Patents Assigned to Means Industries, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20100252384
    Abstract: A controllable coupling assembly including a coupling member and an overrunning coupling and control assembly utilizing same are provided wherein a set of actuators are supported on a control member of the assembly for movement therewith to move or pivot respective struts received within pockets of the coupling member. Apparatus is responsive to a control pressure signal to exert a control force on the control member to cause the control member to move from its first position which corresponds to a first mode of the coupling assembly to its second position which corresponds to a second mode of the coupling assembly. The coupling assembly may be an overrunning clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Eisengruber
  • Publication number: 20100230226
    Abstract: An overrunning one-way clutch or coupling assembly includes a first outer coupling member and an inner coupling member which together have a first pair of annular coupling faces therebetween and a second outer coupling member which together with the inner coupling member have a second pair of annular coupling faces therebetween. Both pairs of coupling faces are formed with sets of pockets and locking formations. Forward and reverse sets of struts are located in pockets axially spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Prout
  • Publication number: 20100200358
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assemblies, each of which includes control apparatus having a latching mechanism are provided. Each latching mechanism prevents an actuator arm of an overrunning coupling assembly from moving in a first direction substantially parallel to a shift direction of a control plate of the coupling assembly within a housing slot in a locked condition of the mechanism in a first position of the control plate. A control pressure signal within a bore of the housing changes the condition of the latching mechanism from locked to unlocked to unlock the actuator arm and causes the unlocked actuator arm to move along the first direction within the slot and the control element to move along the shift direction to a second position. The control pressure signal also causes a piston which has a groove formed in its outer surface to receive and retain a free end portion of the actuator arm to slide within the bore in the housing against the biasing force of the at least one biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Eisengruber, Terry O. Hendrick, Jeffrey C. Hoppe, Robert D. Fetting, Joshua A. Bukoffosky
  • Publication number: 20090211863
    Abstract: A controllable overrunning coupling assembly includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between a first pair of coupling faces of first and second coupling members relative to reverse pockets formed in one of the coupling faces. The first pair of coupling faces oppose each other and are oriented to face axially along a common rotational axis. The control member is operable for controlling position of only reverse struts in the reverse pockets without controlling the position of forward rockers in forward pockets formed in a coupling face of a second pair of coupling faces of the coupling members that oppose each other and are oriented to face radially with respect to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Publication number: 20090159391
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly includes a control element mounted for controlled shifting movement between coupling faces of annular coupling members relative to a first set of pockets in the first member. The control element is operable for controlling position of only reverse struts in the first set of pockets without controlling the position of forward struts in a second set of pockets in the coupling face of the second member. The control element allows at least one of the reverse struts to engage at least one of a set of locking formations on the coupling face of the second coupling member in a first position of the control element. The control element maintains the reverse struts in their pockets in a second position of the control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Eisengruber
  • Publication number: 20090098970
    Abstract: A high-efficiency vehicular transmission is provided. The transmission includes a transmission housing, a set of torque delivery elements which include first and second elements supported for rotation within the housing and an electric motor for changing angular velocity of at least one of the elements in response to an electrical signal during a shift to obtain a desired transmission ratio. At least one non-friction controllable coupling assembly has a coupling state for coupling the first element to either the second element or the housing and an uncoupling state for uncoupling the first element from either the second element or the housing, respectively. The at least one coupling assembly is non-hydraulically controlled to change state to maintain the desired transmission ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: James W. Kimes
  • Publication number: 20090045024
    Abstract: An overrunning radial coupling assembly having dual bearing support is provided. The assembly includes an inner member having an outer peripheral surface and an outer member having an inner peripheral surface adjacent the outer peripheral surface in radially inner and radially outer relationship. At least one of the members is mounted for rotation about an axis. One of the members includes pockets angularly spaced about the axis. Each of the pockets has a closed end and an open end located axially opposite the closed end. The assembly further includes a plurality of pawls. Each of the pawls is located in a pocket and is supported to pivot toward the peripheral surface of the other of the members. The assembly still further includes a retainer secured to one of the members. The retainer covers the open end of the pockets. The inner and outer peripheral surfaces define a first radial bearing interface adjacent the closed end of each of the pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
