Patents by Inventor Bruce Hepler

Bruce Hepler 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: 4982847
    Abstract: A board guide assembly (10) includes a printed wiring board (12) which is maintained at predetermined horizontal and vertical positions by a pair of guide mechanisms (42). The guide mechanism (42) includes a lower guide member (48) having a ramped upper surface to guide the board (12) upwards to the predetermined vertical position and an upper guide member (50) having a downwardly ramped lower surface to guide the board (12) downwardly to the predetermined vertical position between the upper and lower guide members (50, 48) and clamped therebetween. A deformable insert (46) is located between the upper and lower guide members (50, 48) to be inserted within a notch (22, 24) in the board (12). The insert (16) includes tabs (72, 74) extending therefrom on opposite sides and spaced apart along the insert (46) to provide force on the board (12) to position in the predetermined horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Acustar, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred H. Glover, Joseph T. Betterton, Bruce Hepler
  • Patent number: 4973188
    Abstract: A pointer bushing for securing an indicating element to an output shaft of an indicating instrument includes a base for spacing the pointer above the instrument face, a collar for connecting the base to the indicating element, and an S-shaped shaft gripping section for connecting the base to the output shaft. The output shaft connection includes a pair of posts which depend axially from the base, a reversely bent wing which extends from each arm, and a shaft gripping member forming the end of wing, the gripping members being in confronting relation to form a generally cylindrical, axially extending, radially expansible, socket for gripping the shaft whereby to fixedly hold the output shaft against relative rotative as well as axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred H. Glover, Joseph T. Betterton, Bruce Hepler
  • Patent number: 4846762
    Abstract: A shaft coupler particularly adapted for automated assembly to axially spaced ends of two axially aligned shafts such as are commonly found in an odometer assembly. The coupler has a main body portion with a guide portion adapted for insertion between the shaft ends and spaced legs at either end adapted for sliding insertion over flats formed on the shaft ends. The main body has a projection therefrom adapted to be gripplingly engaged by an installation tool. Also, the projection and tool define mutual nonsymmetrical portions for orienting the tool and coupler relative to the shaft so that the coupler may be installed thereto in a simple radially directed movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Bruce Hepler
  • Patent number: 4846760
    Abstract: A coupler to connect spaced apart ends of a pair of aligned shafts in an odometer assembly, for example, the shaft supporting a permanent or total mileage counting device and another shaft supporting a trip counting device. The coupler has a central body with a thin guide portion extending therefrom for insertion between the shaft ends. Each end of the coupler has a pair of spaced legs defining an open ended slot adapted to receive a shaft end. One leg on either end has a resilient catch-tab for holding the coupler in position on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Bruce Hepler
  • Patent number: 4842425
    Abstract: A support and retainer for a shaft to be supported in spaced overlying relation to a base member as found in an odometer assembly, including an upstanding projection or post which has a bearing portion for support purposes and further including an adjacent retainer member which extends generally parallel to the post and has a free end normally overlying the shaft end but movable in the shaft's axial direction to allow passage of the shaft end against the post's bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph T. Betterton, Alfred H. Glover, Bruce Hepler