Patents by Inventor Ben Merrill

Ben Merrill 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: 7716833
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Metaldyne Chassis Products, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20080129106
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20050206221
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20040046440
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Patent number: 6634266
    Abstract: A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a wheel hub assembly for final finishing a flange face of the wheel hub includes a top portion having a bore formed therethrough. The fixture assembly includes a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism and a lower end opposite the upper end. The puller member has an encasing disposed therearound. The encasing has a lower portion for engaging a bearing of the wheel hub assembly and an upper portion in communication with the top portion. The fixture assembly also includes a lift mechanism for lifting the wheel hub assembly generally upward such that a surface of the bearing engages the lower end of the puller member. The lift mechanism is engageable with the lower end of the puller member such that the drive mechanism will rotate the puller member and the lift mechanism together to accomplish the final finishing of the flange face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Simpson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Patent number: 6485109
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Simpson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Patent number: 6450584
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20020067067
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Simpson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20010048242
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Simpson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Publication number: 20010045770
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: ARTZ & ARTZ PC
    Inventors: DANIEL BRINKER, BRIAN ELZERMAN, BEN MERRILL, ROBERT VELDMAN
  • Patent number: 6212981
    Abstract: A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a knuckle/hub assembly, including a knuckle, a wheel hub and a bearing, for final finishing of a flange face of the wheel hub includes a top portion, a first housing portion, and a second housing portion. The first housing portion is intended to engage a first appendage of the knuckle and the second housing portion is intended to engage a second appendage portion of the knuckle. The fixture assembly also includes a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism in order to rotate the knuckle/hub assembly and a lower end opposite the upper end. An encasing is disposed around the puller member and has a lower portion for contacting the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Simpson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman
  • Patent number: RE42914
    Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: DMI Edon LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Brinker, Brian Elzerman, Ben Merrill, Robert Veldman