Patents by Inventor Gregory Joseph Hilker

Gregory Joseph Hilker 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: 8109000
    Abstract: A method of forming a Salisbury axle that includes: forming an assembly having a housing that is made of nodular iron, the housing having an opening and a pair of apertures; removing a pair of caps from the housing to expose a pair of journals; installing a differential through the opening to the journals; replacing the caps to the journals; forming a pair of axle tubes from a high strength steel, each of the axle tubes having a circular proximal end, a circular distal end and a mount portion between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the axle tubes being larger in diameter than the apertures, the mount portion having a top wall and a pair of opposite side walls that are oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall; and inserting the proximal ends of the axle tubes into the apertures. A Salisbury axle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: George Zalanca, Gregory Joseph Hilker
  • Publication number: 20080295643
    Abstract: A method of forming a Salisbury axle that includes: forming an assembly having a housing that is made of nodular iron, the housing having an opening and a pair of apertures; removing a pair of caps from the housing to expose a pair of journals; installing a differential through the opening to the journals; replacing the caps to the journals; forming a pair of axle tubes from a high strength steel, each of the axle tubes having a circular proximal end, a circular distal end and a mount portion between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the axle tubes being larger in diameter than the apertures, the mount portion having a top wall and a pair of opposite side walls that are oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall; and inserting the proximal ends of the axle tubes into the apertures. A Salisbury axle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: George Zalanca, Gregory Joseph Hilker