Patents by Inventor Donald Burgoon

Donald Burgoon 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: 9291227
    Abstract: A brake assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor having connection tabs and a hub having bobbins, integrally formed or separate, with the rotor connection tabs being positioned between the hub bobbins and clamped together with a top plate. An ABS tone ring is fastened to the hub and is circumscribed by the rotor. Alternatively, an ABS tone ring can be formed as part of the top plate. A spring clip can be used with the top plate to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rotor rattling. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the hub in a common plane to prevent twisting in the fastener connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: PERFORMANCE FRICTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Wenqi Qian, Scott Andrew Paul, Craig A. Van Harken
  • Patent number: 8651247
    Abstract: A wheel bearing hub and disc brake rotor assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor (14) and a wheel mount (24), formed as a package bearing, fastened to the rotor with a connection assembly that promotes in plane torque transfer. The rotor has a flange form as a series of spaced tabs (20), and the wheel bearing hub (14) has a shoulder with complementary spaced tabs (34). The rotor is connected to the bearing hub by clamping a bridge (42) that spans the shoulder tabs over the rotor tabs. A spring clip (50) can be use with the bridge to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rattling. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the bearing hub in a common plane to prevent twisting. In one embodiment, the bearing hub shoulder tabs may be formed by milling or machining slots. In another embodiment, the bearing hub shoulder tabs may be formed by fine-blanking or stamping slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Performance Friction Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Wenqi Qian
  • Patent number: 7673723
    Abstract: A brake caliper assembly includes a caliper body connected to a torque plate via a mating protrusion and cavity that transfer torque through facing abutment surfaces to reduce twisting of the caliper. The mating protrusion and cavity provide a stiff connection and also allow use of a smaller, lighter connecting bolt. This arrangement eases removal and reinstallation of the caliper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Performance Friction Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Paul, Donald Burgoon
  • Publication number: 20090218183
    Abstract: A brake assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor having connection tabs and a hub having bobbins, integrally formed or separate, with the rotor connection tabs being positioned between the hub bobbins and clamped together with a top plate. An ABS tone ring is fastened to the hub and is circumscribed by the rotor. Alternatively, an ABS tone ring can be formed as part of the top plate. A spring clip can be used with the top plate to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rotor rattling. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the hub in a common plane to prevent twisting in the fastener connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: PERFORMANCE FRICTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Wenqi Qian, Scott Andrew Paul, Craig A. Van Harken
  • Patent number: 7438161
    Abstract: A brake caliper has a removable bridge that acts as a rigid mount for a pair of brake pad holders. The removable bridge is retained on the caliper body by spring loaded push button that allows quick removal for replacement of the brake pads, which is especially suited for automotive racing situations. The bridge is snapped in place and rigidly retained on caliper body when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Performance Friction Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Darrick Dong, Grafton Robertson, Wenqi Qian
  • Publication number: 20080149435
    Abstract: A wheel bearing hub and disc brake rotor assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor (14) and a wheel mount (24), formed as a package bearing, fastened to the rotor with a connection assembly that promotes in plane torque transfer. The rotor has a flange form as a series of spaced tabs (20), and the wheel bearing hub (14) has a shoulder with complementary spaced tabs (34). The rotor is connected to the bearing hub by clamping a bridge (42) that spans the shoulder tabs over the rotor tabs. A spring clip (50) can be use with the bridge to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rattling. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the bearing hub in a common plane to prevent twisting. In one embodiment, the bearing hub shoulder tabs may be formed by milling or machining slots. In another embodiment, the bearing hub shoulder tabs may be formed by fine-blanking or stamping slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: PERFORMANCE FRICTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Wenqi Qian
  • Publication number: 20060213730
    Abstract: A brake caliper has a removable bridge that acts as a rigid mount for a pair of brake pad holders. The removable bridge is retained on the caliper body by spring loaded push button that allows quick removal for replacement of the brake pads, which is especially suited for automotive racing situations. The bridge is snapped in place and rigidly retained on caliper body when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Darrick Dong, Grafton Robertson, Wenqi Qian
  • Publication number: 20050194224
    Abstract: A brake assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor and a wheel mount, formed as a hat portion, fastened to the rotor with a bobbin assembly. The rotor has a flange formed as a series of spaced tabs, and the bobbin assembly is bolted to the hat portion with the rotor flange clamped therebetween. A spring clip can be used with the bobbin to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rotor rattling. The bobbin has a binocular shape that receives a pair of bolts. A crush zone can be provided between the rotor and the bobbin yields to accommodate machining tolerances of the rotor and promote uniform torque transfer distribution to the hub. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the hat portion in a common plane to prevent twisting in the fastener connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Wenqi Qian, Jason Oakley
  • Publication number: 20040084261
    Abstract: A rotor for use in an automobile braking assembly has a plurality of indentations or dimples formed on the brake pad contact surface of the rotor. The dimples may be arranged in a pattern on the surface. The pattern can be a series of aligned dimples that extend radially in groups around the circumference of the disk. The disk may be ventilated. The dimpled rotor provides enhanced friction, without increased noise, and promotes uniform temperature distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Performance Friction Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Wenqi Qian