Patents by Inventor Tom E. Harting

Tom E. Harting 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).

  • Vehicle park brake actuator system
    Patent number: 6705436
    Abstract: A vehicle has a park brake system, which has set a set operational state for holding the vehicle in a parked position, and a released operational state in which the vehicle may be driven. The park brake system includes a park brake actuator and connecting linkages which are driven by an operator of the vehicle in an engaging direction in order to effect the set operational state of the park brake system. The park brake system further includes a return spring engaged to the connecting linkages in such a manner to drive them and the park brake actuator in a disengaging direction and to ensure maintenance of the released operational state of the park brake system after it is effected by an operator. The park brake system also includes an impact-reduction energy absorber such as a spring, damper, or some combination thereof for absorbing some of the energy transferred to the connecting linkages when the return spring drives the connecting linkages and the park brake actuator in their disengaging directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Noll, Tom E. Harting, Gayle D. Goodrich, Trevor T. Downes
  • Vehicle park brake actuator system
    Publication number: 20030057035
    Abstract: A vehicle has a park brake system, which has set a set operational state for holding the vehicle in a parked position, and a released operational state in which the vehicle may be driven. The park brake system includes a park brake actuator and connecting linkages which are driven by an operator of the vehicle in an engaging direction in order to effect the set operational state of the park brake system. The park brake system further includes a return spring engaged to the connecting linkages in such a manner to drive them and the park brake actuator in a disengaging direction and to ensure maintenance of the released operational state of the park brake system after it is effected by an operator. The park brake system also includes an impact-reduction energy absorber such as a spring, damper, or some combination thereof for absorbing some of the energy transferred to the connecting linkages when the return spring drives the connecting linkages and the park brake actuator in their disengaging directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. Noll, Tom E. Harting, Gayle D. Goodrich, Trevor T. Downes