Patents by Inventor Gordon C. Butterfield

Gordon C. Butterfield 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).

  • Joint assembly and joint socket sleeve
    Patent number: 6641324
    Abstract: A joint assembly and a joint socket sleeve. The joint assembly includes a first yoke including a ball portion, a second yoke including a socket portion and a socket sleeve. The socket sleeve has a continuous side wall defining an opening for receiving the ball portion. A portion of the side wall is flexible. In some constructions, flat surfaces and/or grooves are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve. In some constructions, ribs are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Morsches, John L. Vitali, Gordon C. Butterfield
  • Disengageable quick-lock connection for telescopic shaft
    Patent number: 6550727
    Abstract: A telescopic shaft for rapid length adjustment consists of a tube having a plurality of alternating circumferential ridges and grooves on at least a portion of an inner surface and having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DA and a minor diameter DB; a shaft disposed within the tube and having matching circumferential ridges and grooves, the shaft also having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DC and a minor diameter DD; and the ridges and grooves of the tube interengaging with the grooves and ridges of the shaft when the shaft major diameter DC is substantially parallel with the tube minor diameter DB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Gordon C. Butterfield, Allan D. Cox, Giovanni C. Albini
  • Joint assembly and joint socket sleeve
    Publication number: 20030072606
    Abstract: A joint assembly and a joint socket sleeve. The joint assembly includes a first yoke including a ball portion, a second yoke including a socket portion and a socket sleeve. The socket sleeve has a continuous side wall defining an opening for receiving the ball portion. A portion of the side wall is flexible. In some constructions, flat surfaces and/or grooves are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve. In some constructions, ribs are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Morsches, John L. Vitali, Gordon C. Butterfield
  • Disengageable quick-lock connection for telescopic shaft
    Publication number: 20020074466
    Abstract: A telescopic shaft for rapid length adjustment consists of a tube having a plurality of alternating circumferential ridges and grooves on at least a portion of an inner surface and having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DA and a minor diameter DB; a shaft disposed within the tube and having matching circumferential ridges and grooves, the shaft also having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DC and a minor diameter DD; and the ridges and grooves of the tube interengaging with the grooves and ridges of the shaft when the shaft major diameter DC is substantially parallel with the tube minor diameter DB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Gordon C. Butterfield, Allan D. Cox, Giovanni C. Albini
  • Disengageable quick-lock connection for telescopic shaft
    Publication number: 20010011693
    Abstract: A telescopic shaft for rapid length adjustment consists of a tube having a plurality of alternating circumferential ridges and grooves on at least a portion of an inner surface and having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DA and a minor diameter DB; a shaft disposed within the tube and having matching circumferential ridges and grooves, the shaft also having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DC and a minor diameter DD; and the ridges and grooves of the tube interengaging with the grooves and ridges of the shaft when the shaft major diameter DC is substantially parallel with the tube minor diameter DB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Gordon C. Butterfield, Allan D. Cox, Giovanni C. Albini