Patents by Inventor Gene L. Graves

Gene L. Graves 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: 6655517
    Abstract: A clutch fork and clutch housing assembly for use with a motor vehicle clutch includes a clutch housing, a shaft, a fork, a first index mark, and a first washer. The shaft is mounted to the clutch housing and defines an axis of rotation. The fork has a sleeve portion which is disposed over the shaft and is coaxial therewith. The fork has a pair of tines and a lever arm extending from the sleeve portion. The fork is pivotable relative to the clutch housing about the axis of rotation. The first index mark is disposed on the sleeve portion at a first end of the sleeve portion. The first washer is disposed over the shaft and is axially disposed between the first end of the sleeve portion and a corresponding first part of the clutch housing. The first washer is rotatably fixed relative to the clutch housing. An alignment of the first index mark and the second index mark in a clutch-engaged condition indicates one of a worn condition and an unworn condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cole, Gene L. Graves
  • Publication number: 20030106765
    Abstract: A clutch fork and clutch housing assembly for use with a motor vehicle clutch includes a clutch housing, a shaft, a fork, a first index mark, and a first washer. The shaft is mounted to the clutch housing and defines an axis of rotation. The fork has a sleeve portion which is disposed over the shaft and is coaxial therewith. The fork has a pair of tines and a lever arm extending from the sleeve portion. The fork is pivotable relative to the clutch housing about the axis of rotation. The first index mark is disposed on the sleeve portion at a first end of the sleeve portion. The first washer is disposed over the shaft and is axially disposed between the first end of the sleeve portion and a corresponding first part of the clutch housing. The first washer is rotatably fixed relative to the clutch housing. An alignment of the first index mark and the second index mark in a clutch-engaged condition indicates one of a worn condition and an unworn condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cole, Gene L. Graves
  • Publication number: 20020139633
    Abstract: A clutch release assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a bearing and a housing retaining the bearing. The housing has disposed on its exterior two L-shaped lugs are formed on opposite sides of the housing and extending radially therefrom. The lugs each define a circumferential engagement surface in a plane normal to the axis and face toward the bearing. An axially extending engagement surface is normal to the circumferential engagement surface wherein the tips of the arms of a clutch yoke engage the circumferential engagement surface to axially displace the release assembly. The axially extending surfaces prevent rotation of the housing by engagement with the tips of the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cole, Gene L. Graves
  • Patent number: 6446778
    Abstract: A clutch release assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a bearing and a housing retaining the bearing. The housing has disposed on its exterior two L-shaped lugs are formed on opposite sides of the housing and extending radially therefrom. The lugs each define a circumferential engagement surface in a plane normal to the axis and face toward the bearing. An axially extending engagement surface is normal to the circumferential engagement surface wherein the tips of the arms of a clutch yoke engage the circumferential engagement surface to axially displace the release assembly. The axially extending surfaces prevent rotation of the housing by engagement with the tips of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cole, Gene L. Graves