Patents by Inventor Robert W. Hacker
Robert W. Hacker 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: 6739978Abstract: A hub/bearing unit 20 including a housing 22 and a hub 24 having a flange 27, an inboard surface 29 and a centrally located bore 25. A constant velocity joint 10 provides an inner joint member 14 attached to a shaft 16, an outer joint member 12 disposed about the inner joint member 14, a plurality of balls 15 between the inner joint member 14 and the outer joint member 12 wherein the balls 15 transmit rotational force between the inner joint member 14 and the outer joint member 12, respectively. An attachment device 52 has a threaded portion 54 and a shoulder portion 56. The shoulder portion 56 contacts a backing surface 60 of the constant velocity joint 10 to attach the constant velocity joint 10 to the hub/bearing unit 20.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventors: Robert W. Hacker, Mark Joki
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Patent number: 6644861Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of installing a bearing and hub in a steering knuckle. The method provides fitting an outer race into the knuckle with an interference fit, fitting first rolling elements between first raceways such that they seat along the first raceways, ascertaining an axial position of an initially separate inner race that will place the bearing in a predetermined condition of preload when the initially separate inner race is fitted over the hub with an interference fit and against the abutment face, installing the initially separate inner race on the hub with an interference fit and against an abutment face in the positioned ascertained, and capturing the initially separate inner race against the abutment face and in abutment on the hub to insure that it retains the position ascertained and that the bearing operates in preload.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventors: Robert W. Hacker, Mark Joki
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Patent number: 6616340Abstract: A vehicle wheel hub with a flange by which a wheel is mounted, the hub being supported by a knuckle and rotated through a universal joint, such as a CV joint, the CV joint having an outer joint member or shell with a cylindrical end having an end face. Axially spaced inboard and outboard tapered roller bearing members are positioned between the hub and the knuckle. The inboard bearing member has a cone with a raceway and a back face but no thrust rib. The shell cylindrical end face abuts the inboard cone back face and is adapted to engage the back faces of tapered rollers of the inboard roller bearing member to serve as a thrust rib for the inboard bearing member.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventor: Robert W. Hacker
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Patent number: 6601994Abstract: A wheel hub assembly for an automotive vehicle has a spindle with a flange by which a wheel is mounted, the spindle being supported by a support member and being rotated through a universal joint. Axially spaced inboard and outboard bearing members are positioned between the spindle and the support member. The spindle has a tapered raceway forming a cone of the outboard bearing member, the raceway lying inboard of the flange. The outboard bearing member cone raceway has no thrust rib at its large, outboard end, and a large radius is provided between the outboard end of the raceway and the flange. An outboard bearing member cup has a raceway tapered complementarily to the cone raceway and a thrust rib at its outboard end. Preferably, the inboard bearing member has a cone with no thrust rib, and a cup with a thrust rib.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventor: Robert W. Hacker
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Publication number: 20030128904Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of installing a bearing and hub in a steering knuckle. The method provides fitting an outer race into the knuckle with an interference fit, fitting first rolling elements between first raceways such that they seat along the first raceways, ascertaining an axial position of an initially separate inner race that will place the bearing in a predetermined condition of preload when the initially separate inner race is fitted over the hub with an interference fit and against the abutment face, installing the initially separate inner race on the hub with an interference fit and against an abutment face in the positioned ascertained, and capturing the initially separate inner race against the abutment face and in abutment on the hub to insure that it retains the position ascertained and that the bearing operates in preload.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: The Timken CompanyInventors: Robert W. Hacker, Mark Joki
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Patent number: 6581288Abstract: An application tool (and a method of use of the tool) is provided for assembling an outboard seal and roller assembly into a hub unit. The tool and method allow for the use of standard seals and standard cage/roller assemblies, thus avoiding the problem associated with the use of special cages or oversized large-diameter seals.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Rybkoski, Richard H. Miller, Robert W. Hacker
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Publication number: 20030103706Abstract: A wheel hub assembly for an automotive vehicle has a spindle with a flange by which a wheel is mounted, the spindle being supported by a support member and being rotated through a universal joint. Axially spaced inboard and outboard bearing members are positioned between the spindle and the support member. The spindle has a tapered raceway forming a cone of the outboard bearing member, the raceway lying inboard of the flange. The outboard bearing member cone raceway has no thrust rib at its large, outboard end, and a large radius is provided between the outboard end of the raceway and the flange. An outboard bearing member cup has a raceway tapered complementarily to the cone raceway and a thrust rib at its outboard end. Preferably, the inboard bearing member has a cone with no thrust rib, and a cup with a thrust rib.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2001Publication date: June 5, 2003Applicant: The Timken CompanyInventor: Robert W. Hacker
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Publication number: 20030098563Abstract: A vehicle wheel hub with a flange by which a wheel is mounted, the hub being supported by a knuckle and rotated through a universal joint, such as a CV joint, the CV joint having an outer joint member or shell with a cylindrical end having an end face. Axially spaced inboard and outboard tapered roller bearing members are positioned between the hub and the knuckle. The inboard bearing member has a cone with a raceway and a back face but no thrust rib. The shell cylindrical end face abuts the inboard cone back face and is adapted to engage the back faces of tapered rollers of the inboard roller bearing member to serve as a thrust rib for the inboard bearing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Applicant: The Timken CompanyInventor: Robert W. Hacker
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Publication number: 20030070886Abstract: A hub assembly for coupling a road wheel and a brake rotor to the suspension system of an automotive vehicle includes a hub which rotates relative to a suspension system member on a bearing. The hub includes a spindle which extends into the bearing and a flange which is formed integral with the spindle. The flange has a front face that perpendicular to the axis and a back face that is slightly oblique to the axis as well as circumferential rib at its periphery. The back face is interrupted by lands, and here threaded studs extend through the flange and beyond the front face. Lug nuts, which are threaded over the studs, secure the rotor and the wheel to the flange. The circumferential flange reduces distortion of the front face of the flange under the forces exerted by the studs and also under inertial forces transferred to the road wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Applicant: The Timken CompanyInventor: Robert W. Hacker
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Publication number: 20030064817Abstract: The disclosure generally provides an assembly comprising a hub/bearing unit comprising a housing and a hub comprising a flange having an inboard surface and a centrally located bore. The hub/bearing unit further provides a plurality of rolling elements between the housing and the hub that rotatingly support the hub within the housing. A constant velocity joint provides an inner joint member attached to an shaft, an outer joint member disposed about the inner joint member, a plurality of balls between the inner joint member and the outer joint member wherein the balls transmit rotational force between the inner joint member and the outer joint member, respectively. An attachment device has a threaded portion and a shoulder portion. The shoulder portion contacts a backing surface of the constant velocity joint to attach the constant velocity joint to the hub/bearing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: The Timken CompanyInventors: Robert W. Hacker, Mark Joki