Patents by Inventor Steve Nance

Steve Nance 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: 11007831
    Abstract: Hitch assemblies are provided. The hitch assemblies includes a first body defining a receiving cavity and a locking mechanism, and a second body removably insertable into the receiving cavity of the first body. The first body is fixedly attachable to a vehicle and the second body is configured to operably connect to a trailing structure, and the locking mechanism includes a rotating member extending through the receiving cavity and rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein, when the second body is positioned within the receiving cavity and the rotating member is in a secured position, the rotating member secures the second body to the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: B & W CUSTOM TRUCK BEDS, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Nance
  • Patent number: 10605128
    Abstract: A cam phaser including a rotation phaser and a hydraulic valve hydraulically loading the rotation phaser, wherein the hydraulic valve is connectable torque proof with a cam shaft so that the cam shaft is rotatable, wherein the rotation phaser includes a stator and a rotor configured coaxial with the stator, wherein the rotor is rotatable relative to the stator, wherein the hydraulic valve is configured so that it protrudes at least partially into the rotation phaser, wherein an adapter is provided for a relative axial positioning of the rotor and the stator. According to the invention the adapter is configured for loose mounting in the rotation phaser so that a fixated connection of the adapter in the rotation phaser is provided when the cam shaft is mounted at the hydraulic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ECO Holdings 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Nance, John Snyder
  • Publication number: 20190170029
    Abstract: A cam phaser including a rotation phaser and a hydraulic valve hydraulically loading the rotation phaser, wherein the hydraulic valve is connectable torque proof with a cam shaft so that the cam shaft is rotatable, wherein the rotation phaser includes a stator and a rotor configured coaxial with the stator, wherein the rotor is rotatable relative to the stator, wherein the hydraulic valve is configured so that it protrudes at least partially into the rotation phaser, wherein an adapter is provided for a relative axial positioning of the rotor and the stator. According to the invention the adapter is configured for loose mounting in the rotation phaser so that a fixated connection of the adapter in the rotation phaser is provided when the cam shaft is mounted at the hydraulic valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Steve Nance, John Snyder
  • Patent number: 10240493
    Abstract: A cam phaser including a rotation phaser and a hydraulic valve hydraulically loading the rotation phaser, wherein the hydraulic valve is connectable torque proof with a cam shaft so that the cam shaft is rotatable, wherein the rotation phaser includes a stator and a rotor configured coaxial with the stator, wherein the rotor is rotatable relative to the stator, wherein the hydraulic valve is configured so that it protrudes at least partially into the rotation phaser, wherein an adapter is provided for a relative axial positioning of the rotor and the stator. According to the invention the adapter is configured for loose mounting in the rotation phaser so that a fixated connection of the adapter in the rotation phaser is provided when the cam shaft is mounted at the hydraulic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Nance, John Snyder
  • Publication number: 20190070917
    Abstract: Hitch assemblies are provided. The hitch assemblies includes a first body defining a receiving cavity and a locking mechanism, and a second body removably insertable into the receiving cavity of the first body. The first body is fixedly attachable to a vehicle and the second body is configured to operably connect to a trailing structure, and the locking mechanism includes a rotating member extending through the receiving cavity and rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein, when the second body is positioned within the receiving cavity and the rotating member is in a secured position, the rotating member secures the second body to the first body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Steve Nance
  • Patent number: 9784143
    Abstract: A valve timing control device, in effect a cam phaser, for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device includes a rotor connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes. A stator is engaged with the rotor, and includes a plurality of webs. Pressure chambers are provided between each of the webs and vanes. The cam phaser is configured to automatically locate to its mid-lock position, without having to rely on electronic control. At least one embodiment of the present invention is configured to use cam torque to recirculate oil from one side of the vanes of the rotor to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: HILITE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: John Snyder, Steve Nance, Udo Diederichs, Melissa Koenig, Daniel Stanhope, Kenneth J. Parker, Guenther Benischek
  • Publication number: 20170260884
    Abstract: A cam phaser including a rotation phaser and a hydraulic valve hydraulically loading the rotation phaser, wherein the hydraulic valve is connectable torque proof with a cam shaft so that the cam shaft is rotatable, wherein the rotation phaser includes a stator and a rotor configured coaxial with the stator, wherein the rotor is rotatable relative to the stator, wherein the hydraulic valve is configured so that it protrudes at least partially into the rotation phaser, wherein an adapter is provided for a relative axial positioning of the rotor and the stator. According to the invention the adapter is configured for loose mounting in the rotation phaser so that a fixated connection of the adapter in the rotation phaser is provided when the cam shaft is mounted at the hydraulic valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Steve Nance, John Snyder
  • Patent number: 9366160
