Patents by Inventor Michael A Mason

Michael A Mason 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: 11506243
    Abstract: A temperature-robust polymer shroud for a roller bearing seal includes a shroud body and an inner diameter leg defining respective portions of a single continuous part. The shroud body encircles a rotation axis of the polymer shroud and extends predominantly in directions orthogonal to the rotation axis from an inner diameter to an outer diameter. The inner diameter leg connects to the shroud body at the inner diameter and encircles the rotation axis, wherein, along the entire inner diameter of the shroud body, the inner diameter leg is oriented at an oblique angle to the rotation axis to extend both (a) radially inward from the inner diameter and (b) axially away from the inner diameter along a first direction parallel to the rotation axis. A roller bearing seal includes a seal case, an elastomer lip, and the temperature-robust polymer shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventors: James Hargraves, Michael A. Mason
  • Publication number: 20200340719
    Abstract: A temperature-robust polymer shroud for a roller bearing seal includes a shroud body and an inner diameter leg defining respective portions of a single continuous part. The shroud body encircles a rotation axis of the polymer shroud and extends predominantly in directions orthogonal to the rotation axis from an inner diameter to an outer diameter. The inner diameter leg connects to the shroud body at the inner diameter and encircles the rotation axis, wherein, along the entire inner diameter of the shroud body, the inner diameter leg is oriented at an oblique angle to the rotation axis to extend both (a) radially inward from the inner diameter and (b) axially away from the inner diameter along a first direction parallel to the rotation axis. A roller bearing seal includes a seal case, an elastomer lip, and the temperature-robust polymer shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: James Hargraves, Michael A. Mason
  • Patent number: 10746228
    Abstract: A temperature-robust polymer shroud for a roller bearing seal includes a shroud body and an inner diameter leg defining respective portions of a single continuous part. The shroud body encircles a rotation axis of the polymer shroud and extends predominantly in directions orthogonal to the rotation axis from an inner diameter to an outer diameter. The inner diameter leg connects to the shroud body at the inner diameter, encircles the rotation axis, and is oriented at an oblique angle to the rotation axis to extend both (a) radially inward from the inner diameter and (b) axially away from the inner diameter along a first direction parallel to the rotation axis. A roller bearing seal includes a seal case, an elastomer lip, and the temperature-robust polymer shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hargraves, Michael A. Mason
  • Patent number: 10711842
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a roller bearing seal assembly is provided that includes a seal case and a rotor having a unitary, one-piece construction. The rotor is connected to the seal case and is rotatable relative to the seal case about an axis. The seal case and rotor include interfering portions that limit axial separation of the rotor and the seal case. In one embodiment, the rotor and seal case include at least one snap-fit connection that permits the rotor and seal case to be readily assembled. The at least one snap-fit connection includes the interfering portions which inhibit axial separation of the rotor and seal case after the rotor and seal case have been assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Liebe, Michael A. Mason
  • Publication number: 20190360532
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a roller bearing seal assembly is provided that includes a seal case and a rotor having a unitary, one-piece construction. The rotor is connected to the seal case and is rotatable relative to the seal case about an axis. The seal case and rotor include interfering portions that limit axial separation of the rotor and the seal case. In one embodiment, the rotor and seal case include at least one snap-fit connection that permits the rotor and seal case to be readily assembled. The at least one snap-fit connection includes the interfering portions which inhibit axial separation of the rotor and seal case after the rotor and seal case have been assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy M. Liebe, Michael A. Mason
  • Patent number: 10371210
    Abstract: A slinger for a roller bearing seal includes (a) an inner section extending at least in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the slinger, encircling the rotation axis and forming a plurality of tabs configured to pressure fit the slinger onto a rotor of a roller bearing seal, (b) an outer section extending at least in the first direction at a greater distance than the inner section from the rotation axis and encircling the rotation axis, and (c) a middle section encircling the rotation axis and spanning between the inner section and the outer section, wherein the inner section, the middle section, and the outer section define respective portions of a single continuous part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hargraves, Michael A. Mason
  • Publication number: 20190120294
    Abstract: A temperature-robust polymer shroud for a roller bearing seal includes a shroud body and an inner diameter leg defining respective portions of a single continuous part. The shroud body encircles a rotation axis of the polymer shroud and extends predominantly in directions orthogonal to the rotation axis from an inner diameter to an outer diameter. The inner diameter leg connects to the shroud body at the inner diameter, encircles the rotation axis, and is oriented at an oblique angle to the rotation axis to extend both (a) radially inward from the inner diameter and (b) axially away from the inner diameter along a first direction parallel to the rotation axis. A roller bearing seal includes a seal case, an elastomer lip, and the temperature-robust polymer shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: James A. Hargraves, Michael A. Mason
  • Publication number: 20180355918
    Abstract: A slinger for a roller bearing seal includes (a) an inner section extending at least in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the slinger, encircling the rotation axis and forming a plurality of tabs configured to pressure fit the slinger onto a rotor of a roller bearing seal, (b) an outer section extending at least in the first direction at a greater distance than the inner section from the rotation axis and encircling the rotation axis, and (c) a middle section encircling the rotation axis and spanning between the inner section and the outer section, wherein the inner section, the middle section, and the outer section define respective portions of a single continuous part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hargraves, Michael A. Mason
  • Patent number: 8696212
    Abstract: A novel assembly for a railcar axle bearing is presented. The assembly includes a backing ring affixed to the fillet of the journal of an axle and a locking ring for further affixing the backing ring the journal. The locking ring has an inboard end affixed to the dust guard of the axle and an outboard end for engaging the backing ring. The looking ring may include a resilient sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Hubbard, Michael A Mason
  • Publication number: 20130230265
    Abstract: A novel assembly for a railcar axle bearing is presented. The assembly includes a backing ring affixed to the fillet of the journal of an axle and a locking ring for further affixing the backing ring the journal. The locking ring has an inboard end affixed to the dust guard of the axle and an outboard end for engaging the backing ring. The looking ring may include a resilient sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Hubbard, Michael A. Mason
  • Patent number: 8360651
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided having a roller bearing with an inner raceway fitted around the journal portion of an axle. An outer raceway combines with the inner raceway to receive roller elements. A backing ring is centered to the shaft fillet. An annular wear ring is positioned between the inner race and the backing ring. An improved lubricant seal arrangement is provided between the wear ring and the supporting outer raceway, and includes a rotor, a seal, a slinger and, in some embodiments, a stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W Fetty, Michael A Mason, Paul A Hubbard