Patents by Inventor Michael R. Toole

Michael R. Toole 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).

  • Final drive disconnect mechanism via transmission
    Patent number: 11639208
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Boley, Rick Daugherty, James Priest, Michael R. Toole, Bruce E. Crum
  • FINAL DRIVE DISCONNECT MECHANISM VIA TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20220266931
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Larry Boley, Rick Daugherty, James Priest, Michael R. Toole, Bruce E. Crum
  • Final drive disconnect mechanism via transmission
    Patent number: 11332206
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Boley, Rick Daugherty, James Priest, Michael R. Toole, Bruce E. Crum
  • FINAL DRIVE DISCONNECT MECHANISM VIA TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20210053630
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Larry Boley, Rick Daugherty, James Priest, Michael R. Toole, Bruce E. Crum
  • Final drive disconnect mechanism via transmission
    Patent number: 10829169
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Boley, Rick Daugherty, James Priest, Michael R. Toole, Bruce E. Crum
  • FINAL DRIVE DISCONNECT MECHANISM VIA TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20180335112
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Boley, Rick Daugherty, James Priest, Michael R. Toole, Bruce E. Crum