Patents by Inventor Frank J. Winchell

Frank J. Winchell 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: 5080365
    Abstract: A golf club head characterized by: (1) a longitudinal division of the principal mass, (2) a high polar moment of inertia to mass ratio, (3) a striking surface structure with a first order resonant frequency of at least 2000 cps, (4) nearly equal yaw and pitch polar moments of inertia, (5) symmetry about and positive identification of longitudinal axis and sweet spot, (6) a striking surface which lies well forward of the neutral axes, and (7) a point of application of the stroking forces on the longitudinal axes and forward of the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4437535
    Abstract: Three-wheel motorcycle with cambering main frame supporting a front steering column and front wheel. The cambering frame is pivotally mounted on a centralized non-cambering rear support including the engine that carries the rear suspension and laterally spaced drive wheels. Operator footrests are mounted on rear support and automatically tilt with the cambering frame to improve operator balance of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Winchell, Klaus O. Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 4423795
    Abstract: A three-wheeled cambering vehicle having a rear noncambering module which has a forwardly extending tongue which rotatably supports a main and front cambering module. The cambering module carries the vehicle operator who steers the vehicle by rotating a single front wheel about a substantially vertical axis and additionally leans in response to vehicle turn and his own will, the two modules are rotatable in relation to each other about an inclined camber axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle. The cambering module has cambering controls at a forward portion thereof to allow the operator to physically engage the controls with his feet for cambering the front module relative to the ground and rear modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Winchell, Jerry K. Williams, C. Clark Irwin
  • Patent number: 4325565
    Abstract: A three-wheeled cambering vehicle having a platform for supporting the vehicle operator and having a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels mounted thereon. The vehicle has a centralized tubular frame with a front leg member that supports a steerable front fork and wheel assembly and a rearward seat for the vehicle operator. A lower leg of the frame is supported for turning movement with respect to a longitudinal roll axis by the platform which permits the frame and front fork and wheel assembly to be cambered by the vehicle operator as the platform remains in a predetermined plane with respect to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4319571
    Abstract: A compliant O-ring seats on the abdomen surrounding the stoma and contacting the stoma. A pouch sealing ring having an annular flange fits over the O-ring to form a sealer therewith. A waste collection pouch is secured to this sealing ring and has an opening aligned with the washer and the O-ring and a belt attached to the sealing ring secures the appliance to the body of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4137985
    Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a door locking mechanism and control circuitry which prevents access to the vehicle interior unless a door lock key is used thus making it unnecessary to specifically lock the doors upon exiting the vehicle. Steering shaft lock means are also energizable by operation of the door lock key permitting elimination of the ignition key and lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4106605
    Abstract: A multiclutch drive having an input connected in series by a centrifugally engaged clutch, an intermediate drive and a spring engaged manually disengaged friction clutch to drive the output and a one way clutch between the intermediate drive and input which is engaged when the intermediate drive speed exceeds the input speed. Manual disengagement of the friction clutch provides positive neutral. For normal drive, manual engagement permits the spring engagement of the friction clutch and manually increasing engine throttle and engine speed engages the centrifugal clutch for normal vehicle drive. For a push start the friction clutch is manually disengaged while bringing the vehicle up to starting speed and then engaged to drive the intermediate drive to engage the one way clutch to drive the input for engine starting. The clutches are structurally arranged with the centrifugal clutch hub and the inner race of the one way clutch fixed to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4088338
    Abstract: An articulated frame type cambering vehicle employing a cable stabilizer and equalizer which interconnects the trailing arms for controlled pivotal movement and includes means for locking the trailing arms together for vehicle parking in an upright position and for allowing the vehicle to be folded and maintained in a compact configuration so as to facilitate stowage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Winchell, Klaus O. Winkelmann, Jerry R. Mrlik, Richard E. Denzer, Jerry K. Williams
  • Patent number: 4087108
    Abstract: A three-place contact cambering vehicle having a pair of trailing arms pivoted to a front frame for up and down swinging movement on either side of the frame and interconnected by spur gearing that stabilizes and holds the frame and connected steering column at a predetermined rake angle while permitting equal and opposite movement of the trailing arms. This gearing can be locked to lock the trailing arms and frame together for vehicle parking purposes. An adjustment is provided to permit the rake angle of the frame to be selectively varied to change steering column rake angle and to further permit the frame and steering column to be collapsed toward the trailing arms and subsequently locked to provide a compact, low profile vehicle for transportation or storage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4087107
