Patents by Inventor Jack Hillyard

Jack Hillyard 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: 5454453
    Abstract: A break-away bracket for connecting structural beams in a vehicle such as connecting a transmission cross-member to a frame rail. The break-away bracket connects to the cross-member by use of a connecting pin. During normal operation, the cross-member is fixed to the bracket, which, in turn, is welded to the frame rail and acts as a normal fixed bracket. During the imposition of excessive loads on the front of the vehicle, a slot connecting between a hole for the connecting pin and an edge of the bracket allows the pin and cross-member to pull away from a portion of the bracket. The bracket yields, allowing axial displacement between the cross-member and the frame rail while still keeping the connection between the two components intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James R. Meyer, Richard A. Jeryan, Richard C. Kowalske, Jack Hillyard