Patents by Inventor Wendell Lane

Wendell Lane 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).

  • Publication number: 20050205709
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion (24). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Kohlndorfer, Richard Boelstler, David Arnold, Wendell Lane, Susan Richards, Markell Seitzman
  • Patent number: 5996843
    Abstract: A system for pumping a selected fuel product from a storage tank to a dispenser includes a site controller, several fuel dispensers, each operable for dispensing a selected fuel product, and a data link connected to convey product information from a selected dispenser to the site controller. Several storage tanks each contain a different fuel product from each other tank, and also contain a submersible pump in each tank. A relay is connected to each pump. A submersible pump controller (SPC) is connected to each relay and the site controller. The SPC may also be connected to each dispenser. The SPC receives product selection information from the site controller and activates the relay connected to the pump in the storage tank containing the selected product, whereby the selected fuel product is pumped to the selected dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell Lane Hough
  • Patent number: 5704638
    Abstract: An integrated inflator/air bag/belt tightening system in which some of the inflation gas generated by an inflator (72) is channeled to a piston casing (90) and used to urge a piston (96) downwardly, the motion of the piston moves a seat belt clamping device with the seat belt clamped therebetween to reduce slack about an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell Lane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5690356
    Abstract: A safety system comprising: a passenger seat (10) having fixed anchors (14) adapted to secure and retain a child seat (40;70); the child seat having clamps (50,52) for lockingly engaging a respective one of the anchors; and a switch (80,80') mounted in proximity to at least one of the anchors (14), having an active state and an inactive state, wherein when the clamp lockingly engages a corresponding anchor the state of the switch is changed to provide an indication that a child seat has been installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell Lane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4333554
    Abstract: Apparatus for driving a clutch plate includes a drive pin comprising a shank and a drive head rotatably mounted thereon. In a preferred embodiment, an intermediate clutch plate of a two-plate heavy duty clutch is axially but non-rotatably movable with respect to the clutch flywheel. The flywheel contains an axially extending annular flange from which the aforesaid shank fixedly extends radially inwardly. The drive head, rotatably mounted thereon, is disposed within a recess of the clutch plate for driving engagement of the plate. The apparatus provides a self-aligning clutch plate drive system which substantially minimizes the declutching failures experienced in conventional non-self-aligning drive systems. A friction member resiliently holds the drive head to the drive pin shank for ease of handling and installation of the apparatus. Typically, clutch plate drive recesses comprise slots having radially extending walls positioned parallel to the clutch plate axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Sink, Wendell Lane