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).
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Patent number: 10077798Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
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Patent number: 10041546Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey P. Courville, Steven M. Thomas, Brian J. Kleinfeld
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Publication number: 20180202486Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
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Patent number: 9945415Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
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Publication number: 20170074328Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey P. Courville, Steven M. Thomas, Brian J. Kleinfeld
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Publication number: 20160146245Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
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Publication number: 20160123377Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Jon N. Miller, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Brian J. Kleinfeld
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Publication number: 20160123403Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, William P. Skvarla, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, Jeffrey P. Courville, Jon N. Miller
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Publication number: 20150198206Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, William P. Skvarla, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra
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Patent number: 8011265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20090199667Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 7421363Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Diane M. Landers
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Patent number: 7024272Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Diane M. Landers
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Patent number: 6918630Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: R.J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Craig R. Thomas
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Patent number: 6799654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ratko Menjak, Jens Haupt, Jim M. Card, Steven M Thomas
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Patent number: D489539Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
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Patent number: D490992Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
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Patent number: D493291Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
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Patent number: D496799Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas
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Patent number: D497262Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Thomas, Steven M. Thomas