Patents by Inventor Daniel L. Klika

Daniel L. Klika 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).

  • Patent number: 9265195
    Abstract: A rotary lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, a blade, and a deck. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block having a crankcase and a cover. The crankcase surrounds a crankshaft, which powers the blade. The blade spins below the deck during operation of the rotary lawn mower. The deck is integrally formed with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, Stephen J. Lavender
  • Publication number: 20140318095
    Abstract: A rotary lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, a blade, and a deck. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block having a crankcase and a cover. The crankcase surrounds a crankshaft, which powers the blade. The blade spins below the deck during operation of the rotary lawn mower. The deck is integrally formed with the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, Stephen J. Lavender
  • Patent number: 8794209
    Abstract: An engine mounting system for power equipment includes a tubular frame, an internal combustion engine, and one or more supports for mounting the engine to the tubular frame. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block and a crankcase cover attached to the engine block. The one or more supports are integrally cast with and extend away from at least one of the engine block and the crankcase cover. Additionally, the one or more supports are designed to be mounted to the frame and are contoured to match a portion of a profile of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, Stephen J. Lavender
  • Patent number: 8408882
    Abstract: A pressure washer system includes an internal combustion engine and a water pump. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block forming a chamber and a cover for the chamber. The cover has an area designed to hold a lubricant. Additionally, the engine includes a crankshaft within the chamber. The water pump includes a pumping mechanism, an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passage. The pumping mechanism is powered by the crankshaft. Water enters the pump through the inlet and exits the pump through the outlet. The fluid passage extends between the inlet and the outlet. A portion of the fluid passage is formed in the cover of the engine. Heat transfers from the lubricant of the engine to the water of the water pump during operation of the pressure washer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, David A. Kratz
  • Patent number: 8337172
    Abstract: A pressure washer system includes an engine block, a water conduit, a water pump, and a spray gun. The engine block is for a horizontally-shafted internal combustion engine, and has a chamber therein. The chamber is designed to contain oil for cooling and lubricating the internal combustion engine. The water conduit has a garden hose connector on an end thereof, and is fastened to the engine block. As such, heat transfers from the engine block to a flow of water passing through the water conduit during operation of the internal combustion engine. The water pump is coupled to the water conduit, where the flow of water is driven by the water pump. The spray gun is coupled to the water pump, where the flow of water exits the pressure washer system via the spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, David A. Kratz, Gary J. Gracyalny, David Procknow
  • Publication number: 20120124955
    Abstract: An engine mounting system for power equipment includes a tubular frame, an internal combustion engine, and one or more supports for mounting the engine to the tubular frame. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block and a crankcase cover attached to the engine block. The one or more supports are integrally cast with and extend away from at least one of the engine block and the crankcase cover. Additionally, the one or more supports are designed to be mounted to the frame and are contoured to match a portion of a profile of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, Stephen J. Lavender
  • Publication number: 20110081261
    Abstract: A pressure washer system includes an engine block, a water conduit, a water pump, and a spray gun. The engine block is for a horizontally-shafted internal combustion engine, and has a chamber therein. The chamber is designed to contain oil for cooling and lubricating the internal combustion engine. The water conduit has a garden hose connector on an end thereof, and is fastened to the engine block. As such, heat transfers from the engine block to a flow of water passing through the water conduit during operation of the internal combustion engine. The water pump is coupled to the water conduit, where the flow of water is driven by the water pump. The spray gun is coupled to the water pump, where the flow of water exits the pressure washer system via the spray gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, David A. Kratz, Gary J. Gracyalny, David Procknow
  • Publication number: 20110081260
    Abstract: A pressure washer system includes an internal combustion engine and a water pump. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block forming a chamber and a cover for the chamber. The cover has an area designed to hold a lubricant. Additionally, the engine includes a crankshaft within the chamber. The water pump includes a pumping mechanism, an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passage. The pumping mechanism is powered by the crankshaft. Water enters the pump through the inlet and exits the pump through the outlet. The fluid passage extends between the inlet and the outlet. A portion of the fluid passage is formed in the cover of the engine. Heat transfers from the lubricant of the engine to the water of the water pump during operation of the pressure washer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, David A. Kratz
  • Patent number: 6382166
    Abstract: An engine counterbalancing system has a counterbalance weight that reciprocates in a linear manner in opposition to piston movement. The counterbalance weight is preferably coupled to the crankshaft via two spaced link arms that engage two respective eccentrics of the crankshaft. The counterbalance weight is guided by one or more rails that are formed integrally on the inner surface of the crankcase housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Klika, John H. Thiermann