Patents by Inventor Kevin D. Kurtz

Kevin D. Kurtz 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: 6276230
    Abstract: A throttle controller includes an electrical position sensor having a movable element and being mounted on a steering mechanism, such as a handlebar, and a mechanical interface from the position sensor to a throttle handle. The movement of the throttle handle actuates the mechanical interface which, in turn, alters the position of the movable element in the position sensor. The changeable position of the movable element thus provides an electrical indication of the position of the throttle handle suitable for controlling the internal combustion engine or electric motor. The position sensor may be a rotary position sensor having a rotor as the movable element, wherein rotating the throttle handle rotates the rotor. The throttle controller is particularly useful on a personal water craft, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, etc. Potentiometers or Hall effect devices are both suitable for use as the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: R. Clayton Crum, Kevin D. Kurtz, John Zdanys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5977499
    Abstract: A linear slide selector switch for multiple channels for selecting between several switch positions. Specifically, there is a housing having a hinged door with a latch lock, the door rotates to a closed position and is held in a closed position by the latch lock. The housing also contains a slide and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has rows of contacts. A contactor is mounted to the slide. As the slide is moved linearly, electrical connections are made and broken on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Kevin D. Kurtz, John Zdanys
  • Patent number: 5959525
    Abstract: A variable resistance control device and switch has a base, made of insulating material, a rheostat, mounted to the base, and a switch, mounted to the base. The rheostat includes a variable resistor trace, positioned on the base, a collector trace, positioned on the base next to and insulated from the variable resistor trace. The rheostat includes an actuator, slidably coupled to the base, for sliding over a length of both the variable resistor trace and the collector trace to make electrical contact therebetween. The rheostat also includes a first set of contacts, that are 1) electrically coupled during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically isolated during operation of the switch; and a second set of contacts, that are 1) electrically isolated during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically coupled during the operation of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Kevin D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5864186
    Abstract: A volume control for in-wall building stereo systems. Specifically, there is a sliding switch coupled between a mounting bracket and a printed circuit board that has components mounted thereon including two multi-tap inductors or transformers. The in-wall mounted speaker volume control slide selector switch assembly. Specifically, the assembly has a sliding selector switch, for housing electrical components, having a shaft extending from the sliding selector switch, for sliding in a linear direction to control volume of the in-wall mounted speaker. Additionally, there is a transformer, for supplying power to the in-wall mounted speaker, having a plurality of transformer taps. Further, there is a printed circuit board, for electrically connecting and physically mounting the transformers and the sliding selector switch thereto. Also, there is a mounting bracket, for supporting the printed circuit board and the transformer and sliding selector switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Kurtz, Richard L. Black, John Zdanys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5818002
    Abstract: A pressure switch is illustrated that includes only three piece parts--two dimpled covers and a spacer. By selecting both the type and thickness of cover materials, switching pressure ranges can be selected to accommodate a very wide range of operating pressures. Fine adjustment of the switching pressure may be made by modifying the cover dimples. Reliability and a hermetic seal is attained through the use of appropriate materials for the covers and spacer, together with active metal braze seals which provide high temperature, moisture and chemical resistance. A vacuum port is added for providing the ability to modify the air pressure within the pressure switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Kurtz, Steven N. Ginn, David L. Kordecki