Patents by Inventor Steven L. Leffingwell

Steven L. Leffingwell 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: 8186641
    Abstract: A shaft retaining bracket assembly (100) and a method (400) of assembling the same is disclosed. A bracket assembly (100) may include an isolator (104) that receives a shaft and absorbs vibrations transmitted therethrough, and an integrally formed bracket (102). The bracket (102) may include a base portion (108) having at least one attachment hole (110) for securing the bracket (102) to a structural member, and a hoop (112) integrally formed with the base portion (108). The hoop (112) receives the isolator (104) such that the isolator (104) and the shaft are generally concentric about an axis (A) of the hoop (112). The bracket (102) further includes at least one retention flange (120) formed in the hoop, the retention flange (120) being configured to retain the isolator (104) within the hoop (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Michael Valovick, Steven L. Leffingwell, Crittenden A. Bittick, Ashfaq Saeed
  • 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: 20110114815
    Abstract: A shaft retaining bracket assembly (100) and a method (400) of assembling the same is disclosed. A bracket assembly (100) may include an isolator (104) that receives a shaft and absorbs vibrations transmitted therethrough, and an integrally formed bracket (102). The bracket (102) may include a base portion (108) having at least one attachment hole (110) for securing the bracket (102) to a structural member, and a hoop (112) integrally formed with the base portion (108). The hoop (112) receives the isolator (104) such that the isolator (104) and the shaft are generally concentric about an axis (A) of the hoop (112). The bracket (102) further includes at least one retention flange (120) formed in the hoop, the retention flange (120) being configured to retain the isolator (104) within the hoop (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Brian Michael Valovick, Steven L. Leffingwell, Crittenden A. Bittick, Ashfaq Saeed
  • 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