Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Brock

Thomas A. Brock 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: 10000102
    Abstract: A spring aid for a vehicle suspension includes a compliant tower attachable to elements undergoing suspension travel. The tower defines an axis of travel or center axis and includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of window frames connecting the rings. The rings are perpendicular to, and spaced along, the axis, and define a cylindrical cavity. The window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings. The suspension element may also include a core, which substantially fills the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower. A rod may be disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Nolte, Leo D. Sanford, Stephen M. Lambiris, Thomas A. Brock
  • Publication number: 20160368342
    Abstract: A spring aid for a vehicle suspension includes a compliant tower attachable to elements undergoing suspension travel. The tower defines an axis of travel or center axis and includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of window frames connecting the rings. The rings are perpendicular to, and spaced along, the axis, and define a cylindrical cavity. The window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings. The suspension element may also include a core, which substantially fills the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower. A rod may be disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Nolte, Leo D. Sanford, Stephen M. Lambiris, Thomas A. Brock
  • Patent number: 8701304
    Abstract: A tool measures the vertical distance and lateral distance between a brake pedal pad and an accelerator pedal pad. A base plate lies atop the brake pedal pad. A first measuring plate is mounted on the base plate for movement laterally toward and away from the accelerator pedal pad. A second measuring plate is mounted on the first measuring plate for movement laterally with the first measuring plate to engage a lateral edge of the accelerator pedal pad and for movement vertically to engage with a top surface of the accelerator pedal pad. First measuring indicia provided on the base plate and the first measuring plate reads the lateral distance between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad. And a second measuring indicia provided on the first measuring plate and the second measuring plate reads the vertical height between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J Conley, Thomas Derocher, Alan J. Calder, Thomas A. Brock
  • Publication number: 20130055805
    Abstract: A tool measures the vertical distance and lateral distance between a brake pedal pad and an accelerator pedal pad. A base plate lies atop the brake pedal pad. A first measuring plate is mounted on the base plate for movement laterally toward and away from the accelerator pedal pad. A second measuring plate is mounted on the first measuring plate for movement laterally with the first measuring plate to engage a lateral edge of the accelerator pedal pad and for movement vertically to engage with a top surface of the accelerator pedal pad. First measuring indicia provided on the base plate and the first measuring plate reads the lateral distance between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad. And a second measuring indicia provided on the first measuring plate and the second measuring plate reads the vertical height between the brake pedal pad and the accelerator pedal pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Conley, Thomas Derocher, Alan J. Calder, Thomas A. Brock
  • Patent number: 7698795
    Abstract: An assembly tool for installing a clutch pressure plate and clutch housing of a manual clutch on the flywheel of an engine includes a bell shaped housing which receives and pivotally supports a plurality of fingers having outwardly directed claws. A coaxial cylindrical portion of the bell shaped housing includes male threads which receive a complementarily threaded collar which may be rotated to engage, radially extend and retract the fingers. Internal threads in the cylindrical portion of the housing receive a complementarily threaded portion of a push rod. The push rod includes a thrust bearing at an end that engages the fingers of the pressure plate and may be rotated to engage, retract and extend the pressure plate. A method of clutch housing installation utilizing the tool is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brock, Mark R. Chapman, Gerald J. Zalewski