    Abstract: This cambering vehicle incorporates a frame having a steerable front contact engaging a support surface and having three laterally spaced trailing arms pivoted at their forward ends to the frame and with separate rear contacts engaging the support surface. The intermediate trailing arm supports a seat on which the operator may sit while operating the vehicle. Foot rests are secured to the outboard trailing arms allowing the operator to stand on the vehicle and camber steer the vehicle into turns with manual forces applied to the rear surface contact through a shift in weight of the operator through the foot rests. An optional trailer is provided for the vehicle to increase load capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4087106
    Abstract: This three-point contact cambering vehicle with lateral and fore and aft stability comprises an upright main frame, a pair of elongated trailing arms having forward end portions pivotally connected to opposite sides of the main frame on a common lateral axis and extending rearwardly therefrom, a stabilizer connection between the arms supported by the main frame interconnecting front portions of the arms to each other so that the arms move in equal and opposite directions in response to cambering of the vehicle. The free end portions of the trailing arms support wheels or other contact means. The main frame supports a steerable front wheel or other contact operatively connected to a steering mechanism manually manipulated by a vehicle operator standing and shifting weight in a natural manner on left and right foot pads secured to the respective free ends of the trailing arms. This is a light weight vehicle providing improved stability at rest and stability and maneuverability in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4087104
    Abstract: A cambering vehicle, having an upright main frame supporting a front steerable surface contact means and having a pair of trailing arms pivoted at one end to opposite sides of the main frame and having rear surface contact means mounted at the free ends thereof, is manually propelled by the vehicle operator who stands on foot rest means adjacent the rear wheels and, while camber steering the vehicle in a first curved path centered to one side of the vehicle, shifts his body weight from the outside to the inside foot so that the mass initially turning on a first radius is forced to turn on a smaller radius to increase velocity and conserve angular momentum. This stroking action is repeated as the operator steers the vehicle in a second curved path centered to the opposite side of the vehicle. The sinuous camber steering and body weight shifting strokes are repeated as desired to produce a net forward travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Winchell, Klaus O. Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 4076270
    Abstract: A cambering vehicle employing a cambering device which interconnects the trailing arms for controlled pivotal movement and includes means for locking the trailing arms together and for allowing the vehicle to be folded into a compact configuration so as to facilitate stowage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4071261
    Abstract: A cambering vehicle having a steering frame which pivotally supports a pair of trailing arms with one of the trailing arms being provided with a lock bar that is movable from a stored position into a position wherein the free end of the bar is connected to the other trailing arm so as to prevent relative movement of the trailing arms and thereby permit the vehicle to be parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4065144
    Abstract: A narrow track cambering vehicle having a steerable front wheel and a pair of laterally separated rear wheels suspended on trailing arms mounted for independent swinging movement in separate and parallel planes. The arms form part of a cambering system controlled by cables and tillers actuated by foot pedals which allow the operator to vary vehicle camber independent of steering to maximize vehicle cornering through a wide range of turns at varying speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 4054300
    Abstract: A cambering vehicle having a pair of trailing arms pivoted to the front steering frame for up and down swinging movement on either side of the steering frame and interconnected by differential gearing that stabilizes and holds the steering frame at a predetermined rake angle while permitting equal and opposite movement of the trailing arms. This gearing can be locked to lock the trailing arms and steering frame together for vehicle parking purposes. An adjustment is provided to permit the rake angle of the steering frame to be changed and to further permit the steering frame to be collapsed toward the trailing arms and locked to provide a low profile position for transportation or storage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 3973882
    Abstract: A rotary combustion engine apex seal arrangement comprising two end-to-end apex seal segments forced by a spring biased central wedge to engage a peripheral wall at their outer sealing surfaces and also to engage the respective adjoining side walls at their outer ends thereby leaving a gap only between their inner ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell
  • Patent number: 3954356
    Abstract: A rotary engine rotor housing having an exhaust port in the rotor housing's inner peripheral wall which is spanned at the center by a peripherally extending bridge that is coextensive with the inner peripheral wall and has a coolant passage therethrough through which coolant is forced to circulate from one axial flow coolant passage in the rotor housing to another by means of heating, velocity differential, ram effect and a negative pressure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Winchell, Clarence C. Irwin, Jerry R. Mrlik, Roy S. Cataldo
  • Patent number: RE32031
    Abstract: A three-wheeled cambering vehicle having a platform for supporting the vehicle operator and having a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels mounted thereon. The vehicle has a centralized tubular frame with a front leg member that supports a steerable front fork and wheel assembly and a rearward seat for the vehicle operator. A lower leg of the frame is supported for turning movement with respect to a longitudinal roll axis by the platform which permits the frame and front fork and wheel assembly to be cambered by the vehicle operator as the platform remains in a predetermined plane with respect to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Winchell