Patents by Inventor Phillip A. Spainhour

Phillip A. Spainhour 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).

  • Improvements in the method and apparatus for evaluating the TOOT (toe out on turns) of steerable wheels while said steerable wheels are being aligned
    Patent number: 5301110
    Abstract: The change in the toe of the steerable wheels of a vehicle when the inside wheel is turned through an angle of twenty degrees is determined by turning the inside wheel through an angle of ten degrees, measuring the change in toe which resulted, and multiplying the measurement by four.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Ammco Tools Technology, Corp.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Spainhour, Ying T. Lee
  • Method and apparatus for providing runout compensation
    Patent number: 4953296
    Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes a gauge head which is adapted to be pendulously mounted to a wheel to be aligned for free rotation about an axis which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the wheel. The gauge head carries a plurality of level sensors, which are coupled to a microprocessor, and an encoder which is mounted between a shaft, that is mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith, and the gauge head to transmit to said microprocessor signals representative of the angular position of said wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: J. P. Hennessy
    Inventor: Phillip A. Spainhour
  • Strut compressor
    Patent number: 4395020
    Abstract: A spring compressor employs a fluid-operated piston-cylinder which drives a first platen toward a second platen to compress a MacPherson strut mounted between the two platens, the first platen being pivotally mounted for self-adjustment to accommodate many different strut sizes and designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Ammco Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip A. Spainhour
  • Wheel alignment method and apparatus
    Patent number: 4303338
    Abstract: There is described an instrument and method for adjusting toe relative to the tracking axis of the vehicle by initially measuring the toe angles of the two front or rear wheels relative to the planes of the other two wheels on the same respective sides of the vehicle, and then adjusting the toe angles by one-half the difference between the initially measured angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Ammco Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard A. Morrison, Robert S. Hampton, Craig E. Mountz, John W. Murphy, Phillip A. Spainhour
  • Strut compressor
    Patent number: 4295634
    Abstract: A MacPherson Strut Compressor, with which a strut may be safely dismantled for repair, employs a fluid operated piston-cylinder, mounted to an adjustable upper platen to provide compression between a push platen and a lower base platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Ammco Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Spainhour, Leonard A. Morrison, Robert S. Hampton, Jr.
  • Caster camber gauge
    Patent number: 4114283
    Abstract: A caster-camber gauge includes an automatic interlock for presetting the caster and camber wheels, and a spirit level which is laterally mounted for calibration of the gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Ammco Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Spainhour, Robert S. Hampton, Jr., Leonard A. Morrison
  • Press
    Patent number: D270251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Ammco Tools
    Inventors: Phillip A. Spainhour, Leo C. Bogaerts, Robert S. Hampton, Jr., Leonard A. Morrison
  • Tire changer
    Patent number: D280827
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Ammco Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Clark, Phillip A. Spainhour