Patents by Inventor Ricky M. GRAVES

Ricky M. GRAVES 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).

  • Engine accessory mount for improved stretch belt installation
    Patent number: 8821327
    Abstract: An engine includes an engine structure defining a plurality of cylinders. A crankshaft is rotatably mounted to the engine structure and a plurality of pistons are each disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of cylinders and drivingly connected to the crankshaft. A drive pulley is drivingly connected to the crankshaft. An accessory is mounted to the engine structure and includes a driven pulley connected to the drive pulley by a belt. The belt has a load direction extending through an axis of rotation of the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The accessory includes a housing having two slots extending generally parallel to the load direction of the belt and each receiving a fastener therein. A tensioner bolt is located between the two slots and extends generally parallel to the load direction to apply a tension force on the housing in the load direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Stade, Michael David Lanier, Ricky M. Graves
  • Engine Accessory Mount For Improved Stretch Belt Installation
    Publication number: 20140238320
    Abstract: An engine includes an engine structure defining a plurality of cylinders. A crankshaft is rotatably mounted to the engine structure and a plurality of pistons are each disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of cylinders and drivingly connected to the crankshaft. A drive pulley is drivingly connected to the crankshaft. An accessory is mounted to the engine structure and includes a driven pulley connected to the drive pulley by a belt. The belt has a load direction extending through an axis of rotation of the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The accessory includes a housing having two slots extending generally parallel to the load direction of the belt and each receiving a fastener therein. A tensioner bolt is located between the two slots and extends generally parallel to the load direction to apply a tension force on the housing in the load direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. STADE, Michael David LANIER, Ricky M. GRAVES