Patents by Inventor Donald E. Hoffman
Donald E. Hoffman 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).
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Patent number: 6958028Abstract: A power transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input, first and second input shafts, a layshaft, drive elements connecting the input shafts to the output and layshaft, couplers, a first clutch for connecting and disconnecting the input and the first input shaft, and a second clutch for connecting and disconnecting the input and the second input shaft. A first torque path driveably connects the first input shaft to the layshaft. A second torque path driveably connects the second input shaft to the layshaft. A third torque path driveably connects the layshaft and output. A bridge torque path driveably connects the first input shaft and the output.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Janson, Reid Baldwin, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6572483Abstract: A playswing assembly apparatus comprising a spinning wheel having a central housing with a hub therewithin, and an elongated shaft arranged through the hub. The shaft is attached to a first and a second support arm. The first and second support arms may be adjustably connected to an overhead support to permit swinging of the spinning wheel to a to and fro swinging motion with respect to the overhead support. The hub includes a hand graspable spinning wheel rotatively supported therefrom to permit a simultaneous rotational motion to the player(s) during the to and fro swinging. A lower support may be coupled to the hub to allow further player support and yet further rotation of the player with respect to the spinning wheel and to the overhead support.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6453624Abstract: A playset tower assembly for young children to climb upon and in, while minimizing potential areas of injury and maximizing structural stability. The assembly includes an array of six corner posts having an upper and a lower end, with front and side facing surfaces thereon, and an arrangement of lower, intermediate and upper side beams connectively arranged therewith. Each of the beams have ends with mitered surfaces thereon to flushly engage their respective side facing surfaces of the six corner posts. Angled brackets are arranged for securing said beams to the six corner posts, the brackets being angled to minimize any spaces between said beams and said corner posts.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Creative Playthings, Ltd.Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6278764Abstract: Replicated x-ray optics are fabricated by sputter deposition of reflecting layers on a super-polished reusable mandrel. The reflecting layers are strengthened by a supporting multilayer that results in stronger stress-relieved reflecting surfaces that do not deform during separation from the mandrel. The supporting multilayer enhances the ability to part the replica from the mandrel without degradation in surface roughness. The reflecting surfaces are comparable in smoothness to the mandrel surface. An outer layer is electrodeposited on the supporting multilayer. A parting layer may be deposited directly on the mandrel before the reflecting surface to facilitate removal of the layered, tubular optic device from the mandrel without deformation. The inner reflecting surface of the shell can be a single layer grazing reflection mirror or a resonant multilayer mirror.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: The Regents of the Unviersity of CaliforniaInventors: Troy W. Barbee, Jr., Stephen M. Lane, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 5961390Abstract: The invention comprises a swing platform assembly for the safe securement and accommodation of a pair of user's feet, regardless of the size of the user, to permit the user to stand on the swing platform assembly for recreational swinging. The assembly comprises a planar panel of generally rectilinear configuration having an upper surface, a lower surface, a forward and a rearward edge, and a pair of side edges. A pair of support lines are arranged through an opening adjacent each of the side edges to permit the platform assembly to be supported off of the ground. A pair of elongated, generally parallel, multi-size foot-accommodating recesses are molded into the upper surface of planar panel, to allow any size foot to be maintained securely therein while swinging standing, without slippage of a user's foot from the swing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 5305593Abstract: Spun yarns are made at high speeds of up to 220 meters per minute, using spinning techniques in which air is used to twist the fibers of a three component blend, one component of which consists of staple fibers made from electrically conductive filaments having a denier no greater than 2.5 times the denier of the filaments of the other components.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: David J. Rodini, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 5263893Abstract: An air distribution housing in an automotive air conditioning system includes spaced wall portions forming an air passage for flow of conditioned air into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle; each of the wall portions having pins directed internally of the wall portions without forming openings therethrough and including distal ends thereon inserted into a tubular end portion of the valve member for pivotally supporting the valve member within the air passage without penetrating through the spaced wall portions so as to prevent air leakage and resultant noise from the air distribution housing. A method of assembly of the air distribution housing includes the steps of providing two separate housing parts with integrally formed pins on the inner surfaces thereof; providing a valve door with a pivot tube on one end thereof; vertically locating one end of the tube on one of the pins; thereafter joining the housing parts to locate the other pin in the other end of the pivot tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1992Date of Patent: November 23, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Peter J. Taylor
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Patent number: 5234185Abstract: A one-piece molded clamp having two portions connected by a living hinge defines cylindrical passages for two pipes and annular grooves for receiving beads on the pipes. A locking tang on one portion engages a mating cavity on the other portion to hold the clamp closed. The pipes pass through apertures in a wall and the clamp is mounted to the wall by a fastener passing through the clamp. Outstanding ribs on the wall hug the outer surface of the clamp to assist the locking tang in holding the clamp closed. A foam seal with a rubber surface layer is compressed between the clamp and the wall to prevent leaks through the wall apertures.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1992Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Frank C. Falzone
