Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Sape

Thomas L. Sape 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: 7438661
    Abstract: An improved differential gear mechanism is characterized by a lockout mechanism (129) operably associated with a latch member (119) that cooperates with a flyweight mechanism (53) to retard differentiating action in the differential gear mechanism. The lockout mechanism (129) includes a lockout member (131) positionable, in response to an input signal, in a normal condition and a lockout condition. In the normal condition, the lockout member (131) permits the latch member (119) to move freely between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the lockout condition, the lockout member (131) prevents the latch member (119) from moving into the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kyle, Keith E. Morgensai, Thomas L. Sape, Gregory L. Heatwole
  • Patent number: 7361116
    Abstract: An improved differential gear mechanism is characterized by a lockout mechanism (63) operably associated with a flyweight mechanism (53) and including a lockout member (65, 101) positionable, in response to an input signal, in a normal condition and a lockout condition. In the normal condition, the lockout member (65, 101) permits a flyweight stop surface (57) to move from the retracted position to the extended position. In the lockout condition, the lockout member (65, 101) prevents the flyweight stop surface (57) from moving from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kyle, Keith E. Morgensai, Thomas L. Sape, Gregory L. Heatwole