Patents by Inventor George A. French

George A. French 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: 7523685
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket crank assembly is comprised of first and second crank arms joined to a spindle. One of the crank arms and the spindle may be fabricated as a unitary structure, or both cranks arms may be formed as separate structures and joined together. In either case the spindle has at least a first coupling end with an internally tapped axial bore defined therein and the second crank arm forms at least a first socket at its axle end. At least a first wedging sleeve is provided and is disposed about the first coupling end of the spindle. The first wedging sleeve conforms to the shapes of both the first coupling end of the spindle and the hollow cavity in the first socket. Either the coupling end of the spindle or the hollow cavity is axially tapered, and the wedging sleeve is tapered to match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20090078081
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal apparatus is provided formed from two identical halves comprising a plurality of holes. A bolt secures the two halves through the holes and projects out beyond the surface of the pedal, thereby performing a dual role of securing the two halves together and serving as a traction mechanism. The pedal bodies rotate about a pedal axle either directly on the axle or on bearings. In embodiments utilizing bearings, two different bearings are used, roller bearings to bear the rotational load and thrust bearings to bear any axial load. The pedal axle can be tapered with a flanged head and resides in a cavity in the pedal body that substantially conforms to the shape of the pedal axle so as to minimize movement of the pedal axle within the pedal body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20080284121
    Abstract: An all-terrain board has a platform which is supported on two wheel axles connected to the platform by pairs of flexible links. The links in each pair are spaced on either side of a longitudinal axis of the platform. The links are biased so that they have a horizontal dimension when the platform is loaded with a rider. When the rider tilts the platform, this shortens the horizontal dimension on the tilted side, and lengthens it on the other, so that a steering effect is created. The biased links also provide the board's suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 7445105
    Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus having a clutch that employs radially acting components. A drive sleeve has an inner cylindrical wall surface mounted coaxially about a wheel mounting shaft and an outer cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to the drive sleeve inner wall surface. The outer surface of the drive sleeve cooperates with a power transmission sleeve that has an inner cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to its cylindrical outer wall surface. The power transmission sleeve is interposed between the drive sleeve and a wheel hub. When the eccentric lobe on the drive sleeve is in opposition to the eccentric lobe on the surrounding power transmission sleeve, the sprocket is disengaged from the wheel hub. Forward rotation of the sprocket jams the lobe of the drive sleeve against the power transmission sleeve, forcing its cam lobe outwardly into frictional engagement with the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20080264752
    Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus having a clutch that employs radially acting components. A drive sleeve has an inner cylindrical wall surface mounted coaxially about a wheel mounting shaft and an outer cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to the drive sleeve inner wall surface. The outer surface of the drive sleeve cooperates with a power transmission sleeve that has an inner cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to its cylindrical outer wall surface. The power transmission sleeve is interposed between the drive sleeve and a wheel hub. When the eccentric lobe on the drive sleeve is in opposition to the eccentric lobe on the surrounding power transmission sleeve, the sprocket is disengaged from the wheel hub. Forward rotation of the sprocket jams the lobe of the drive sleeve against the power transmission sleeve, forcing its cam lobe outwardly into frictional engagement with the wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20070289406
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket crank assembly is comprised of first and second crank arms joined to a spindle. One of the crank arms and the spindle may be fabricated as a unitary structure, or both cranks arms may be formed as separate structures and joined together. In either case the spindle has at least a first coupling end with an internally tapped axial bore defined therein and the second crank arm forms at least a first socket at its axle end. At least a first wedging sleeve is provided and is disposed about the first coupling end of the spindle. The first wedging sleeve conforms to the shapes of both the first coupling end of the spindle and the hollow cavity in the first socket. Either the coupling end of the spindle or the hollow cavity is axially tapered, and the wedging sleeve is tapered to match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20070289405
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket crank assembly is comprised of first and second crank arms joined to a spindle. One of the crank arms and the spindle may be fabricated as a unitary structure, or both cranks arms may be formed as separate structures and joined together. In either case the spindle has at least a first coupling end with an internally tapped axial bore defined therein and the second crank arm forms at least a first socket at its axle end. At least a first wedging sleeve is provided and is disposed about the first coupling end of the spindle. The first wedging sleeve conforms to the shapes of both the first coupling end of the spindle and the hollow cavity in the first socket. Either the coupling end of the spindle or the hollow cavity is axially tapered, and the wedging sleeve is tapered to match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20070289407
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket crank assembly is comprised of first and second crank arms joined to a spindle. One of the crank arms and the spindle may be fabricated as a unitary structure, or both cranks arms may be formed as separate structures and joined together. In either case the spindle has at least a first coupling end with an internally tapped axial bore defined therein and the second crank arm forms at least a first socket at its axle end. At least a first wedging sleeve is provided and is disposed about the first coupling end of the spindle. The first wedging sleeve conforms to the shapes of both the first coupling end of the spindle and the hollow cavity in the first socket. Either the coupling end of the spindle or the hollow cavity is axially tapered, and the wedging sleeve is tapered to match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20070240960
    Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus is provided with a clutch that employs radially acting, rather than axially acting components. An annular drive sleeve projecting inwardly from a drive sprocket is disposed within multiple transmission power transmission sleeves, which are disposed within a cylindrical wheel hub shell. The drive sleeve defines multiple cam lobes and the power transmission sleeves define multiple cam lobes and multiple pockets. When the drive sleeve cam lobes are disposed in the power transmission sleeve pockets, the driving apparatus is disengaged and allowed to free coast. Upon forward rotation of the driving apparatus, the drive sleeve cam lobes rotate toward and engage the power transmission sleeve cam lobes, thereby forcing the power transmission sleeve radially outward towards the wheel hub shell, thereby allowing the sprocket to engage the wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 7267030
