Patents by Inventor Gary R. Best

Gary R. Best 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: 6213797
    Abstract: A clockspring connector having a clockspring housing, a hub, a chamber defined by the housing, and a carrier member. The clockspring housing includes an inner wall and an outer wall. A flat conductor cable coiled within the clockspring housing. The hub is rotatably mounted within the clockspring housing. The chamber is defined by the clockspring housing. The carrier member is mounted within the chamber. The carrier member has roller members. One of the roller members is a hard roller member and another of the roller members is a compliant roller member. Typically, the hard roller member is positioned at a turn-back portion of the flat conductor cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Best, Patrick A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 5980286
    Abstract: A clockspring connector is provided comprising a housing defining a chamber, including a carrier member having a first roller associated with a first turned-back loop of a first flat conductor cable and a second roller associated with a second turned-back loop of a second flat conductor cable wherein said first and second flat conductor cables are alternatingly coiled at an inner diameter of the chamber adjacent the hub or along said outer diameter of the chamber adjacent the housing wall. The clockspring connector includes a complaint roller member providing compression forces against the flat ribbon cable during rotation of the clockspring connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Best, Patrick A. Bolen, Brent E. Henderson, William C. Watts
  • Patent number: 5785541
    Abstract: A seal is provided for indicating whether a clockspring has been tampered with. The clockspring consists of a housing, a hub rotatably mounted to the housing, and a ribbon cable connected to the housing and the hub. The seal is attached to the clockspring housing and hub. The seal may consist of a tamper indicating non-marking label stock having a facestock, flexographically printed indicia located on the facestock, and an adhesive coated over the flexographically printed indicia. Furthermore, the flexographically printed indicia may provide a message such as the word "VOID." Finally, the seal may include printed instructions for inspecting the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Best, Patrick A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 5739487
    Abstract: A switching assembly having an on switch with a separate off release actuator. The switching assembly has a switch which has both an on position and an off position. Connected on the switch is an on button which has both a released position and a depressed position. The moving of the on button into the depressed position causes the switch to toggle into the on position. Also connected to the switch is an actuator rod which provides for the locking and releasing of the switch from the on position. The actuator rod is connected to an off button which has both a depressed position and a released position. Moving the off button into the depressed position causes the switch to toggle into the off position. Furthermore, a spring is connected to the actuator rod for maintaining the on switch in the on position until the actuator is forced to release the on switch from the on position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Best
  • Patent number: 4837411
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly comprises a first, domed, flexible contact member plus at least one second, flexible, finger-type contact member positioned under the first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto. Actuator means are provided for pressing the first, domed contact member into contact with the second contact member to actuate the switch assembly. In accordance with this invention the second, flexible, finger-type contact member defines an end portion which is bent to permit increased-area contact with the first contact member when the first contact member is pressed into contact with the second contact member. This also provides improved wiping action between the first and second contacts as the increased-area contact is made and broken for removal of carbon build-up and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Best
  • Patent number: 4345498
    Abstract: A food slicing machine which folds up into a compact storage position includes a motor driven blade mounted on an upright housing. A platform pivotally mounted to the housing supports a sliding food tray which in turn receives a food pusher used to maintain the food against a guide surface during the slicing stroke. A thumb guard pivotally connected with the food tray must be positioned properly to permit operation of the machine. The components are removable for cleaning and are contained together when the unit is folded up for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Rival Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gary R. Best