Patents by Inventor Richard F. Pierman
Richard F. Pierman 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: 6672609Abstract: A lightweight, high-strength tow hook is provided. The tow hook includes a first member provided by an elongated strip of metal formed generally into a U-shape with a hooked end with two extending arms. The first member has a cross-sectional shape with a base and in a preferred embodiment has two extending cross-sectional legs which extend outwardly. A second member is provided forming a mounting bracket having a main body for connection to an automotive vehicle. The second member also has connected with the main body two connected lateral flanges. The flanges are connected with the first member extending arms. A third member is connected to the second member spanning the lateral flanges of the second member generally opposite the second member main body.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Oxford Suspension, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Pierman, Venkata Subramanian Balanethiram, Mohammad Zaheer Younus
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Publication number: 20020105163Abstract: A lightweight, high-strength tow hook is provided. The tow hook includes a first member provided by an elongated strip of metal formed generally into a U-shape with a hooked end with two extending arms. The first member has a cross-sectional shape with a base and in a preferred embodiment has two extending cross-sectional legs which extend outwardly. A second member is provided forming a mounting bracket having a main body for connection to an automotive vehicle. The second member also has connected with the main body two connected lateral flanges. The flanges are connected with the first member extending arms. A third member is connected to the second member spanning the lateral flanges of the second member generally opposite the second member main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Richard F. Pierman, Laura Pierman, Venkata Subramanian Balanethiram, Mohammad Zaheer Younus
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Patent number: 6354574Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring tip insert is provided. The insert includes a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent leaf spring tips, at least one shank portion extending from the pad portion to a free end, the shank portion having a generally axial bore, the shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward the pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, the protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that the protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of the shank portion therethrough, and a pin for insertion into the shank bore, the pin retaining the shank protuberance in a position to extend the protuberance radially outward to enable the shank leaf spring engagement surface to become engageable with the leaf spring.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Oxford Suspension, Inc.Inventors: James L. Oliver, Richard F. Pierman, Venkata Balanethiram, James W. Mailey
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Patent number: 6311960Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring tip insert is provided. The insert includes a pad portion providing a liner between adjacent leaf spring tips, at least one shank portion extending from the pad portion to a free end, the shank portion having a generally axial bore, the shank portion also having a protuberance extending outward therefrom with a leaf spring engagement surface facing toward the pad portion at an axial distance therefrom, the protuberance being dimensionally adapted and configured so that the protuberance is compressed radially inward sufficiently to be received through the tip opening upon insertion of the shank portion therethrough, and a pin for insertion into the shank bore, the pin being formed from a semi-liquid material poured into said shank axial bore or material from the protuberance that has been thermally deformed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2000Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Oxford Suspension, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Pierman, Venkata Balanethiram
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Patent number: 5706559Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring plate tip liner insert is provided, having a variety of configurations (50, 100, 150, 200, 250), of which one preferred embodiment is referenced by numeral (50). Insert (50) has a pad portion (3) adapted to provide a pad between adjacent leaf spring tips and at least one shank portion (4) extending from pad portion (3). Shank portion (4) is axially divided into two pairs of opposed protuberances (14, 14' and 16, 16'), with each pair having surfaces in registration with each other that are at different axial distances from pad portion (3) and engageable with the side of leaf spring opening opposite to the side into which shank portion (4) is inserted and are able to secure insert (50) to a leaf spring plate having a range of thicknesses upon expanding away from each other upon passing through the leaf spring tip opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: James J. Oliver, Richard F. Pierman, Michael J. Maure
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Patent number: 5244189Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a leaf spring (50) is provided comprising at least one composite leaf or plate (2) having a second layer (12) sandwiched within a first layer (10) in such a manner as to provide at least one discontinuity therein effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending between opposite ends of plate (2).Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1991Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Richard F. Pierman
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Patent number: 5203545Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a spring leaf or plate (50) is provided with at least one discontinuity therein that extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending therealong between opposite ends thereof and is effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel thereto. The the discontinuity(s) are provided by methods that include compressing an elongate member (10,12) having enclosed voids (12,16) extending along its central region in one embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (26) having a plurality of enclosed voids (28) extending along its length in another embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (41) having opposite sides (43,43') that, in cross-section, have a concave shape, in yet another embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1992Date of Patent: April 20, 1993Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Richard F. Pierman
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Patent number: 5144734Abstract: A vehicle suspension member such as a spring leaf or plate (50) is provided with at least one discontinuity therein that extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ("L/A") extending therealong between opposite ends thereof and is effective to divert crack propagation in a direction generally parallel thereto. The discontinuity(s) are provided by methods that include compressing an elongate member (10,12) having enclosed voids (12,16) extending along its central region in one embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (26) having a plurality of enclosed voids (28) extending along its length in another embodiment or by compressing an elongate member (41) having opposite sides (43,43') that, in cross-section, have a concave shape, in yet another embodiment.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1991Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Richard F. Pierman