structure support having a predefined complex geometry while the hollow workpiece is in the material transformation temperature range; and quenching the hollow workpiece through contact with a press tool of the press to provide the shaped structure support with a martensitic microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: L & W Engineering
    Inventors: Dean Richardson, Jason Bigelow
  • Patent number: 11021768
    Abstract: A method of producing a structure support may include: providing a hollow workpiece composed of a steel material; heating the hollow workpiece to an austenitizing temperature range to provide the steel material with an austenitic microstructure; forming the hollow workpiece into a predefined complex geometry while the hollow workpiece is still in the austenitizing temperature range; and cooling the hollow workpiece with the predefined complex geometry to transform the austenitic microstructure into a martensitic microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: L&W Engineering
    Inventors: Dean Richardson, Jason Bigelow
  • Patent number: 10040108
    Abstract: A support may include a hollow metallic tube extending over an axis and may include two opposing ends. The tube may include a plurality of sections disposed along the axis. A first section may be disposed at an end of the tube and include a first inner diameter, a first outer diameter, and a first wall thickness. A second section may be separated from the first section via a first transition zone. The second section may include a second inner diameter, a second outer diameter, and a second wall thickness. A third section may be disposed remote from the first section and be separated from the second section via a second transition zone. The third section may have a third inner diameter, a third outer diameter, and a third wall thickness. The wall thickness, inner diameter and outer diameter may vary along the tube between the plurality of sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: L&W Engineering
    Inventor: Jim Wines
  • Patent number: 9994927
    Abstract: A support may include a hollow metallic tube having two opposing ends and a body extending over a longitudinal axis of the tube. The tube may have a steel composition that may include, by weight, the following concentrations: approximately 0.19 to 0.27% carbon; approximately 0.0005% to 0.004% boron; approximately 1.5% to 2.5% manganese; and less than or equal to approximately 0.35% chromium, the balance including iron and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: L&W Engineering
    Inventors: Jim Wines, Joshua Forquer, Jason Bigelow
  • Patent number: 9546746
    Abstract: A support structure may include a metallic tube having two opposing ends. The first end may have a first length, a first wall thickness, and a first outer diameter. The second end may have a second length, a second wall thickness, and a second outer diameter. A transition area may be disposed between the first length and the second length. The first wall thickness may be greater than the second wall thickness thereby providing variable thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: L & W ENGINEERING
    Inventors: Scott Jones, Joshua Forquer
  • Publication number: 20160084433
    Abstract: A support may include a hollow metallic tube extending over an axis and may include two opposing ends. The tube may include a plurality of sections disposed along the axis. A first section may be disposed at an end of the tube and include a first inner diameter, a first outer diameter, and a first wall thickness. A second section may be separated from the first section via a first transition zone. The second section may include a second inner diameter, a second outer diameter, and a second wall thickness. A third section may be disposed remote from the first section and be separated from the second section via a second transition zone. The third section may have a third inner diameter, a third outer diameter, and a third wall thickness. The wall thickness, inner diameter and outer diameter may vary along the tube between the plurality of sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: L & W Engineering
    Inventor: Jim Wines
  • Publication number: 20140190586
    Abstract: A support structure may include a metallic tube having two opposing ends. The first end may have a first length, a first wall thickness, and a first outer diameter. The second end may have a second length, a second wall thickness, and a second outer diameter. A transition area may be disposed between the first length and the second length. The first wall thickness may be greater than the second wall thickness thereby providing variable thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: L & W Engineering
    Inventors: Scott Jones, Joshua Forquer
  • Publication number: 20120223540
    Abstract: A lift mechanism for raising and lowering a movable roof on a recreational vehicle. The lift mechanism includes a base, a drive assembly attached to the base, and an elevation assembly attached to the base and configured for cooperation with the drive assembly. The elevation assembly is configured to operate between a lowered position and a raised position to provide vertical movement to the movable roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: L&W ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Peck
  • Patent number: 7407221
    Abstract: A support structure for components within a vehicle is provided. The support structure includes a beam comprising a hollow metal tube coupled to vehicle's body. The tube is constructed of a single piece of tubing having first and second portions. The first portion has a first diameter and a first thickness, the second portion has a second diameter and a second thickness. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: L&W Engineering Incorporated
    Inventors: James Kring, Gene Goins, Dean Richardson
  • Patent number: 6837518
    Abstract: An energy absorbing knee bolster for use in an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The knee bolster is configured to absorb energy from the vehicle's occupants during a crash. The knee bolster is formed of a collapsible cylinder which is welded to an impact plate on its first end and to a vehicle's cross-car beam at its second end. A coupling flange is disposed between the impact plate and a medial portion of the collapsible cylinder. The collapsible cylinder is configured to axially collapse at a predetermined force when impacted by a moving occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: L&W Engineering Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian J. Mullan
  • Patent number: 5549319
    Abstract: A toe-in angle adjustment mechanism is provided which comprises a geared adjustment plate that is attached to a suspension arm for a rear wheel. The adjustment plate has a bushing centrally mounted therein and is connected to the wheel spindle. A locking plate is provided to prevent unwanted frame movement of the wheel angle during adjustment. The locking plate has an access for a geared adjustment tool for engaging the teeth of the adjustment plate to pivot the adjustment plate and thus the spindle to adjust the toe-in angle of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: L & W Engineering Company
    Inventor: James T. Kring