Patents by Inventor Michael W. Wilcheck

Michael W. Wilcheck 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).

  • Wheel hub with lubricant fill port
    Patent number: 7585031
    Abstract: A non-drive axle depends from a heavy-duty vehicle. Each one of a pair of wheel end assemblies is mounted on a respective one of the ends of the non-drive axle. Each wheel end assembly includes a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle of the axle, and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings. A cavity is formed in the wheel end assembly between the bearings. A port is formed in the wheel hub and extends generally parallel to a central axis of the wheel hub, and communicates with the outboard surface of the wheel hub and the cavity. Lubricant for the bearings is introduced into the cavity by means of the port, and the port is tapped to receive a plug to seal it and contain the lubricant in the cavity. The port also receives a bolt that secures a hubcap to the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jay D. White, Larry B. Hester, Kenneth D. Mutzner, Michael W. Wilcheck
  • WHEEL HUB WITH LUBRICANT FILL PORT
    Publication number: 20080024003
    Abstract: A non-drive axle depends from a heavy-duty vehicle. Each one of a pair of wheel end assemblies is mounted on a respective one of the ends of the non-drive axle. Each wheel end assembly includes a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle of the axle, and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings. A cavity is formed in the wheel end assembly between the bearings. A port is formed in the wheel hub and extends generally parallel to a central axis of the wheel hub, and communicates with the outboard surface of the wheel hub and the cavity. Lubricant for the bearings is introduced into the cavity by means of the port, and the port is tapped to receive a plug to seal it and contain the lubricant in the cavity. The port also receives a bolt that secures a hubcap to the wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicants: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C., WALTHER ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jay D. White, Larry B. Hester, Kenneth D. Mutzner, Michael W. Wilcheck