Patents by Inventor Tony M. Dodak

Tony M. Dodak 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: 10981593
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a ball nut assembly is provided. The method includes providing a ball nut having a keyway slot. The method also includes forming a polymer pulley having an inner surface defining a bore, a cut-out formed in the inner surface, and a torque member extending radially inward from the inner surface, wherein the keyway slot is configured to receive the torque member therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Publication number: 20200108855
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a ball nut assembly is provided. The method includes providing a ball nut having a keyway slot. The method also includes forming a polymer pulley having an inner surface defining a bore, a cut-out formed in the inner surface, and a torque member extending radially inward from the inner surface, wherein the keyway slot is configured to receive the torque member therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Patent number: 10526006
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a ball nut having an outer diameter and keyway slot therein, and a pulley positioned on the ball nut. The pulley includes a cylindrical outer surface, a bore extending through the pulley such that the pulley includes an inner surface, and at least one torque member formed on the inner surface and projecting radially inward to be received by the keyway slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Publication number: 20170190353
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a ball nut having an outer diameter and keyway slot therein, and a pulley positioned on the ball nut. The pulley includes a cylindrical outer surface, a bore extending through the pulley such that the pulley includes an inner surface, and at least one torque member formed on the inner surface and projecting radially inward to be received by the keyway slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Patent number: 9637164
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a ball nut having an outer diameter and keyway slot therein, and a pulley positioned on the ball nut. The pulley includes a cylindrical outer surface, a bore extending through the pulley such that the pulley includes an inner surface, and at least one torque member formed on the inner surface and projecting radially inward to be received by the keyway slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Publication number: 20140090921
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a ball nut having an outer diameter and keyway slot therein, and a pulley positioned on the ball nut. The pulley includes a cylindrical outer surface, a bore extending through the pulley such that the pulley includes an inner surface, and at least one torque member formed on the inner surface and projecting radially inward to be received by the keyway slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Patent number: 8479605
    Abstract: A rotary-to-linear mechanism including an elongate linearly-moveable first member having a longitudinal first axis, and rotatably-moveable second and third members. The second member is rotatably disposed about the first member and defines a second axis about which it is rotatable. The third member encircles the first axis and is operatively engaged with the first member. The third member is disposed in a central cavity of the second member and has an axial surface superposing a second member interior surface, the superposed surfaces each defining one of a pair of corresponding grooves each encircling the first and second axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Tony M. Dodak
  • Patent number: 8336413
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and is moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack relative to the housing and is moveable relative to the housing to re-position the rack relative to the pinion. An adjustment mechanism continuously biases the bearing in response to loosening of the meshing engagement to re-position the rack. A dampener resists the movement of the bearing to slow the re-positioning of the bearing. Preferably, the dampener includes a plastic fluid having a very high viscosity. The plastic fluid is disposed between adjacent moving parts to resist the relative movement between the bearing and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Tony M. Dodak, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael A. Eickholt, George E. Arlt
  • Publication number: 20110167940
    Abstract: A rotary-to-linear mechanism including an elongate linearly-moveable first member having a longitudinal first axis, and rotatably-moveable second and third members. The second member is rotatably disposed about the first member and defines a second axis about which it is rotatable. The third member encircles the first axis and is operatively engaged with the first member. The third member is disposed in a central cavity of the second member and has an axial surface superposing a second member interior surface, the superposed surfaces each defining one of a pair of corresponding grooves each encircling the first and second axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: NEXTEER (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Tony M. Dodak
  • Publication number: 20080190229
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and is moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack relative to the housing and is moveable relative to the housing to re-position the rack relative to the pinion. An adjustment mechanism continuously biases the bearing in response to loosening of the meshing engagement to re-position the rack. A dampener resists the movement of the bearing to slow the re-positioning of the bearing. Preferably, the dampener includes a plastic fluid having a very high viscosity. The plastic fluid is disposed between adjacent moving parts to resist the relative movement between the bearing and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tony M. Dodak, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael A. Eickholt, George E. Arlt
  • Patent number: 5462132
    Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering gear having a spool shaft connected to a steering wheel, a pinion head connected to a steered wheel, a torsion bar between the spool shaft and the pinion head, a valve for regulating a hydraulic steering assist boost pressure in response to rotation of the spool shaft from an on-center position relative to the pinion head against a restoring force of the torsion bar, and a quiet preload apparatus including a C-shaped spring around the spool shaft having a pair of resilient jaws, a drive pin on the spool shaft clamped with a preload between the resilient jaws, and a cushioned abutment on the pinion head clamped with the preload between the resilient jaws. The cushioned abutment includes a pair of radial cantilever springs which flex upon engagement with corresponding ones of the resilient jaws during forced oscillation of the pinion head back and forth through the on-center relative position of the spool shaft to minimize audible noise associated with such engagements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene T. Tanke, II, Tony M. Dodak