Patents by Inventor Howard J. Knickerbocker
Howard J. Knickerbocker 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: 11421769Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is configured to transmit power from an input shaft to a first output shaft and a second output shaft in a vehicle. The differential includes a differential housing having a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat. A first bearing is carried by the differential housing in the first bearing seat, and a second bearing is carried by the differential housing in the second bearing seat. A first retaining ring secures the first bearing in the first bearing seat, and a second retaining ring secures the second bearing in the second bearing seat. A first output hub is carried by the first bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing, and a second output hub is carried by the second bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: Kelly P. Heath, Howard J. Knickerbocker, Kevin Bennett
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Patent number: 11236811Abstract: An on-demand four-wheel drive system includes a differential for the rear axle, a differential for the front axle, and a center differential connecting to the front and rear axle differentials. All three of the differentials contain a bi-directional overrunning roller clutch to enable locking of their respective outputs. The clutches provide a superior on-demand four-wheel drive system that distributes power to each drive wheel to propel the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: John Michael Hasson, Jr., Howard J. Knickerbocker, James E. Palmer
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Publication number: 20210396302Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is configured to transmit power from an input shaft to a first output shaft and a second output shaft in a vehicle. The differential includes a differential housing having a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat. A first bearing is carried by the differential housing in the first bearing seat, and a second bearing is carried by the differential housing in the second bearing seat. A first retaining ring secures the first bearing in the first bearing seat, and a second retaining ring secures the second bearing in the second bearing seat. A first output hub is carried by the first bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing, and a second output hub is carried by the second bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: Kelly P. HEATH, Howard J. KNICKERBOCKER, Kevin BENNETT
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Patent number: 9272620Abstract: A drive train for a four wheel drive vehicle including a front differential engaged with a front drive shaft and front axles through a front differential gear set. The front differential includes a front bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls transmission of torque transfer between the front drive shaft and the front axles. A rear differential is engaged with rear axles and the transmission through a rear differential gear set. The rear differential includes a rear bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls torque transfer between the transmission and the rear axles. The differentials are configured with a gear ratio that is within five percent of a 1:1 gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: Howard J. Knickerbocker, David Ochab, J. Brendan Brewer, James E. Palmer
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Patent number: 9022195Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: Kelly P. Heath, David C. Ochab, James E. Palmer, John R. Updyke, Howard J. Knickerbocker
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Patent number: 8857294Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: J. Brendan Brewer, Kelly P. Heath, James E. Palmer, Howard J. Knickerbocker, John Michael Hasson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8840514Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly for engaging secondary driven shafts in a four wheel drive vehicle. The assembly includes a differential housing with a pinion input gear rotatably disposed within it that is engaged to a drive shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch housing is engaged to the pinion gear. A roll cage assembly is located inside the clutch housing. A pair of hubs are positioned within the roll cage assembly and connected to the secondary driven shafts. An electromagnetic system controls indexes the roll cage in a first direction relative to the clutch housing a first indexing device for coupling the secondary drive shaft to the secondary driven axles when four wheel drive is needed, and in an opposite direction using a second indexing device when an engine braking condition is needed. A spring assembly is preferably used to bias the roll cage back to a neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: Howard J. Knickerbocker, David C. Ochab, Mathew Cowen
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Publication number: 20140274530Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly for engaging secondary driven shafts in a four wheel drive vehicle. The assembly includes a differential housing with a pinion input gear rotatably disposed within it that is engaged to a drive shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch housing is engaged to the pinion gear. A roll cage assembly is located inside the clutch housing. A pair of hubs are positioned within the roll cage assembly and connected to the secondary driven shafts. An electromagnetic system controls indexes the roll cage in a first direction relative to the clutch housing a first indexing device for coupling the secondary drive shaft to the secondary driven axles when four wheel drive is needed, and in an opposite direction using a second indexing device when an engine braking condition is needed. A spring assembly is preferably used to bias the roll cage back to a neutral position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Howard J. Knickerbocker, David C. Ochab, Mathew Cowen
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Publication number: 20140038763Abstract: A drive train for a four wheel drive vehicle including a front differential engaged with a front drive shaft and front axles through a front differential gear set. The front differential includes a front bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls transmission of torque transfer between the front drive shaft and the front axles. A rear differential is engaged with rear axles and the transmission through a rear differential gear set. The rear differential includes a rear bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls torque transfer between the transmission and the rear axles. The differentials are configured with a gear ratio that is within five percent of a 1:1 gear ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Howard J. Knickerbocker, David Ochab, J. Brendan Brewer, James E. Palmer
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Publication number: 20120152686Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: J. Brendan Brewer, Kelly P. Health, James E. Palmer, Howard J. Knickerbocker, John Michael Hasson, JR.