Patents by Inventor Randy Sommers

Randy Sommers 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: 7458911
    Abstract: A drive system designed to use a vehicle's existing hydraulic system to operate a controllable limited slip differential assembly. The limited slip differential assembly may be associated with the front axle, the rear axle, or the driveline between the front and rear axles. The differential assembly may also be used in combination that includes front, rear, or intermediate differential assemblies. The drive system further includes a friction clutch assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging an input member with an output member of the differential assembly, a fluid clutch actuator for selectively frictionally and variably loading the clutch assembly, and a fluid pump that is a common source of pressurized fluid for the fluid clutch actuator and the existing hydraulic system of the motor vehicle other than the fluid clutch actuator of the drive system. The fluid clutch actuator is actuated by fluid pressure generated by the fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Krisher, Kenneth E. Cooper, Thomas L. Nahrwold, Gordon W. Hunt, Ralph W. Baxter, Jr., Randy Sommer
  • Patent number: 7438542
    Abstract: A fluid pump assembly comprises a pump housing and a fluid pump disposed within the pump housing. The fluid pump has axially opposite first and second side faces and includes cooperating impeller and rotor members. The fluid pump assembly further comprises inlet and outlet ports disposed adjacent to the first side face, a pressure chamber formed within the pump housing adjacent to the second side face, and an end plate disposed within the pressure chamber and movable relative to the pump between a first position and a second position. The end plate has axially opposite inner and outer end surfaces oriented so that the inner end surface faces the fluid pump, while the outer end surface faces away from the pump. An area of the outer end surface of the end plate is greater than the area of the inner end surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC.
    Inventors: Ralph W. Baxter, Jr., Randy Sommer, Stephen Garlick
  • Publication number: 20070140886
    Abstract: A fluid pump assembly comprises a pump housing and a fluid pump disposed within the pump housing. The fluid pump has axially opposite first and second side faces and includes cooperating impeller and rotor members. The fluid pump assembly further comprises inlet and outlet ports disposed adjacent to the first side face, a pressure chamber formed within the pump housing adjacent to the second side face, and an end plate disposed within the pressure chamber and movable relative to the pump between a first position and a second position. The end plate has axially opposite inner and outer end surfaces oriented so that the inner end surface faces the fluid pump, while the outer end surface faces away from the pump. An area of the outer end surface of the end plate is greater than the area of the inner end surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Ralph Baxter, Randy Sommer, Stephen Garlick
  • Publication number: 20060285952
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted hoist includes a vehicle having a main frame with a rear, an apron assembly connected to the rear of the main frame, a hoist frame pivotally connected at a hoist hinge to the apron assembly, and drive means for pivoting the hoist frame between a rest position and an inclined, loading position; and, a stabilizer assembly including a stabilizer having a distal end and being pivotally mounted to the apron assembly, the stabilizer assembly further including stabilizer pivot means connected between the stabilizer and the hoist frame for pivoting the stabilizer between a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position including the distal end of the stabilizer being at or near the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Galbreath, Randy Sommers
  • Publication number: 20060169564
    Abstract: A drive system designed to use a vehicle's existing hydraulic system to operate a controllable limited slip differential assembly. The limited slip differential assembly may be associated with the front axle, the rear axle, or the driveline between the front and rear axles. The differential assembly may also be used in combination that includes front, rear, or intermediate differential assemblies. The drive system further includes a friction clutch assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging an input member with an output member of the differential assembly, a fluid clutch actuator for selectively frictionally and variably loading the clutch assembly, and a fluid pump that is a common source of pressurized fluid for the fluid clutch actuator and the existing hydraulic system of the motor vehicle other than the fluid clutch actuator of the drive system. The fluid clutch actuator is actuated by fluid pressure generated by the fluid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: James Krisher, Kenneth Cooper, Thomas Nahrwold, Gordon Hunt, Ralph Baxter, Randy Sommer
  • Patent number: 6929146
    Abstract: A waste container includes a container body defining at least one opening; a door sized and configured to close off the at least one opening; a seal connected with one of the container body and the door; a hinge assembly connected between the container body and the door to permit the door to swing between a closed position covering the opening and an open position uncovering the opening, the hinge assembly including at least one hinge unit and at least one control mechanism, the at least one hinge unit having at least first and second door rotation axes and the hinge assembly including a control mechanism mechanically connected between the container body and the door to control the degree of rotation of the door about the at least first and second door rotation axes; wherein the seal is juxtaposed relative to the container body and the door to provide a fluid tight seal between the container body and the door when the door is in a closed and sealed position; and, a latching assembly mechanically connected bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventors: Donald E. Galbreath, Randy Sommers