Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Lanser

Thomas A. Lanser 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: 7682255
    Abstract: A compensator assembly for transmitting torque from a crankshaft of an engine to a clutch in a motorcycle drive train. The compensator assembly includes a cam slider, a sprocket, and a spring pack biasing the cam slider into engagement with the sprocket. The spring pack includes multiple springs having different spring rates. The cam slider includes first and second dissimilar cam members. A retainer is coupled to the crankshaft and formed with an anti-rotation feature engageable to hold the retainer, the cam slider, and the crankshaft stationary during tightening of a retaining bolt. The sprocket includes a plurality of spokes and axial openings. At least a portion of the cam slider extends through one of the plurality of axial openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Karl W. Monis, James R. Pepper, Andy J. Bingen, John W. Schanz, Nathan R. Waas, Thomas A. Lanser, Rick A. Schmidt, Jeffrey D. Dickau, Wayne G. Farvour
  • Publication number: 20090005181
    Abstract: A compensator assembly for transmitting torque from a crankshaft of an engine to a clutch in a motorcycle drive train. The compensator assembly includes a cam slider, a sprocket, and a spring pack biasing the cam slider into engagement with the sprocket. The spring pack includes multiple springs having different spring rates. The cam slider includes first and second dissimilar cam members. A retainer is coupled to the crankshaft and formed with an anti-rotation feature engageable to hold the retainer, the cam slider, and the crankshaft stationary during tightening of a retaining bolt. The sprocket includes a plurality of spokes and axial openings. At least a portion of the cam slider extends through one of the plurality of axial openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Karl W. Monis, James R. Pepper, Andy J. Bingen, John W. Schanz, Nathan R. Waas, Thomas A. Lanser, Rick A. Schmidt, Jeffrey D. Dickau, Wayne G. Farvour
  • Patent number: 7418939
    Abstract: The invention provides a motorcycle having a frame, an engine coupled to the frame, and a crankshaft assembly. The crankshaft assembly includes a first flywheel half having an aperture, a crank pin including a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a bearing surface between the first and second end portions. The first end portion is press-fit into the aperture of the first flywheel half. The first end portion, the second end portion, and the bearing surface are coated with a friction enhancer. A bearing is positioned at least partially onto the bearing surface, and a connecting rod has an aperture that at least partially receives the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Enright, William K. Davis, Thomas A. Lanser, William Lackas, Jon Janke, Jennifer M. Sampson, Tomas Smetana
  • Publication number: 20080011265
    Abstract: The invention provides a motorcycle having a frame, an engine coupled to the frame, and a crankshaft assembly. The crankshaft assembly includes a first flywheel half having an aperture, a crank pin including a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a bearing surface between the first and second end portions. The first end portion is press-fit into the aperture of the first flywheel half. The first end portion, the second end portion, and the bearing surface are coated with a fiction enhancer. A bearing is positioned at least partially onto the bearing surface, and a connecting rod has an aperture that at least partially receives the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Bernard F. Enright, William K. Davis, Thomas A. Lanser, William Lackas, Jon Janke, Jennifer M. Sampson, Tomas Smetana