Patents by Inventor Rajkumar Ramamurthy

Rajkumar Ramamurthy 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: 6851840
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle having luminescent or “glow-in-the-dark” markings placed on an interior surface of the vehicle and a light source located remotely from the markings to illuminate the markings, particularly at night. The markings can be placed on any surface inside a vehicle, such as a gear shift know, door handle or steering column control stalk. Additionally, the light source can be placed in the roof of the vehicle, behind a steering wheel, or any other location having an unobstructed view of the markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajkumar Ramamurthy, Joseph Khoury, Roland Ruegenberg
  • Publication number: 20030231508
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle having luminescent or “glow-in-the-dark” markings placed on an interior surface of the vehicle and a light source located remotely from the markings to illuminate the markings, particularly at night. The markings can be placed on any surface inside a vehicle, such as a gear shift know, door handle or steering column control stalk. Additionally, the light source can be placed in the roof of the vehicle, behind a steering wheel, or any other location having an unobstructed view of the markings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Rajkumar Ramamurthy, Joseph Khoury, Roland Ruegenberg
  • Patent number: 6467319
    Abstract: A remote key interlock system includes a locking device mounted on a steering column and a key actuated ignition switch located remote from the locking device, where a cable connects the locking device to the key actuated ignition switch. The locking device being engageable with a recess of a steering shaft housed within the steering column. The cable being either electrically insulated from one of the key actuated ignition switch and the locking device, or load bearing, or moveable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Karasik, Joseph Khoury, Rajkumar Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 6324878
    Abstract: A steering lock device includes an override cam slidingly engageable with a steering column, a lock bolt engageable with a recess on a steering shaft, and an override spring clutch attaching the lock bolt to the override cam. In a locked position, i.e., the steering wheel can not rotate, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. In an unlocked position, i.e., when the steering wheel can freely rotate, the lock bolt is disengaged from the recess of the steering shaft. When the ignition key is removed from the ignition switch, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. When the ignition key enters the ignition switch and is rotated, the lock bolt is removed from the recess of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajkumar Ramamurthy, Conrad Pastwa, Joseph Khoury, Rafic Jergess, Yih-Chin Lin
  • Patent number: 6122944
    Abstract: A key operated switch is provided for disabling an automobile air bag passive restraint system. The two or four position switch includes a housing, a rotor, a plurality of rotationally actuated electrical switch elements, a key ejecting mechanism, and a positive positioning detent. The switch assembly is arranged such that a transverse surface of the rotor defining a key slot is accessible through the housing. The key slot allows an operating key to be manually inserted into the rotor. In or order to insert the key, however, the therein, a certain minimum amount of force must be applied to the key sufficient to overcome the key ejecting mechanism. In the absence of such minimum insertion force, the key ejecting mechanism will act expel the key from the rotor. Once inserted into the rotor, the key may be manually rotated which causes corresponding rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kannan Chandra, Dennis Kaufman, James Larsen, Rajkumar Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 5854458
    Abstract: A multi-function switch assembly is provided for mounting to the end of a tubular member. The switch assembly provides control information to external devices via control wires contained within within the tubular member. The switch assembly includes a housing defining at least one internal cavity for mounting switch components therein, and also defining an internal bore configured to receive the tubular member. The internal bore communicates with the internal cavity, allowing the control wires to enter the housing. First, second, and third switches are mounted within the internal cavity defined by the housing. A rotating switch actuator actuates the first and second switches which are positioned such that when the rotating actuator is rotated in a first angular direction, the first switch is actuated, and when the first rotating actuator is rotated in a second opposite angular direction, the second switch is actuated. A linear switch actuator actuates the third switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajkumar Ramamurthy, Robert A. Buenzow, James K. Pettit
  • Patent number: 5804886
    Abstract: An electronic switch having a printed circuit board mounted therein is formed via insert molding of the housing around the printed circuit board enclosing the conductor wires attached to the printed circuit board and resistors attached to the printed circuit board within the insert molded housing. The electronic switch includes a rotor attached to a contact member providing for the circuit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Danielson, Charles R. Griffin, Rajkumar Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 5773774
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical switch with a return spring comprising a housing having a cylindrical shaped rotor having a brace member extending therefrom and in a centered position, the brace member is positioned adjacent to a stop abutment member protruding within the aperture of the switch housing and a spring member mounted on the rotor having arms which abut against the edges of the brace member and the stop abutment in the centered position and upon rotation of the rotor, the arms of the spring will cause the rotor to return to its centered position. The brace member abuts the arms of the return spring and upon rotation of the rotor, the braces cause the arms of the return spring to deform. The return spring in a preferred embodiment has an Omega shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajkumar Ramamurthy