Patents by Inventor Samuel J. Oram

Samuel J. Oram 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: 10724579
    Abstract: An automotive driveline disconnect assembly includes a first clutch part and a second clutch part, and is designed and constructed to preclude an occupant-audible noise from being made between components of the disconnect assembly. The preclusion of the occupant-audible noise can be effected via one or more dampers, a non-flat tooth profile, or a combination of these measures. The disconnect assembly can be equipped in a larger automotive driveline component such as a power transfer unit (PTU), a final drive unit (FDU), a rear drive module (RDM), or an electronic differential locker (EDL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Reichert, Robert Nelson, Samuel J. Oram
  • Patent number: 10634194
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a clip for restricting the axial movement of at least one of an inner shaft or an outer shaft relative to the other shaft includes a first free end, a second free end, an opening defining an open end of the clip between the first free end and the second free end, a closed end opposite the open end, at least three control zones, and a plurality of intermediate zones. Each intermediate zone has a varying width and each is disposed adjacent to at least one of the at least three control zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Crittenden A. Bittick, Tony N. Arden
  • Patent number: 10118486
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a disconnect assembly for a driveline component, such as a power transfer unit, may include an input shaft, a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft and an output shaft coupled to the disconnect shaft. A first gear is coupled to the disconnect shaft and a second gear is coupled to the output shaft and to the first gear so that the output shaft rotates when the disconnect shaft rotates. A connection feature is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft. The connection feature includes a first part carried by the gear for rotation therewith and a second part movable relative to the first part and carried by the input shaft for rotation with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Richard E. Bastien, Lei Yang, Mark A. Heinze
  • Publication number: 20180216671
    Abstract: An automotive driveline disconnect assembly includes a first clutch part and a second clutch part, and is designed and constructed to preclude an occupant-audible noise from being made between components of the disconnect assembly. The preclusion of the occupant-audible noise can be effected via one or more dampers, a non-flat tooth profile, or a combination of these measures. The disconnect assembly can be equipped in a larger automotive driveline component such as a power transfer unit (PTU), a final drive unit (FDU), a rear drive module (RDM), or an electronic differential locker (EDL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Paul F. Reichert, Robert Nelson, Samuel J. Oram
  • Patent number: 9850960
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a constant velocity joint includes a first rotational member and a boot can assembly coupled to the first rotational member. The boot can assembly includes a boot can, a boot and a seal carried by the boot can and arranged to engage and seal against the first rotational member when the boot can assembly is coupled to the first rotational member. The boot and seal may be formed from the same piece of material and may be bonded to the boot can. The boot and seal may be overmolded onto the boot can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Junior D'Angelo, Samuel J. Oram
  • Patent number: 9649933
    Abstract: A vehicle power transfer unit (PTU) disconnect assembly can include a first shaft, a second shaft, and a collar assembly. The first shaft has a first split-spline at its exterior surface. The second shaft is telescoped over the first shaft and has a set of splines at its exterior surface. A helical gear is carried by the second shaft. The collar assembly is situated around both of the first and second shafts. The collar assembly has a second split-spline at its interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Tony N. Arden, Daniel S. Engerer, Austin R. Gerding, Robert E. Toaso, Rick Ohsiek
  • Publication number: 20170130777
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a clip for restricting the axial movement of at least one of an inner shaft or an outer shaft relative to the other shaft includes a first free end, a second free end, an opening defining an open end of the clip between the first free end and the second free end, a closed end opposite the open end, at least three control zones, and a plurality of intermediate zones. Each intermediate zone has a varying width and each is disposed adjacent to at least one of the at least three control zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Crittenden A. Bittick, Tony N. Arden
  • Publication number: 20170080800
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a disconnect assembly for a driveline component, such as a power transfer unit, may include an input shaft, a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft and an output shaft coupled to the disconnect shaft. A first gear is coupled to the disconnect shaft and a second gear is coupled to the output shaft and to the first gear so that the output shaft rotates when the disconnect shaft rotates. A connection feature is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft. The connection feature includes a first part carried by the gear for rotation therewith and a second part movable relative to the first part and carried by the input shaft for rotation with the input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Richard E. Bastien, Lei Yang, Mark A. Heinze
  • Patent number: 9546696
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a disconnect assembly for a driveline component, such as a power transfer unit, may include an input shaft, a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft and an output shaft coupled to the disconnect shaft. A first gear is coupled to the disconnect shaft and a second gear is coupled to the output shaft and to the first gear so that the output shaft rotates when the disconnect shaft rotates. A connection feature is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft. The connection feature includes a first part carried by the gear for rotation therewith and a second part movable relative to the first part and carried by the input shaft for rotation with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Richard E. Bastien, Lei Yang, Mark A. Heinze
