Patents by Inventor Wayne L. Spitler

Wayne L. 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).

  • Clutch and damper assembly
    Patent number: 5401213
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a friction clutch has a plurality of springs trapped in a cage member. The springs provide a resilient drive connection between input and output members of the clutch damper. The input member of the clutch damper is a pressure plate on which a friction surface is disposed. The output member is a hub which is connected to the output shaft of a torque converter. Embossments are formed on the members of the damper, such as the cage, the input or output member, to provide friction hysteresis between relatively rotatable members of the damper. The normal force for the friction hysteresis is established by a washer spring which is positioned by embossments also formed on one of the damper members. The angular excursion permitted by the damper springs is limited by openings formed in one damper member and tabs formed on another damper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Muchmore, Gerald C. Danielewicz, Wayne L. Spitler, Randy L. Melanson
  • Clutch damper assembly
    Patent number: 5009301
    Abstract: A power transmitting clutch has a transient torque damper with a floating ring and spring members disposed in torque transmitting relation between an input member and an output member. The floating ring has a pair of stop surfaces that are axially and radially aligned with stop surfaces on the input member and output member respectively. Cooperation between the stop members limits the amount of spring compression and the relative angular excursion between the input member and the ring and between the ring and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne L. Spitler
  • Automatic wear adjuster for drum brakes
    Patent number: 4470486
    Abstract: A drum brake adjuster having a spring biased lock plate cooperating with a parking brake strut having a lost motion connection with a parking brake lever. The lost motion determines the amount of shoe retraction, and the lock plate adjusts the effective length of the strut for brake shoe wear. The lock plate and its spring are mounted on one shoe web near one end of the strut, with the other strut end being connected to the parking brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne L. Spitler
  • Clutch damper assembly
    Patent number: RE33984
    Abstract: A power transmitting clutch has a transient torque damper with a floating ring and spring members disposed in torque transmitting relation between an input member and an output member. The floating ring has a pair of stop surfaces that are axially and radially aligned with stop surfaces on the input member and output member respectively. Cooperation between the stop members limits the amount of spring compression and the relative angular excursion between the input member and the ring and between the ring and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne L. Spitler