Patents by Inventor Jon A. Hixson

Jon A. Hixson 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: 5573376
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a bladed device having a hub which is rotatable about an axis and one or more blades attached to the hub by self-energizing, self-locking, insertion and retention features which are formed integrally with the blade and hub. The insertion and retention features include a locking tang formed integrally with the root of the blade, and detent features which are part of the locking tang and hub. As the blade is inserted axially into the hub, the locking tang deflects radially inward and then snaps radially outward by spring action of the tang to engage the detent feature of the hub, and thereby lock the blade against further axially or radially movement with respect to the hub. The locking tang is oriented and configured in such a manner that the locking tang is self-energizing, thereby causing the tang to grip the hub more tightly as rotational speed of the bladed device increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Hayden, Jon A. Hixson