  • Publication number: 20160178014
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a constant velocity joint includes a first rotational member and a boot can assembly coupled to the first rotational member. The boot can assembly includes a boot can, a boot and a seal carried by the boot can and arranged to engage and seal against the first rotational member when the boot can assembly is coupled to the first rotational member. The boot and seal may be formed from the same piece of material and may be bonded to the boot can. The boot and seal may be overmoulded onto the boot can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Sam Junior D'Angelo, Samuel J. Oram
  • Publication number: 20150321554
    Abstract: A vehicle power transfer unit (PTU) disconnect assembly can include a first shaft, a second shaft, and a collar assembly. The first shaft has a first split-spline at its exterior surface. The second shaft is telescoped over the first shaft and has a set of splines at its exterior surface. A helical gear is carried by the second shaft. The collar assembly is situated around both of the first and second shafts. The collar assembly has a second split-spline at its interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Tony N. Arden, Daniel S. Engerer, Austin R. Gerding, Robert E. Toaso, Rick Ohsiek
  • Publication number: 20150316110
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a disconnect assembly for a driveline component, such as a power transfer unit, may include an input shaft, a disconnect shaft selectively rotated by the input shaft and an output shaft coupled to the disconnect shaft. A first gear is coupled to the disconnect shaft and a second gear is coupled to the output shaft and to the first gear so that the output shaft rotates when the disconnect shaft rotates. A connection feature is movable between an engaged position in which the input shaft and disconnect shaft are coupled and a disengaged position in which the input shaft rotates relative to the disconnect shaft. The connection feature includes a first part carried by the gear for rotation therewith and a second part movable relative to the first part and carried by the input shaft for rotation with the input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Richard E. Bastien, Lei Yang, Mark A. Heinze
  • Patent number: 8062137
    Abstract: An exemplary constant velocity joint includes a first member and a second member rotatably engaging the first member. A clutch pack is disposed between and engages the first and second members. A fastener is used to attach the first member to the second member. The fastener is fixedly connected to the second member and rotatably engages the first member. The fastener exerts a biasing force for urging the first and second members into engagement with the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony N. Arden, Samuel J. Oram
  • Patent number: 8047919
    Abstract: An automotive shaft assembly is provided including a first barshaft having a first connection end and a second barshaft having a second connection end. A connection tube rotationally engages the first connection to the second connection end and includes a shear diameter configured to experience shear failure in the presence of an overload torque such that the first connection end is rotationally disengaged the said second connection end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony N Arden, Samuel J Oram
  • Patent number: 7993207
    Abstract: A vehicle joint assembly is provided comprising an outer race having an outer surface and an inner surface. A pair of opposed slot tracks are formed in the inner cup surface and each comprise a track top wall and two track sidewalls. A barshaft is in communication with a bipod element comprised of a body portion and two opposed peg portions. Each of the two opposed peg portions comprises two opposed curved engagement surfaces engaging one of the track sidewalls. The bipod element is positioned within the outer race such that each of the opposed peg portions resides in one of the opposed slot tracks. The bipod element is capable of being positioned in a variety of angles within the slot tracks and is capable of plunging within the slot tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony N. Arden, Samuel J. Oram, Steven L. Leffingwell, Noel W. Sutton, Thomas C. Walbridge
  • Publication number: 20100029394
    Abstract: A vehicle joint assembly is provided comprising an outer race having an outer surface and an inner surface. A pair of opposed slot tracks are formed in the inner cup surface and each comprise a track top wall and two track sidewalls. A barshaft is in communication with a bipod element comprised of a body portion and two opposed peg portions. Each of the two opposed peg portions comprises two opposed curved engagement surfaces engaging one of the track sidewalls. The bipod element is positioned within the outer race such that each of the opposed peg portions resides in one of the opposed slot tracks. The bipod element is capable of being positioned in a variety of angles within the slot tracks and is capable of plunging within the slot tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Tony N. Arden, Samuel J. Oram, Steven L. Leffingwell, Noel W. Sutton, Thomas C. Walbridge
  • Publication number: 20090253521
    Abstract: An automotive shaft assembly is provided including a first barshaft having a first connection end and a second barshaft having a second connection end. A connection tube rotationally engages the first connection to the second connection end and includes a shear diameter configured to experience shear failure in the presence of an overload torque such that the first connection end is rotationally disengaged the said second connection end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Tony N. Arden, Samuel J. Oram
  • Publication number: 20090186706
    Abstract: An exemplary constant velocity joint includes a first member and a second member rotatably engaging the first member. A clutch pack is disposed between and engages the first and second members. A fastener is used to attach the first member to the second member. The fastener is fixedly connected to the second member and rotatably engages the first member. The fastener exerts a biasing force for urging the first and second members into engagement with the clutch pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Tony N. Arden, Samuel J. Oram