Patents by Inventor Brian M. McLaughlin

Brian M. McLaughlin 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: 5579873
    Abstract: A brake actuator vibration isolation system wherein a spring is provided between and separates an actuator and a lever of a caliper for retarding vibration of the actuator relative to the lever when the brake assembly is not actuated. The spring is preloaded by the actuator pin and one or more washers. The spring characteristics are selected to retard the anticipated vibration of the actuator relative to the lever when the brake caliper assembly is not actuated. Selecting includes selecting the preloading of the spring by the actuator pin, selecting the thickness of a washer about the actuator pin to vary the preloading of the spring, and selecting the material of the spring, its cross-section as well as other characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kohar, Brian M. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 5547047
    Abstract: A system includes rigid non-metal washers separating a caliper lever from the bridge, a rigid non-metal bridge bushing separating a shaft of a bridge pin from the bridge and a rigid non-metal lever bushing separating the bridge pin from the lever. The bridge bushing and lever bushing absorb shock and transmit forces between the bridge pin, bridge and lever during the initial phase of the actuation of the brake caliper assembly. A non-metal spring is provided between the bridge pin and the lever to retard vibration of the bridge pin relative to the lever when the brake caliper assembly is not activated. The spring preferably includes at least one ring between the bridge pin and the lever and is in a recess of the lever bushing. The ring is pre-loaded by the bridge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kohar, Brian M. McLaughlin