Patents by Inventor William D. Pinch

William D. Pinch 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: 5275389
    Abstract: A jounce bumper and dust shield subassembly includes a washer having an annular opening for receiving a piston rod of a damper. A jounce bumper includes an axial bore for receiving the piston rod and top and bottom surfaces. A resilient collar is provided on the top surface of the jounce bumper. A dust shield includes a body and a planar end surface having an annular opening for receiving the piston rod. The planar end surface of the dust shield is placed against a lower surface of the washer so that their respective openings are aligned. The collar of the jounce bumper is inserted through the dust shield and the openings of the dust shield and washer to trap the planer end surface between the jounce bumper and the washer, thereby forming a subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Pinch, Raymond F. Le Blanc, Chris F. Keller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4958849
    Abstract: A cap having an opening mounted on the upper end of a damper includes an annular wall which encircles the cap opening and projects upwardly from an upper surface of the cap. A plurality of resilient tabs extends radially from the upper end surface of the annular wall. The lateral dimension of the tabs is slightly greater than an opening in support structure of a vehicle, e.g. a mounting tower. To quickly connect the upper end of the damper to the mounting tower, the mounted end cap is forced through the tower opening to compress the tabs. As the tabs clear the tower opening, each tab springs radially outwardly to retain the damper in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Pinch, Douglas A. Dolengowski, R. Kevin Longard, Raj K. Gopwani
  • Patent number: 4810003
    Abstract: The strut mount is secured to the piston rod of the damper of the strut and provides the upper seat for the suspension spring. A support plate with a coned opening cams a snap ring held in the isolator or rubber body of the mount radially inwardly. At the top of the coned opening, the snap ring deflects radially outwardly over the top of the coned opening to engage the upper surface thereof to lock the isolator and the strut in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Pinch, Douglas A. Dolengowski