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: 20260091768
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Will E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11745716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Will E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20220194347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Will E. ROBERTS
  • Patent number: 9816574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Publication number: 20170146082
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald S. PLANTAN, Harish RADHAKRISHNAN, Dennis A. WOLF, Richard L. LANTZ, Will E. ROBERTS, Steven C. BELL
  • Patent number: 9574627
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Publication number: 20160040735
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald S. PLANTAN, Harish RADHAKRISHNAN, Dennis A. WOLF, Richard L. LANTZ, Will E. ROBERTS, Steven C. BELL
  • Patent number: 9193018
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Publication number: 20150128400
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald S. PLANTAN, Harish RADHAKRISHNAN, Dennis A. WOLF, Richard L. LANTZ, Will E. ROBERTS, Steven C. BELL
  • Patent number: 8973720
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Patent number: 8973240
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Publication number: 20140048360
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Publication number: 20140047690
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Patent number: 8544614
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell
  • Patent number: 8540061
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Harish Radhakrishnan, Dennis A. Wolf, Richard L. Lantz, Will E. Roberts, Steven C. Bell