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket crank assembly is comprised of first and second crank arms joined to a spindle. One of the crank arms and the spindle may be fabricated as a unitary structure, or both cranks arms may be formed as separate structures and joined together. In either case the spindle has at least a first coupling end with an internally tapped axial bore defined therein and the second crank arm forms at least a first socket at its axle end. At least a first wedging sleeve is provided and is disposed about the first coupling end of the spindle. The first wedging sleeve conforms to the shapes of both the first coupling end of the spindle and the hollow cavity in the first socket. Either the coupling end of the spindle or the hollow cavity is axially tapered, and the wedging sleeve is tapered to match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20070170033
    Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus is provided with a clutch that employs radially acting, rather than axially acting components. An annular drive sleeve projecting inwardly from a drive sprocket fits into a cylindrical annular cavity in a wheel hub shell. The drive sleeve has an inner cylindrical wall surface that is mounted coaxially about a wheel mounting shaft. The drive sleeve has an outer cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to the drive sleeve inner wall surface. The outer, eccentric surface of the drive sleeve acts in cooperation with a surrounding, outer power transmission sleeve that has an annular inner cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to its cylindrical outer wall surface. The power transmission sleeve is interposed between the drive sleeve and the wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20070017318
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket crank assembly is comprised of first and second crank arms joined to a spindle. One of the crank arms and the spindle may be fabricated as a unitary structure, or both cranks arms may be formed as separate structures and joined together. In either case the spindle has at least a first coupling end with an internally tapped axial bore defined therein and the second crank arm forms at least a first socket at its axle end. At least a first wedging sleeve is provided and is disposed about the first coupling end of the spindle. The first wedging sleeve conforms to the shapes of both the first coupling end of the spindle and the hollow cavity in the first socket. Either the coupling end of the spindle or the hollow cavity is axially tapered, and the wedging sleeve is tapered to match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 6955371
    Abstract: A clamping stem is provided for concurrently securing a bicycle fork frame steering tube and a bicycle handlebar together. The clamping stem has a mounting bracket formed as a U-shaped structure with a pair of opposing mutually parallel legs with coaxial openings defined through the legs near the free ends thereof. A steering tube saddle block having a vertically oriented concave surface is disposed between the mounting bracket legs facing the steering tube openings therein. A handlebar saddle block having a horizontally oriented concave surface faces the concave surface of the mounting bracket yoke. A steering tube fits through the apertures in the mounting bracket legs while the handlebar fits through the space located between the mounting bracket yoke and the curved surface of the handlebar saddle block. The sides of the saddle blocks facing each other are formed with inclined surfaces that meet at apices centered between the lateral edges of the mounting bracket legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Publication number: 20040183273
    Abstract: A clamping stem is provided for concurrently securing a bicycle fork frame steering tube and a bicycle handlebar together. The clamping stem has a mounting bracket formed as a U-shaped structure with a pair of opposing mutually parallel legs with coaxial openings defined through the legs near the free ends thereof. A steering tube saddle block having a vertically oriented concave surface is disposed between the mounting bracket legs facing the steering tube openings therein. A handlebar saddle block having a horizontally oriented concave surface faces the concave surface of the mounting bracket yoke. A steering tube fits through the apertures in the mounting bracket legs while the handlebar fits through the space located between the mounting bracket yoke and the curved surface of the handlebar saddle block. The sides of the saddle blocks facing each other are formed with inclined surfaces that meet at apices centered between the lateral edges of the mounting bracket legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 4099835
    Abstract: This application discloses a technique for producing optical fibers with longitudinal variations in index of refraction. The deposition apparatus is arranged to allow for the formation of an intertwined double helix of two different materials. The technique does not require imposing any time dependent conditions on the fabrication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: William George French, John Burnette MacChesney
  • Patent number: 4089586
    Abstract: A single mode optical transmission line consisting of a core and a clad, both formed from essentially the same type of multicomponent glass, e.g. borosilicate, for use with electromagnetic energy having a wavelength between 0.5.mu.m and 2.0.mu.m. The core has a higher refractive index than the clad because the relative concentrations of the constituents of the glass composition are varied between core and clad, e.g., the ratio of SiO.sub.2 /B.sub.2 O.sub.3 concentrations is higher in the core than in the clad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: William George French, G. William Tasker
  • Patent number: 4049413
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing optical fibers which are drawn with diameter variations in the transmitting core but with uniform overall diameter. In this process the glass starting member used in fabricating the optical fiber preform is etched with appropriate grooves. Additional glass is subsequently deposited on the etched starting member, and a fiber is drawn from the preform so fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: William George French
  • Patent number: 4017288
    Abstract: This application discloses a technique for producing optical fibers with longitudinal variations in index of refraction. The deposition apparatus is arranged to allow for the formation of an intertwined double helix of two different materials. The technique does not require imposing any time dependent conditions on the fabrication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: William George French, John Burnette MacChesney
  • Patent number: 3989350
    Abstract: A multimode optical fiber waveguide with graded refractive index for lessening modal dispersion with the gradient produced at least in part by radially decreasing boron oxide content outwardly from the core center within a high silica glass core minimizes modal dispersion by use of a non-parabolic grading function. The optimum gradient for a simple binary borosilicate system for a wavelength of from approximately 0.5 to 1.1 micrometers corresponds with .alpha. = 1.77 .+-. 10 percent in the equation n = n.sub.1 [1-2.DELTA.(r/a).sup..alpha.].sup.1/2, in which n.sub.1 is the axial core index r is the distance from the fiber axis, a is the core radius, .DELTA. is the relative index difference between core center and cladding and .alpha. is a power law exponent which characterizes the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: Leonard George Cohen, James William Fleming, Jr., William George French