Richard Nix

US Patent:

6430928, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Jul 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/620436

Inventors:

Rajiv Iyer - Auburn Hills MI
Michael James Woodard - Utica MI
Benjamin Chetwood Struve - Leamington Spa, GB
Richard A. Nix - Ortonville MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products (USA), Inc.

International Classification:

H15B 710

US Classification:

60592

Abstract:

A clutch hydraulic actuator system having a vibration damper provided in the system between a master cylinder and a slave cylinder of the system. The damper includes an elastomeric diaphragm and a spring steel diaphragm. One face of the elastomeric diaphragm is in fluid communication with hydraulic fluid in the system so that the elastomeric diaphragm may deflect in response to low frequency vibrations transmitted through hydraulic fluid in the system to effect damping of the low frequency vibrations. The spring steel diaphragm is positioned in the system generally parallel to and proximate the other face of the elastomeric diaphragm so as to form a backup for the elastomeric diaphragm so that the elastomeric diaphragm may deform against the spring steel diaphragm in response to high frequency vibrations transmitted through the hydraulic fluid to cause deflection of the spring steel diaphragm to effect damping of the high frequency vibrations.

US Patent:

49916270, Feb 12, 1991

Filed:

Feb 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/481815

Inventors:

Richard A. Nix - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

F15L 2900

US Classification:

13761403

Abstract:

A hydraulic control apparatus, having a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder, is made of separate modular units interconnectable by leakproof connectors. The apparatus is prefilled with hydraulic fluid while the separate modular units are interconnected, and after filling the separate modular units are disconnected and shipped to a user, unconnected but filled with hydraulic fluid. Alternatively, the separate modular units may be individually filled with hydraulic fluid, and shipped to a user unconnected but each filled with hydraulic fluid. After installation on a utilization device, for example a motor vehicle, the complementary connector members are reconnected for placing the individual modular units in hydraulic fluid communication. The connectors take the form of complementary members which are arranged to open fluid passageway during connection. A one-way locking or retainer clip is disposed in one connector member for interlocking engagement with appropriate abutments in the other connector member for preventing separation of the members after coupling.

US Patent:

51136570, May 19, 1992

Filed:

May 24, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/705312

Inventors:

David J. Compton - Troy MI
Richard A. Nix - Utica MI
Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Troy MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

F16D 2508
B60T 1116

US Classification:

60533

Abstract:

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately filled with hydraulic fluid, and the filled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling. Alternatively, the two connector members may be disconnected by a special tool to enable disconnecting the members without loss of hydraulic fluid, for the purpose of repair or replacement of components.

US Patent:

46242902, Nov 25, 1986

Filed:

Nov 28, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/555667

Inventors:

David J. Compton - Troy MI
Richard A. Nix - Utica MI
Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Troy MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

B65B 304

US Classification:

141 1

Abstract:

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. A leakproof quick-connect connector is placed between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, preferably at the end of the conduit where it connects to the master cylinder or the slave cylinder, one member of the connector forming part of the master cylinder or slave cylinder. The apparatus, after assembly, is filled with hydraulic fluid, the two members of the connector being held momentarily engaged. After filling, the connector is broken, and the filled components are shipped to a user. After installation of the apparatus for operation of a mechanism such as a clutch release mechanism, the two connector members are reconnected, and the connector members having been provided with a one-way locking member can no longer be separated such as to preserve the integrity of the system.

US Patent:

49793667, Dec 25, 1990

Filed:

Jul 11, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/217473

Inventors:

David J. Compton - Troy MI
Richard A. Nix - Utica MI
Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Troy MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

F16D 2512

US Classification:

60533

Abstract:

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately, but simultaneously, filled with hydraulic fluid after simultaneous evacuation of atmospheric air from the apparatus modular units and test of the integrity of the modular units, and the pre-tested and prefilled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling.

US Patent:

45167486, May 14, 1985

Filed:

Jun 10, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/387017

Inventors:

Richard Nix - Utica MI
Compton, David J. - Troy MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products, plc - Leamington Spa

International Classification:

A47G 2900

US Classification:

248 1

Abstract:

A structure for rapid coupling of a housing, such as the housing of a hydraulic cylinder, to a bifurcated support member simply by pushing the housing between the bifurcated portions of the support member. The housing is provided with a generally U-shaped mounting clip having springingly spreadable legs provided each with an abutment engaging a corresponding abutment on each of the bifurcated portions of the support member. As the clip-provided housing is pushed between the bifurcated portions of the support member, the clip legs spread sufficiently to permit passage of each of the bifurcated portions of the support member and, once the housing is properly seated and located, the clip legs snap back to their original position engaging their abutment with the abutment provided on the bifurcated portions of the support member. The mounting snap-on arrangement defines a one-way interlock securely holding the housing in position and permitting removal of the housing from its mounting support only by prying the clip legs away from the bifurcated portions of the support member.

US Patent:

46870849, Aug 18, 1987

Filed:

Jul 22, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/757799

Inventors:

Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Troy MI
David L. Wrobleski - Fraser MI
Richard A. Nix - Utica MI
Mark W. Rei - Royal Oak MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

F16D 2508
F16D 2314

US Classification:

192 85CA

Abstract:

A bearing carrier for a pull-type clutch, and which forms part of the clutch mechanism assembly, has a crenellated rim provided with longitudinally projecting tooth-like portions, cut-out portions being provided between consecutive projecting portions. A separate tubular member, forming part of the clutch control mechanism, has a correspondingly crenellated rim provided with longitudinally projecting portions and cut-out portions between consecutive projecting portions. One of the crenellated rims has a peripheral groove in which is disposed an expandable resilient ring, and the other crenellated rim has a corresponding peripheral groove and is provided at the leading edge of its projecting portion with a ramp for expanding the ring when the one of the crenellated rims is pushed into the other crenellated rim for coupling the bearing carrier with the tubular member during assembly of the bearing carrier with the tubular member. The clutch control mechanism is preferably an annular hydraulic cylinder having an annular piston attached to the other end of the tubular member. The annular cylinder, installed within the bell housing of the clutch mechanism, is connected to the master cylinder via a connector or a connection block fastened through an opening in the bell housing.

US Patent:

45573611, Dec 10, 1985

Filed:

Sep 13, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/417336

Inventors:

Richard A. Nix - Utica MI
Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens - Troy MI

Assignee:

Automotive Products plc - Warwickshire

International Classification:

F16D 2508
F16D 2512
F15B 1526

US Classification:

192 85C

Abstract:

A shipping and installation restraining strap for an actuator such as the hydraulic slave cylinder of a motor vehicle clutch actuating apparatus. The strap comprises a retaining member in the form of a cylindrical cap installed on the end of the actuator output rod and having a substantially hemispherical end portion engaged in a corresponding partially spherical concave recess in the member operated by the actuator, such as the clutch release lever. The other end of the strips is attached to a non-movable portion of the actuator. Each strip has a portion of reduced strength such as to break upon first operation of the actuator. The cylindrical cap is optionally provided with a radially extending disc-like flange seal resiliently engaged with the surface of the clutch actuating lever beyond the edge of the recess, such as to prevent introduction of dirt in the recess.