John D Gleason

US Patent:

20080181719, Jul 31, 2008

Filed:

Jul 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/829522

Inventors:

John Gleason - South Lyon MI, US
Reinhard Buhl - Bohmte, DE
William Ryan - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Z F Group North American Operations, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

F16C 11/06

US Classification:

403 76

Abstract:

Disclosed is a component providing rotational, translational and angular movement to a shaft inserted therein. The component has a housing with a bearing aperture, the bearing aperture having an aperture axis, an inner concave surface and a placement ring surface. A combination joint including a hollow bearing and a placement ring are located at least partially within the bearing aperture. The hollow bearing has an outer convex surface adjacent to and at least partially in contact with the inner concave surface of the bearing aperture. The hollow bearing also has an aperture with a cylindrical inner surface. The placement ring has an outer surface adjacent to and at least partially in contact with the placement ring surface of the bearing aperture and has an inner concave bearing race surface adjacent to and at least partially in contact with the outer convex surface of the hollow bearing aperture. A sleeve with a sleeve axis can be located within the aperture of the hollow bearing and has an outer surface adjacent to and at least partially in contact with the cylindrical inner surface of the hollow bearing. The sleeve is slidable within the hollow bearing and the hollow bearing with the sleeve therein can rotate about the sleeve axis and tilt about the bearing aperture axis. In this manner, a component is provided that affords rotational, translational and angular movement to a shaft inserted therein. A seal can be included to protect the combination joint from dust, dirt, debris and the like.

US Patent:

20080284193, Nov 20, 2008

Filed:

May 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/121088

Inventors:

John Gleason - South Lyon MI, US
Daniel Dearing - Royal Oak MI, US

Assignee:

Z F Group North American Operations, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

B60P 1/267

US Classification:

296 50

Abstract:

A tailgate damper for damping the lowering of a tailgate that is rotatably coupled along a tailgate shaft to a truck is provided. The tailgate damper can include a housing that has an inner cavity with a viscous fluid within the inner cavity. In addition, a seal can be located at a base of the inner cavity and be operable to keep the viscous fluid therewithin. A damping insert having a damping portion and a tailgate portion extending from the tailgate portion is provided, with the tailgate portion being able to attach coaxially to the tailgate shaft. The damping portion is located at least partially within the inner cavity of the housing and is in contact with the viscous fluid such that rotation of the damping portion is resisted.

US Patent:

20090189406, Jul 30, 2009

Filed:

Jan 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/363124

Inventors:

John Gleason - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

Z F GROUP NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS, INC. - Northville MI

International Classification:

B60P 1/26
B62D 33/03

US Classification:

296 571, 49386

Abstract:

A tailgate lift assistor that provides for a reduced force required to rotate or pivot a tailgate of a pickup truck or the like upwardly from a generally horizontal open position to a generally vertical closed position and in one embodiment the lift assistor is combined with a dampening mechanism that dampens the opening of the tailgate.

US Patent:

47891270, Dec 6, 1988

Filed:

Dec 3, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/128258

Inventors:

John T. Gleason - Rochester Hills MI
James Frost - Walbridge OH

Assignee:

The DeVilbiss Company - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16M 300

US Classification:

248666

Abstract:

An improved hold down mechanism for a motor which is pivotably mounted on an upper surface of a base is disclosed. The motor is connected by means of a drive belt to a driven device also mounted on the base. A mounting bracket is rigidly attached to the motor and includes a pair of spaced apart parallel leg portions which extend outwardly therefrom. The base includes a corresponding pair of spaced apart parallel mounting ears. A pivot pin is provided for pivotably connecting the leg portions to the mounting ears. The leg portions have respective projections formed thereon which extend inwardly toward one another. A hold down plate extends between the leg portions and rests upon the projections. The hold down plate is not rigidly attached to the leg portions, and a small amount of free movement is permitted relative thereto. An angled stud is provided to restrict the pivoting movement of the hold down plate and, therefore, of the mounting bracket and the motor.

US Patent:

20140232081, Aug 21, 2014

Filed:

Mar 13, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/110204

Inventors:

John Gleason - South Lyon MI, US
Dirk Adamczyk - Bermatingen, DE

Assignee:

ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG - Friedrichshafen

International Classification:

B60G 7/00

US Classification:

280124125

Abstract:

A vehicle component with at least two connection points, a structural component that extends between the connection points and rigidly connects them with one another. The structural component comprises at least one insert made of a ductile material and at least two connection zones that support or form the two connection points, at least one of the zones comprises plastic. The structural component comprises at least one intermediate section that connects the two connection zones rigidly to one another and comprises the insert or is formed by the insert, this section is more ductile than at least one of the two connection zones and, in relation to a mechanical overload of the structural component, forms a locally delimited weak-point or region.