Daniel S Pierce

US Patent:

62730460, Aug 14, 2001

Filed:

Jul 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/360933

Inventors:

Daniel H. Pierce - Birmingham MI

International Classification:

F01L 310

US Classification:

123 9067

Abstract:

The valve stem (20) extends through the ring (56) and the hole (52) in the flange (50) of a retainer (30) and a spring (28) surrounds the stem (20) and engages the flange (50) in the axial direction and a skirt portion (60) in the radial direction. The retainer (30) is characterized by the skirt portion (60) having a waist diameter (W) and first and second annular extending surfaces (62 and 64) respectively extending axially in opposite directions from the waist diameter (W) at an included waist angle of less than 180. degree. relative to one another as the skirt portion (60) is viewed in cross section. The root diameter (R) is larger than the waist diameter (W) and the root diameter (R) is also larger than the distal end diameter (D), but the distal end diameter (D) is larger than the waist diameter (W). The distal end diameter (D) and the ring (56) are radially aligned, i. e. , aligned horizontally, and the skirt portion (60) is spaced radially from the ring (56) to define a void or recess (66) therebetween.

US Patent:

52556409, Oct 26, 1993

Filed:

Mar 9, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/028234

Inventors:

Daniel H. Pierce - Birmingham MI

Assignee:

D.P.I. - Birmingham MI

International Classification:

F01L 310

US Classification:

123 9067

Abstract:

A self-locking valve spring retainer (30) operatively retaining a return spring (28) on the stem (20) of a poppet valve (16) comprises an annular base ring (48) from which three flexible arms (52) upwardly extend. A locking step (66) projects radially inwardly from each of the arms (52) to provide an engaging ledge (70) which interlocks with a corresponding mating projection (68) of the valve stem (20). An annular waisted hinge (86) is formed between the three arms (52) and the base ring (48) to ease stresses on the retainer (30) as the arms (52) are blossomed outwardly during installation and removal. The annular base ring (48) is fabricated from a first organic polymeric material capable of deformation thus permitting the arms (52) to flex outward therefrom. The locking step (66) of each arm (52) is fabricated from a second organic polymeric material, harder than the first material, thereby forming a durable interface between the valve stem (20 ) and the arms (52) to better distribute shear forces throughout the arms (52).

US Patent:

51433516, Sep 1, 1992

Filed:

Aug 29, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/751735

Inventors:

Daniel H. Pierce - Birmingham MI

International Classification:

F01L 310

US Classification:

251337

Abstract:

A self-locking valve spring retainer (30) operatively retaining a return spring (28) on the stem (20) of a poppet valve (16) comprises an annular base ring (48) from which three flexible arms (52) upwardly extend. A pair of axially spaced locking steps (66, 68) project radially inwardly from each of the arms (52) to provide barbed engaging ledges (74, 76) which interlock with a correspondingly shaped valve stem (20). An annular waisted hinge (86) is formed between the three arms (52) and the base ring (48) to ease stresses on the retainer (30) as the arms (52) are blossomed outwardly during installation and removal. A metallic anti-wear plate (88) is secured to the top of each arm (52). An installation and removal tool (92) for the retainer (30) comprises three wedge-shaped prongs (98) insertable within the three expansion slots (54) separating the three arms (52) for blossoming the retainer (30) prior to insertion and removal. A member (102) extends integrally from each of the prongs (98) for engaging the return spring (28) to maintain the return spring (28) spaced from the retainer (30) prior to blossoming the retainer (30).

US Patent:

62730452, Aug 14, 2001

Filed:

Jul 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/360932

Inventors:

Daniel H. Pierce - Birmingham MI

International Classification:

F01L 310

US Classification:

123 9067

Abstract:

A valve spring retainer (30) for operatively retaining a return spring (28) on a stem (20) of a poppet valve in an internal combustion engine. The retainer (30) includes a retainer flange (50) extending annularly about and radially from a hole (52) on a central axis A to an outer periphery for engaging the top of a spring (28). A ring (56) is disposed below the flange (50) and extends about the axis A for surrounding the valve stem (20). An inner portion (58) extends cylindrically about the axis A and axially between the ring (56) and the flange (50). A plurality of slots (61) extend radially from the hole (52) to the periphery and divide the flange (50) and the inner portion (58) into sectors (S) leaving the ring (56) to interconnect the sectors (S). The retainer (30) is characterized by the slots (61) being formed to extend radially at a wide width x and with each of the sectors (S) including a limit projection (63) at the periphery to define a narrow width (Y). More specifically, the retainer (30) is formed in an open position and collapses inwardly to an operating position.

US Patent:

52262294, Jul 13, 1993

Filed:

Feb 6, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/832128

Inventors:

Daniel H. Pierce - Birmingham MI

International Classification:

B23P 1904

US Classification:

29215

Abstract:

A self-locking valve spring retainer (30) operatively retaining a return spring (28) on the stem (20) of a poppet valve (16) comprises an annular base ring (48) from which three flexible arms (52) upwardly extend. A pair of axially spaced locking steps (66, 68) project radially inwardly from each of the arms (52) to provide barbed engaging ledges (74, 76) which interlock with a correspondingly shaped valve stem (20). An annular waisted hinge (86) is formed between the three arms (52) and the base ring (48) to ease stresses on the retainer (30) as the arms (52) are blossomed outwardly during installation and removal. A metallic anti-wear plate (88) is secured to the top of each arm (52). An installation and removal tool (92) for the retainer (30) comprises three wedge-shaped prongs (98) insertable within the three expansion slots (54) separating the three arms (52) for blossoming the retainer (30) prior to insertion and removal. A member (102) extends integrally from each of the prongs (98) for engaging the return spring (28) to maintain the return spring (28) spaced from the retainer (30) prior to blossoming the retainer (30).

US Patent:

48799785, Nov 14, 1989

Filed:

Aug 25, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/236553

Inventors:

Daniel H. Pierce - Birmingham MI

International Classification:

F01L 310

US Classification:

123 9067

Abstract:

An engine (10) is provided including a poppet valve (14) for regulating the flow of gases to and from a combustion chamber (13). The poppet valve (14) includes an elongated stem (18). A return spring (20) is connected to the stem (18) and urges the poppet valve (14) perpendicularly toward a valve seat (16). A spring retainer (22) locks onto the stem (18) of the poppet valve (14) to retain the return spring on the poppet valve (14). A central bore (26) is provided in the spring retainer (22) and includes a radially inwardly extending ledge (30). Three equally spaced slots (32) are disposed through the spring retainer (22) for allowing the ledge (30) in the bore (26) to deflect outwardly while the spring retainer (22) is inserted onto the stem (18) of the poppet valve (14). When the spring retainer (22) is moved to an operational position on the stem (18), the ledge (30) snaps underneath a corresponding recessed surface (28) provided in the stem (18) for automatically locking the spring retainer (22) onto the stem (18) of the poppet valve (14).

Address:

3168 Steeple Chase Ln, Perrysburg, OH 43551

VIN:

1GCEC19VX7Z112957

Make:

CHEVROLET

Model:

SILVERADO 1500 CLASSIC

Year:

2007