    Abstract: A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device includes a rotor connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes. A stator is engaged with the rotor, and includes a plurality of webs. Pressure chambers are provided between each of the webs and vanes. A centering slot is provided on the stator and/or the rotor. A pressure medium control valve is disposed in one of the vanes of the rotor, and is configured to not only selectively lock and unlock the position of the rotor relative to the stator, but is also configured such that pressure medium in the pressure chambers is ventable through the centering slot and thereafter through the pressure medium control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Hilite Germany GMBH
    Inventors: James Anthony Morehead, Wes Gerszewski, John Snyder, Joe S. Cole, Jack Doyle Hutcheson, Steve Nance
  • Publication number: 20160010515
    Abstract: A valve timing control device, in effect a cam phaser, for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device includes a rotor connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes. A stator is engaged with the rotor, and includes a plurality of webs. Pressure chambers are provided between each of the webs and vanes. The cam phaser is configured to automatically locate to its mid-lock position, without having to rely on electronic control. At least one embodiment of the present invention is configured to use cam torque to recirculate oil from one side of the vanes of the rotor to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: John Snyder, Steve Nance, Udo Diederichs, Melissa Koenig, Daniel Stanhope, Kenneth J. Parker, Guenther Benischek
  • Publication number: 20150167505
    Abstract: A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device includes a rotor connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes. A stator is engaged with the rotor, and includes a plurality of webs. Pressure chambers are provided between each of the webs and vanes. A centering slot is provided on the stator and/or the rotor. A pressure medium control valve is disposed in one of the vanes of the rotor, and is configured to not only selectively lock and unlock the position of the rotor relative to the stator, but is also configured such that pressure medium in the pressure chambers is veritable through the centering slot and thereafter through the pressure medium control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: James Anthony Morehead, Wes Gerszewski, John Snyder, Joe S. Cole, Jack Doyle Hutcheson, Steve Nance
  • Patent number: 8973542
    Abstract: A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device includes a rotor connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes. A stator is engaged with the rotor, and includes a plurality of webs. Pressure chambers are provided between each of the webs and vanes. A centering slot is provided on the stator and/or the rotor. A pressure medium control valve is disposed in one of the vanes of the rotor, and is configured to not only selectively lock and unlock the position of the rotor relative to the stator, but is also configured such that pressure medium in the pressure chambers is veritable through the centering slot and thereafter through the pressure medium control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hilite Germany GmbH
    Inventors: James Anthony Morehead, Wes Gerszewski, John Snyder, Joe S. Cole, Jack Doyle Hutcheson, Steve Nance
  • Publication number: 20140083384
    Abstract: A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine. The valve timing control device includes a rotor connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes. A stator is engaged with the rotor, and includes a plurality of webs. Pressure chambers are provided between each of the webs and vanes. A centering slot is provided on the stator and/or the rotor. A pressure medium control valve is disposed in one of the vanes of the rotor, and is configured to not only selectively lock and unlock the position of the rotor relative to the stator, but is also configured such that pressure medium in the pressure chambers is veritable through the centering slot and thereafter through the pressure medium control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hilite Germany GmbH
    Inventors: James Anthony Morehead, Wes Gerszewski, John Snyder, Joe S. Cole, Jack Doyle Hutcheson, Steve Nance
  • Patent number: 8640662
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for a combustion engine according to which a rotational member, such as a sprocket, is driven by said combustion engine, a rotor is mechanically coupled with a camshaft for controlling opening and closing of cylinder valves of said combustion engine, a first configuration is provided in which the rotor is locked to the rotational member; and a second configuration is provided in which the rotor is unlocked from said rotational member. In another aspect an operating method of said valve timing control apparatus for adjusting a valve timing of a combustion engine is provided. The apparatus controls a relative rotation between a camshaft and an output shaft, which can either be prevented or permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hilite Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Joe S. Cole, Jack D. Hutcheson, Kenneth Parker, Wes Gerszewski, Steve Nance, Daniel Viertler, Markus Todt, Holger Bergemann
  • Publication number: 20130000578
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for a combustion engine according to which a rotational member, such as a sprocket, is driven by said combustion engine, a rotor is mechanically coupled with a camshaft for controlling opening and closing of cylinder valves of said combustion engine, a first configuration is provided in which the rotor is locked to the rotational member; and a second configuration is provided in which the rotor is unlocked from said rotational member. In another aspect an operating method of said valve timing control apparatus for adjusting a valve timing of a combustion engine is provided. The apparatus controls a relative rotation between a camshaft and an output shaft, which can either be prevented or permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: HILITE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Joe S. Cole, Jack D. Hutcheson, Kenneth Parker, Wes Gerszewski, Steve Nance, Daniel Viertler, Markus Todt, Holger Bergemann