Patents by Inventor John M. Birkhimer

John M. Birkhimer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Inertia drive torque transmission level control and engine starter incorporating same
    Patent number: 6948392
    Abstract: An engine starter inertia drive that includes a torque transmission level control mechanism is presented. Such torque transmission level control is provided by removing the variations in clutch plate compression force conventionally introduced by the shock absorbing meshing spring of the engine starter inertia drive. This is accomplished by repositioning the compression forces such that they are contradicted by a combination of the meshing spring force and the frame reaction of the engine starter. In this way, variations in the meshing spring force are compensated by equal and opposite variations in the frame reaction force to maintain the clutch plates in position. Preferably, a single wave spring is used to provide the pressure spring force on the clutch plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Eckard, John M. Birkhimer
  • Inertia drive torque transmission level control and engine starter incorporating same
    Publication number: 20040173038
    Abstract: An engine starter inertia drive that includes a torque transmission level control mechanism is presented. Such torque transmission level control is provided by removing the variations in clutch plate compression force conventionally introduced by the shock absorbing meshing spring of the engine starter inertia drive. This is accomplished by repositioning the compression forces such that they are contradicted by a combination of the meshing spring force and the frame reaction of the engine starter. In this way, variations in the meshing spring force are compensated by equal and opposite variations in the frame reaction force to maintain the clutch plates in position. Preferably, a single wave spring is used to provide the pressure spring force on the clutch plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Eckard, John M. Birkhimer