Patents by Inventor Charles W. Coker

Charles W. Coker 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: 5464177
    Abstract: An energy absorbing motor vehicle barrier includes a collapsible energy absorption assembly which is stored in a vault in the ground. Upon deployment, the energy absorption apparatus is lifted out of its vault, where it thereby expands and deploys. The energy absorption apparatus includes four stages of pairs of elastomeric torsion springs configured into scissors arrangements, with each stage having a progressively higher effective spring rate, to thereby decelerate a vehicle which strikes the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: James H. Kramer, Daniel S. Lynch, Charles W. Coker
  • Patent number: 4494012
    Abstract: A switching timer device includes a manual switch having "on", "off" and "timer" positions. When the switch is set in the "on" position a load is supplied continuous power from a source. When the switch is set in the "timer" position, a load-powering power switch is closed for a predetermined length of time determined by a timer that is automatically reset when the manual switch is so actuated, and after elapse of the predetermined time the power switch is opened to de-energize the load. The timer is configured as a direct replacement for existing wall-mounted switch units without requiring access to the low side of the line, and consumes no internal power when in the normal "on" position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Intermatic Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles W. Coker