Patents by Inventor Lon C. Miller

Lon C. Miller 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: 7000494
    Abstract: A transmission main shaft centering device is provided for use between a transmission input shaft and the main shaft. The centering device includes an axially moveable support member having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the input shaft. The support member is biased into engagement with one of the input shaft and the main shaft to maintain the main shaft substantially coaxial with the input shaft. The support member may include a first engaging component and one of the input shaft and the main shaft may include a second engaging component. The first and second engaging components mate to maintain the main shaft substantially coaxial with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Lon C. Miller, Alan R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6865964
    Abstract: A transmission main shaft centering device is provided for use between a transmission input shaft and the main shaft. The centering device includes an axially moveable support member having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the input shaft. The support member is biased into engagement with one of the input shaft and the main shaft to maintain the main shaft substantially coaxial with the input shaft. The support member may include a first engaging component and one of the input shaft and the main shaft may include a second engaging component. The first and second engaging components mate to maintain the main shaft substantially coaxial with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Lon C. Miller, Alan R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20040112157
    Abstract: A transmission main shaft centering device is provided for use between a transmission input shaft and the main shaft. The centering device includes an axially moveable support member having an axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of the input shaft. The support member is biased into engagement with one of the input shaft and the main shaft to maintain the main shaft substantially coaxial with the input shaft. The support member may include a first engaging component and one of the input shaft and the main shaft may include a second engaging component. The first and second engaging components mate to maintain the main shaft substantially coaxial with the input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Lon C. Miller, Alan R. Davis
  • Patent number: 5513542
    Abstract: An improved vehicle transmission which substantially reduces the noisy rattle normally produced by interengagement of the input shaft and the input drive gear of the transmission when the engine of the vehicle is operating at idle speed and the transmission is in neutral. The input shaft and the input drive gear are in constant driven relationship. In the inventive structure, the interengageable spline teeth of the input shaft and the input drive gear of the transmission are provided with a greater backlash than is normally used. The intermittent firings of the engine normally cause nonsynchronous rotation of the input shaft relative to the input drive gear with attendant engagement of their respective spline teeth. The increased backlash provides greater spacing between the interengaging teeth which substantially eliminates the engagement of the spline teeth and attendant rattle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Bogema, Lon C. Miller