Stephen Michael Ruth

US Patent:

6481551, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/723531

Inventors:

Stephen M. Ruth - Holly MI

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 4112

US Classification:

192 46, 192 691, 192103 C, 475292, 475312

Abstract:

A planar inertia-actuated overrunning coupling assembly having a pocket plate and a notch plate mounted on a common rotary axis with planar juxtaposed coupling surfaces. A pocket plate having a plurality of angularly spaced pockets that receive adjustable clutch elements, the notch plate having angularly spaced notches, a clutch element being mounted in each pocket for pivotal movement about one edge thereof, an inertia-actuated ball in each pocket adjacent a clutch element, the pocket being formed with a ramp surface engageable with the inertiaactuated ball whereby the clutch element is shifted into locking engagement with the pocket plate in response to an inertia force acting on the actuator balls whereby torque is transmitted from one plate to the other in one direction of relative rotation of the plates, and wherein the clutch elements move out of registry with the pocket plate upon a reversal in the direction of relative rotation of the plates.

US Patent:

6494423, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Feb 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/082611

Inventors:

Stephen M. Ruth - Holly MI

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

A47B 9100

US Classification:

2481888, 2481889

Abstract:

An adjustable-length support member, such as a motorcycle kickstand, includes a generally-tubular outer member defining a longitudinal bore with at least one recess formed in a surface of the bore, and an inner member telescopingly received in the longitudinal bore of the outer member including a plurality of recesses. The support member further includes a tension spring urging the inner member to a retracted position relative to the outer member, and at least one gravity-responsive locking element carried within a respective recess of one of the inner and outer members, wherein the locking element is urged by gravity out of engagement with a recess of the other of the inner and outer members as the attitude of the two members moves between an operative orientation and a stowage orientation.

US Patent:

RE38498, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jan 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/238403

Inventors:

Stephen M. Ruth - Holly MI
Brian D. Klecker - Richmond VA
A. Richard Frank - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 4112

US Classification:

192 46, 192 451, 192 71, 74577 R, 188 828

Abstract:

A one-way clutch apparatus comprising a driving member having a plurality of recesses, a corresponding plurality of biasing members disposed in the recess, a corresponding number of keys or struts disposed over the biasing members in the recesses, and a driven member having a plurality of key-engaging notches formed circumferentially about an inside surface. Each of the keys includes a pair of laterally protruding arm portions and each of the arm portions has a ramp formed thereon which acts as a relief to allow the inside surface of the driven member to be placed to close proximate relationship with the inside surface of a driving member and to overlay portions of the recess. The overlaying enables the driven member to damp or otherwise limit the movement of a back end portion of each key when the driving member is moved in either a free-wheeling direction or driving direction, while the ramp portions allow a front end portion of the key to be urged outwardly without any portion of the arm portion interfering with the inside surface of the driven member overlaying portions of each recess. The one-way clutch apparatus is not as dependent upon a copious and continuous supply of lubricant to damp unwanted movement of the key as prior art developed one-way clutch systems.

US Patent:

6854577, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Apr 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/426375

Inventors:

Stephen M. Ruth - Holly MI, US

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D041/12

US Classification:

192 46, 192 691, 192 71, 192 72

Abstract:

A one-way clutch includes a first member having multiple first recesses, and a second member having multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recesses. Each recess includes a load-bearing surface. The clutch also includes multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members. At least one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members.

US Patent:

8602189, Dec 10, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/956110

Inventors:

David W. Shaw - Saginaw MI, US
Stephen M. Ruth - Holly MI, US
Jeffrey J. Prout - Freeland MI, US

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 41/12

US Classification:

192 46, 192 691, 192107 M, 192108

Abstract:

A diecast pocket plate or member having a sacrificial surface layer or portion is provided. The member is formed as a unitary die-casting from a die-casting alloy strengthened by an alloying material in a die-casting process. The diecast member includes a coupling face having a pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and nominally retain a locking member that moves in the pocket during an overrun condition of an engageable coupling assembly. The diecast member also includes a relatively hard base portion including particles of the strengthening alloying material of the die-casting alloy. The diecast member further includes a plurality of surface portions which define the pocket. At least one generally vertical surface portion of the surface portions is soft relative to the hard base portion and is substantially devoid of the particles of the alloying material so that the at least one generally vertical surface portion wears or deforms (i. e. , is sacrificial) during contact of the locking member against the at least one generally vertical surface portion during the overrun condition.

US Patent:

20050279602, Dec 22, 2005

Filed:

Jun 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/869583

Inventors:

Stephen Ruth - Holly MI, US

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D047/04

US Classification:

192048300, 192046000, 192048920

Abstract:

A planar overrunning coupling assembly for a geared transmission. The coupling assembly has a circular pocket plate, a notch plate, and torque transmitting struts in pockets formed in the pocket plate. The geometry of the pockets prevents displacement of the struts toward the notch plate under the influence of centrifugal force when the pocket plate overruns the notch plate. The pocket plate and the notch plate define in part friction disc coupling assemblies.

US Patent:

20060249345, Nov 9, 2006

Filed:

Jul 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/480809

Inventors:

Stephen Ruth - Holly MI, US

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 11/00

US Classification:

192046000

Abstract:

A planar overrunning coupling assembly for a geared transmission. The coupling assembly has a circular pocket plate, a notch plate, and torque transmitting struts in pockets formed in the pocket plate. The geometry of the pockets prevents displacement of the struts toward the notch plate under the influence of centrifugal force when the pocket plate overruns the notch plate. The pocket plate and the notch plate define in part friction disc coupling assemblies.

US Patent:

20090045024, Feb 19, 2009

Filed:

Aug 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/189429

Inventors:

Stephen M. Ruth - Holly MI, US

Assignee:

Means Industries, Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F16D 11/06

US Classification:

192 431

Abstract:

An overrunning radial coupling assembly having dual bearing support is provided. The assembly includes an inner member having an outer peripheral surface and an outer member having an inner peripheral surface adjacent the outer peripheral surface in radially inner and radially outer relationship. At least one of the members is mounted for rotation about an axis. One of the members includes pockets angularly spaced about the axis. Each of the pockets has a closed end and an open end located axially opposite the closed end. The assembly further includes a plurality of pawls. Each of the pawls is located in a pocket and is supported to pivot toward the peripheral surface of the other of the members. The assembly still further includes a retainer secured to one of the members. The retainer covers the open end of the pockets. The inner and outer peripheral surfaces define a first radial bearing interface adjacent the closed end of each of the pockets. The retainer has a bearing surface which together with one of the peripheral surfaces define a second radial bearing interface adjacent the open end of each of the pockets. The first and second radial bearing interfaces react and carry an internal moment load to prevent contact of the peripheral surfaces during overrunning.