Patents by Inventor Neil E. Johnston

Neil E. Johnston 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).

  • Piston pin assembly
    Patent number: 6550138
    Abstract: A method for reducing the incidence of piston pin failure by providing a retainer assembly for piston pin plugs such that the plugs cannot be removed or shaken lose during operation. A plastic rod is inserted into the piston pin, and the rod is ultrasonically welded to the stems of mushroom-shaped plastic piston plugs such that the plugs cover the open ends of the pin and are held in place by the cooperation of structure between the plugs and the rod. In an alternate embodiment, the stem of each pin plug is hollow and a respective internally threaded brass insert is disposed in the stem and ultrasonically welded therein. An externally threaded rod is then engaged with the two internally threaded inserts to hold the plugs on the piston pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James J. Billimack, Mark W. Jarrett, Neil E. Johnston
  • Piston pin assembly
    Patent number: 6364565
    Abstract: A method for reducing the incidence of piston pin failure by providing a retainer assembly for piston pin plugs such that the plugs cannot be removed or shaken lose during operation. A plastic rod is inserted into the piston pin, and the rod is ultrasonically welded to the stems of mushroom-shaped plastic piston plugs such that the plugs cover the open ends of the pin and are held in place by the cooperation of structure between the plugs and the rod. In an alternate embodiment, the stem of each pin plug is hollow and a respective internally threaded brass insert is disposed in the stem and ultrasonically welded therein. An externally threaded rod is then engaged with the two internally threaded inserts to hold the plugs on the piston pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Billimack, Mark W. Jarrett, Neil E. Johnston
  • Piston pin assembly
    Publication number: 20020034415
    Abstract: A method for reducing the incidence of piston pin failure by providing a retainer assembly for piston pin plugs such that the plugs cannot be removed or shaken lose during operation. A plastic rod is inserted into the piston pin, and the rod is ultrasonically welded to the stems of mushroom-shaped plastic piston plugs such that the plugs cover the open ends of the pin and are held in place by the cooperation of structure between the plugs and the rod. In an alternate embodiment, the stem of each pin plug is hollow and a respective internally threaded brass insert is disposed in the stem and ultrasonically welded therein. An externally threaded rod is then engaged with the two internally threaded inserts to hold the plugs on the piston pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: James J. Billimack, Mark W. Jarrett, Neil E. Johnston