Patents by Inventor John W. Toma

John W. Toma 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: 4837891
    Abstract: A track and trolley system that allows wall panels to be moved with a minimum amount of friction is disclosed. The system includes a track having a first rail, a second rail which is higher than the first rail, and a trolley having two drive wheels that engage the rails via annular track engaging surfaces of different diameters. Each drive wheel is independently rotatable in opposite directions. The system further includes a wall panel mount assembly haivng a housing integral with a movable wall panel and slide pads at track intersections to reduce the vertical elevational drop of a trolley when it moves across a track intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Toma, N. Douglas Owens
  • Patent number: 4298110
    Abstract: A two-speed clutch arrangement is disclosed in which an input shaft is drivingly connected to an output drum through a system of clutch shoes so as to alternatively produce direct drive of the output drum, a reduced speed drive, or a neutral condition in which drive is not transmitted to the output drum. The clutch system includes centrifugally actuated primary clutch shoes driven by the input shaft and establishing drive to an inner drum, and two different sets of friction clutches interposed between the inner drum and the output drum. The first set produces a slipping or low speed drive of the output drum, while the second direct drive set controllably establishes direct or high speed drive. Shifting of the clutch arrangement is carried out by a trigger actuator, which activates clutch trigger arrangements associated with the primary clutch shoes and the direct drive clutch set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John W. Toma