Patents by Inventor Michael Ricks
Michael Ricks 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).
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Patent number: 6251019Abstract: A constant velocity plunging joint is disclosed that includes an outer joint part having a cylindrical hollow chamber with an aperture at a first end, which cylindrical hollow chamber, at its other end, is closed by a base and in which there are formed uniformly circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending tracks; an inner joint part which is positioned centrally in the cylindrical hollow chamber of the outer joint part so as to be angularly movable and longitudinally displaceable; and torque transmitting elements which, in the direction of rotation, are form-fittingly connected to the inner joint part and which, in the direction of rotation, engage the tracks of the outer joint part from-fittingly and so as to roll therein in the longitudinal direction; wherein, at the open end of the outer joint part, the end face is provided with caulkings which form raised portions reducing the free inner cross-section of the -cylindrical hollow chamber; wherein an assembly consisting of the inner joint part anType: GrantFiled: May 4, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: GKN Lobro GmbHInventors: Norbert Hofmann, Michael Ricks
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Patent number: 5676599Abstract: An outer joint part for a tripod joint has a track portion with three circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending, axis-parallel inner recesses with approximately parallel walls. A flange is secured to the track portion to connect shaft or gearbox parts. The portion of the outer joint part is produced by cold-forming with an approximately constant wall thickness. The flange includes a central inner recess whose inner contour mates with the outer contour of the track portion. The flange is slid on and connected to the track portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbHInventors: Michael Ricks, Peter Bilz, Dieter Sattler, Werner Jacob
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Patent number: 5658199Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis parallel recesses and an inner joint part. The inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section with three circumferentially distributed arms which engage the recesses of the outer joint part. The roller assemblies are supported on the arms. Each roller assembly includes a roller carrier and a roller rotatably supported by a needle bearing on the roller carrier. The rollers are pivotably arranged relative to the respective arms so as to be axially and angularly movable relative to the arm axis. The rollers have running faces, which are loaded under torque transmission, and end or annular faces, which adjoin the running faces on the radial outside and inside with reference to the joint axis. The annular faces, in cross-section through the outer joint part, are complementary to the outer joint part, axially relative to the roller axis and supportingly, come to rest in and against the outer joint part recesses.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbHInventors: Michael Ricks, Norbert Hofmann
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Patent number: 5573464Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three axially extending recesses and an inner joint part with three radially circumferentially distributed arms, each engaging one of the longitudinal recesses. Roller assemblies, with roller carriers and roller elements, are carried on the arms. A mechanism cooperating with the inner joint part provides a form-fitting resistance to prevent the roller assemblies from axial removal from their respective arm.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1994Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbHInventors: Norbert Hofmann, Michael Ricks
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Patent number: 5525109Abstract: A tripode joint with an outer joint part which comprises three circumferentially distributed axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially opposed tracks, and an inner joint part whose cross-section is star-shaped and which is provided with three circumferentially distributed arms which engage the recesses of the outer joint part, with the arms supporting roller assemblies each comprising a roller carrier and a roller, which by way of a needle bearing, is rotatably supported on the roller carrier, with the rollers being arranged relative to the respective arms so as to be axially movable relative to the arm axis and angularly movable relative to the arm axis; and with reference to the roller axis (B), there is provided only one mutually effective axial securing element between each roller carrier and the respective roller in the form of only one single securing ring which may be subjected to loads in both directions and which engages radially opposed first and second annular grooves in the inner face in thType: GrantFiled: September 15, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: GKN Automotive AGInventors: Norbert Hofmann, Michael Ricks, Volker Bergmann
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Patent number: 5507693Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint of the tripod type has an outer joint part with three axially extending, circumferentially distributed longitudinal recesses with circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. The tracks have surfaces which are grooved so as to have the shape of a circular cylindrical portion. An inner joint part includes three radial circumferentially distributed arms each engaging one of the longitudinal recesses and carrying roller assemblies having roller carriers and roller elements. The roller elements have running faces in the shape of a spherical portion and are axially guided so as to roll on the tracks in the longitudinal recesses of the outer joint part. The roller carriers are guided on the arms so as to be pivotable and longitudinally movable relative to the respective arm axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1993Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbHInventors: Peter Schwarzler, Volker Bergmann, Dieter Burghardt, Norbert Hofmann, Michael Ricks, Hans-Heinrich Welschof
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Patent number: 5391013Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. An inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section and three circumferentially distributed arms engaging the recesses in the outer joint part. The arms support roller assemblies. When torque is transmitted with the joint in an extended position, the resultant K.sub.1 of the forces acting from the inner joint part directly on a roller forms a shorter perpendicular distance from the joint axis than the resultant K.sub.2 of the counter forces acting from the outer joint part on the roller, so that, when torque is introduced into the joint, at any angle of articulation of the operating range, the roller is subject to a tilting moment.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1992Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignees: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH, GKN Automotive AGInventors: Michael Ricks, Norbert Hofmann, Friedholm John, Werner Krude, Dieter Jost, Peter Harz, Jorg Bensinger
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Patent number: 5376049Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint component having three circumferentially distributed recesses with parallel axes forming circumferentially opposing tracks. An inner joint component has a spider-shape cross-section with three circumferentially distributed arms which engage recesses of the outer joint component. The arms support roller assemblies. Each roller assembly includes a roller-carrier and a roller that runs directly on the tracks. The roller is arranged to slide axially along the arm axis and swivel with angular movement relative to the arm axis. A support is provided between the roller assembly and the outer joint component. The support absorbs tilting moments exerted on the roller assembly about an axis parallel to the joint axis and tilting moments exerted on the roller assembly about an axis perpendicular to, and spaced from, the joint axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1992Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbHInventors: Hans-Heinrich Welschof, Peter Schwarzler, Michael Ricks, Norbert Hofmann, Friedhelm John, Hans Wormsbacher, Dieter Burghardt
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Patent number: RE36163Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. An inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section and three circumferentially distributed arms engaging the recesses in the outer joint part. The arms support roller assemblies. When torque is transmitted with the joint in an extended position, the resultant K.sub.1 of the forces acting from the inner joint part directly on a roller forms a shorter perpendicular distance from the joint axis than the resultant K.sub.2 of the counter forces acting from the outer joint part on the roller, so that, when torque is introduced into the joint, at any angle of articulation of the operating range, the roller is subject to a tilting moment.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignees: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH, GKN Automotive AGInventors: Michael Ricks, Norbert Hofmann, Friedhelm John, Werner Krude, Dieter Jost, Peter Harz, Jorg Bensinger