Patents Assigned to Means Industries
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Publication number: 20070056825Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: March 15, 2007Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert Fetting, Brice Pawley
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Patent number: 7178375Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: James P. Badour
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Publication number: 20070034470Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2005Publication date: February 15, 2007Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert Fetting, Gregory Eisengruber
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Patent number: 7150347Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Doherty, Thomas Meier
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Publication number: 20060278487Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Brice Pawley, Brian Smithwick
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Publication number: 20060278486Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2005Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Brice Pawley, Brian Smithwick
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Publication number: 20060278488Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2005Publication date: December 14, 2006Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Brice Pawley, Jeffrey Prout
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Publication number: 20060249345Abstract: A planar overrunning coupling assembly for a geared transmission. The coupling assembly has a circular pocket plate, a notch plate, and torque transmitting struts in pockets formed in the pocket plate. The geometry of the pockets prevents displacement of the struts toward the notch plate under the influence of centrifugal force when the pocket plate overruns the notch plate. The pocket plate and the notch plate define in part friction disc coupling assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Ruth
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Publication number: 20060124425Abstract: A planar overrunning coupling for a geared transmission. The coupling has a circular pocket plate, a notch plate, and torque transmitting struts in pockets formed in the pocket plate. The notch plate has a snap ring groove that receives a snap ring, the geometry of the snap ring resisting disassembly of the coupling without the use of a special tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2004Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert Fetting, Gregory Eisengruber
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Publication number: 20060086171Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2004Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: James Badour
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Publication number: 20060065506Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2004Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doherty, Thomas Meier
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Publication number: 20050279602Abstract: A planar overrunning coupling assembly for a geared transmission. The coupling assembly has a circular pocket plate, a notch plate, and torque transmitting struts in pockets formed in the pocket plate. The geometry of the pockets prevents displacement of the struts toward the notch plate under the influence of centrifugal force when the pocket plate overruns the notch plate. The pocket plate and the notch plate define in part friction disc coupling assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2004Publication date: December 22, 2005Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Ruth
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Publication number: 20050263366Abstract: A mechanically applied coupling assembly (10) includes an annular housing (12) and an inner member (14) that are selectively rotatively coupled by a coupling pack (16) through operation of a set of actuating levers (26). The actuating levers have interlocking formations provided by a projection (36) and an opening (38) on opposite sides of each actuating lever so as to retain the actuating levers to each other and maintain positioning of the actuating levers with respect to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2004Publication date: December 1, 2005Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Gregory Eisengruber
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Publication number: 20050067250Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a housing disposed about an axis and having a retainer. The assembly further includes a coupling pack disposed about the axis, and an actuator lever having an end engaged with the retainer of the housing such that the actuator lever is pivotable with respect to the housing for applying an axial force on the coupling pack. Moreover, the retainer inhibits axial movement of the end of the actuator lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mark Willett, Dennis Berryhill, Michael Doherty
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Patent number: 6869257Abstract: A method for deburring and tool for use therein wherein workpiece-engaging portions of a cutter of the tool prevent the cutting of chamfers to hole edges of boreholes. The tool removes burrs from a drilling operation performed on a steering yoke. The yoke includes two boreholes on parallel legs that are drilled in line with one another. The boreholes must be burr-free with little or no chamfer. The cutter is spring-urged or loaded to pivot on a cylindrical shaft to expose cutting edges of the cutter after a predetermined amount of angular movement from a substantially vertical position. The workpiece-engaging portions prevent the cutter from digging in and cutting the chamfers. The cutter rotates into retracted positions within the shaft to allow the cutter to pass through the drilled boreholes so that the cutting edges of the cutter can deburr surfaces of the yoke at both sides of each of the legs.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth G. Wiles
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Patent number: 6854577Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first member having multiple first recesses, and a second member having multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recesses. Each recess includes a load-bearing surface. The clutch also includes multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members. At least one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
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Publication number: 20040216975Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first member having multiple first recesses, and a second member having multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recesses. Each recess includes a load-bearing surface. The clutch also includes multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members. At least one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
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Publication number: 20040101378Abstract: A method for deburring and tool for use therein wherein workpiece-engaging portions of a cutter of the tool prevent the cutting of chamfers to hole edges of boreholes. The tool removes burrs from a drilling operation performed on a steering yoke. The yoke includes two boreholes on parallel legs that are drilled in line with one another. The boreholes must be burr-free with little or no chamfer. The cutter is spring-urged or loaded to pivot on a cylindrical shaft to expose cutting edges of the cutter after a predetermined amount of angular movement from a substantially vertical position. The workpiece-engaging portions prevent the cutter from digging in and cutting the chamfers. The cutter rotates into retracted positions within the shaft to allow the cutter to pass through the drilled boreholes so that the cutting edges of the cutter can deburr surfaces of the yoke at both sides of each of the legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth G. Wiles
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Patent number: 6571926Abstract: A planar one-way clutch includes a pair of clutch members whose operative faces are disposed in close-spaced opposition, with each clutch face including a plurality of recesses defining respective load-bearing shoulders. A plurality of struts, disposed between the coupling faces of the members, and movable between a coupling position and a non-coupling position, mechanically couple the members for rotation when one member rotates in one direction relative to the other member, while further permitting clutch overrun when the one member rotates in the other direction relative to the other member. The recesses of one member each include a ramped surface opposite the member's load-bearing shoulder. Each ramped surface includes a convex surface portion which engages the struts during clutch overrun so as to urge the struts into the non-coupling position.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Brice Pawley
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Patent number: RE38498Abstract: A one-way clutch apparatus comprising a driving member having a plurality of recesses, a corresponding plurality of biasing members disposed in the recess, a corresponding number of keys or struts disposed over the biasing members in the recesses, and a driven member having a plurality of key-engaging notches formed circumferentially about an inside surface. Each of the keys includes a pair of laterally protruding arm portions and each of the arm portions has a ramp formed thereon which acts as a relief to allow the inside surface of the driven member to be placed to close proximate relationship with the inside surface of a driving member and to overlay portions of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Ruth, Brian D. Klecker, A. Richard Frank