Patents by Inventor Colin A. Bird

Colin A. Bird 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: 5230659
    Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint, suitable for high speed low angle use, comprises outer and inner joint members (10,11) with engaging part-spherical surfaces (12,13) and arcuate ball-receiving grooves (14,15) diverging towards an end of the outer joint member closed by a closure member (17) with balls (16) held in the grooves by an element (31) and support member (32) which is pivoted on the closure member, and a spring (36) acting between the element (31) and support member (32) so that the balls are urged as far as possible into the grooves to take up clearances and maintain stability of the joint, particularly under no-torque conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Hardy Spicer Limited
    Inventors: Colin A. Bird, Keith J. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5224899
    Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripod type comprising a hollow outer joint member having a rotational axis and three interior guide grooves parallel to its rotational axis and equally circumferentially spaced thereabout, each guide groove having a base portion and opposed side portions; an inner joint member, inside the outer joint member, having a rotational axis and three arms equally spaced about this rotational axis and extending radially into the outer member guide grooves; each arm carrying a roller assembly with an outer roller element having an external surface engaging opposed side portions of a guide groove; an inner roller element mounted on the arm and supporting the outer roller element so that the outer roller element can rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm; and a guide element engaging the base portion of the guide groove for sliding movement therealong and also engaging the outer roller element to constrain the outer roller element against tilting r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Hardy Spicer Limited
    Inventors: Colin F. S. Turner, Colin A. Bird
  • Patent number: 5203741
    Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripod type, comprising an outer joint member (10) with three guide grooves (20), and an inner joint member with arms (13) each carrying a roller (21) which is able to rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm, wherein both the external surface (22) of the roller and each side portion of a guide groove (20) engaged thereby is of a gothic arch cross sectional shape to provide for angular contact between roller and guide groove and improve the guidance of the roller so that it remains aligned in the groove for rolling therealong and with the gothic arch section of the roller and/or guide groove side comprising arcuate portions with different centers of curvature, or having part-elliptical or part-involute portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Hardy Spicer Limited
    Inventors: Turner, Colin F. S., Colin A. Bird