  • Patent number: 7484605
    Abstract: The overrunning radial coupling assembly or clutch and a method of controlling the engagement of inner and outer plates or members of the assembly are provided wherein adjacent engaging radial locking pawls are selectively controlled by a single, rotatable control plate or element to obtain full lock, one-way lock and one-way overrun conditions. The assembly includes free-floating, forward pawls and free-floating, reverse pawls adjacent to their respective forward pawls. The forward and reverse pawls are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position (i.e., full lock condition) and a disengaged position in which the outer member is permitted to free-wheel relative to the inner member in the one-way overrun condition in one direction about a first axis and the outer member is locked to the inner member in the one-way lock condition in the opposite direction. A number of different embodiments of the assembly and method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Brian W. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 7387193
    Abstract: A drum assembly for use with a coupling arrangement includes an outer member and an inner member that is mountable on the outer member. The outer member includes first and second annular portions and an intermediate portion extending between the annular portions. The first annular portion has a first mating surface that defines a first opening having a first diameter, the second annular portion defines a second opening having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and the intermediate portion defines a shoulder. The inner member includes a generally radially extending portion having a generally axially facing surface and a second mating surface that is engageable with the first mating surface to interlock the inner and outer members together. When the inner member is mounted on the outer member, the radially extending portion extends into the first opening, and the generally axially facing surface engages the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Doherty, Thomas Meier
  • Publication number: 20080135369
    Abstract: A one-way clutch (20) includes a notch plate (22), and a stamped pocket plate (24) having an annular flange (38) and a splined axial sleeve (40). Semi-pierced strut pockets (44) are stamped in the annular flange (38) of the pocket plate (24) and each includes a stamped spring pocket (46) for receiving an associated spring (28) that biases a strut (26) received within the strut pocket. Holes (48i) are initially stamped in the annular flange 38 and the spring pockets (46) are then stamped thereabout prior to the semi-piercing of the strut pockets (44). Semi-pierced pads (50) in the annular flange (38) alternate circumferentially with the strut pockets (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Meier
  • Publication number: 20080110715
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a first coupling member having a pocket and a fluid passage that extends toward the pocket, and a second coupling member having a locking formation. The assembly further includes an engaging member that is received in the pocket and that is engageable with the locking formation. The fluid passage is configured to supply pressurized fluid toward the pocket to move the engaging member into contact with the locking formation to effect torque transfer between the coupling members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brice A. Pawley
  • Patent number: 7344010
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly and a method of controlling the engagement of planar first and second members are provided wherein the assembly includes clustered pawls and their respective pawl-holding portions. The planar first and second members have inside surfaces extending generally normal to a first axis. The pawls include a forward set of free-floating pawls and a reverse set of free-floating, clustered pawls. The forward and reverse sets of pawls are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position and a disengaged position. Because of the clustering, a control element, disposed between the first and second surfaces, need not be fully circular and is controllably rotatable about the first axis between first and second angular positions relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Fetting, Jr., Brice A. Pawley
  • Patent number: 7296668
    Abstract: An overrunning clutch (24) has first and second clutch members (30, 32) having coupling faces (34) and (36) between which spring biased pivotal struts (40) and locking formations (44) cooperate to prevent relative rotation in only one direction. A snap ring (48) and thrust plate (50) cooperate to axially secure the clutch members (30) and (32) to each other and the thrust plate has a retainer (52) projecting therefrom to prevent rotation. The retainer (52) in certain embodiments is received between ends (58) of the snap ring (48) to prevent thrust plate rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Fetting, Jr., Gregory M. Eisengruber
  • Patent number: 7275628
