Patents by Inventor Charles R. Spitler
Charles R. Spitler 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).
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Patent number: 8616180Abstract: The present subject matter relates to arrangements and uses for engine speed governors. In particular, an automatic idle system for a small engine can include an engine speed governor for connection to a small engine with a governor shaft rotatable in response to a speed of the engine. A governor linkage can include a first portion for connection to the governor shaft and a second portion for connection to a throttle control of the engine, the first portion being movably connected with or to the second portion. An actuator can be connected to the second portion of the governor linkage, the actuator being movable in response to a load on the engine to move the second portion relative to the first portion. In this configuration, when the engine is in a low-load state, the second portion can be moved relative to the first portion toward a throttle-closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Charles R. Spitler, Tyler Ricketts, Nathaniel Lenfert, Andrew E. Bejcek, Yasushi Fujita
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Publication number: 20110005024Abstract: The present subject matter relates to arrangements and uses for engine speed governors. In particular, an automatic idle system for a small engine can include an engine speed governor for connection to a small engine with a governor shaft rotatable in response to a speed of the engine. A governor linkage can include a first portion for connection to the governor shaft and a second portion for connection to a throttle control of the engine, the first portion being movably connected with or to the second portion. An actuator can be connected to the second portion of the governor linkage, the actuator being movable in response to a load on the engine to move the second portion relative to the first portion. In this configuration, when the engine is in a low-load state, the second portion can be moved relative to the first portion toward a throttle-closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Charles R. Spitler, Tyler Ricketts, Nathaniel Lenfert, Andrew E. Bejcek, Yasushi Fujita
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Patent number: 6899072Abstract: A vacuum-operated choke system for use with an internal combustion engine and method of using the same including a vacuum actuator for moving an actuating arm for connection to a choke valve of an internal combustion engine from a first position to a second position, an air valve in communication with the vacuum actuator, and a vacuum mechanism in communication with the vacuum actuator and the air valve for causing air to discharge through the air valve whereby the vacuum actuator can move the actuating arm from the first position to the second position and whereby the air valve is operable to allow air to enter the air valve whereby the vacuum actuator can move the actuating arm from the second position to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Charles R. Spitler
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Publication number: 20040187824Abstract: A vacuum-operated choke system for use with an internal combustion engine and method of using the same including a vacuum actuator for moving an actuating arm for connection to a choke valve of an internal combustion engine from a first position to a second position, an air valve in communication with the vacuum actuator, and a vacuum mechanism in communication with the vacuum actuator and the air valve for causing air to discharge through the air valve whereby the vacuum actuator can move the actuating arm from the first position to the second position and whereby the air valve is operable to allow air to enter the air valve whereby the vacuum actuator can move the actuating arm from the second position to the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Charles R. Spitler
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Patent number: 6779324Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes an elongate shaft, a mounting structure disposed on one end of the elongate shaft, a cutting element, a prime mover, and an adjustable debris shield. The mounting structure has a rotation axis at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft. The cutting element is mounted to the mounting structure and includes at least one of a cutting line assembly and a rotary blade. The prime mover drives the mounting assembly to rotate the cutting element about the rotation axis. The adjustable debris shield has a first operative mode and a second operative mode. The adjustable debris shield has a first lateral span relative to the longitudinal axis when in the first operative mode and a second lateral span relative to the longitudinal axis when in the second operative mode. The second lateral is greater than the first lateral span.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Adam Hanes, Charles R. Spitler
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Publication number: 20030205391Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes an elongate shaft, a mounting structure disposed on one end of the elongate shaft, a cutting element, a prime mover, and an adjustable debris shield. The mounting structure has a rotation axis at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft. The cutting element is mounted to the mounting structure and includes at least one of a cutting line assembly and a rotary blade. The prime mover drives the mounting assembly to rotate the cutting element about the rotation axis. The adjustable debris shield has a first operative mode and a second operative mode. The adjustable debris shield has a first lateral span relative to the longitudinal axis when in the first operative mode and a second lateral span relative to the longitudinal axis when in the second operative mode. The second lateral is greater than the first lateral span.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Adam Hanes, Charles R. Spitler
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Patent number: 6026768Abstract: A heat deflection system is provided for a lawn tractor which has an engine mounted on a chassis and enclosed within an engine enclosure. The engine enclosure has a top, sides and a front grille. The engine also includes a carburetor, an exhaust header and a muffler. The heat deflection system includes a heat shield having at least a portion thereof disposed between the exhaust header and carburetor, a partition having openings therein, wherein the openings extend above the muffler, such that the heated air from the muffler rises and passes through the openings, and the heat deflector extending above the partition for directing soak heat from the muffler away from the carburetor.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Charles R. Spitler, William M. Bezilla, Hitoshi Fujii, Masatoshi Nagaoka