Patents Represented by Attorney Mark P. Bourgeois

Find this attorney in the Justia Lawyer Directory

  • Transmission selector sensor assembly package for integration into transmission assembly
    Patent number: 6515472
    Abstract: A transmission selector position sensor is designed for easy integration into a transmission assembly. The transmission selector position sensor includes a Hall effect sensor carried on a stationary member to be mounted to the transmission body and a magnetic field generator to be mounted to a rotatable member mounted to the selector shaft. The sensor assembly is made so that the stationary member carries the rotating member prior to installation in the transmission, and then is not a load bearing member after installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Wurn, Murray Kaijala
  • Pedal with integrated position sensor
    Patent number: 6515473
    Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
  • Printed circuit board retainer
    Patent number: 6500018
    Abstract: A printed circuit board retainer for holding a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board retainer includes a plate having opposing surfaces. Several slots extend through the plate. A latch assembly extends from another surface. The latch assembly has the printed circuit board mounted to it. Several terminals are mounted to the printed circuit board and extend through the slots. A lock is mounted to the latch assembly to prevent the latch assembly from releasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Markus C. Carrison
  • Rotary position sensor using a strain gage
    Patent number: 6486767
    Abstract: A rotary position sensor for sensing the position of an attached object. The sensor uses a strain gage to detect the position of the object. The sensor includes a housing and a helical shaped actuator located in the housing. The actuator is attachable to the object. A strain gage is positioned in contact with the actuator. The actuator applies a strain to the strain gage as the actuator is moved. The strain gage generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Rainey
  • Electronic accelerator pedal having a kickdown feature
    Patent number: 6474191
    Abstract: An electronic pedal mechanism for a vehicle includes a housing that has a shaft located within and a pedal bar that is attached to the shaft. The shaft rotates when the operator applies a force on the pedal bar. A resistance mechanism is attached to the shaft to provide a resistance against the force applied by the operator on the pedal bar. A kickdown mechanism is attached to the shaft to provide a tactile feedback to the operator that the pedal bar is at a maximum point of depression. A spring mechanism is attached to the shaft to return the pedal bar to an original position after the operator removes the force applied to the pedal bar. A sensor mechanism is attached to the shaft to generate an electrical signal in response to the rotation of the shaft. The electrical signal changes as a function of the position of the pedal bar. The electrical signal is used to control engine speed in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Campbell
  • Strain gage sensor having an unstrained area
    Patent number: 6467361
    Abstract: A strain gage for measuring an applied force or weight. The strain gage includes a substrate having a tapered center section that is adapted to be stressed in response to the applied force. A strained resistor is mounted on the center section of the substrate. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is adapted to be not stressed by the applied force. An unstrained resistor is mounted on the wing section. A terminal section is mounted to the center section and the wing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Rainey, Patrick B. Blakesley, James Newcomer
  • Seat belt tension sensor
    Patent number: 6450534
    Abstract: A seat belt sensor for attachment to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor has a substrate with a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of slots therethrough. The seat belt passes through the slots. The substrate has a pair of apertures. An actuator bar is located adjacent the top surface and has a first and second end that pass through the apertures. The seat belt passes over the actuator bar. A load beam is attached to the substrate and has a first and second end. The ends of the actuator bar contact the ends of the load beam. Strain sensitive resistors are located on the load beam. The seat belt, when placed in tension, causes the actuator bar ends to flex the ends of the load beam placing stress on the strain sensitive resistor. The strain sensitive resistor generates an electrical in response to being placed under stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Blakesley, Robert Rainey
  • Octagonal electrode for crystals
    Patent number: 6448699
    Abstract: A crystal electrode that reduces coupled mode noise. A crystal blank has a top surface and a bottom surface. A first electrode is located on the top surface. The first electrode has a contact portion and a polygonal portion. A second electrode is located on the bottom surface. The second electrode has a contact portion and a polygonal portion. The polygonal portions of the first and second electrodes are arranged such that they oppose each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Dragan Scepanovic, Leon J. Miernicki
  • Keyboard with integrated pointing stick cable
    Patent number: 6445382
