Thomas R Meier

US Patent:

7150347, Dec 19, 2006

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/953833

Inventors:

Michael T. Doherty - Midland MI, US
Thomas Meier - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 25/12

US Classification:

192 702, 192112

Abstract:

A drum assembly for use with a coupling arrangement includes an outer member and an inner member that is mountable on the outer member. The outer member includes first and second annular portions connected together. The first annular portion has a first mating surface that defines a first opening having a first diameter, and the second annular portion defining a second opening having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The inner member includes a generally radially extending portion and a flange portion extending generally axially from the radially extending portion. The radially extending portion includes a second mating surface that is engageable with the first mating surface to interlock the inner and outer members together. When the inner member is mounted on the outer member, the radially extending portion extends into the first opening, and the flange portion extends into the second opening.

US Patent:

7387193, Jun 17, 2008

Filed:

Nov 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/591840

Inventors:

Michael T. Doherty - Midland MI, US
Thomas Meier - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 25/12

US Classification:

192 702, 192112

Abstract:

A drum assembly for use with a coupling arrangement includes an outer member and an inner member that is mountable on the outer member. The outer member includes first and second annular portions and an intermediate portion extending between the annular portions. The first annular portion has a first mating surface that defines a first opening having a first diameter, the second annular portion defines a second opening having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and the intermediate portion defines a shoulder. The inner member includes a generally radially extending portion having a generally axially facing surface and a second mating surface that is engageable with the first mating surface to interlock the inner and outer members together. When the inner member is mounted on the outer member, the radially extending portion extends into the first opening, and the generally axially facing surface engages the shoulder.

US Patent:

7819040, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

Nov 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/946191

Inventors:

Thomas Meier - Rochester Hills MI, US
Brian M. Nosakowski - Macomb MI, US

Assignee:

TransForm Automotive LLC - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

F16H 57/02

US Classification:

74607

Abstract:

A method for making a differential gear casing () flow forms a first casing half () and forms a second casing half (), both with hemispherical portions ( and ) and with radial flanges ( and ) with the latter also having an axial projection (). An interior positioning surface () of the first casing half () and an exterior positioning surface () of the second casing half () position the casing halves with respect to each other.

US Patent:

20060205560, Sep 14, 2006

Filed:

Mar 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/076645

Inventors:

Thomas Meier - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

TransForm Automotive LLC - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/44

US Classification:

475331000

Abstract:

A transmission component (′) for transferring torque about a transmission rotational axis A includes a shell output carrier () and a ring gear portion () of a unitary one-piece construction flow formed from a blank around a mandrel. The transmission component (′) transfers torque between a planet gear carrier () of a first planetary gear set () and a ring gear location of a second planetary gear set ().

US Patent:

20080016670, Jan 24, 2008

Filed:

Jul 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/488959

Inventors:

Thomas Meier - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

TransForm Automotive LLC - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B21D 39/00
B21D 22/00

US Classification:

29508, 72 84

Abstract:

A method and apparatus () provide a flow formed part assembly () having mechanically interlocked first and second metallic parts () and ().

US Patent:

20080135369, Jun 12, 2008

Filed:

Nov 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/943020

Inventors:

Thomas Meier - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 13/64
B21D 28/02

US Classification:

192107 R, 72362

Abstract:

A one-way clutch () includes a notch plate (), and a stamped pocket plate () having an annular flange () and a splined axial sleeve (). Semi-pierced strut pockets () are stamped in the annular flange () of the pocket plate () and each includes a stamped spring pocket () for receiving an associated spring () that biases a strut () received within the strut pocket. Holes () are initially stamped in the annular flange and the spring pockets () are then stamped thereabout prior to the semi-piercing of the strut pockets (). Semi-pierced pads () in the annular flange () alternate circumferentially with the strut pockets ().

US Patent:

59877286, Nov 23, 1999

Filed:

Sep 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/933389

Inventors:

David Richard Townsend - West Bloomfield MI
Thomas Meier - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

Mascotech, Inc. - Taylor MI

International Classification:

B23P 1304

US Classification:

29557

Abstract:

A clutch housing for a vehicle transmission assembly and a method of making the same. The housing is generally cup-shaped with an axial hub. The outer wall of the housing is formed with a plurality of longitudinal splines of varying configurations. Select splines are formed at an increased depth. A groove is formed in the exterior surface of the housing at a depth sufficient to intersect the select splines of the inner surface thereby forming apertures through the wall of the housing. The dimensions of the apertures are determined by the configuration of the exterior groove and the interior splines.

US Patent:

20140144953, May 29, 2014

Filed:

Feb 3, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/170779

Inventors:

Thomas R. MEIER - St. Clair Shores MI, US

International Classification:

A45F 4/08

US Classification:

224156, 224153, 206370

Abstract:

A backpack can include a sheet of flexible material having a common surface defining a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. Each panel is of substantially equal size with a first foldable hinge joint located between the first panel and the second panel, and a second foldable hinge joint located between the second panel and a third panel. The sheet of flexible material is foldable to define a transport configuration with each panel stacked with respect to one another, and a service configuration with each panel positioned side by side. A first pallet, a second pallet, and a third pallet; each pallet for receiving tools. A first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap attached to the sheet of flexible material for carrying the backpack.