Patents by Inventor Vincent T. Russell

Vincent T. Russell 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: 6705369
    Abstract: A single piece valve extension support for vehicles with dualled tires and wheels using inflation valve extensions on the inner wheel. The valve extension support, made from a compressible elastomeric foam material, has an orifice through which the valve extension can pass. The valve extension support is inserted in the vent hole of the outer wheel, compressing the foam elastomeric material and generating an interference fit with the vent hole. The valve extension support is compressed around the valve extension passing through its' orifice. In this way, the valve extension support is able to dampen vibration that can lead to fatigue cracks in the inflation valve assembly, causing loss of air pressure in the inner dual tire and wheel assembly. Retention flanges on either side of the wheel prevent accidental removal of the valve extension support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent T. Russell, Douglas M. Terrill, David E. Kritzell
  • Patent number: 5707113
    Abstract: A wheel cover assembly is disclosed for a wheel that is mounted to a vehicle by a plurality of wheel mounting means comprised of threaded studs and associated nuts. This assembly includes a generally rigid hub cap and a plurality of reusable fasteners which are used to secure the hub cap to the wheel. The hub cap has a generally circular outline, with a plurality of notches spaced about its periphery and a flange extending into each of said notches. A notch in the hub cap is provided for each stud, so that when the wheel cover assembly is positioned on a wheel, the hub cap covers the central portion of the wheel, and each stud and associated nut is located in a notch of the hub cap. Each fastener includes a closed top end portion and a generally cylindrical sidewall extending from the closed top end portion so as to define a generally hollow cavity therein. A terminal collar depends from the bottom of and around the periphery of the sidewall of each fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Vincent T. Russell
  • Patent number: 5590992
    Abstract: A one-piece, reuseable cover is provided for an assembly of a threaded bolt and an associated annular nut, wherein a portion of the bolt extends through the nut. The cover includes a closed top end portion and a generally cylindrical sidewall extending from the closed top end portion so as to define a generally hollow cavity within the cover. Within the cavity of the cover is located an internally threaded portion, the threads of which are adapted to mate with the external threads on the bolt, so that the cover may be attached to the portion of the bolt that extends through its associated nut by threaded engagement therewith, when the cover is installed over the bolt and nut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Vincent T. Russell
  • Patent number: 5441334
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improvement to a vehicle wheel having a rim portion onto which a tire is mounted, a disc region having an outer face portion and an inner face portion, and a plurality of lug mounting apertures extending through the disc region. The improvement comprises a plurality of recesses situated within and about a perimeter of the disc region between the rim portion and lug mounting apertures, preferably into the outer face portion of its disc region. A plurality of medallions are sized to fit within these recesses and be secured therein preferably using an adhesive layer. The recesses themselves may be machined, coined, punched, cast or forged into the disc region of a wheel. A method for customizing vehicle wheels to include various symbols or letters is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Ralph C. Botterman, Donald R. Bias, Vincent T. Russell