Patents by Inventor Ken Thornton

Ken Thornton 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: 20240133455
    Abstract: A device and method for allowing a powertrain gear in an off-road vehicle to be changed to a second powertrain gear having a different number of drive teeth without changing the number of reluctor teeth, by replacing the first powertrain gear with a second powertrain gear having a different number of drive teeth but the same number of reluctor teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventor: Ken Thornton
  • Patent number: 11345393
    Abstract: A rack and pinion steering assembly includes: a pinion shaft driving a pinion gear; a steering rack having a toothed, engageable portion adapted to engage with the pinion gear, and a pressure-receiving portion opposite the engageable portion to apply a force on the steering rack to engage the steering rack with the pinion gear; a rack and pinion housing and associated steering tube; a first support bushing to support the steering rack in its housing on a first side of the assembly; and a second support bushing effective to support the steering rack on a second side of the assembly, with the second side of the assembly being opposite the first side of the assembly, relative to the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventor: Ken Thornton
  • Patent number: 10150369
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a differential assembly for allowing a vehicle to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The differential assembly includes a bearing assembly positioned between a race gear and output hubs. An armature plate is rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly and a clutch plate is positioned to engage the armature plate. A biasing member biases the clutch plate to engage the armature plate and allow the bearing assembly to transmit torque between the race gear and output hubs. When electricity is provided to an electromagnet, the electromagnet exerts a magnetic force on the clutch plate that is sufficient to overcome the bias of the biasing member so the clutch plate does not engage the armature plate and the bearing assembly does not transmit torque from the race gear to the output hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Thornton, Dennis Kent, Chris Shelton, Jordan E. Stephan, Damon Stephan
  • Publication number: 20170210226
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a differential assembly for allowing a vehicle to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The differential assembly includes a bearing assembly positioned between a race gear and output hubs. An armature plate is rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly and a clutch plate is positioned to engage the armature plate. A biasing member biases the clutch plate to engage the armature plate and allow the bearing assembly to transmit torque between the race gear and output hubs. When electricity is provided to an electromagnet, the electromagnet exerts a magnetic force on the clutch plate that is sufficient to overcome the bias of the biasing member so the clutch plate does not engage the armature plate and the bearing assembly does not transmit torque from the race gear to the output hubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Ken Thornton, Dennis Kent, Chris Shelton, Jordan E. Stephan, Damon Stephan
  • Publication number: 20070142147
    Abstract: A clutchless belt drive system for pavement saw. The saw having an engine mounted to a frame via a pivot mount. The engine drives a first pulley, which is fixed relative to the engine. The first pulley drives a belt, which in turn drives a second pulley. The second pulley drives a saw blade. An actuator connected to the frame and to the engine so that the actuator extension rotates the engine in a first direction about the pivot mount, driving the first pulley against the belt and tautening the belt about the first pulley and the second pulley, and so that actuator retraction rotates the engine in a second direction counter to the first direction, releasing the first pulley from the belt and relaxing belt tension. A shroud encircles the belt in a plane perpendicular to the line defined by the center of the first pulley and the center of the second pulley. The shroud is positioned so that when the belt tension is relaxed, the belt contacts the shroud and the resulting friction decelerates the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: Multiquip, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Thornton, Nathaniel Bateman