Patents by Inventor Will E. Roberts
Will E. Roberts 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: 20260091768Abstract: A brake actuator includes a housing having a first housing component with a first annular flange and a second housing component with a second annular flange, wherein the first and second annular flanges are overlapping. A clamp ring extends circumferentially around the first and second housing components and engages the first and second annular flanges. The clamp ring includes a first end having a first tab and a second end having a second tab, wherein the second tab is spaced radially outwardly from and overlies the first tab. A deformable member couples the first and second tabs. A clamp ring, methods of manufacturing the clamp ring, and methods of assembling the brake actuator are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2024Publication date: April 2, 2026Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventor: Will E. Roberts
-
Patent number: 11745716Abstract: An interface between an adapter push rod and a parking brake diaphragm seal includes an axial projection at one end of the push rod, a thread extending axially between a free end of the projection and a remainder of the push rod, and a washer having an approximately conical wall extending radially inwardly from an outer circumference of the washer towards a central mounting connection having a radial flange. A nut is threaded over the free end of the projection, and an opening in a hardened element is aligned axially with the projection to receive the projection. A circumferential groove defined in a side of the radial flange forms a boundary between the approximately conical wall and a remainder of the washer, and a portion of the diaphragm seal is pressed by the nut and the hardened element into the circumferential groove to produce a sealing bead.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventor: Will E. Roberts
-
Publication number: 20220194347Abstract: An interface between an adapter push rod and a parking brake diaphragm seal includes an axial projection at one end of the push rod, a thread extending axially between a free end of the projection and a remainder of the push rod, and a washer having an approximately conical wall extending radially inwardly from an outer circumference of the washer towards a central mounting connection having a radial flange. A nut is threaded over the free end of the projection, and an opening in a hardened element is aligned axially with the projection to receive the projection. A circumferential groove defined in a side of the radial flange forms a boundary between the approximately conical wall and a remainder of the washer, and a portion of the diaphragm seal is pressed by the nut and the hardened element into the circumferential groove to produce a sealing bead.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventor: Will E. ROBERTS
-
Patent number: 9816574Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Publication number: 20170146082Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Ronald S. PLANTAN, Harish RADHAKRISHNAN, Dennis A. WOLF, Richard L. LANTZ, Will E. ROBERTS, Steven C. BELL
-
Patent number: 9574627Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Publication number: 20160040735Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Ronald S. PLANTAN, Harish RADHAKRISHNAN, Dennis A. WOLF, Richard L. LANTZ, Will E. ROBERTS, Steven C. BELL
-
Patent number: 9193018Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Publication number: 20150128400Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Ronald S. PLANTAN, Harish RADHAKRISHNAN, Dennis A. WOLF, Richard L. LANTZ, Will E. ROBERTS, Steven C. BELL
-
Patent number: 8973720Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Patent number: 8973240Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Publication number: 20140048360Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Publication number: 20140047690Abstract: system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Patent number: 8544614Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
-
Patent number: 8540061Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLCInventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell