Patents by Inventor Michael C. Howard

Michael C. Howard 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: 11719302
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Patent number: 11708482
    Abstract: Tires and tire components are provided having improved fire properties, as well as the vulcanizable compositions for making the tires and tire components. A vulcanizable composition is provided that includes at least one vulcanizable polymer, a curative, a halogenated hydrocarbon, and expandable graphite. The tires and tire components have improved properties including one or more of improved flame retardancy, reduced smoke density and/or toxicity, and reduced heat release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Brandon C. Adcock, Hang Li
  • Publication number: 20220227968
    Abstract: A method of preparing a cured air spring bellows includes preparing a vulcanizable composition including a eutectic composition by mixing a vulcanizable elastomer, a sulfur-based curative, zinc oxide, and a eutectic composition; preparing a green member using the vulcanizable composition; and curing the green member to form the air spring bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Michael C. HOWARD
  • Publication number: 20220154795
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Patent number: 11268588
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Patent number: 11111979
    Abstract: An air spring having an airsleeve, wherein at least one layer of the airsleeve includes the vulcanization product of a composition that includes at least one vuicanizable polymer, a curative, at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, and expandable graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Brandon C. Adcock, Hang Li
  • Publication number: 20200270431
    Abstract: Tires and tire components are provided having improved fire properties, as well as the vulcanizable compositions for making the tires and tire components. A vulcanizable composition is provided that includes at least one vulcanizable polymer, a curative, a halogenated hydrocarbon, and expandable graphite. The tires and tire components have improved properties including one or more of improved flame retardancy, reduced smoke density and/or toxicity, and reduced heat release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Brandon C. Adcock, Hang Li
  • Publication number: 20190331189
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Publication number: 20190249741
    Abstract: An air spring having an airsleeve, wherein at least one layer of said airsleeve includes the vulcanization product of a composition that includes at least one vulcanizable polymer, a curative, at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, and expandable graphite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Brandon C. Adcock, Hang Li
  • Patent number: 10316921
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Patent number: 9731558
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire assembly having an inner tire and an outer tire are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignees: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jon I. Stuckey, David J. Zemla, Jason B. Smith, Pradipta N. Moulik, Michael C. Howard, Jonathan D. Wood
  • Publication number: 20170114854
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Patent number: 9588053
    Abstract: A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Nieten, Graham R. Brookes, Michael C. Howard, Pradipta N. Moulik
  • Patent number: 9556921
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FIRESTONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Publication number: 20150246583
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire assembly having an inner tire and an outer tire are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Jon I. Stuckey, David J. Zemla, Jason B. Smith, Pradipta N. Moulik, Michael C. Howard, Jonathan D. Wood
  • Patent number: 9098951
    Abstract: An indicator of an estimated remaining life of an associated spring device can include at least one sensor and at least one processor. The at least one sensor can be operative to generate a signal having a relation to at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition of a spring device. The at least one processor can be communicatively coupled with the at least one sensor and programmed to receive signals from the at least one sensor, derive data from the received signals, and determine an estimated remaining life of at least the spring device using the data and an expression modeling a relationship between an estimated remaining life of the spring device and at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition. A gas spring and indicator assembly, a suspension system and a method are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Nieten, Pradipta N. Moulik, Michael C. Howard
  • Publication number: 20150000589
    Abstract: A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jason D. Nieten, Graham R. Brookes, Michael C. Howard, Pradipta N. Moulik
  • Publication number: 20140333016
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Michael C. HOWARD, Hao WANG, Sheel AGARWAL, John D. RENSEL
  • Patent number: 8800974
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel
  • Publication number: 20140095015
    Abstract: An indicator of an estimated remaining life of an associated spring device can include at least one sensor and at least one processor. The at least one sensor can be operative to generate a signal having a relation to at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition of a spring device. The at least one processor can be communicatively coupled with the at least one sensor and programmed to receive signals from the at least one sensor, derive data from the received signals, and determine an estimated remaining life of at least the spring device using the data and an expression modeling a relationship between an estimated remaining life of the spring device and at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition. A gas spring and indicator assembly, a suspension system and a method are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Nieten, Pradipta N. Moulik, Michael C. Howard