Jeffrey T Daniel

US Patent:

6464241, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Nov 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721366

Inventors:

Jeffrey Daniel - Houston TX 77002

International Classification:

B60D 106

US Classification:

280512, 280510

Abstract:

A gooseneck trailer hitch formed of a top plate pivotally attached to a base plate, wherein each plate is formed by investment casting and the components and features of each plate are integrally formed therewith. The top plate is an elongated structure that includes an aperture through which a trailer ball can pass, a ball housing concentrically located over the aperture and a tab at one end of the plate. The base plate is an elongated structure that includes an aperture through which a trailer ball can pass and a spring enclosure formed at one end of the plate, the enclosure including a slot into which the tab of the top plate extends. Contained within the spring enclosure is a spring that bears against the tab. The top plate is pivotally mounted on the base plate so that the two apertures are concentrically aligned, thus permitting a trailer ball to pass through the base plate aperture and seat in the ball housing formed as part of the top plate. By bearing against the tab of the top plate, the spring forces the two apertures out of alignment, thereby shifting the top plate and the base plate relative to one another.

US Patent:

6840862, Jan 11, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/325284

Inventors:

Jeffrey K. Daniel - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

F16D 374

US Classification:

464 93, 464 98, 403225

Abstract:

An adjustable coupler for in-line coupling of a motor drive shaft of an agricultural system with the square drive shaft of a gearbox, wherein the coupler has an adjustable clamping hub for securing around differing sizes of square drive shafts while maintaining coaxial alignment between the coupler, the square drive shaft and the motor drive shaft. The coupler is adjustable to fit different size square drive shafts, yet maintains symmetry about the center axis of the coupler, thereby reducing off-balance forces that could result in wear points and early fatigue. Contact surfaces between the coupler components are minimized to reduce the likelihood that contaminants can become entrapped between the components. The coupler is comprised of a round hub and a square hub, each attached to the opposite sides of a shock absorbing puck. The square hub is symmetrical about the axis of the puck and is formed of two axially sliding, opposing L-shaped brackets configured to clamp around the square end of a drive shaft.

US Patent:

6926305, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

May 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/142579

Inventors:

Jeffrey Daniel - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

B60S009/02

US Classification:

2807661, 2807631, 254419, 254425

Abstract:

A trailer landing gear drive system in which pneumatic, hydraulic and electric motors, as well as the traditional hand crank, are easily interchangeable. The landing gear jack mechanism is disposed to easily connect to any one of these drive motors. The system can utilize any one of the three motor combinations without making any change to the jack itself. Each drive motor output shaft is keyed to connect to the input shaft driving the worm gear of the jack. The output shaft of each type of motor is keyed the same so that the motors are swappable with respect to the input shaft of the landing gear. The hand crank shaft is also keyed to be the same as the keyed motor output shafts. Each motor may include a flange to permit it to be secured to the landing gear. The system eliminates the gear reduction box and replaced it with a worm gear. Furthermore, the system can be operated remotely so that the operator need not be exposed to the perils of weather, a shifting load, other vehicles in the vicinity or other similar hazards.

US Patent:

7073638, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Jan 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/766492

Inventors:

Jeffrey K. Daniel - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

B60T 7/12
F16D 67/00

US Classification:

188134, 1922233

Abstract:

A high efficiency drivetrain for an agricultural irrigation system is described. The drivetrain includes a ball ramp brake to inhibit movement of a wheel tower when the drive gear motor is not engaged. In one embodiment, the ball ramp brake is a bi-directional ball ramp brake disposed between the drive gear motor and the gearbox of the drivetrain. Utilizing a ball ramp brake such as this, the gearbox can incorporate much more highly efficient gearing mechanisms, such as for example only, involute gears, beveled gears, hypoid gears, planetary gears or the like. The ball ramp brake is enclosed and includes an oil bath that functions to lubricate the components of the brake, preventing corrosion and dissipating heat.

US Patent:

7213488, May 8, 2007

Filed:

Jan 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/757235

Inventors:

Jeffrey K. Daniel - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

F16H 37/06
F16H 1/12

US Classification:

74665H, 74416

Abstract:

A swivel gearbox system having multiple drivetrain outputs is disclosed. The system comprises a swivel gearbox and an angled divider gearbox where the power input and divided power output shafts are not in the same plane. The swivel gearbox is a right angle gearbox to permit power input to the divider through a 360 degree range. The output shaft of the swivel gearbox functions as the input shaft of the angled, divider gearbox. The input shaft for the swivel gearbox and the multiple divided output shafts for the divider gearbox are positioned relative to one another in parallel, offset planes, shared shaft between the swivel gearbox and the angled, divider gearbox is preferably positioned in a plane perpendicular to the other input and output shafts. In another embodiment, an angled divider gearbox is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the power input shaft is positioned to have an angle perpendicular to the multiple divided power output shafts, thereby dampening power fluctuation effects along the drivetrain between the PTO of a tractor and the driven implements of the agricultural equipment.

US Patent:

20040016833, Jan 29, 2004

Filed:

Jul 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/207341

Inventors:

Jeffrey Daniel - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

B05B001/20

US Classification:

239/723000

Abstract:

A gearbox for a drive line irrigation system in which the input and output shafts of the gearbox are sealed with a compressed and sintered silicon and carbide face seal. The face seal is contained within the gearbox and compressed between a gearbox end cap and a shaft bearing, obviating the need for external loading by bellows or similar spring elements.

US Patent:

20090008917, Jan 8, 2009

Filed:

Jul 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/824821

Inventors:

Jeffrey K. Daniel - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

B60S 9/12
B60P 1/00

US Classification:

2807661, 254419

Abstract:

A lifting device is provided for raising and lowering of heavy objects, including trailer landing gear and outriggers. The lifting devices may comprise one or more jacks where each jack is comprised of telescoping legs. In each jack, an expandable hydraulic cylinder may be expanded or extended by a pneumatically actuated pump or pumps that pump hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid source mounted on the jack to the expandable hydraulic cylinder so as to motivate extension of each telescoping jack. A control mechanism may be provided to actuate one or more pneumatically actuated pumps to introduce hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders. Methods of use and operation are also provided.

US Patent:

20100275708, Nov 4, 2010

Filed:

May 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/434429

Inventors:

Jeffrey K. Daniel - Houston TX, US
Bradford Newcomb - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

F16H 57/00

US Classification:

74405

Abstract:

Reduction gear units are provided comprising a gearbox, a cam assembly, a bearing assembly, a first gear and a second gear. The first and second gears may engage one another and translate rotating movement from one axis to an axis perpendicular thereto. The second gear is disengagable from the first gear by action of the cam assembly, which is adapted to disengage the second gear from the first gear through eccentric rotation of the cam assembly. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly carried by the cam assembly is preloaded. The cam assembly is disposed so that the preloaded can be maintained during manufacture of the gearbox. In another embodiment, the gearbox case and cam assembly are disposed so as to minimize internal leakage from the case and enhance sealing of the gearbox.