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly having improved shift feel and/or noise reduction is provided. The assembly includes planar first and second members rotatable about a first axis. In a locked position, torque transfer is permitted between the first and second members in a first direction about the first axis. In a disengaged position, the first and second members are permitted to free-wheel relative to each other in a second direction opposite the first direction. A compliant retaining device retains the first and second members together and absorbs axial impact loads. The retaining device is less compliant in the locked position than in the disengaged position to decrease axial force at time of axial impact and improve shift feel and/or noise reduction. In a first embodiment, the retaining device includes a wave spring. In a second embodiment, the retaining device includes a stepped weir plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Means Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Jeffrey J. Prout
  • Patent number: 7258214
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly and a method of controlling the engagement of planar first and second members are provided wherein two sets of opposed engaging struts are applied with one motion of a single control plate or member. The planar first and second members have inside surfaces extending generally normal to a first axis. The assembly includes free-floating, forward keys and free-floating, reverse keys opposed to the forward keys. The forward and reverse keys are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position and a disengaged position in which the second member is permitted to free-wheel relative to the first member. The planar control member is disposed between the first and second surfaces and is controllably rotatable about the first axis between first and second angular positions relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Brian W. Smithwick
  • Publication number: 20070084694
    Abstract: A drum assembly for use with a coupling arrangement includes an outer member and an inner member that is mountable on the outer member. The outer member includes first and second annular portions and an intermediate portion extending between the annular portions. The first annular portion has a first mating surface that defines a first opening having a first diameter, the second annular portion defines a second opening having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and the intermediate portion defines a shoulder. The inner member includes a generally radially extending portion having a generally axially facing surface and a second mating surface that is engageable with the first mating surface to interlock the inner and outer members together. When the inner member is mounted on the outer member, the radially extending portion extends into the first opening, and the generally axially facing surface engages the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Doherty, Thomas Meier
  • Publication number: 20070056825
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly and a method of controlling the engagement of planar first and second members are provided wherein the assembly includes clustered pawls and their respective pawl-holding portions. The planar first and second members have inside surfaces extending generally normal to a first axis. The pawls include a forward set of free-floating pawls and a reverse set of free-floating, clustered pawls. The forward and reverse sets of pawls are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position and a disengaged position. Because of the clustering, a control element, disposed between the first and second surfaces, need not be fully circular and is controllably rotatable about the first axis between first and second angular positions relative to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Fetting, Brice Pawley
  • Patent number: 7178375
    Abstract: Stamped and deburred clutch discs (20a, 20b) are provided by progressive stamping apparatus (46) whose method of use performs a two step stamping of the clutch disc blank and a third deburring stamping step that removes burrs on opposite axial faces by contact in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Badour
  • Publication number: 20070034470
    Abstract: An overrunning clutch (24) has first and second clutch members (30, 32) having coupling faces (34) and (36) between which spring biased pivotal struts (40) and locking formations (44) cooperate to prevent relative rotation in only one direction. A snap ring (48) and thrust plate (50) cooperate to axially secure the clutch members (30) and (32) to each other and the thrust plate has a retainer (52) projecting therefrom to prevent rotation. The retainer (52) in certain embodiments is received between ends (58) of the snap ring (48) to prevent thrust plate rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Fetting, Gregory Eisengruber
  • Patent number: 7150347
    Abstract: A drum assembly for use with a coupling arrangement includes an outer member and an inner member that is mountable on the outer member. The outer member includes first and second annular portions connected together. The first annular portion has a first mating surface that defines a first opening having a first diameter, and the second annular portion defining a second opening having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The inner member includes a generally radially extending portion and a flange portion extending generally axially from the radially extending portion. The radially extending portion includes a second mating surface that is engageable with the first mating surface to interlock the inner and outer members together. When the inner member is mounted on the outer member, the radially extending portion extends into the first opening, and the flange portion extends into the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Doherty, Thomas Meier