    Abstract: A computer keyboard assembly has flexible membrane that is located adjacent a housing. The flexible membrane has circuit lines and an integral pointing stick cable. The circuit lines extend onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane. Keys are electrically connected to the circuit lines. A backing plate structurally supports the flexible membrane. The membrane is located between the backing plate and the housing. A pointing module is attached to the backing plate. The pointing module is electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable. The pointing stick cable wraps around a side of the backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Poole, Robert M. Vandenboom
  • Strain gage having an attached unstrained area for the mounting of signal conditioning components
    Patent number: 6431013
    Abstract: A weight sensor for measuring a weight applied to the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate that has a center section that is adapted to flex in response to the applied weight and a step section that is attached to the center section. The step section concentrates the weight onto to the center section. Strain gage resistors are mounted on the center section of the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being flexed. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is out of the weight path and does not flex. The wing section contains signal conditioning electronics operative to condition the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald C. Nonnenmacher, Patrick B. Blakesley, James M. Newcomer
  • Cotinus plant named ‘Ancot’
    Patent number: PP13082
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Cotinus coggygria named ‘Ancot’ that is distinguishable from all other varieties of Cotinus, by its spring and summer display of golden yellow leaves suffused with lime-green color. The leaves change color during fall to include amber, burgundy, scarlet and green before the tree becomes deciduous in winter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Adriana Christina Bastiana Sanders-van Harn
  • Phlox plant named ‘Cotton Candy’
    Patent number: PP13420
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Cotton Candy’ that is characterized by prolific blooming, white flowers, a tall and vigorous growth habit, uniformity in containers, and light green leaves. In combination these traits distinguish the new cultivar from all other existing varieties of Phlox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Cammarota
  • Erysimum plant named ‘Walfrasun’
    Patent number: PP13432
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Erysimum named ‘Walfrasun’ that is characterized by a large compact, bushy habit, silver-green leaves, chocolate-purple buds and deep-yellow flowers that are strongly sweet in fragrance. In combination these traits set ‘Walfrasun’ apart from all other existing varieties of Erysimum known to the inventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: David Ralph Tristram
  • Ceanothus plant named ‘Perado’
    Patent number: PP13433
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Ceanothus named ‘Perado’ that is characterized by an upright habit, small rounded pale blue flowers, variegated foliage with large dark green centers, and increased vigor over other variegated varieties, setting it apart from all other existing varieties of Ceanothus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Yoder Tuddington
    Inventor: Simon Smith
  • Phlox plant named ‘Bubble Gum’
    Patent number: PP13434
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Bubble Gum’ that is characterized by vigorous growth, prolific blooming, tall, erect and uniform habit and bright pink flowers, with dark markings at the center of each flower. In combination with these characteristics, the new cultivar is larger and not as rangy as other pink varieties, setting it apart from all other existing varieties of Phlox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Cammarota
  • Scabiosa plant named ‘Walminipink’
    Patent number: PP13442
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Scabiosa columbaria named ‘Walminipink’ that is characterized by its small plant size, compact plant habit, proportionately sized pink flowers, prolific and continuous flowering, and sterility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: David Ralph Tristram
  • Scabiosa plant named ‘Walminiblue’
    Patent number: PP13446
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Scabiosa columbaria named ‘Walminiblue’ that is characterized by its small plant size, compact plant habit, proportionately sized, intensely colored lavender blue flowers, prolific and continuous flowering, and sterility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: David Ralph Tristram
  • Antirrhinum plant named ‘Yapear’
    Patent number: PP13459
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Antirrhinum named ‘Yapear’ that is characterized by a compact habit, profuse clear-white outward facing flowers, and large consistently sized leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Frederic Yates
  • Phygelius plant named ‘Blaphy’
    Patent number: PP13464
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Phygelius named ‘Blaphy’ that is characterized by an upright habit, reddish-purple pendulous flowers, burgundy stems and green leaves. In combination these traits set ‘Blaphy’ apart from all other existing varieties of Phygelius known to the inventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony Robin White
  • Maurandya plant named ‘Magic Dragon’
    Patent number: PP13548
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Maurandya named ‘Magic Dragon’ that is characterized by semi-weeping branches and light green foliage, large bright red trumpet-shaped flowers with flared lobes, and a climbing habit when secured to a stake or trellis. In combination these traits set ‘Magic Dragon’ apart from all other existing varieties of Maurandya.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Ray Brown