Patents by Inventor Charles V. Edwards

Charles V. Edwards 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: 10090123
    Abstract: Rotary switches and associated methods. A rotary switch can include one or more arcuate passages which are prone to ingress of particulate or liquid contaminants. A gasket, a rib, and/or a lubricant reservoir can be provided in the arcuate passages for blocking ingress of contaminants to an interior of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Neese, James P. Meagher, Charles V. Edwards, Robert D. O'Neil, Stephen M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20180130619
    Abstract: Rotary switches and associated methods. A rotary switch can include one or more arcuate passages which are prone to ingress of particulate or liquid contaminants. A gasket, a rib, and/or a lubricant reservoir can be provided in the arcuate passages for blocking ingress of contaminants to an interior of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Neese, James P. Meagher, Charles V. Edwards, Robert D. O'Neil, Stephen M. Jones
  • Patent number: 9000315
    Abstract: A manually operated switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a housing, a switch mechanism, and an actuator assembly. The switch mechanism is housed within the housing and is configured to open or close a circuit upon actuation. The actuator assembly is shiftably supported by the housing and generally includes a depressible actuator and a stability element. The actuator presents an actuator length and serves to actuate the switch mechanism when depressed. The stability element is configured to ensure that the actuator moves substantially uniformly along the actuator length when the actuator is depressed such that actuation of the switch mechanism is facilitated regardless of where the actuator is depressed along the actuator length. The switch assembly may be waterproofed, and be formed, at least in part, by a curable liquid sealant supplied to the switch assembly from a single fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Baum, James P. Meagher, Zhen Li, Charles V. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8872048
    Abstract: An electric switch assembly comprises a circuit board; a light source mounted on the circuit board; a thumbwheel knob rotatably mounted on the circuit board; a transparent surface that moves with the thumbwheel knob and on which a symbol is applied or formed; and a light guide for directing light from the light source to the transparent surface to illuminate the symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Neese, Charles V. Edwards, David E. Zink
  • Publication number: 20130292235
    Abstract: A manually operated switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a housing, a switch mechanism, and an actuator assembly. The switch mechanism is housed within the housing and is configured to open or close a circuit upon actuation. The actuator assembly is shiftably supported by the housing and generally includes a depressible actuator and a stability element. The actuator presents an actuator length and serves to actuate the switch mechanism when depressed. The stability element is configured to ensure that the actuator moves substantially uniformly along the actuator length when the actuator is depressed such that actuation of the switch mechanism is facilitated regardless of where the actuator is depressed along the actuator length. The switch assembly may be waterproofed, and be formed, at least in part, by a curable liquid sealant supplied to the switch assembly from a single fluid source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew R. Baum, James P. Meagher, Zhen Li, Charles V. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20130265698
    Abstract: A remote control is provided for use in a high humidity environment. More particularly, the remote control includes a foam insert configured to at least substantially fill a space in an interior compartment of the remote control to prevent formation of condensate in the space. The foam insert is also configured to exert a force against a control board in the interior compartment, thereby fixing the control board within the remote control. The remote control housing comprises a pair of enclosures. A plurality of latch components and a polymer bead are provided to cooperatively secure the enclosures to each other, with the bead providing an at least substantially continuous seal between the interior compartment and the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew R. Baum, Owen Dong, Charles V. Edwards, Lawrence A. May, James P. Meagher, Robert D. O'Neil
  • Publication number: 20130126318
    Abstract: An electric switch assembly comprises a circuit board; a light source mounted on the circuit board; a thumbwheel knob rotatably mounted on the circuit board; a transparent surface that moves with the thumbwheel knob and on which a symbol is applied or formed; and a light guide for directing light from the light source to the transparent surface to illuminate the symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Neese, Charles V. Edwards, David É Zink
  • Patent number: 7137387
    Abstract: An oven lock mechanism is disclosed having a latch mechanism driven by a motor between a latched position wherein the oven door is held in a closed position and an unlatched position wherein the oven door freely opens and closes. The motor is controlled by a switch that enables rotation of the motor when in a first state and prevents rotation of the motor when in a second state. A switch actuator mechanism places the switch in the first state when the door is closed and in the second state when the door is open. The switch is mounted at the rear of the oven away from the front opening of the oven compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Charles V. Edwards, Harry I Courter, Tracy J. Talley