Patents by Inventor Joshua D. Hand

Joshua D. Hand 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).

  • Publication number: 20200173499
    Abstract: An electromagnetic system for controlling the operating mode of a non-friction coupling assembly and a coupling and magnetic control assembly are provided. Magnetic circuit components include a ferromagnetic or magnetic element received within a pocket of a coupling member. The element controls the operating mode of the coupling assembly. A stationary electromagnetic source includes at least one excitation coil which generates a magnetic field between poles of the source when the at least one coil is supplied with current. Ferromagnetic or magnetic first and second inserts are received and retained within first and second spaced passages, respectively, of the coupling member. The electromagnetic source, the element, the inserts and air gaps between the various magnetic circuit components make up a closed loop path containing magnetic flux so that the element moves between first and second positions of the element when the at least one coil is supplied with current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Riley C. Moore, Brice A. Pawley, Joshua D. Hand, Ryan W. Essenmacher
  • Publication number: 20200149597
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly and control system for use therein are provided. The system includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces of first and second coupling members. An actuator arm includes an output member and a one-way locking member which is pivotally connected to output member which, in turn, is coupled to the control member. The locking member moves between a disengaged position in which the control member is permitted to shift or rotate relative to the second coupling member and an engaged position with a locking member-engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member and the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of an actuator command signal received by a bi-directional actuator assembly of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Brice A. Pawley
  • Publication number: 20200124115
    Abstract: A high-speed overrunning coupling and control assembly, coupling assembly and locking member which pivotally moves with substantially reduced friction are provided. At least one pivot projects from a main body portion of the locking member and enables pivotal motion of the locking member. The at least one pivot is sized, shaped and located with respect to the main body portion so that the at least one pivot makes contact with at least one bearing located between a pocket surface of a pocket and an outer surface of the at least one pivot to reduce friction during pivotal motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Brice A. Pawley, Riley C. Moore, Ryan W. Essenmacher, Earl A. Getchel, Steven M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200109750
    Abstract: A coupling and control assembly includes an internal latching mechanism to hold a support member and a coupling member together in position so that the support member and the second coupling member rotate together without using any energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua D. Hand
  • Patent number: 10598233
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly and control system for use therein are provided. The system includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces of first of second coupling members. A one-way locking member such as a detent is pivotally connected to the control member via a selector arm for movement between a disengaged position in which the control member is permitted to shift or rotate relative to the second coupling member and an engaged position between the control member and a locking member engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member and the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of an actuator command signal received by a bi-directional actuator subassembly including the selector arm connected to the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: Means Industries, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Hiroyuki Shioiri
  • Patent number: 10590998
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly and control system for use therein are provided. The system includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces of first of second coupling members. A one-way locking member such as a pawl is pivotally connected to the control member for movement between a disengaged position in which the control member is permitted to shift or rotate relative to the second coupling member and an engaged position between the control member and a locking member engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member and the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of an actuator command signal received by a bi-directional actuator subassembly including an output member connected to the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Earl A. Getchel
  • Patent number: 10539198
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a channeled locking member are provided. The locking member has a ramped, open channel extending through a nose and main body of the locking member to an upper face of the main body. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The first position is a coupling position and the second position is an uncoupling position. Pressurized fluid directed to a bottom of the channel urges the locking member towards the second position upon rotation of a first member of the assembly in a first direction relative to a second member of the assembly above a predetermined RPM to prevent abutting engagement of the locking member with a shoulder of the first member in the overrun mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Joshua D. Hand
  • Patent number: 10493840
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft; a selectable one-way clutch; a housing case; a center support; a lubricating oil reservoir; and an oil passage. The oil passage extends through a pocket plate disposed between the lubricating oil reservoir and a selector plate. The selector plate includes a through-hole. The through-hole is located at a position where the through-hole is not lined up with the opening of the oil passage in a radial direction and a circumferential direction of the selector plate in a non-engagement state of the selectable one-way clutch, and also at a position where the through-hole is lined up with the opening of the oil passage in the radial direction and the circumferential direction of the selector plate in an engagement state of the selectable one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yuki Kurosaki, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata, Hiroki Yasui, Joshua D. Hand
  • Patent number: 10316904
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a locking member for use therein are provided. The locking member includes a first member-engaging nose, a second member-engaging tail diametrically opposite the nose and a main body between the nose and the tail. A control element-engaging appendage extends downwardly from a lower face of the main body. A pair of oppositely projecting pivots extend laterally from the tail for enabling pivotal motion of the locking member about a pivot axis which intersects the pivots. A control element engages the appendage to create a moment of the locking member about the pivot axis to urge the locking member from a coupling position towards an uncoupling position. The moment decreases the amount of force needed by the control element to move the locking member out of the coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Terry O. Hendrick
  • Publication number: 20190101171
