Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Zimmerman

Thomas E. Zimmerman 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).

  • Motorcycle drive assembly with improved transmission-to-engine mounting
    Patent number: 6241040
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motorcycle including an engine having an output shaft and a transmission having an input shaft parallel to the output shaft and coupled to the output shaft. The engine includes a crankcase having a first interface portion with a first non-horizontal mounting surface. The transmission includes a transmission case having a second interface portion with a second non-horizontal mounting surface arranged to engage the first non-horizontal mounting surface. The second interface portion of the transmission case includes at least one fluid passage for the flow of fluid to or from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: John W. Schanz, Gary Lockwitz, R. Bruce Dennert, Jalal M. Albulushi, Kenneth W. Kuntz, Thomas E. Zimmerman, Robert L. Leppanen
  • Motorcycle drive assembly with improved transmission-to-engine mounting
    Patent number: 6085855
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motorcycle including an engine having an output shaft and a transmission having an input shaft parallel to the output shaft and coupled to the output shaft. The engine includes a crankcase having a first interface portion with a first non-horizontal mounting surface. The transmission includes a transmission case having a second interface portion with a second non-horizontal mounting surface arranged to engage the first non-horizontal mounting surface. The second interface portion of the transmission case includes at least one fluid passage for the flow of fluid to or from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: John W. Schanz, Gary Lockwitz, R. Bruce Dennert, Jalal M. Albulushi, Kenneth W. Kuntz, Thomas E. Zimmerman, Robert L. Leppanen