Christopher Wayne Cheney

6361444, Mar 26, 2002

Sep 1, 1998

09/145356

Christopher C. Cheney - Bowling Green OH
Jeffrey M. Knodle - Ida MI

GKN Automotive, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

F16D 384

464175, 277636

A flexible boot assembly for protectively covering a constant velocity joint includes a flexible boot having an end portion that is molded about a flange portion of a rigid can. The flexible boot is preferably formed from an elastomeric material and can be integrally molded to a metallic can by an insert molding or other similar process. The metallic can includes a hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning the can with respect to the constant velocity joint. The metallic can also includes a face portion having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough for mounting the boot assembly to the constant velocity joint. The inner surface of the metallic can includes a bead of a sealing material or a gasket for sealingly engaging the boot assembly to the adjacent face of the constant velocity joint. In another embodiment, the entire boot assembly is formed by using elastomeric material. In alternative embodiments, the entire boot assembly is formed from an elastomeric material.

6484384, Nov 26, 2002

Dec 30, 1999

09/476475

Daniel W. Gibson - Maumee OH
Christopher C. Cheney - Bowling Green OH
Daniel C. Perry - Temperance MI

Spicer Driveshaft, Inc. - Holland OH

B21D 3900

29516, 294192, 294211, 29523, 72 56, 72 58, 72 61

A method of manufacturing a collapsible driveshaft assembly includes the steps of disposing an end of a first tube within a forming die having a non-circular cross sectional shape, expanding the end of the first tube into conformance with the die cavity, inserting an end of a second tube is inserted within the deformed end of the first tube, and expanding the end of the second tube into conformance with the end of the first tube. As a result of this expansion, outwardly extending regions and inwardly extending regions of the second tube extend into cooperation with outwardly extending regions and inwardly extending regions of the first tube so as to cause the first and second tubes to function as cooperating male and female splined members. As a result, a rotational driving connection therebetween to form the driveshaft. When a relatively large axial force is applied to the ends of the telescoping driveshaft, the second tube will move axially within the first tube, thereby collapsing and absorbing energy.

6666772, Dec 23, 2003

Jan 31, 2000

09/494713

Christopher C. Cheney - Bowling Green OH
Daniel C. Perry - Temperance MI
Gregg W. Schabel - Northwood OH

Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. - Holland OH

F16C 303

464183, 280777

An axially collapsible driveshaft includes a first driveshaft tube section, a connecting member having a first end portion that is secured to the first driveshaft tube section, and a second driveshaft tube that is secured to a second end portion of the connecting member. During normal operation of the drive train assembly, torque is transmitted through the driveshaft by means of the securement between the first driveshaft tube section, the connecting member, and the second driveshaft tube section. However, if a relatively large axial force is applied to the end portions of the driveshaft, either or both of the end portions of the connecting member are designed to fracture, allowing relative axial movement to occur between the first driveshaft tube section and the second driveshaft tube section. An annular recess may be formed in the connecting member adjacent to either or both of the end portions that are secured to the driveshaft tube sections. Such a recess can be provided to weaken that end of the connecting member to insure that the fracture occurs reliably at the same location when a predetermined axial force is applied to the end portions of the driveshaft.

20020147052, Oct 10, 2002

Mar 26, 2002

10/106889

Christopher Cheney - Bowling Green OH, US
Jeffrey Knodle - Ida MI, US

F16C001/26
F16D003/84

464/175000

A flexible boot assembly for protectively covering a constant velocity joint includes a flexible boot having an end portion that is molded about a flange portion of a rigid can. The flexible boot is preferably formed from an elastomeric material and can be integrally molded to a metallic can by an insert molding or other similar process. The metallic can includes a hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning the can with respect to the constant velocity joint. The metallic can also includes a face portion having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough for mounting the boot assembly to the constant velocity joint. The inner surface of the metallic can includes a bead of a sealing material or a gasket for sealingly engaging the boot assembly to the adjacent face of the constant velocity joint. In another embodiment, the entire boot assembly is formed by using elastomeric material. In alternative embodiments, the entire boot assembly is formed from an elastomeric material. The boot assembly may or may not include the hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning it with respect to the constant velocity joint.

53184807, Jun 7, 1994

Dec 29, 1992

7/999458

Michael P. Essi - Toledo OH
Christopher C. Cheney - Maumee OH

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

F16D 384

464175

A structure for securing a flexible boot to a face of the outer race of a constant velocity joint which includes providing the boot with a generally annular flat flange portion having a uniform thickness and a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. A securing structure includes a generally annular retaining ring having a corresponding plurality of apertures formed therethrough, with an axially extending collar portion formed about each of the apertures. The axial lengths of the collar portions are approximately 80 percent of the thickness of the boot flange. The boot is secured to the face of the outer race by disposing the retaining ring thereabout such that the collar portions extend through the boot flange apertures. Respective threaded fasteners are inserted through the retaining ring and boot flange apertures into axially extending bores formed in the outer race, which fasteners may be the way by which the joint is mounted. When tightened, the bolts cause the retaining ring to compress the boot flange to provide a seal between it and the outer race.

62349112, May 22, 2001

Sep 12, 1997

8/928158

Douglas E. Breese - Northwood OH
Kellie L. Stevens - Holland OH
Christopher C. Cheney - Bowling Green OH

Spicer Driveshaft, Inc. - Holland OH

F16C 300

464183

A noise reduction structure for an aluminum-based driveshaft tube includes a generally cylindrical member having a predetermined length. The noise reduction structure is disposed within a driveshaft tube in a press fit relationship with the inner surface of the tube. In general, the noise reduction structure is positioned within the driveshaft tube at a location where the amplitude of a standing wave caused by the reflection of the sound waves back and forth along the driveshaft tube is at its maximum value. The length of the noise reduction structure may be about 10% or less of the value of the length of the driveshaft tube. In a first embodiment, the noise reduction structure is formed from a polymeric foam material having a density of less than about 10 lb/ft. sup. 3. Preferably, the material has a density in the range of about 2 lb/ft. sup. 3 to 10 lb/ft. sup.