Patents by Inventor Neil R. Hoffman

Neil R. Hoffman 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: 4074910
    Abstract: The rotor of a disc brake apparatus for bicycles comprises a spider that flatwise overlies the outer face of one spoke flange on a wheel hub and is secured by spokes that have their hook portions extending through it and that spoke flange. A flat annular disc has radially inwardly projecting tabs that are secured to the spider and hold the disc in axially spaced relation to the spokes. A U-shaped caliper body straddles an edge portion of the disc. On a shorter leg the body has a fixed brake pad; on its longer leg it carries a movable brake pad that has a compound motion for self-energization. The body is movable in directions parallel to the wheel axis and is carried, in part, by a cup-shaped adapter coaxial to the wheel shaft and confined between a bearing cone for the wheel and an adjacent frame portion. Portions of the body straddle an elongated frame member to confine the body against rotation around the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: Brake Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Hoffman, Johannes H. Jansen
  • Patent number: 4036328
    Abstract: The rotor of a disc brake apparatus for bicycles comprises a spider that flatwise overlies the outer face of one spoke flange on a wheel hub and is secured by spokes that have their hook portions extending through it and that spoke flange. A flat annular disc has radially inwardly projecting tabs that are secured to the spider and hold the disc in axially spaced relation to the spokes. A U-shaped caliper body straddles an edge portion of the disc. On a shorter leg the body has a fixed brake pad; on its longer leg it carries a movable brake pad that has a compound motion for self-energization. The body is movable in directions parallel to the wheel axis and is carried, in part, by a cup-shaped adapter coaxial to the wheel shaft and confined between a bearing cone for the wheel and an adjacent frame portion. Portions of the body straddle an elongated frame member to confine the body against rotation around the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Brake Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Hoffman, Johannes H. Jansen
  • Patent number: 3993173
    Abstract: Two embodiments of electrically operated disk type brakes. In each embodiment the electric operator includes an electromagnet that is supported contiguous to the rotor and which, when actuated, moves axially into engagement with the rotor and rotates slightly with it. Means including tilting pin operators interconnect the electromagnet with the brake pads for actuating the brake pads in response to rotation of the electromagnet with the rotor. In one embodiment an improved connection is provided between the electromagnet and one brake pad that accommodates for changes in the degree of lining wear of the brake pads. In the other embodiment an arrangement is provided to balance the forces on the electromagnet and eliminate uneven wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1972
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Neil R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 3985391
    Abstract: The rotor of a disc brake apparatus for bicycles comprises a spider that flatwise overlies the outer face of one spoke flange on a wheel hub and is secured by spokes that have their hook portions extending through it and that spoke flange. A flat annular disc has radially inwardly projecting tabs that are secured to the spider and hold the disc in axially spaced relation to the spokes. A U-shaped caliper body straddles an edge portion of the disc. On a shorter leg the body has a fixed brake pad; on its longer leg it carries a movable brake pad that has a compound motion for self-energization. The body is movable in directions parallel to the wheel axis and is carried, in part, by a cup-shaped adapter coaxial to the wheel shaft and confined between a bearing cone for the wheel and an adjacent frame portion. Portions of the body straddle an elongated frame member to confine the body against rotation around the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Assignee: Brake Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Hoffman, Johannes Hans Jansen