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a pocket plate including pockets provided along a circumferential direction on one surface; a notch plate that is rotatable with respect to the pocket plate, the notch plate including notches provided along a circumferential direction on a surface facing the one surface; struts that are plate-shaped and housed in the respective pockets; and a selector plate disposed between the pocket plate and the notch plate, and configured to switch, by rotating coaxially with the pocket plate, between: a state in which the struts have risen toward the notch plate; and a state in which the struts are housed in the respective pockets. The notch plate includes flat portions between the notches that are adjacent in the circumferential direction, and each flat portion includes a first recess at a position where the corresponding strut having risen toward the notch plate is brought into contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shotaro KATO, Hiroyuki SHIOIRI, Hiroyuki OGAWA, Hiroyuki SHIBATA, Mitsuaki TOMITA, Yuki KUROSAKI, Joshua D. HAND
  • Publication number: 20190063517
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a channeled locking member are provided. The locking member has a ramped, open channel extending through a nose and main body of the locking member to an upper face of the main body. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The first position is a coupling position and the second position is an uncoupling position. Pressurized fluid directed to a bottom of the channel urges the locking member towards the second position upon rotation of a first member of the assembly in a first direction relative to a second member of the assembly above a predetermined RPM to prevent abutting engagement of the locking member with a shoulder of the first member in the overrun mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Joshua D. Hand
  • Patent number: 10145428
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a channeled locking member are provided. The locking member has a ramped, open channel extending through a nose and main body of the locking member to an upper face of the main body. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The first position is a coupling position and the second position is an uncoupling position. Pressurized fluid directed to a bottom of the channel urges the locking member towards the second position upon rotation of a first member of the assembly in a first direction relative to a second member of the assembly above a predetermined RPM to prevent abutting engagement of the locking member with a shoulder of the first member in the overrun mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Joshua D. Hand
  • Publication number: 20180340578
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly and control system for use therein are provided. The system includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces of first of second coupling members. A one-way locking member such as a pawl is pivotally connected to the control member for movement between a disengaged position in which the control member is permitted to shift or rotate relative to the second coupling member and an engaged position between the control member and a locking member engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member and the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of an actuator command signal received by a bi-directional actuator subassembly including an output member connected to the control member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Joshua D. HAND
  • Publication number: 20180340580
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly and control system for use therein are provided. The system includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces of first of second coupling members. A one-way locking member such as a detent is pivotally connected to the control member via a selector arm for movement between a disengaged position in which the control member is permitted to shift or rotate relative to the second coupling member and an engaged position between the control member and a locking member engaging portion of the second coupling member to lock the control member and the second coupling member together to prevent the control member from inadvertently shifting in a first direction relative to the second coupling member in the absence of an actuator command signal received by a bi-directional actuator subassembly including the selector arm connected to the control member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hand, Hiroyuki Shioiri
  • Publication number: 20180328419
    Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assembly, coupling assembly and locking member having at least one side surface with a draft to improve locking member dynamics are provided. Locking member dynamics is improved with regards to locking member laydown speed. Laydown speed variation cause by a variable frictional coefficient between a pocket surface of a pocket in which the locking member is received and nominally retained and the at least one side surface of the locking member is minimized as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua D. HAND, Earl A. GETCHEL, Terry O. HENDRICK
  • Publication number: 20180231072
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a pocket plate including accommodating recess portions; a notch plate including engaging recess portions; a plate-shaped engaging piece; and a selector plate configured to switch between: a state in which the engaging piece rises toward the notch plate; and a state in which the engaging piece is accommodated in the accommodating recess portion. The notch plate includes a plane portion including a first inclined surface, and the first inclined surface provides the engaging piece with force in a direction into which the engaging piece is urged away from the notch plate, when the notch plate is rotated in an engaging direction into which the engaging piece rising toward the notch plate is engaged with the engaging recess portion, and one end portion of the engaging piece rises toward the notch plate and comes in contact with the plane portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SHIOIRI, Hiroyuki SHIBATA, Shotaro KATO, Mitsuaki TOMITA, Yuki KUROSAKI, Joshua D. HAND
  • Publication number: 20180087585
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a locking member for use therein are provided. The locking member includes a first member-engaging nose, a second member-engaging tail diametrically opposite the nose and a main body between the nose and the tail. A control element-engaging appendage extends downwardly from a lower face of the main body. A pair of oppositely projecting pivots extend laterally from the tail for enabling pivotal motion of the locking member about a pivot axis which intersects the pivots. A control element engages the appendage to create a moment of the locking member about the pivot axis to urge the locking member from a coupling position towards an uncoupling position. The moment decreases the amount of force needed by the control element to move the locking member out of the coupling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua D. HAND, Terry O. HENDRICK
  • Publication number: 20170227072
    Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a channeled locking member are provided. The locking member has a ramped, open channel extending through a nose and main body of the locking member to an upper face of the main body. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The first position is a coupling position and the second position is an uncoupling position. Pressurized fluid directed to a bottom of the channel urges the locking member towards the second position upon rotation of a first member of the assembly in a first direction relative to a second member of the assembly above a predetermined RPM to prevent abutting engagement of the locking member with a shoulder of the first member in the overrun mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Joshua D. Hand