Patents by Inventor Martin A. Ekonen

Martin A. Ekonen 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: 5676356
    Abstract: A flexible bolster for installation between two load-carrying members in a vehicle suspension. The bolster comprises a block of rubber or rubber-like elastomer sandwiched between two end plates. The block of rubber preferably has molded thereon a plurality of metal washers or plates oriented parallel to each other and the end plates. A bore extends axially through the end plates and block of rubber. A rebound control restraint is disposed in the bore. The restraint comprise a length of cable having retainers swaged to its opposite ends. Each retainer has an enlarged part or assembly which bears against the outer side of one of the end plates. The restraint acts to limit the extent to which the end plates separate when the bolster is under tension and thereby controls rebound. The restraint is free so as not to absorb compression or shear forces applied to the bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: The Boler Company
    Inventors: Martin A. Ekonen, Tjong T. Lie, Ronald J. McLaughlin, Charles A. Vanbreemen
  • Patent number: 5060936
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing rotation to a portion of a loop of rope by which an individual can jump rope alone, and without holding the rope, and in which the rope loops near the ground so that a jumper may jump over it, then rotate over the head of the jumper for another passage close to the ground, wherein a feature is a method for adjusting small weights on the rope to alter the characteristics of the loop; and safety provisions are made so that the rope will not become entangled with the user and cause injury. The apparatus comprises a stand with a fixed swivel arrangement to hold one end of a rope and a rotating device for the other end of the rope to cause the rotating motion of the loop and an adjustment can be made to accommodate different configurations of the loop as it passes beneath the jumpers feet and over the jumpers head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventors: Martin A. Ekonen, William D. Suggett, Richard Munson
  • Patent number: 4231554
    Abstract: A control valve having a cylinder mounted to a frame of a motor vehicle and a piston rod mounted to an axle of a motor vehicle for controlling the amount of air introduced to or exhausted from an air suspension spring mounted between the axle and frame of the motor vehicle. The piston rod is connected to a piston which is slidable within a cylinder. Three ports, a port leading to an air spring, an exhaust port, and a supply port extend through the side wall of the cylinder. A piston has a passage therethrough with one outlet at the top surface of the piston and a second outlet at a side surface of the piston. The piston is movable to three positions; one position with the supply port in communication through the passage, with the air spring port, a second position which all three ports are sealed from one another, and a third position in which the air spring port is in communication with the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Martin A. Ekonen, James L. Blechschmidt