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).
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Patent number: 10981593Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
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Publication number: 20200108855Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
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Patent number: 10526006Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
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Publication number: 20170190353Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
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Patent number: 9637164Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
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Publication number: 20140090921Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
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Patent number: 8479605Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Tony M. Dodak
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Patent number: 8336413Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Tony M. Dodak, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael A. Eickholt, George E. Arlt
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Publication number: 20110167940Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: NEXTEER (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Tony M. Dodak
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Publication number: 20080190229Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Tony M. Dodak, Anthony J. Champagne, Michael A. Eickholt, George E. Arlt
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Patent number: 5462132Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 1995Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Eugene T. Tanke, II, Tony M. Dodak