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Patent number: 5202086Abstract: A woven fabric of yarns spun from poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) staple fiber has been designed to provide protective garments of improved comfort.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Bantwal J. Baliga, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 5163505Abstract: A heater core is mounted over an opening in a wall of a heater and air conditioner case and secured by a single spring steel strap having a straight portion extending parallel to the tubes of the core and bearing on the header flanges. The strap has terminal hook portions which engage anchor apertures in the web outboard of the core. The apertures have flanged edges for engagement by the hook portions and the strap is manually flexed for engagement or disengagement of the hook portions during installation or removal of the strap so that no tools are required. One embodiment has a hook on one end of the strap and a snap fastener on the other end. Another embodiment has identical hooks on both ends of the strap.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1992Date of Patent: November 17, 1992Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Frank C. Falzone
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Patent number: 5101883Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system has a distribution duct separated into two channels by a baffle for supplying separate air streams to the passenger and driver sides of the vehicle compartment. Two temperature control doors associated with the heater core and evaporator separately admit an air mix to the two channels for independent control of driver and passenger side temperature. Optionally a single door is used in place of the two temperature control doors so that at the time of manufacture the system can be configured as a single zone system. A rear air discharge opening is provided in one of the channels to supply a duct leading to the rear seat region of the vehicle compartment.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1991Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Jeffrey C. Kinmartin, Frank C. Falzone, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 4828018Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioning and heating system having an evaporator and a valve controlled heater core is provided with a cold air bypass around the heater core and upper and lower compartment outlets which outlets and bypass are controlled by a single mode valve to provide a bi-level mode. In one embodiment, the mode valve comprises a singular valve element. In another embodiment, the mode valve comprises two valve elements which are linked together.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1987Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 4768545Abstract: An air conditioner assembly of the type including an air flow housing, an air flow valve rotatably mounted in the housing, and an actuator mounted on the housing. The actuator includes a rod extending therefrom. The rod and valve include first and second complementary connector parts, respectively. The second connector part is connectable with the first connector part by rotation of the actuator through approximately 90.degree. about the axis of the rod from a first orientation to a second orientation. The assembly includes a first bayonet coupling on the housing and a second bayonet coupling on the actuator for coupling the actuator to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1987Date of Patent: September 6, 1988Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 4711158Abstract: A vacuum operated actuator is provided with a centering mechanism that operates with a single spring to normally locate the output in a mid-position and also return same from both an extended position and a retracted position. The centering mechanism also includes a connector that may be changed to adjust the output for connection with the device to be actuated without changing the centering and return operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1985Date of Patent: December 8, 1987Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Fariborz Kayyod, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: 4683913Abstract: A rotary air valve mounted in a case for rotatable movement about an axis to close either one of two adjacent openings has a flexible elastomeric seal that flexibly engages inwardly and outwardly facing curved sealing surfaces on the case to seal the respective openings when the valve closes same. The sealing surfaces have a radius of curvature whose axis is offset from that of the valve so that a predetermined contact pressure is established along the seal at the curved sealing surfaces to tightly seal the openings when the valve is closed but diminishes to zero immediately as the valve is rotated to open either opening to thereafter permit further opening of the valve uninhibited by the seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1986Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David B. McDonald
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Patent number: 4549605Abstract: A single inlet/outlet-tank U-shaped tube heat exchanger is disclosed comprising a tank having a header plate and a plurality of U-shaped tubes whose legs extend through and terminate with an open end at one side of the header plate. A first group of the tubes is arranged so that the two open ends of each of these tubes are located in one and the other of two outboard rows extending longitudinally of the header plate. A second group of the tubes with a smaller radius return bend is arranged in staggered pairs intermediate those in the first group and with their return bends parallel to each other and angled to those in the first group so that one open leg end of each of the tubes in the second group is located in one and the other of the outboard rows and the remaining open leg end of each of these tubes is located in a third and inboard row extending between the two outboard rows.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1984Date of Patent: October 29, 1985Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Demetrio B. Sacca, Donald E. Hoffman
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Patent number: D411279Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Creative Playthings, Ltd.Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, George Black