Patents by Inventor Salvatore N. Grupido

Salvatore N. Grupido 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).

  • Publication number: 20040204251
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages a portion of the trunnion to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Publication number: 20040180723
    Abstract: A universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages an inner surface of the lubricant passage to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6336868
    Abstract: A universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts and a method of assembling the universal joint. The universal joint includes a pair of yokes secured to the shafts and a cruciform for interconnecting the yokes. Both yokes are bifurcated to define a pair of laterally-spaced legs. Each leg has an aperture which includes a first bore adapted to receive a bearing cup therein and a second bore into which an end portion of the bearing cup extends. Each bearing cup rotatably supports one of four orthogonal trunnions extending from the cruciform. With respect to each of the yokes, a pair of axially-aligned trunnions, with bearing cups mounted thereon, are installed into the apertures so as to support the cruciform between the legs of the yoke. Thereafter, a retention member is inserted in the second bore of each aperture such that one surface of the retention member rests on the bearing cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Kurecka, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6280335
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a yoke with a leg having an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture includes an annular groove. The universal joint also includes a cruciform having a trunion, a bearing cup positioned in the aperture and mounted on the trunion and a retention member including an outer ring having a first surface and a second surface. The retention member further includes a spring tab axially extending beyond the first surface and disposed within the aperture such that the spring tab biasedly engages the bearing cup. The second surface of the retention member is at least partially disposed within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Wehner, Thomas J. Oldenburg, Donald J. Kurecka, Salvatore N. Grupido