Patents by Inventor Steven M. Thomas

Steven M. Thomas 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: 10077798
    Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member has an inner surface that defines a plurality of engagement elements. The second member has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the second member defines a splined portion. Each member of the splined portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of engagement elements. Each member of the splined portion includes a first protrusion that engages the inner surface of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
  • Patent number: 10041546
    Abstract: A driveline joint includes an outer member, an inner member, and a biasing member. The outer member is connected to a first shaft and has a back wall, an end portion, and an inner surface extending between the back wall and the end portion. The inner member is connected to a second shaft and has a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The biasing member is disposed between the back wall and the first end and resists translation of the inner member relative to the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Courville, Steven M. Thomas, Brian J. Kleinfeld
  • Publication number: 20180202486
    Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
  • Patent number: 9945415
    Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
  • Publication number: 20170074328
    Abstract: A driveline joint includes an outer member, an inner member, and a biasing member. The outer member is connected to a first shaft and has a back wall, an end portion, and an inner surface extending between the back wall and the end portion. The inner member is connected to a second shaft and has a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The biasing member is disposed between the back wall and the first end and resists translation of the inner member relative to the outer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Courville, Steven M. Thomas, Brian J. Kleinfeld
  • Publication number: 20160146245
    Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member has an inner surface that defines a plurality of engagement elements. The second member has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the second member defines a splined portion. Each member of the splined portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of engagement elements. Each member of the splined portion includes a first protrusion that engages the inner surface of the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
  • Publication number: 20160123377
    Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
  • Publication number: 20160123403
    Abstract: A tripot constant velocity joint includes a housing defining a guide channel. A spider member is received within the housing and includes a trunnion having a functional outer surface with a convex profile defined by a first principal radius of curvature and a second principal radius of curvature different from the first principal radius of curvature. A first inner surface of a first ball member engages the functional outer surface of the trunnion. A first outer surface of the first ball member is provided with a non-symmetric piecewise continuous profile that engages the first sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, William P. Skvarla, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Jeffrey P. Courville, Jon N. Miller
  • Publication number: 20150198206
    Abstract: A component of a torque-transmitting joint is provided that includes bearing surfaces that engage adjacent components, wherein the bearing surfaces of the plurality of trunnions define unique surface texturing and lubrication. Additional configurations of the torque-transmitting joint, methods of manufacture, and methods of dimensional inspection are also provided by the present disclosure. As a result, break-in time and generated axial force (GAF) of the torque-transmitting joint are significantly reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, William P. Skvarla, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra
  • Patent number: 8011265
    Abstract: A power actuator assembly includes a torque transmission device, a motor mounted to the torque transmission device extending along a motor axis, and a screw coupled to the torque transmission device and extending along a screw axis. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the screw and the torque transmission device and permits selective rotational adjustment between the adjustment mechanism and the torque transmission device to rotate the motor relative to the torque transmission device. A connecting device releasably interconnects the adjustment mechanism to the torque transmission device to permit repeated re-positioning of the motor relative to the torque transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Ratko Menjak, Brian J. Magnus, Steven M. Thomas, Thomas A. Barrett, Mohammad S. Islam, Karen A. Boswell, David K. Siniff, Michael A. Tomasino, James E. Rouleau, Steven J. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20090199667
    Abstract: A power actuator assembly includes a torque transmission device, a motor mounted to the torque transmission device extending along a motor axis, and a screw coupled to the torque transmission device and extending along a screw axis. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the screw and the torque transmission device and permits selective rotational adjustment between the adjustment mechanism and the torque transmission device to rotate the motor relative to the torque transmission device. A connecting device releasably interconnects the adjustment mechanism to the torque transmission device to permit repeated re-positioning of the motor relative to the torque transmission device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ratko Menjak, Brian J. Magnus, Steven M. Thomas, Thomas A. Barrett, Mohammad S. Islam, Karen A. Boswell, David K. Siniff, Michael A. Tomasino, James E. Rouleau, Steven J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7421363
    Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual inspection of a virtually machined workpiece is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes defining a set of master reference planes, defining a set of positioning planes with respect to the set of master reference planes, and defining a pair of intersecting cutting planes from the set of positioning planes. The pair of intersecting cutting planes define an inspection line at the intersection thereof, wherein the inspection line is swept through a selected area of the workpiece, thereby collecting inspection data for the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Diane M. Landers
  • Patent number: 7024272
    Abstract: A method for virtual machining and inspection of a three-dimensional virtual workpiece representative of an actual workpiece comprising: creating a three-dimensional tool model; defining a tool path through the virtual workpiece; creating a plurality of two-dimensional slices from the three-dimensional tool model; and passing each of said plurality of two-dimensional slices along the tool path and through the virtual workpiece; wherein material from the virtual workpiece coming into contact with each of said plurality of two-dimensional slices passed there through is subtracted from the virtual workpiece; and conducting a virtual inspection of the virtual work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Diane M. Landers
  • Patent number: 6918630
    Abstract: A stable, handicap accessible picnic table is provided. It generally has a flat horizontal table top having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides. There are preferably a pair of leg supports for supporting the lower surface of the table top with each leg support having a ground engaging portion generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table top and a ground engaging portion generally parallel to the table top and extending laterally outwardly terminating in an upright seat supporting surface. The seat structure is about of the same length as the table top and mounted to the seat support surface. The ends of the table are open to allow accessibility to wheelchairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: R.J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Craig R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6799654
    Abstract: A steering shaft supported by bearings has an end suitable for attaching a hand wheel thereto. A position sensor detects the angular displacement of the steering shaft from a central position and produces a signal indicative of such angular displacement. An electric motor and a transmission apply torque to the steering shaft to provide force-feedback to a user. A variable stopper is configured to stop rotation of the steering shaft at an arbitrary location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ratko Menjak, Jens Haupt, Jim M. Card, Steven M Thomas
  • Patent number: D489539
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
  • Patent number: D490992
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
  • Patent number: D493291
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
  • Patent number: D496799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
  • Patent number: D497262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas