The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1997
Michael D. Hendrian, New Hudson, MI (US);
Steven J. Chevalier, Britton, MI (US);
William C. Sisco, Homer, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A hollow tubular balance shaft member having bobweights of minimal mass. The tubular member is preferably made by a deep drawn process. One or more bobweights is positioned in the tubular member during formation thereof. The invention can be used for all vehicle engines which need counterbalancing mechanisms, such as 90° V-6 engines and inline four cylinder engines. Various mechanisms can be used to secure and hold the bobweights in position in the tubular member, such as welding, adhesive bonding, staking, brazing, and the like. One end of the balance shaft member has a drive member on which a drive gear is positioned and used to rotate the balance shaft by the engine.