Patents by Inventor Thomas Frederick McGill

Thomas Frederick McGill 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).

  • Snap ring
    Patent number: 7090061
    Abstract: A snap ring having improved retention characteristics is configured for use inside a cylindrical cavity. The cavity includes a retention device having a retention surface forming an obtuse angle with the cavity wall. As an axial load is applied to the snap ring, it moves along the retention surface, thereby experiencing a reduction in diameter. The snap ring includes a circumferential discontinuity defined by two generally radial planar surfaces, or ring ends. The discontinuity is configured such that the ring ends will abut one another before the snap ring diameter is reduced beyond the retaining diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nelson David Bove, Jeffrey Alan Miller, Larry Francis Traficant, Jay Robert Deller, Thomas Frederick McGill
  • SNAP RING
    Publication number: 20030223809
    Abstract: A snap ring having improved retention characteristics is configured for use inside a cylindrical cavity. The cavity includes a retention device having a retention surface forming an obtuse angle with the cavity wall. As an axial load is applied to the snap ring, it moves along the retention surface, thereby experiencing a reduction in diameter. The snap ring includes a circumferential discontinuity defined by two generally radial planar surfaces, or ring ends. The discontinuity is configured such that the ring ends will abut one another before the snap ring diameter is reduced beyond the retaining diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Nelson David Bove, Jeffrey Alan Miller, Larry Francis Traficant, Jay Robert Deller, Thomas Frederick McGill